PAWS Connections
Hillary, from a litter of ten lab mix puppies all named after former presidents and first ladies, lounges on the deck of her foster home. Hillary and her five sisters and four brothers spent time recuperating in PAWS foster homes after arriving from Arkansas.
When Disaster Strikes:
“Clear the Shelters”
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hortly after touching down at Everett’s Paine Field on June 8, Ric Browde, Wings of Rescue CEO, conducts a news interview from the tarmac. He doesn’t hold back about the dire circumstances surrounding the emergency airlift of 95 homeless cats and dogs from the floods in Arkansas. “These animals are perfectly adoptable, but sadly many were at risk of being euthanized.” Browde explains that “clear the shelters” means saving lives. He says the animals being loaded into the waiting vehicles were already in Arkansas animal shelters when the floods hit—floods that brought a sudden influx of displaced pets to shelters already filled to capacity. "When we help clear the shelters, we are bringing homeless animals to the Northwest where adopters are plentiful while opening up space for families to safely shelter their pets until they can be reunited,” says PAWS Shelter Manager
Wings of Rescue pilot Derek Harbough and CEO Ric Browde help unload the 95 homeless dogs and cats airlifted from the flooded regions of Arkansas.
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Second Graders Help Animals and Gain Empathy Skills
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f the PAWS Education Team could hand out grades, each of Dr. Jennie Warmouth’s second graders at Spruce Elementary would receive an A+ for contributing to the PAWS mission. Writing adoption descriptions for cats and dogs? Check. That’s part of the classroom writing curriculum. Holding supply and fundraising drives? Check. The students collected two tons of food and $297 in cash for PAWS this year. Field trips to PAWS? Check. They arrived by bus to learn about the impact PAWS has on animals and how the students can help.
“Dr. Warmouth sets the standard for incorporating humane education in the classroom,” says Katie Amrhein, PAWS Education Manager. “She’s seen first-hand how PAWS curriculum results in kids expressing greater empathy for all living beings.” Dr. Warmouth, a member of the PAWS Board of Directors and lifelong animal advocate, holds a PhD in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in the psychology of human/animal interaction and the development of empathy. The impact of the PAWS curriculum on her students' social and emotional development was even the topic of her dissertation.
In the fall, students will learn about this American Black Bear at the PAWS Wildlife Center.
“Our work with PAWS provides a first opportunity for students, some of whom are facing their own challenges, to improve the condition of another living being,” says Dr. Warmouth. Proof that the
Students pose with the crew from KIRO TV after filming a news story on Dr. Warmouth’s trip to the Arctic.
work makes an impression—alumni of the program return year after year to mentor incoming second graders. In early June, Dr. Warmouth completed an 11-day research trip to the Arctic as a Grosvenor Teacher Fellow with National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions. She is using her experience to develop a special curriculum investigating the adaptations and connections between American Black Bears in the Pacific Northwest and Polar Bears of the Arctic. It just so happens that three orphaned American Black Bear cubs are being rehabilitated at PAWS for release back to the wild next spring. “We’ll be investigating the human impact on bears and learning why these cubs were orphaned,” explains Dr. Warmouth. "We’ll be asking, ‘why are things the way they are and how can we improve them?’” Her students will be publishing their recommendations on the PAWS and Woodland Park Zoo websites during the 2019-20 school year. To see additional content related to this story, visit paws.org/Summer19.
Cover Story - continued Lisa Hockins, who oversees the PAWS Emergency Placement Program. “This is an important way for PAWS and our supporters to help people and animals dealing with disaster,” Hockins continues. “Even when the disaster is far away, we can still make a big difference.” As Browde wraps up his interview, half of his precious cargo—44 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens—are already on their way to PAWS Companion Animal Shelter in Lynnwood to start their new lives. The rest go to other local shelters. Later at PAWS, a volunteer gently carries Bojangles, an energetic dog who just didn’t want to come inside after stretching his paws on a walk. With a little coaxing, Bojangles is soon enjoying food, water and a soft bed. As of this printing, 32 of the 44 animals PAWS took in from this emergency transport have been adopted into loving families.
Arkansas natives Hillary, George and Martha enjoy a cozy nap in the Northwest sun.
To see additional content related to this story, visit paws.org/Summer19.
Seabird Stowaway
"She jumped into the water and we watched her float off,” PAWS Naturalist Jeff Brown says of the Laysan Albatross, released after 13 days in care.
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t’s hard to miss a Laysan Albatross, a seabird with a six-foot wingspan, when you’re in close quarters. So when employees of Lynden Inc. were unloading a barge on the Duwamish Waterway in late April, it didn’t take them long to spot the injured stowaway, safely place her in a box, and call PAWS. Discovery of a healing fracture in her left shoulder explained why this seabird—who rarely spends time on land apart from nesting —ended up on the boat, unable to fly and so weak from dehydration she couldn’t stand. After just 13 days in care, which included tailormade booties to prevent painful foot lesions from worsening, this resilient bird regained her full range of motion. She was even treated
The Laysan Albatross—too weak to stand upon arrival—gets a thorough intake exam.
to a favorite food—squid, courtesy of Seattle Aquarium—to regain her strength. Next came the complicated details of releasing her back to the wild. “An Albatross requires clean feathers for maintaining waterproofing and buoyancy,” explains PAWS Naturalist Jeff Brown, “so we needed to minimize transport time and the risk of feather contamination.” Brown’s research led him to Phil Anderson of Westport Seabirds and biologists from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife’s seabird survey crew. As luck would have it, Anderson and the WDFW crew were heading out to conduct a survey near the spot Brown had identified for the release on the outer coast of Washington. In the early morning of May 10, Brown and patient 2019-0820, outfitted in a carrier modified to keep her feathers clean, hitched a ride aboard the Monte Carlo. They traveled 20 miles west of Queets on the edge of the continental shelf. It was an otherwise perfect spot for an Albatross release except for the nonexistent wind she would need to take off. “She jumped into the water and we watched her float off. A half hour later, the wind picked up and we spotted seabirds flying in the distance. It was a great relief,” says Brown, who enjoyed the rest of the day spotting seabirds, whales and other marine mammals.
PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitators crafted booties for the Laysan Albatross while she was “dry docked” and recovering from injuries. Seabirds don’t spend much time on land (except when nesting) and without protection can develop painful lesions on their feet.
To see additional content related to this story, visit paws.org/Summer19.
Thank you for making these success stories possible with your support of PAWS!
From the heart Dear Friends,
I'm incredibly proud of all we've accomplished together. PAWS is exceptional with strength and leadership throughout, and I have no doubt of a successful transition.
While my role in this organization may be changing, you are still my community and this work is core to who I am. The friendship, trust and faith you have put in me and PAWS is a gift I will always cherish.
I’m thrilled to share the news that our Land Disturbance Permit from Snohomish County has been approved, and we anticipate receiving the building permits soon. Equally exciting is the confirmation that we have been awarded $2 million in Capital Projects Funding from the Washington State Legislature. Our
PAWS’ Mission PAWS is a champion for animals — rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife, sheltering and adopting homeless cats and dogs, and educating people to make a better world for animals and people.
mini magazine
capital campaign is gaining momentum with each day, and we are now more than 70 percent of the way to our fundraising goal. With supporters like you by our side, we’re on course to complete construction and move into our new facilities in 2021.
As many of you know, we have been in the design and permitting process of creating a new purpose-built campus on a beautiful 25-acre site in Snohomish we purchased a few years ago.
Annette adopted Rocky and Cosmo as kittens from PAWS several years into her 17-year tenure as CEO.
PAWS
This is my last From the Heart message. After 17 years with PAWS, I’m retiring. It has been the privilege and honor of my life to lead this extraordinary organization, be a champion for animals, and help lay the foundation for the next 50 years of PAWS‘ life-saving work.
Writers: Laura Follis, Jocelyn Jensen
Christy Cheever, Jill Jones, Damian King, Leila Kirske, Dora Leung, Jaime Puracal, Karen Trujillo, Jennie Warmouth
Graphic Designer: Lynn Jefferson
Chief Executive Officer
Issue 3, Summer 2019 Editor in Chief: Laura Follis
Photographers: Laura Follis, Jeff Brown, Jennie Warmouth, Quinn Wedemeyer
Annette Laico
PAWS PAWS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and relies on community support to carry out our work to help animals. PAWS, PAWS Cat City, PAWSwalk, and Bark in the Park are service marks owned by the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). © 2019 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.
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15305 44th Ave W PO Box 1037 Lynnwood, WA 98046 paws.org Contact PAWS: 425.787.2500 Adoption Information x435 Animal Cruelty x861 Donations x652 Foster Care Program x822 Hours and Address x410 Lost and Found Pets x565 Volunteer Information x230 Wildlife Center x817 PAWS Cat City: 206.782.1700 5200 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite B Seattle, WA 98105
With gratitude,
Annette Laico Chief Executive Officer
Bark it out loud!
Board of Directors
Batur Oktay, President Leslie Chandler, Vice President Strom Peterson, Secretary Jen Evans, Treasurer
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
R
PAWSwalk 5k & Run is September 7 at Magnuson Park in Seattle
egister at PAWSwalk.net and get your fundraising team together as the first step to joining in on the PAWSwalk fun. Everyone can be a part of PAWSwalk. Whether you walk, run, or virtual walk, you can help cats, dogs and wild animals in need at PAWS. Held on Saturday, September 7 at the iconic Warren G. Magnuson Park on Lake Washington’s shoreline in northeast Seattle, PAWSwalk is the annual gathering of animal lovers from all over Greater Seattle. PAWSwalk is a Fido- and family-friendly festival
with adoptable dogs, a dog agility course, kids activities, food trucks, entertainment, and a variety of nonprofit and vendor booths. For 28 years, PAWSwalk has been both an important fundraiser and a social “friendraiser”—an event specially designed so participants can encourage friends, family and colleagues to join them in their passion for the PAWS mission.
PAWSwalk Spokespup Samson was saved from a puppy mill and adopted into a loving home. Follow Samson's posts on Twitter at @PAWStweets and Instagram at @paws_wa.
Register now at PAWSwalk.net