King County Search Dogs

08/02/2026

It's a Sunny Day!
Congratulations to K9 Sunny (a.k.a. The Brown Blur) and his handler Annie for passing their KCSD Human Remains Detection Certification Test yesterday. In classic exuberant spaniel style Sunny swept through the challenging search area finding both sources in less than 10 minutes while Annie did her best to keep up. Join us in congratulating this great team on their accomplishment and look for "Dog 17" on our next mission.

07/31/2026

We had such a great day sharing the work of King County Search Dogs with the campers at Camp Blaze!

Thank you for inviting us to demonstrate what our dogs do, answer questions, and give these future first responders a closer look at the work behind every search. We loved their enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to jump in and learn.

Thank you, Camp Blaze, for letting us fire it up with you! 🔥

07/20/2026

💔 Heartbroken: K9 Lincoln’s search bells have gone silent after a remarkable life of service, achievement, and wholehearted joy.

An energetic Flat-Coated Retriever, Lincoln was an exceptional search dog with an unforgettable personality who always greeted the search subjects he found with a large ‘kiss’. He responded to over 150 search missions and had KCSD and NSDA certifications in wilderness airscent and human remains detection. In 2022, he received the AKC Search and Rescue Award for Canine Excellence for some of his finds. He represented search and rescue dogs before a national audience on ABC and ESPN, bringing his unmistakable enthusiasm to every moment.

Lincoln and his handler, Jon, built a partnership through years of training, missions, trust, and love. Together, they were wonderful ambassadors for KCSD and familiar faces at demonstrations, fundraisers, and events. Their work showed what is possible when a talented dog, a devoted handler, and a community of mentors and teammates align.

Dogs live in the moment, and Lincoln filled his moments completely. His life was rich with meaningful work, great adventures, beloved people, and extraordinary achievements. His legacy lives in the people he helped bring home, the teams he inspired, and the many hearts made better by knowing him.

Please join us in sending our love and condolences to Jon, Edith, K9 Puzzle, and everyone who loved Lincoln. We also invite you to share your memories of this extraordinary dog below.

Rest well, good boy. We are endlessly proud of you.

06/13/2026

Please read this twice if you hike with your dog!

06/05/2026

Thanks to KIRO 7 News for sharing some great advice about staying safe this summer!

“A lot of these could’ve been prevented if people prepared... but even the most experienced hiker can have a bad day."

06/03/2026

King County Search Dogs congratulates Detective Ed Christian on receiving the MLK Distinguished Service Award.

Ed's leadership, dedication, and commitment to serving others have had a lasting impact on search and rescue throughout King County and across the region. We are grateful for his support of volunteers and decades of service to our communities.

Thank you, Ed, for the countless ways you have strengthened search and rescue and supported those who answer the call to help others!

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