PAWS Connections Anil Kapahi
Lucky Seven
One of seven bears who was returned to the wild in mid-May after receiving care at PAWS Wildlife Center.
Return Home
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eleasing seven American Black Bears over two days is an intricate process during routine times. During a pandemic, it requires even more planning and adaptation to protect human health and the well-being of the bears. PAWS staff readily accepted this challenge, knowing that early May was the opportune time to release these orphaned bears, several of whom had been in care at PAWS Wildlife Center for over a year. Spring is when bears emerge from hibernation and yearlings are naturally independent of their moms. Prior to a bear release, PAWS rehabilitation and veterinary teams, along with officials from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, anesthetize the bear for a final exam that includes a weight check, blood test, and application of ear tags and GPS collars for later tracking. With multiple bears, and with social distancing required, this was a trickier process than usual. Unable to perform the procedures in our small, enclosed wildlife surgery room,
Pre-release exams took place outdoors to adhere to safe social distancing protocols.
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PAWS YouTube Channel Inspires House-bound Kids
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hen the pandemic closed schools and PAWS could no longer host visitors at the Lynnwood campus, the Education Team jumped into action. Says Katie Amrhein, PAWS Education Manager, “Our programs empower youth to take compassionate action for animals. The pandemic forced us to think creatively about how to continue delivering them in a virtual way.” And that’s how PAWS Academy, a series of weekly videos and supplemental activities, was born. Hosted on the PAWS Academy YouTube channel, the videos encourage kids to help animals from home. Topics include “How to Keep Pets Safe,” and “You Can Be a Champion for Animals.” Teacher Sasha Frisbie was about to begin the six-week Kids Who Care program when the schools closed. Says Frisbie, “I was so grateful that PAWS Academy went online and we could still partake in these lessons. They are a great fit—short, lively, interesting, informative, and fun.” An unexpected benefit is that PAWS educators are impacting more youth than ever, as kids from all over the country tune in each Wednesday to view a new show.
Each week, youth around the country are tuning into PAWS Academy.
PAWS Scout Programs, now available online, are also reaching broader audiences. A recent program attracted 20 percent of its registrants from out of state. “We’re finding that PAWS Academy is filling a need in the local community and beyond during these uncertain times,” says Amrhein. “Teachers are sharing lessons with students, parents are using the videos and activities with their children, and older kids are interacting with the content on their own.”
To view all the PAWS Academy videos and learn more about the PAWS Online Scout Programs, please visit: paws.org/education
Cover Story - continued the bears were instead carried outside one after another to receive their pre-release exams on large ground cloths. “Our vet team devised a plan that prioritized the bears’ safety while adhering to human social distancing standards,” says Jeff Brown, PAWS Wildlife Naturalist. “This ‘bear assembly line’ allowed us to accomplish everything that we normally do and keep everyone safe.” The pandemic hasn’t slowed down the PAWS Wildlife Center. Aside from releasing bears and other animals back to the wild, the staff is busy caring for injured and orphaned wildlife during baby season. Nearly 70 percent of the year’s wild animals are admitted during the spring and summer months. Fortunately, caring citizens continue to bring wildlife to PAWS—although now it’s by appointment and handled through a drop-off window. Says Wildlife Rehabilitator Robbie Thorson, “People are still willing to spend time helping a wild animal, like attempting to re-nest an animal after receiving instructions from our experts over the phone.”
Orphaned bear cubs are cared for at PAWS Wildlife Center for up to a year until they are able to survive in the wild.
For more content related to this story, visit paws.org/Summer2020.
PAWS volunteers, who typically assist with a large portion of animal care, were initially asked to stay home as a safety precaution. A handful of volunteers have returned in a limited capacity, while others continue to help offsite—sewing masks, delivering items for the animals, and leaving supportive messages for the staff. “We’re so grateful for the enduring support from everyone who cares about PAWS,” says Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Nicki Rosenhagen. “I really think that this crisis will make us stronger and more resilient than ever.”
Fostering
Saves Senior Sisters “All pets deserve loving homes and we’ll treasure whatever time we have with these cats, however long it is."
In her new home, Laverne finds plenty of places to hide and play.
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n early March, as the coronavirus pandemic was taking hold in Washington, a bonded pair of 17-year-old cats named Laverne and Shirley arrived at PAWS from an overcrowded, out-of-state shelter. “With our successful track record of adopting bonded senior dogs and cats, we knew Laverne and Shirley stood a good chance of finding a loving family at PAWS,” says Lisa Hockins, Shelter Operations Manager. When the senior sisters arrived, PAWS was implementing new procedures to protect the health and safety of staff and the public, including an appointment-only adoption system and a mandate that all volunteers stay home. That’s when a perfect storm of need and generosity intersected. Laverne and Shirley required the kind of extra attention typically provided by onsite volunteers, and they weren’t alone. Spring baby season was starting, which meant the arrival of kittens, puppies, and moms with litters. The call went out to foster families. Though many offered to help, PAWS still needed more. PAWS CEO Heidi Wills sent a letter to supporters asking for foster families. The response was more than anyone expected— hundreds of applications from community members who were stuck at home and wanting to help.
In the meantime, a veteran PAWS foster parent readily agreed to house Laverne and Shirley. The search was on for an adoptive family that could keep the sisters together. After two months in foster, that search came to a happy end. Robin and Mickey Balderas knew they wanted to provide a home to a pair of senior cats. After spotting Laverne and Shirley on the PAWS website, they completed an application and scheduled an adoption appointment. Happily, it was love at first sight and soon the furry duo was on their way to the Balderas’ home to start their new lives. “All pets deserve loving homes and we’ll treasure whatever time we have with these cats, however long it is,” says Mickey. Though Robin and Mickey receive praise for adopting older cats, they consider themselves the lucky ones. Without the PAWS foster program to keep Laverne and Shirley safe and happy until their family found them, this older pair might never have had the chance to be spoiled with cat trees, heated beds, and lots of love. “Many thanks to PAWS for being open during the pandemic,” says Mickey. “Laverne and Shirley have really been a blessing for our home.”
Shirley also appreciates a good hiding spot in her new home.
Special thanks to the generous people who volunteered to become foster families during this challenging time at PAWS. Due to an overwhelming response, we are not currently accepting new foster applications.
Please visit paws.org/donate to view a variety of ways to support PAWS.
Thank you for making these success stories possible with your support of PAWS!
From the heart Dear friends, • Keep trash in secure containers with lids fully closed. • Kindly refrain from feeding wild animals. • Call PAWS Wildlife Center at (425) 412-4040 for advice before bringing in what may appear to be an orphaned or injured wild animal.
This summer update comes at a time of great challenges for our organization and our broader community. Normally, each week there are hundreds of volunteers assisting with animal care. Without them, our dedicated staff is doing more with less to help thousands of animals while protecting human health. It is baby season when our Wildlife Center receives close to 70 percent of our annual intake of wild animals in need of care. Additionally, our staff is fielding 50 percent more calls than usual from people seeking advice on wildlife issues.
PAWS CEO Heidi Wills
PAWS’ Promise
mini magazine Issue 6, Summer 2020 Editor in Chief: Laura Follis Associate Editor: Jennie Baxla Writers: Jennie Baxla Graphic Designer: Lynn Jefferson Photographers: Jeff Brown, Mickey Balderas 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). © 2020 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
Animals don’t know there’s a pandemic and PAWS is here to provide essential care thanks to support from generous individuals – like you. Thank you.
A common mistake is interceding with wild babies that do not need to be rescued. Many wild animal mothers leave their young alone for long periods.
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
At this time when we need it most, PAWS is excited to welcome sixteen new professionals to our Board of Directors to strengthen our effectiveness, expand our impact, and broaden our reach.
With gratitude,
Here are some ways to protect wildlife: • Keep cats indoors, especially in spring and summer when baby birds are on the ground learning to fly.
Board of Directors Chuck Stempler, President Katie Jordan, Vice President Jennifer Evans, Treasurer Strom Peterson, Secretary
Josh Amato, Norm Arkans, Christy Cheever, James Donaldson, Joanna Grist, Joe Grube, Heather Hager, Steve Hall, Jill Jones, Van Katzman, C. Han Kim, Ju Lee, Robert Mahon, Dan McGrady, Batur Oktay, Peter Schrappen, Karen Trujillo, Muriel Van Housen, Jennie Warmouth
CEO Heidi Wills
PAWS
15305 44th Ave W PO Box 1037 Lynnwood, WA 98046 paws.org Contact PAWS: (425) 787-2500 Adoption Information x435 Animal Cruelty x861 Donations x441 Foster Care Program x822 Hours and Address x410 Lost and Found Pets x565 Volunteer Information x230 Wildlife Center x817
Heidi Wills CEO
Be a PAWS Champion at Work Did you know you can significantly increase the size of your gift to PAWS by participating in your employer’s workplace giving program? Many companies and employers offer gift matching that can double, or even triple, your charitable contributions. Some will match gifts made by retirees or employees’ spouses. Other companies match an employee’s volunteer hours with a corporate cash donation. Larger employers promote workplace giving with fairs and other events in which employees are informed about charitable programs and introduced to nonprofit partners. If you’d be willing to connect PAWS with a workplace giving event at your company, please contact Director of Marketing & Communications Laura Follis at lfollis@paws.org. For more information on: Workplace giving, visit paws.org/donate/employee-giving/ Matching gifts, visit paws.org/donate/matching-gifts/ PAWS corporate work groups, visit paws.org/volunteer/group
UPCOMING EVENTS Online Education Events Wednesdays at 12 p.m. PAWS Academy on YouTube
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NEW Online Scout Programs Visit paws.org/events
Happening PAWSwalk 2020 NOW! is happening right now
and you can participate – virtually! Please visit pawswalk.net to join the fun, support PAWS, and stay healthy.
