PAWS Connections Anil Kapahi
John and Luu:
John and Luu may be the closest our busy modern lives can come to the inaugural relationship of people and dogs.
The perfect pair
J
ohn Curley is known as Luu’s person, but to the rest of us, he’s the host of Tom and Curley, the number one afternoon show in Seattle, a well-known auctioneer, and the former host of KING-TV’s Evening show. Luu is an adventurous dog with soulful eyes and long legs made to cover the snowy terrain of Cle Elum—where she and John now call home. Born in California, she ended up in a shelter crowded with homeless animals. Luu was at risk of euthanasia. That’s when PAWS’ partner New Beginnings for Merced County Animals came to the rescue, and Luu was transferred to PAWS Companion Animal Shelter in Lynnwood for a second chance. In just 14 days in care, Luu received 11 veterinarian exams, several medications, and a complicated spay surgery. PAWS met her every need, ensuring that she was both healthy and ready to go to a new home. Meanwhile, John was searching for a new canine companion. He found PAWS — CONTINUED INSIDE
Luu has adjusted to life in a 365 square-foot cabin which John describes as either a giant doghouse or a tiny human house.
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A Soft Landing
O
for Five Siblings
n a cold September morning, a box was found outside a local vet clinic. A note on the box said, “Please help them,” and tucked inside were five juvenile northern flying squirrels. The clinic staff knew where to take these wild animals: the PAWS Wildlife Center. The smallest weighing 34 grams, these young squirrels would normally be entirely dependent on their mom in the wild. Instead, PAWS animal care staff took on the role of caregiver. After 43 days of providing feedings every few hours, they were weaned and moved into outdoor enclosures.
These five northern flying squirrel siblings are safe in a specially built release box.
Knowing the squirrels would require help with the transition to the wild, PAWS staff researched specially built release boxes. These would serve as home base and keep the animals safe as they acclimated to life in the wild.
Says Gilbert, “This project took place from March until the squirrels’ release in October. These young ladies were incredibly dedicated to this project and are still inspiring others as their story is now part of our PAWS Kids Who Care lessons.”
While the squirrels were growing, two Girl Scouts were working with the PAWS Education Team to complete their Silver Award, the highest achievement for Cadettes.
On release day, PAWS Naturalist Jeff Brown brought the five northern flying squirrels to a forest near Issaquah where the boxes were mounted high in the trees. Cameras were set up so PAWS staff could monitor the squirrels’ progress from a distance. And the boxes these intrepid Scouts worked so hard to build enabled the animals to safely explore their new home in the wild at their own pace.
Kaelyn and Malia, previous attendees of PAWS Girl Scout programs, were matched to this project by PAWS Educator Bailey Gilbert. The wildlife experts at PAWS provided the friends with a proposed design. The industrious Scouts then added their own ideas, including a porch entryway to protect the squirrels from animals entering the box.
Kaelyn and Malia each spent more than 50 hours researching, designing and building the boxes. They also created a presentation for other Scouts to learn about the northern flying squirrels project.
For more content related to this story, visit paws.org/Spring2021.
Cover Story — continued through a friend, but was already aware of the organization’s reputation to match the right dog with the right person “so all souls are satisfied,” he explains. “Helping John in his search for his next companion couldn't have been easier,” says Michelle Kulej, PAWS Shelter Operations Specialist. “He was looking for a dog who was as active and easygoing as he is. The most important quality for him was that it be a good fit for both of them. He was willing to wait however long that took.” Fortunately, the wait wasn’t long. “When I first saw Luu, I thought of John and how much he would like her,” says Kulej. “I sent her picture to John, he wanted to meet her, and the rest is history. Luu is one very lucky pup!” Luu now spends her days on John’s eight acres, where every day she walks out to the top of the property and waits expectantly for her leash to come off. She runs wild, bounding between trees and through snow. Coming home to a warm cabin, she has a treat and snuggles into her warm bed. It’s every dog’s dream life. John and Luu’s 365-square-foot cabin, sans indoor plumbing, resembles either a giant doghouse or a tiny human house. It may be the closest our busy modern lives can come to the inaugural relationship of people and dogs. And it’s perfect for John and Luu. He sums it up with, “She needs me and I need her.” “She needs me and I need her,” says John about his new companion Luu.
Temporary Rookery Saves Baby Herons “They had lots of perches at different angles and heights to rest on and if you were outside you could hear their calls throughout the day.”
Approximately two weeks of age, this juvenile heron was rescued from a decimated rookery.
D
uring a fierce storm last June, a black-crowned night-heron rookery in Yakima was decimated. With the parents gone and the nests destroyed, there were vulnerable baby herons who needed immediate lifesaving care. A biologist from the area called PAWS Wildlife Center. Although PAWS had not worked with this species of heron before, wildlife staff readily agreed to help. With PAWS on board, the biologist made the trek to Lynnwood with 22 juvenile herons in tow. It’s unusual to receive so many wild animals of a species at one time but heron rookeries are unique. Because they house a multitude of families, the young herons who came to PAWS arrived at varying ages, each requiring different levels of care. The smallest among them were newly hatched, weighing just 30 grams and requiring heated indoor
This baby heron required heated indoor housing and feeding assistance.
housing and feeding assistance. Others were old enough to go into outdoor enclosures. Says PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitator Robbie Thorson, “While it was challenging for staff to care for so many individual animals of a new species, it was fortunate because the herons had others of the same species to grow up with and learn from. We quickly gained experience with multiple life stages for this species.” Being voracious eaters—the birds ingested up to five pounds of fish per day—meant the herons were continually growing and soon the younger herons were joining the older ones in the outdoor enclosure, set up as an artificial rookery. “The rookery sounded and smelled like the real thing,” says Jeff Brown, PAWS Naturalist. “They had lots of perches at different angles and heights to rest on and if you were outside you could hear their calls throughout the day.” When the time came to release these rehabilitated patients, a fully orchestrated plan was hatched. Because of the age differences, the herons were placed into three release groups. Biologists carefully selected locations in wetland areas with flowing willow trees for plenty of perches. When the birds left the transport crates, they flew right into the trees. Several herons took short, swooping flights over the grasslands before finding a perch.
Due to differences in age, the 22 herons were released back to the wild in three groups.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern Meghan Schuster, who helped care for the blackcrowned night-herons at PAWS, witnessed one group’s return to the wild. She says, “It was such a joy to see them from day one in our care all the way through to their release!” The herons are now safely ensconced in their new environment, foraging for food, mating, rearing young of their own, and filling our natural world with their intrinsic beauty.
For more content related to this story, visit paws.org/Spring2021.
Thank you for making these success stories possible with your support of PAWS!
From the Heart Dear PAWS Friends,
CEO Heidi Wills gently greets a 3-week-old puppy from the Valentine Transport on February 9.
PAWS helps cats, dogs and wild animals go home and thrive— whether home is the family room or the forest. We do this by rehabilitating orphaned and injured wildlife, sheltering and adopting homeless cats and dogs, and educating the community to inspire compassionate action for animals.
mini magazine Issue 8, Spring 2021 Editor in Chief: Laura Follis Associate Editor: Jennie Baxla Writers: Jennie Baxla, Shale Yamada Graphic Designer: Lynn Jefferson Photographers: Jeff Brown, J Wildwood Photos, Melisa Coleman PAWS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and relies on community support to conduct our work to help animals. PAWS, PAWS Cat City, PAWSwalk, Kids Who Care, and PAWS Academy are service marks owned by the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). © 2021 Progressive Animal Welfare Society. Privacy Policy: PAWS respects our donors’ and friends’ confidentiality. Although on rare occasion we may send you materials from another organization, we never release our mailing list. PAWS is a member magazine. Membership is available with a donation of $35 or more. For change of address notification, call (425) 787-2500, x261.
PAWS Cat City: (206) 782-1700 5200 Roosevelt Way NE Suite B Seattle, WA 98105
You’ll read about some beautiful examples of our mission in action in this issue. Here are a few more from recent days that you’ve helped make possible. • A momma dog named Disco and her three-week-old puppies arrived at PAWS from a transport partner in California. Once at risk of euthanasia at a shelter overwhelmed with animals, Disco and her litter are now safe in a foster home while the puppies grow stronger. After her puppies are adopted, Disco will remain in foster care for two more weeks to recuperate before finding a loving family of her own.
PAWS’ Promise
PAWS
As spring baby season approaches, we’re looking forward to the important work ahead to help cats, dogs, and wild animals go home and thrive. Our staff members have adjusted to the realities of operating amid a pandemic, and together with the backing of supporters like you, we’re continuing to serve the needs of animals and the people who love them.
Josh Amato, Norm Arkans, James Donaldson, Joanna Grist, Joe Grube, Heather Hager, Steve Hall, Gayle Johnson, Jill Jones, C. Han Kim, Ju Lee, Robert Mahon, Dan McGrady, Peter Schrappen, Karen Trujillo, Kris Tsujikawa, Muriel Van Housen, Jennie Warmouth
CEO Heidi Wills
Heidi Wills CEO
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Did you know the old vehicle that is taking up space in your garage or driveway could save lives? Donating your vehicle to PAWS is an easy and convenient way to help homeless animals. When you donate your vehicle, you’ll avoid costly repairs and the headache and hassle of selling it – and in return, animals in need will receive compassionate, expert care. It’s a safe and easy way to save the lives of animals, even while social distancing.
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Contact PAWS: (425) 787-2500 Adoption Information x435 Animal Cruelty x861 Donor Relations x441 Foster Care Program x822 Hours and Address x410 Lost and Found Pets x565 Volunteer Information x230 Wildlife Center x817
As nature brings the bounty of springtime, PAWS is ready to meet the challenge. We couldn’t do this lifesaving work without you. Thank you for your support.
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Board of Directors Chuck Stempler, President Katie Jordan, Vice President Jennifer Evans, Treasurer Rep. Strom Peterson, Secretary
• I n early February, we received a redtailed hawk who was found unresponsive at a park. Our wildlife veterinary team began immediate critical care, including an emergency blood transfusion from a healthy raptor patient, also in care. Within an hour, the hawk was on her feet. Her prognosis continues to improve.
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rownie Girl Scouts: B Pets Badge
adette Girl Scouts: 4/21 | CAnimal Helpers Badge Scouts: Animal Girl 4/23 | Junior Habitats Badge
| 5/23-6/12 | 5/4-5/5
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