PAWS Connections
Rich Beausoleil and Peter Gros look on as the rehabilitated black bears return to their natural habitat after months of care at PAWS. Photo courtesy of Mutal of Omaha’s Wild Kindom.
Burned Bear Brothers Return to the Wild
L
ast summer, a devastating wildfire swept through the lush forests surrounding Chelan, Washington, destroying over 22,000 acres, killing and injuring an untold numbers of animals. In the aftermath of the blaze, local property owners, Dave and Karen Case, spotted two bear cubs on their wildlife camera scrounging for any uncharred scraps of food. Prior to the fire, the cubs often appeared with their mother. Now they were alone and moving in pain with severe burns covering their paws. Rich Beausoleil, a bear and cougar specialist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, was called in to capture the cubs so they could be treated for injuries by the PAWS wildlife team. Nine months later, after undergoing a regimen of specialized burn care and denning at the PAWS facility, the bears were ready to return to the wild. Rich helped again, although this time around he’d be joined by Peter Gros, the host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. Peter and his team have been following the story of the bear brothers closely, — CONTINUED INSIDE
The PAWS wildlife team records biometric data from a sedated black bear before beginning the journey to the release site.
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PAWS Teen and Preteen Workshops
Help Youth Find Their Calling ow many of us wanted to work with animals at some point growing up but didn’t know how to get involved? Jake Kreuzer, PAWS Education Programs Manager, says: “It’s important that youth have learning opportunities that foster empathy and understanding for animals and allow them to find ways that their community can help domestic and wild animals. We hope, through these workshops, tomorrow’s leaders can see themselves as advocates for animals.” This summer, PAWS brought back in-person teen and preteen workshops. In these workshops, groups of spirited youth learned about responsible pet care and respecting wildlife, issues both companion and wild animals face in the PNW and beyond, and career opportunities (complete with a panel of guest speakers). While investigating these topics, the teens and preteens grew closer to the PAWS community through service projects benefiting both the Companion Animal Shelter and Wildlife Hospital.
Teen workshop attendees learn about responsible pet care and respecting wildlife while participating in hands-on activities.
PAWS is grateful for this year’s club members and we’re already looking forward to the 2023 clubs, as well as the other educational opportunities PAWS has in the works. Do you know a preteen or teen interested in applying for next summer’s clubs? Visit paws.org/education/youth-at-paws to learn more!
For more content related to this story, visit paws.org/Summer2022.
Cover Story — continued even creating a short online video chronicling their recovery that received nearly two million views, making the bears unexpected internet celebrities! In mid-May, Peter and the Wild Kingdom film crew joined Rich and the PAWS staff to prepare the bears for release in the central part of the state unaffected by last year’s wildfires. The yearling bears were sedated for transport and a series of biometric measurements were recorded to ensure they attained the target weight for release, which they easily exceeded by foraging in their temporary home. The PAWS team replicated many of the habitat features of the forest to ensure the bears would have no trouble finding food once back in the wild. Lastly, the bears were fitted with temporary GPS tracking collars to transmit location data, allowing for a detailed study of their movements and range.
Although once injured and weak, the bear siblings quickly regained their strength at PAWS.
For more content related to this story, visit paws.org/Summer2022.
A three-hour trailer ride later, the now healthy and alert bears were set free, ready to course the hills and forests like wild bears do. According to Rich, “The bears, who last year could barely walk, came blazing out of the transport cages, running like champs! They ran down the trail for about 25 yards and then veered off into the woods where they were born and never looked back.” The entire journey of the bears will be featured in the first episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom: Protecting the Wild, an all-new series premiering in January on RFD-TV. To learn more about the series, please visit www.wildkingdom.com.
A Second Chance for Shilo “Shilo made a HUGE impression on our hearts!”
hen you’re a shelter cat biding your time for a loving home, there are certain factors that can predict your wait until the right adopter comes along. To be adopted quickly, it pays to be young and healthy. Shilo, however, had neither youth nor health, and when she arrived at PAWS after losing her terminally-ill human companion, the familiar world the five-pound senior cat knew came to an abrupt end. Shilo was fifteen years old when she was admitted to the shelter and affected by several critical health issues that needed to be addressed immediately. For one, her eyes were badly infected and needed to be surgically removed. Shilo also had pronounced tooth and gum disease that necessitated extraction of her remaining
Shilo enjoying a sunny cat nap in the garden on her plush bed.
teeth – which surprisingly did not prevent her from enjoying a bowl of kibble! Lastly, the vet team introduced a regimen of medication to control her hyperthyroidism, reversing the steady loss of body mass. After three months of care, and regular enrichment activities organized by volunteers, Shilo was ready to transfer to PAWS Cat City in search of the right family. A professional oddsmaker might say that Shilo’s chances of going home on the first day were one in a thousand, but cats don’t care what people think! Shilo was adopted less than 24 hours after arriving at PAWS Cat City by a couple experienced in caring for senior and special-needs animals. Shilo’s new owners gave her a safe space where she quickly grew the courage to roam the garden with supervision, and where she found comfort relaxing in the sun on a plush bed. She also started to gain back some body mass by enjoying her meals in a stress-free environment. Although Shilo thrived with her new family, her advanced age and years of ongoing health problems caught up to her despite the progress she was making. She experienced kidney failure and passed away peacefully in the loving home where she got her second chance. Her adopter, Sarah Haas, reflects of her time with Shilo: “She was with us far too briefly, but she made a HUGE impression on our hearts. She fought
Shilo poses proudly with her new family at PAWS Cat City the day she was adopted.
the good fight for a long time, but her body just got so tired...I’m grateful we had the opportunity to let her know she was safe and loved. She taught us so much in what turned out to be a too-short amount of time. She truly was a part of our family.”
* URGENT NEED * We have an urgent need for foster volunteers. Please apply at paws.org/foster
Thank you for making these success stories possible with your support of PAWS!
From the Heart Dear PAWS Friends, Many people want their lives to matter, to make a difference for others. Some of the most important gifts that we receive are from animal-loving people who remembered PAWS in their estate plans. Even people who may have contributed only modest amounts during their lifetimes gave their largest gift after they passed away—their home. Last year, a supporter named Altair Walker realized he did not have much longer to live. He knew he would be leaving his best friend behind, his dog Cricket, so he contacted PAWS. Animals were important to Mr. Walker throughout his life. He wanted Cricket to go to a home bustling with activity after being his loyal companion throughout his battle with lung cancer.
Mr. Walker’s dog Cricket was rehomed to a wonderful family.
PAWS’ Promise 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.
PAWS
mini magazine Issue 11, Summer 2022 Editor in Chief: Mick Szydlowski Writer: Mick Szydlowski Graphic Designer: Lynn Jefferson Photographers: Jeff Brown, Lynn Jefferson, 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). © 2022 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) 412-4041.
PAWS Cat City: (206) 782-1700 5200 Roosevelt Way NE Suite B Seattle, WA 98105
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If only Mr. Walker could see Cricket now! She was adopted by a wonderful family with four young boys. Their mom, Madelyn Vaughn, says: “Cricket is an extraordinary little dog. She has shown us that adaptation
Board of Directors Katie Jordan, Chair Jen Evans, Vice Chair Peter Schrappen, Secretary Bob Mahon, Treasurer
Josh Amato, Norm Arkans, James Donaldson, Rich Finlay, Joanna Grist, Joe Grube, Heather Hager, Steve Hall, Jill Jones, C. Han Kim, Damian King, Ju Lee, Ammon McWashington, Eddie Pasatiempo, Hon. Strom Peterson, Jim Soriano Chuck Stempler, Rebekah Strausbaugh, Karen Trujillo, Kris Tsujikawa, Muriel Van Housen, Jennie Warmouth, Erica Wolf
is possible with patience and love. Mr. Walker really cared for her and it shows.” Mr. Walker’s legacy continues to make a positive impact for animals. He left his condominium and all of his assets to PAWS in his will. His generous bequest is ensuring that thousands of homeless dogs and cats find safe and loving homes. If you love animals, please remember PAWS in your estate planning. PAWS has partnered with FreeWill to help you create a legacy that helps animals well into the future. You can write a legal will at no cost to you at FreeWill.com/PAWS. Our federal tax I.D. number is 91-6073154. With gratitude, Heidi Wills Yamada CEO
Donate a vehicle. Save a life. Did you know the old vehicle that is taking up space in your garage or driveway could save a life? When you donate your vehicle, you’ll avoid costly repairs and the headache and hassle of selling it – and in return, the proceeds raised from the sale of your vehicle will help provide animals in need with compassionate, expert care.
CEO
Heidi Wills Yamada
PAWS
15305 44th Ave W PO Box 1037 Lynnwood, WA 98046 paws.org Contact PAWS: (425) 787-2500 Adoption Information x435 Animal Cruelty x861 Donor Relations x441 Foster Care Program x822 Hours and Address x410 Lost Pets x567 Found Pets x580 Volunteer Information x230 Wildlife Center x817
Learn more at paws.org/vehicles
Don’t Miss These Events PAWS Youth Programs Inspire the kids in your life to help animals. This fall, we’re offering live workshops for kids 7 to 13 years old.
Learn more and register at paws.org/KidsEvents.
A BENEFIT FOR ANIMALS
October 15, 2022
Bell Harbor International Conference Center