King County Search Dogs

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Seattle, WA
King County Search Dogs

Our Mission: Find and aid people in distress. Formed in 1996, King County Search Dogs is a non-profit search and rescue organization.

It is a unit within King County Search and Rescue and is deployed by the King County Sheriff's office.

05/08/2026

Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 Pacific Northwest Search & Rescue Conference!

We are excited to officially welcome attendees from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond to join us October 30 – November 1, 2026 at the beautiful Cascade Camp & Conference Center in Yelm, Washington!

This year’s conference will bring together:
-Search & Rescue Volunteers
-Law Enforcement
-Firefighters
-Medical Providers
-Emergency Workers
-Outdoor Leaders
-Technical Rescue Personnel
…and many more from across the SAR community.

Attendees can expect:
✅ Hands-on and classroom-based training
✅ Expert instructors from around the region
✅ Networking with SAR professionals and volunteers
✅ Vendor expo and equipment demonstrations
✅ Lodging and meals included with conference registration
✅ Specialized courses covering search management, technical rescue, medical topics, search planning, field operations, leadership development, and more

Lodging is summer camp style with shared sleeping areas assigned by unit/team. Limited RV and tent camping spots are also available. There are passes available without lodging as well for our more local folks.

Prices increase July 1st — register early to secure your spot!

Registration:
https://www.pnwsarconference.com/registration

Conference Website:
https://www.pnwsarconference.com/

We cannot wait to bring the SAR community together for an incredible weekend of training, collaboration, and professional development.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post!

05/06/2026

You really are the Greatest Of All Time!
THANK YOU to everyone who donated to King County Search Dogs during Give Big 2026. Leveraging our generous matching grant we raised over $9,300 for our training and search mission activities. Community support like this makes volunteer service truly rewarding.

Pro Tip: The fun is not over! You can still donate through Give Big (https://www.wagives.org/organization/kcsearchdogs) or on our website (https://www.kcsearchdogs.org/you/donate/) and your gift will be matched as part of our 30th anniversary fundraising.

05/05/2026

GIVE BIG Today to the non-profits that support you all year long.
Double the Impact: All donations to King County Search Dogs will be matched during Give Big 2026 and throughout KCSD’s 30th Birthday celebration.
It’s easy to Give Big through WA-Gives (https://www.wagives.org/organization/kcsearchdogs) or directly on our website (https://www.kcsearchdogs.org/you/donate/).

Every donation makes a difference: Thank You!

05/04/2026

GET READY TO GIVE BIG!
King County Search Dogs has been there 24/7/365 for 30 years working to help reunite Washington families. Each of our members averages 182 hours/year volunteering on search missions and training activities but we can’t do it without your help.
Consider helping King County Search Dogs during GiveBig 2026 tomorrow. Every donation helps and every dollar of your gift will be matched by a generous supporter.
https://www.wagives.org/organization/kcsearchdogs

05/03/2026

Someone is Having a Birthday 🎂🎁🎉
Formed in 1996 with first deployment in 1997, KCSD is celebrating 30 years of service to Washington State and the King County Sheriff's Office including over 1,240 search missions with King County Search and Rescue. Please join us as we profile our wonderful dog teams as well as training and community outreach activities over the next year.
KCSD is 100% volunteer and depends community support. You can help during the 2026 Give Big Day appeal on Tuesday where your donation will be matched by a generous supporter doubling your impact. (https://www.wagives.org/organization/kcsearchdogs)

04/30/2026

💔K9 Natick Wilderness Searcher: 9/2/2012-4/25/2026.
It’s what happens in that dash between the years that counts: Natick began his introduction to KCSD at 8 weeks, certified in wilderness airscent at 21 months and deployed on first official mission a week later. In 2015 he helped find a camper who was reported missing but wasn’t actually lost and in 2016 helped find a father and son from Germany visiting our region who got lost on a hike in the Alpine Lakes. Natick added certifications in Cadaver and Human Remains Detection through KCSD and NSDA. Throughout his career he helped make many finds on land and in water to help bring closure for families. Among Natick’s favorite activities were demonstrations and and education events, interacting with youth and general public, performing run-aways and finding kids in classrooms, auditoriums, ballfields and playgrounds. Natick worked until the end, helping find an elderly woman who had wandered from home near Lake Kathleen in late 2025. Natick loved being part of KCSD and working with all the dogs and human searchers throughout the SAR community.
Please join us in celebrating his legacy and thanking Natick and his handler Josh Gerstman for their outstanding service to the people and dogs of Washington Sate.

04/15/2026

Great video from our friends at Washington State Animal Response Team (WASART). Paw injuries are not uncommon and it's important to be prepared to manage K9 and human accidents when enjoying the outdoors.

03/22/2026

Well earned recognition for one of our outstanding teammates from Washington State Search and Rescue Volunteer Advisory Council. Heather Jo Cutting remains a tireless contributor to KCSD, the search and rescue community and people in need throughout Washington State.

01/03/2026

Who was that dog??
National TV spotlight on KCSD searchdog!
Last Sunday ABC/ESPN, KOMO4 included a wonderful short profile of our very own K9 Lincoln. It aired during their broadcast of the 25th AKC National Championship Dog Show where Lincoln was a great ambassador for all hardworking SAR dogs.
We are very proud of Lincoln and all his KCSD teammates and we are especially grateful for the support we continue to receive from the community that they serve. Best wishes to everyone for a safe 2026!

12/23/2025

Best Wishes for a Joyous Holiday Season
and a SAFE and successful New Year!
from all the King County Search Dogs and their handlers

11/29/2025

Searchdog Saturday: K9 Ahsoka conferring with handler Joan, “it’s around here somewhere….”

Address

Seattle, WA

Website

http://kcsearchdogs.org/

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