Vashon Fauna

Vashon is zoned rural, and the island feels a lot like Lopez, as in sparsely populated.

Animals like living on Vashon-Maury.  There are fields, forests, miles of shoreline, several veterinarians, and the Vashon Island Pet Protectors (VIPP). Over the years, I have had feedback from clients who said their dogs were barkers, biters, suffering from separation anxiety—neurotic in various ways—and that after a few months away from people, noise and traffic, their dog’s personality changed for the better.

We are gratefully spared the presence of opossums, poisonous snakes, and large predators, (although there have been two bear sightings in the thirty-five years I have lived here; the bears were relocated to the wild within a few days, and there are 8 coyotes that are being watched). A Vashon pod of orcas patrol the shoreline, see Orcas in the Vashon Beachcomber article, and too many deer and raccoons abound.

Cats love lurking in the shadows, watching for voles, birds, moles, mice, rats, shrews, and other cat fodder.  The Pony Club, Rock Riders, and 4-H are active, long-standing organizations; horses, sheep, cattle, goats, chickens, pigs, geese—a veritable Old MacDonald’s farm (or was it Betty MacDonald’s farm?), thrives in this land mass the same size as the other island—Manhattan.  You might follow the link to the Vashon Park’s equestrian map.

This is a fun place for animals, and if you like animals, this will also be a fun place for you!  Gather your furry and farm yard friends together, board the State of Washington Ark, and prepare for a walk in the wild!