Ask your representatives to support a historic Washington wilderness bill!

Congressman Reichert's bill would protect unique, low elevation, old-growth forests which are vital habitat to many of Washington's wildlife.

Congressman Dave Reichert introduced legislation that would add roughly 22,000 acres of the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness area is home to abundant elk and deer populations, as well as cougars, bears and bobcats. Congressman Reichert's bill would protect lands within the I-90 corridor---specifically, the Pratt and Snoqualmie River Valley. These proposed additions provide an opportunity to protect rare, low elevation, old-growth and mature forests---left out of the original wilderness designation plan---which provide critical winter and spring habitat for wildlife when high country is deep in snow. View a map of the proposed area.

You now have an opportunity to permanently protect these wild lands and help ensure that future generations get a chance to experience the wildness that makes Washington State so special. E-mail Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and your congressional representative and politely urge them to help preserve precious wildlife habitat today.

Need more info?

• Read the Seattle Times article: Reichert's bill to add to Alpine Lakes
• Read about the bill and FAQs: The Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Wild Pratt River Act

Give the gift of a forever home this holiday season

Local shelters and rescue groups have a variety of animals—as many as 25% of these animals are purebred. Zippie is a young Australian Cattle Dog currently waiting for his forever home at PAWS.

Every year, more than eight million cats and dogs enter shelters across the U.S. with the hope they will find their forever home. Yet sadly, only about 15% of people with pets adopted them from a shelter or humane society---leaving so many wonderful, deserving pets left behind. If you are considering adding a cat or dog to your family this holiday season, why not visit your local shelter to find your new best friend? Not only will you experience the unconditional love a shelter animal brings to your life, but you'll find a variety of dogs and cats of all ages, sizes and even purebreds.

When you buy a puppy or a kitten from a pet store, you might unknowingly be supporting the inhumane mass-breeding business of "puppy and kitten mills." Roughly 90% of puppies in pet stores come from puppy mills. Many pet stores import animals from these facilities yet are unaware of the squalid conditions in which the animals and their mothers and fathers live. Nationwide, puppy and kitten mills are not considered illegal. A breeding kennel can legally keep dozens, even hundreds, of dogs or cats in cages their entire lives, for the sole purpose of continuously churning out more animals, as long as the animals are given basic food, water, shelter and minimal veterinary care.

As a consumer, you have the opportunity to stop this form of abusive and irresponsible breeding by adopting from animal shelters instead. And for a perfect gift of love, check out how to purchase a PAWS Adoption Gift Certificate and let your loved one pick out the companion of their dreams.

Learn more about:

• The Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS), which is the only national organization dedicated to stopping puppy mills.
• The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) campaign to stop puppy mills at stoppuppymill.org.

Here's a quick and easy way to take a humane action this holiday

Show a vegetarian or vegan friend that you care by preparing an animal-friendly dish at your next holiday get-together. Not only will they be touched that you took the time to consider a veggie option, but you'll see how easy and delicious veggie dishes can be! If you'd really like to "WOW" your holiday dinner crowd, tell them the recipe is animal-friendly after they've raved about how good it is! See PAWS' animal-friendly holiday recipes or visit Vegweb.com for more great recipes.

Thank you for helping the animals, and have a happy, humane holiday season!

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Northwest leader in protecting animals since 1967, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) shelters homeless animals, rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife, and empowers people to demonstrate compassion and respect for animals in their daily lives.

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