Humane education:
inspiration for the next generation
Humane education plays a crucial role in shaping compassionate, informed, and responsible individuals. For middle and high school students, service-based and place-based education programs offer a unique and impactful approach. This summer, PAWS successfully launched its first series of mini-camps, providing students with hands-on learning experiences on critical topics such as overpopulation, spaying and neutering, human-wildlife conflicts, and habitat conservation for native wildlife. These mini-camps not only educate but also foster empathy and a sense of responsibility towards animals and the environment.
Service-based learning engages students directly in activities that benefit their communities. At PAWS, students participated in caring for animals, learning about the importance of spaying and neutering to control overpopulation. By
Student-created signs to help potential adopters make the right match with PAWS cats and dogs.
PAWS Education programs put youth face-to-face with shelter animals.
Four American black bears return to the Cascades
This spring, PAWS celebrated the successful release of four American black bear yearlings that spent the winter in care after being found orphaned. Returned to the wild deep within the Cascade Mountains, the yearlings have been placed in an environment that provides abundant food sources and shelter. The chosen sites are ideal for the young bears to explore and adapt to their natural surroundings. Following their release, the bears often climb trees, a behavior that offers them safety and helps them assess potential threats in their new environment.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) attached GPS tracking collars prior to the bears’ release. These collars play a crucial role in collecting data on the bears’ movements, behavior, and habitat use. Each collar is fitted with a raw cotton spacer, which is designed to deteriorate over time, and eventually falls off as the bear grows. This ensures the animal’s safety and comfort. The data collected from the GPS collars is invaluable. It allows WDFW biologists to monitor the bears’ adjustment to their new habitat, and gather information that can improve future conservation efforts.
This successful release underscores the vital role PAWS and WDFW play in rehabilitating and conserving wildlife. By providing these orphaned bears with a second chance, PAWS contributes to the preservation of the American black bear population in our region and ensures that these animals can continue to roam the wild for future generations.
Watch wildlife releases at @pawsvideo on YouTube.
Cover Story — continued
witnessing the direct impact of these practices on the well-being of animals and the shelter’s capacity to care for them, students developed a deeper understanding and commitment to animal welfare.
Place-based education, on the other hand, uses the local environment and community as a starting point to teach concepts. At the minicamps, students explored human-wildlife conflicts and the importance of habitat conservation through interacting with biofacts and multiple guest speakers. By understanding how human activities affect local wildlife and habitats, students learned about the delicate balance of ecosystems and the need for sustainable practices.
These educational approaches are particularly effective for middle and high school students, who are at a developmental stage where they can grasp complex concepts and are beginning to form their own values and beliefs. The immersive and interactive nature of the mini-camps allowed students to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, making the learning process engaging and memorable.
The success of this summer’s mini-camps at PAWS highlights the potential for future programs. By expanding these initiatives, we can continue to inspire and educate young people, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to advocate for animals and the environment. Humane education through service-based and place-based programs not only benefits the students but also fosters a community of informed and compassionate individuals dedicated to making a positive impact on the world around them.
At PAWS, students learn aspects of animal care and shelter operations.
Shortly after release, this young bear climbed a tree to scout the surroundings before running off into the wilderness.
Meet the Marvelous Maya
“Within weeks, Maya’s sweet demeanor and fun-loving personality made her an irreplaceable part of the family.”
In December of last year, a pregnant dog named Mindy arrived at PAWS from an overcrowded California shelter. She was quickly placed in a foster home, where she gave birth to a litter of puppies in a quiet, lowstress environment. Among them was Maya, who soon caught the eye of a PAWS staff member considering adding a young dog to their household. At eight weeks old, Maya was officially adopted and joined her new family.
From the moment Maya arrived at her new home, she and the resident dog became inseparable, filling their days with playful chases, wrestling matches, and, when the rowdiness subsided, plenty of sweet snuggles. “Maya is a smart girl. She picked up many basic commands within just a few days of coming home,” shares her adopter. Within weeks, Maya’s sweet demeanor and fun-loving personality made her an irreplaceable part of the family. “One of Maya’s favorite things is hopping in the car for adventures, especially to the Starbucks drive-thru for a pup cup. She’s very food motivated and will do anything for a treat,” added her new family.
Maya’s story is a shining example of the vital work PAWS does to save animals that are frequently overlooked, such as pregnant dogs and cats. By rescuing Mindy and providing a safe and nurturing environment, PAWS gave Maya and her siblings a strong, healthy start and the chance for a happy life. This loving foundation has allowed Maya to grow into a sweet, playful, and confident dog.
PAWS continues to make a profound impact by helping animals find loving homes. Fostering a cat or dog, or adopting from PAWS, not only saves countless animals but also brings great joy to the families who welcome them. Maya’s heartwarming story is a reminder of the incredible bond that forms when you open your heart and home to an animal in need.
Thank you for making these success stories possible with your support of PAWS.
You can help save another animal in need with a gift today!
Above: Maya with her new friend, Baker. Below: Maya with her littermates.
— Mikala Davidson, Adopter
Maya’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of PAWS.
Maya exploring the backyard of her new home.
From the Heart
PAWS’ Promise
PAWS helps cats, dogs and wild animals go home and thrive. 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 18, Fall 2024
Editor in Chief: Mick Szydlowski
Writers: Mick Szydlowski, Bailey Serica, Mikala Davidson
Graphic Designer: Lynn Jefferson
Photographers: Anthony Denice, Elliott Ralph, Mikala Davidson, Bailey Serica
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). © 2024 Progressive Animal Welfare Society.
Privacy Policy: PAWS respects our donors’ and friends’ confidentiality. 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.
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paws.org
Dear PAWS Friends,
As we continue our mission to rescue animals in need, we find ourselves in urgent need of additional foster volunteers. Our shelter, like many others across the country, is at capacity. To ensure we can continue to help animals, we must expand our foster program, particularly for larger dog breeds that greatly benefit from kennel breaks.
Fostering not only provides animals with a temporary refuge from the shelter environment, but it also allows their true personalities to shine. Away from the stress and noise of the shelter, foster pets become more relaxed and welladjusted, making them more social and adoptable. This is especially true for our larger dogs, who thrive when given the opportunity to stretch their legs and enjoy regular human interaction.
The positive impact of fostering is immeasurable. By offering your
Board of Directors
Joseph Grube, Chair
Jen Evans, Vice Chair
C. Han Kim, Treasurer
Katie Jordan, Secretary
Josh Amato, Norm Arkans, Marty Bask, Leigh Boone, Robin Freedman, Joanna Grist, Heather Hager, Steve Hall, Jill Jones, Damian King, Ju Lee, Bob Mahon, Eddie Pasatiempo, Hon. Strom Peterson, Jim Soriano, Chuck Stempler, Rebekah Strausbaugh, Karen Trujillo, Kris Tsujikawa, Jennie Warmouth, Ph.D.
CEO
Heidi Wills Yamada
PAWS Companion Animal Shelter 15305 44th Ave W Lynnwood, WA 98087 (425) 787-2500
PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center 13508 State Route 9 SE Snohomish, WA 98296 (425) 412-4040
PAWS Cat City 5200 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite B Seattle, WA 98105 (206) 782-1700
home and time, you help these animals become the best versions of themselves. Many of our foster volunteers report that witnessing the transformation of a scared or stressed pet into a loving companion is one of the most rewarding experiences.
We are calling on compassionate individuals and families to open their homes and hearts to foster pets. If you are interested in making a significant difference in the lives of animals, please visit paws.org/foster for more information and to apply. I hope that you will experience even more love than you give.
With appreciation,
Heidi Wills Yamada CEO
This year, skip the Black Friday frenzy and choose compassion on GivingTuesday. There is no greater gift than a second chance for homeless animals. Your support can help ensure more pets find their forever families just in time for the holidays and beyond. Learn more today at paws.org/givingtuesday.
CEO Heidi Wills Yamada with Ruby, born in a PAWS foster home.