PAWS Connections
Foster Care
A safe, quiet foster home allowed Abigail to recover from the loss of her front leg. The tri-pawed cat is now living her best life in the same home after adoption.
Key to Helping Animals Thrive
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id you know that the PAWS Foster Care Program saves more than 2,000 lives each year? When PAWS receives animals that are not quite ready for adoption, we look to volunteer foster homes to care for them. These volunteers can foster as often as they are able – whether that’s once every few months or all the time. Foster parents provide temporary care for cats, kittens, dogs and puppies in their own homes. Most homes are located in King and Snohomish Counties with easier access to PAWS, but some foster families are also in Kitsap and Pierce Counties. Some animals need as little as two weeks of care while others may need up to three months. When a volunteer is contacted with a foster care request, they receive information about an animal’s needs to determine if they are a good fit. There is no pressure to take an animal at any time as there are ample opportunities to foster. If a match is made, foster families come to PAWS Companion Animal Shelter in Lynnwood to pick up the foster animal (or more than one animal if the — CONTINUED INSIDE
Although she arrived at PAWS with a number of serious medical conditions, Lola quickly regained her health thanks to the help of a foster family.
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PAWS Seniors for Seniors Adoption Program
Matches Senior Cats and Dogs with Senior People
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here are countless benefits of adopting a cat or dog regardless of our age or the age of the animal. Research tells us that companion animals, such as cats and dogs, can help improve our physical and mental health. By adopting and spending time with an animal friend, you can experience the benefits of lowered stress levels and blood pressure. Those who own a cat or dog tend to take better care of themselves. Caring for an animal helps develop an active routine, encouraging owners to eat regularly or complete chores and other tasks in a timely manner. Dogs, and even certain well-trained cats, can give a clear reason to walk every day, and that rain-or-shine accountability can help a person form a lasting exercise habit. The company of a beloved pet has also been proven to reduce depression and improve self-esteem. For seniors discouraged by their age or physical limitations, pets are welcome company, reminding them that they are still capable of being loved and needed. Pet ownership
Older animals are an ideal pairing to seniors searching for a furry companion.
also boosts a person’s sense of purpose; the company of an animal provides a reason to get up in the morning. The PAWS Seniors for Seniors adoption program is designed to help seniors rediscover the joys of having a cat or dog in their lives. The program places senior cats and dogs, typically over nine years of age, with adults 60 years of age or older. The expert matchmakers at PAWS will help seniors select a companion that fits their lifestyle and housing situation at a reduced adoption rate of $35 for cats (normally $50) and $50 for dogs (normally $150). The program is open to all residents of Washington state.
Cover Story — continued mother has babies) to take home. Foster parents may need to bring the animal to PAWS periodically to be examined by our veterinarian, receive vaccinations, or other treatment. Once the foster period is over and the animal is ready for adoption, the foster family returns the cat or dog back to PAWS. Two recent examples that reflect the success of fostering are a cat named Abigail and a dog named Lola. They arrived at PAWS in July of this year on a transport from an overcrowded shelter in California where they faced euthanasia. Abigail was admitted with severe radial nerve damage in one of her front legs. She was matched to a foster family that cared for her prior to and after the damaged leg was amputated. In her foster home, Abigail relearned how to walk and even gained the confidence to chase and play with other family pets. Lola, the Boston terrier, likewise found a foster family quickly. The safe environment of the home allowed her to recover from medical procedures performed by the PAWS veterinary team, including the extraction of damaged teeth and the surgical removal of a mammary tumor. Within weeks of recovery, both Abigail and Lola were adopted – the former by her foster family!
To learn more about the PAWS Foster Care Program, or to join, please visit: paws.org/foster. Once a part of the PAWS Foster Care Program, Lola prepares to go to her permanent home with her adopter.
Rescuer Helps Eagle
Reunite with the Wild ”It’s an amazing experience to get to see the eagle go back to its habitat...”
The rehabilitated bald eagle pauses for a moment after stepping out of the carrier to get her bearings before flying back into the wild.
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arly this summer, Ted Edge Jr., a member of the Swinomish tribe, was operating his fishing vessel in the Hole in the Wall waters near his hometown of La Conner, Washington, when he spotted a commotion on the surface adjacent to a jetty. “I thought it was just a seagull taking a bath, but as soon as I got closer to it, I saw it was an eagle and I could tell it was in distress, looking for help desperately,” recalls Ted. Maneuvering closer, he extended a crab hook into the water and watched the exhausted bald eagle latch on and work its way toward the safety of the boat. Once on board, the weak bird was wrapped in a burlap sack for warmth
The bald eagle finds a perch in a nearby tree to survey the familiar landscape after 43 days of care at PAWS.
while a 911 call was placed. Ted adds, “I’ve never seen an eagle get so cold, and just shivering like a dog.” The bald eagle was transferred by a law enforcement officer to a local vet clinic, and soon after it was delivered to PAWS with the help of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Testing revealed that the female eagle, estimated to be around five years old, was suffering from lead poisoning. This serious condition impairs a bird’s ability to fly, among a host of neurological issues that frequently cause death. Bald eagles accumulate lead in their system through consumption of prey animals suffering from lead poisoning or through scavenging carcasses of hunted animals that contain trace levels of lead shot or bullets. A study published in the February, 2022 issue of Science, indicates that nearly half of the bald eagles in the United States have a detectable level of lead poisoning. In late July, after 43 days of therapy at PAWS to remove the lead, the eagle showed massive gains in coordination and flight stamina and was ready to return to the wild. Coming around full circle, Ted was invited to the release, which took place near the site of the rescue in La Conner. Upon opening the carrier, the eagle took several steps to get her bearings and quickly ascended to a nearby tree to observe the familiar
Left to right: Ted Edge Jr., the bald eagle’s rescuer, Jeff Brown, PAWS lead naturalist, and Officer Ludwig with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, at the release site.
landscape from a high vantage point. Ted states, “It’s an amazing experience to get to see the eagle go back to its habitat...and just taking care of what’s been on this earth for generations.”
For more content related to these stories, visit paws.org/Fall2022.
Thank you for making these success stories possible with your support of PAWS!
From the Heart Dear PAWS Friends, I am honored to have a role in advocating for animals and meeting people who love and support the lifesaving work we do at PAWS. One of the most inspirational people I have met is Rhonda Cunningham. She had a terminal illness and wanted to leave her home and possessions to PAWS. She asked me to be the executor of her estate in my official capacity for PAWS, entrusting me to sell her home to benefit the animals we serve. Rhonda Cunningham gave permission for PAWS to share her story in hopes it inspires others to remember PAWS in their estate plans.
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 12, Fall 2022 Editor in Chief: Mick Szydlowski Writer: Mick Szydlowski Graphic Designer: Lynn Jefferson Photographers: Mick Szydlowski, 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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When I think about how simply she lived —so that more funds could go to animals —it leaves me in awe of her extremely meaningful gift. She is buried in Eglon Cemetery, marked by a bench overlooking a cow pasture, where she wanted to be. Her spirit lives in the thousands of animals helped by her kindness. Because of her, dogs and cats at risk of euthanasia at overcrowded shelters across the country
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
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
will find loving families at PAWS. Because of her, countless wild animals that are sick, injured, or orphaned will get the medical attention they need to be released back to the wild where they belong. Rhonda is remembered every time a cat or dog goes home, and a rehabilitated bald eagle is set free. PAWS could not do the important work we do without the support of our community and generous people like Rhonda. To include PAWS in your estate planning, our tax ID is 91-6073154.
With gratitude, Heidi Wills Yamada CEO
#GivingTuesday is November 29, 2022 But why wait? Today, you can help bring an abandoned animal like Lemon to safety at PAWS for just $25. Lemon landed in an overcrowded shelter. In fact, she was at risk of being euthanized. She needed a hero like you. Your gift today will not only save lives but will also give them a home for the holidays and beyond.
Make your gift today at paws.org/givingtuesday
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.