Frequently Asked Questions

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General Questions

How did PAWS start?
PAWS was founded by a small group of dedicated people in 1967. Most prominent was Virginia Knouse, who served as the president of PAWS until the early 1990s. The founders of PAWS were concerned about the terrible tragedy of euthanasia at our communities’ shelters. They believed that the best way to prevent the euthanasia of animals in shelters was to encourage spaying and neutering. They founded PAWS to raise money for low-cost spaying and neutering of Lynnwood-area animals, initially by running a thrift store.

But the store quickly became swamped with cats and dogs brought in by people who assumed that PAWS would be able to take care of them. Within two years, PAWS opened the Companion Animal Shelter in, what was then, rural Lynnwood. As with many shelters in the country, PAWS also began receiving injured, sick and orphaned wild animals. In 1981 PAWS began to provide specialized care for wildlife. Since those humble beginnings in 1967, PAWS has found loving, responsible homes for more than 115,000 cats and dogs, cared for more than 100,000 wild animals, and helped countless others through advocacy and education. Read more about our history.

How is PAWS different than other animal advocacy and animal welfare organizations?
PAWS is unique because of the breadth of our commitment to the animals in our community. There is no other organization taking a leadership role in direct care for injured or orphaned wildlife and of homeless dogs and cats, and offering a central commitment to advocacy and education on behalf of all animals. More than 300,000 animals have come through our doors since 1967, and it is this direct experience with animals that gives us perspective on how best to advocate and educate for all animals.

Is there a PAWS near me?
Throughout the United States there are several organizations with the name PAWS. However, all of these are separate organizations and have no affiliation with our organization, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society, in Lynnwood, Washington near Seattle. If you are looking for a PAWS in your area, try checking the list of other organizations called PAWS on the not the right PAWS page .

To search for companion animal organizations near you, go to www.petfinder.com. For a list of wildlife rehabilitation centers contact the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) at www.nwrawildlife.org or 320.230.9920.

How do I make a donation to PAWS?
You can do one of three things: Pick up a PAWS Magazine which has a donation envelope inside to send in your donation by mail, make a secure donation online, or call the fundraising office at 425.787.2500 x255 to talk to someone about making a donation. More than 80% of PAWS' operating budget comes from gifts made by our friends in the community. Gifts are vital to help us fulfill our mission.

What items can I donate to PAWS? Does PAWS have a wishlist?
You can help the animals in our care by donating items from our wishlist. PAWS is not able to accept bags or cans of food that have been opened or are expired. Donations can be delivered to PAWS Companion Animal Shelter during our regular business hours. We will provide you with a tax-deductible receipt for your contribution. Thank you for your support!

Is PAWS recognized by the government as a non-profit?
Yes, PAWS is recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Our tax ID number is 91-6073154.

How much money goes to fundraising and administration?
PAWS is committed to keeping our fundraising and administration costs as low as possible. This ensures that community support truly benefits the animals in our care—providing food, supplies, expert veterinary care, and love, and funds our education and advocacy initiatives. In 2006, fundraising and administration accounted for just 18.2% of PAWS' total operating budget. A combined fundraising and administration cost of less than 25% is considered ideal for non-profit organizations. PAWS' audited financial statements are available upon request by calling 425.787.2500 x807. Read our latest Annual Report by scrolling to the bottom of our About Us page.

How old do I have to be to volunteer?
You must be 18 years old to volunteer at PAWS on a regular basis, however we can send you our Action Guide which is packed with fun ideas on how young people can help animals at PAWS and in their community. It also includes ways students can obtain credit for community service. E-mail Riley@paws.org or call 425.787.2500 x258 to have a guide mailed to you, or stop by PAWS Cat City in Seattle or PAWS in Lynnwood. You can also explore great ideas for helping animals and learning about them at PAWSkids.org.

I want to volunteer– how do I go about this?
Visit the volunteer page where you can read descriptions of volunteer opportunities, and complete an online application. Different positions include dog walking, foster care, outreach and fundraising event staffing, cat room assistant, wildlife care assistant, data base entry, and more.

Does PAWS teach classes?
PAWS has a Humane Education Program where a humane educator and trained volunteers go to classrooms, clubs and other groups to teach youth about wild, farm and companion animals. We offer a variety of different presentations and interactive lessons to help youth better understand animals, foster empathy for them, and even meet many educational requirements, such as math and reading. To learn more about the programs we offer visit PAWSkids.org and click on the Parents and Teachers section or call 425.787.2500 x258.

How do I report animal cruelty?
If you are witnessing animal cruelty at this moment, call 911.

PAWS has no legal authority to intervene on behalf of abused and neglected animals, but we can provide resources and support to Washington residents in identifying and reporting cases of animal cruelty and neglect. If you suspect animal cruelty, you should contact animal control immediately. Refer to our report animal cruelty page for tips on documenting and reporting animal abuse, Washington State laws, and other resources. See a list of Western Washington animal control phone numbers.

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Shelter & Companion Animal Questions

I can no longer care for my pet, how can PAWS help?
If you feel you can no longer keep your pet and you want PAWS to take in your pet and find him a new home, please refer to this information on finding a new home for your pet. You can also call 425.787.2500 x445. Thank you for taking time to do the best for your companion animal or a homeless animal in need.

I found a stray animal I need to take somewhere. What do I do?
It is important to take the animal to the correct shelter so he/she can be reunited with his/her family. If you found a stray cat or dog in unincorporated Snohomish County or the city limits of Mukilteo, Mill Creek, Lynnwood or Brier, you can bring the animal to PAWS. Hours and Directions to PAWS. Strays found in the northern or northeastern part of Snohomish County should go to the Everett Animal Shelter.

If you live in Western Washington, view a list of other local shelters. If you have found a stray animal, he/she should be taken to the shelter closest to the location where the animal was found. This will increase the likelihood that the animal will be reunited with his/her guardian and safely returned home.

If you don't find a shelter listed, you should call information and see if there is a humane society or SPCA in your area. If that doesn't work the best bet is to call the local police or sheriff's department and ask where they take stray animals. Often it will be your local shelter and they should be able to provide contact information. In some areas it may be necessary to call 911 to obtain information about where to take a stray animal. Be sure to indicate it is a non-emergency.

How long does PAWS keep animals before they put them to sleep?
PAWS does not euthanize healthy, adoptable companion animals nor do we euthanize animals simply because they have been in the shelter for a certain length of time. As an organization committed to the welfare of animals in our care, we euthanize companion animals only when all other reasonable courses of treatment and options for appropriate placement in a home have been exhausted. For every animal in our care, PAWS explores all avenues prior to recommending euthanasia, and remains committed to saving as many animals as possible.

Does PAWS care for feral cats? What can I do about feral cats?
PAWS does not have the facilities to care for feral cats. You can contact Feral Care or the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project, or other feral cat groups in your local area– these organizations can provide information on trapping and altering feral cats or provide assistance with renting traps or surgery. For example, the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project has free monthly spay and neuter clinics and the NOAH Center spays or neuters feral cats for free every Monday. For more information and for a list of feral cat organizations refer to the feral cat page on our website.

Where can I get a humane cat trap?
Traps may be rented from PAWS for a $7 a day rental fee and a $75 refundable deposit. You must come to the PAWS Companion Animal Shelter during the hours we are open to rent one. Ask a PAWS staff person for "trapping" posters to put up in your neighborhood prior to trapping. This warns neighbors who let their cats roam that they may be accidentally trapped, and encourages them to keep the cat indoors. Other shelters may rent traps as well. Refer to our humane trap rental page for more information.

Why does PAWS interview potential adopters?
PAWS interviews potential adopters to ensure that they and the animal are a good match for each other. For example, adopting a very high energy animal into to a low energy family will only result in disappointment for the animal and the family. PAWS wants to do everything possible to make sure families find the right animal to fit into their lifestyles and animals have a home that best fulfills their needs.

Why does PAWS suggest adopting two kittens at the same time?
Kittens are curious and require lots of stimulation. A single, bored kitten will often entertain herself by chewing and climbing on things, or engaging in other possibly destructive or dangerous activities. These behaviors are usually reduced if a kitten has another kitten or cat to play with, and has frequent interaction with her human family.

If there isn’t already a cat in the household, PAWS will often encourage adopters to consider adopting two kittens at the same time, or a kitten and a young adult cat. Since kittens need to learn appropriate feline behavior in the first several months of their lives, having another feline friend can help to temper normal behaviors such as scratching or biting so they don’t become a problem.

If you choose to adopt just one young kitten, you may need to modify your schedule to allow more interactive time with your new friend. While toys are helpful for short periods of time, they are not a substitute for socialization which is imperative for a kitten’s healthy physical and emotional development. For more tips see the kitten section under Cat Resources and Fact Sheets.

What is PAWS’ stance on declawing cats?
Scratching is natural for cats, but it can be both annoying and destructive. PAWS does not approve of declawing, a painful, surgical procedure that has long-lasting effects on cats. Once their claws have been removed, cats can no longer perform their natural stretching and kneading rituals. They become weaker as they age and may experience debilitating arthritis in their backs and shoulders.

Furthermore, cats without claws have lost their first line of defense, and therefore, live in a constant state of stress. They cannot fight off other animals or escape quickly from danger. They may also become biters because they can no longer use their claws as a warning. Declawing can also lead to issues with using the litterbox. For more information see The Problems with Declawing.

Luckily, scratching behaviors can be modified humanely and effectively. See Helping Your Cats Claw Their Way to Success for suggestions.

Can I license my pet at PAWS?
At the PAWS Companion Animal Shelter in Lynnwood, we can license your pet if you live in unincorporated Snohomish County, the city limits of Everett and city limits of Seattle. Seattle residents can also purchase licenses for the city of Seattle at PAWS Cat City. If you live outside one of these areas, please contact your local animal control agency or veterinarian.

How do I update my contact information for my pet’s microchip?
If you recently adopted from PAWS, you may have found instructions in the adoption packet you received that included instructions on how to customize your microchip registration by accessing www.microchipexpress.com. Since there has been a recent change between this website and the AVID Microchip Company’s main database, adopters whose animal has an AVID microchip should contact AVID directly (800.336.2843) to ensure their registration is accurate.

AVID may charge a nominal fee to change or activate the registration. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but taking this extra step allows your animal to be more easily reunited with you if he becomes lost.

If your new companion has a HomeAgain® microchip that was implanted while at PAWS, that microchip is registered automatically to the HomeAgain national database. If you wish to customize the information, visit www.homeagain.com or call 888.466.3242.

Regardless of what brand of microchip your companion has, it is imperative to update the registration with your local animal shelter and veterinarian if you move, change phone numbers or other contact information. A microchip is only useful if the registration is kept up to date.

Does PAWS pick up dead animals?
PAWS does not pick up dead animals. Please contact your local animal control agency.

Can PAWS spay or neuter my pet?
PAWS offers low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for qualified low-income individuals only. To learn more about when PAWS is offering surgeries, and to see a list of other low-cost clinics in Western Washington, refer to our Spay and Neuter Resources page.

Also, on Spay Day, held once a year in late February, PAWS, other shelters and private veterinary clinics in Snohomish, Skagit and Island Counties offer low-cost spay and neuter surgeries. Please check the Spay Day page for information on and the date of the next Spay Day.

Can I bring my companion animal to PAWS for veterinary care? Can PAWS help me pay for my veterinary bills?
PAWS does not have a full-service veterinary center and cannot be responsible for veterinary bills or treatment of an animal after leaving our shelter. In Washington State, shelters are restricted from providing general veterinary services to privately owned animals. If you have questions about the health of an animal you adopted from PAWS, please review the information in your adoption packet, and be sure to take advantage of the free certificate for a veterinary exam. If you have further questions, you can contact us at 425.787.2500 x804.

PAWS also does not have a program to help individuals cover the cost of their pets'' veterinary bills. For information on paying for veterinary bills, visit the Humane Society of the United States website or the United Animal Nations website.

Can PAWS provide me with a veterinary or pet sitting/boarding referral?
As a nonprofit organization with limited resources, PAWS does not have the ability to evaluate businesses and provide referrals or endorsements to the public. In order to assist people in finding local services such as pet sitting or dog training, PAWS provides links to organizations that maintain lists of pet services on our Pet Services page. On this page you'll also find several tips you can follow to help ensure a business is reputable and will meet your and your companion's needs.

If you are looking for a veterinarian, you can see a list of veterinarian clinics that helped with the recent Spay Day. You can also search for a veterinarian in your area on the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association's website or the American Animal Hospital Association's website. As a caring guardian, please undertake full research before entrusting your companion animal to any service provider.

I am having behavior issues with my new and/or long-time companion animal – can you help?
Please call the PAWS Behavior Helpline at 425.787.2500 x860 or refer to the behavior helpline page on our website where you can also link to a number of animal care fact sheets.

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Wildlife Questions

How does PAWS help wild animals?
PAWS operates a wildlife hospital and rehabilitation center that includes a surgical suite, laboratory, an X-ray machine, a treatment and post-operative ward for recovering patients, and custom-built pools and enclosures to meet the needs of a wide variety of species. We have cared for more than 100,000 injured, ill or orphaned wild animals representing 260 species since we began wildlife rehabilitation in 1981. Our goal with all wild animals is to return them to the wild with the best possible chance of survival. We do not keep any wild animals permanently in captivity, for display, or for educational purposes.

PAWS also educates adults and children on how to peacefully co-exist with wild animals, works to pass legislation to protect wild animals in Washington State, and provides practical humane solutions for solving conflicts with wildlife.

What is wildlife rehabilitation?
Wildlife rehabilitation is a profession involving the treatment and care of sick, injured or orphaned wild animals with the goal of releasing them back to their natural habitats in the wild. For rehabilitation to be deemed successful released animals must be able to survive on their own and be an integral part of their species population, i.e., recognize and obtain appropriate foods, select mates of their own species to reproduce, and respond appropriately to potential dangers (people, cars, dogs, natural predators, etc.).

Those animals who sustain injuries or illnesses that prevent them from living successfully in the wild are humanely euthanized to end their suffering. Wildlife rehabilitation is not an attempt to turn wild animals into pets. Patients are held in captivity only until they are able to live independently in the wild. Read more about wildlife rehabilitation.

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What do I do if I find an injured or potentially orphaned wild animal?
If you find a wild animal you suspect may be injured or orphaned, please contact PAWS at 425.787.2500 x817. Our experienced staff will help you determine whether or not an animal needs assistance, and how best to provide that assistance. Also refer to what to do when you find a baby animal.

What if I find an injured/ sick animal after hours?
If you find an injured or sick wild animal after PAWS Wildlife Center has closed, please do the following:

Find a suitable container (cardboard box, pet carrier). Line it with a towel or cloth.
If you feel you can do it safely, throw a towel or a sheet over the animal so he can’t see you, gently pick up the animal (wear gloves), and place in the container. You don’t need to remove the towel, but loosen it. Secure the container to make sure the animal cannot escape.
Keep the animal in a warm, dark, quiet place away from noise and pets. For warmth you can place the container on half of a heating pad that is set on the lowest heat setting.
Do not give the animal food or water. Leave the animal alone to rest.
Take the animal to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
Please resist peeking at the animal. Before transporting the animal to our facility, you can check whether or not the animal is still alive.
Bring the animal to PAWS Wildlife Center as soon as possible.

** Many wild animals can be dangerous to handle. Contact PAWS Wildlife Center at 425.787.2500 x817 with questions about safely handling an animal you have found.

If I touch a wild baby bird, will the parents abandon the baby?
No. It is a myth that birds will reject their young if they detect human scent. As a matter of fact, if the baby bird appears unharmed, it is best to put the baby back into the nest. If the nest is too high, make a surrogate nest:

Find a container such as a small box or margarine tub.
Fill the container with leaves, paper towels or a clean, soft cloth.
Place the nest in the tree or bush closest to where the animal was found, out of the sun and rain, as high up as you can safely manage.
Place the animal (or animals) in the nest (wear gloves) and leave the area.

Learn more about what to do if you find a wild baby bird.

Can I raise an orphaned wild animal myself / what do I feed a wild animal?
It is illegal to raise or keep a wild animal without proper state and/or federal rehabilitation permits. Rehabilitating wild animals also requires specific training. Average citizens rarely have the training to meet wild animals' physical and behavioral needs. Without proper training, you can do more harm than good.

If you are interested in working with wildlife you can volunteer at the PAWS or other local wildlife rehabilitation center. If you find a sick, injured or orphaned wild animal, call PAWS at 425.787.2500 x817. PAWS' experienced staff will help you determine whether or not an animal needs assistance, and how best to provide that assistance.

How do I get rid of a nuisance wild animal?
Please call PAWS at 425.787.2500 x817. A trained PAWS staff member will give you advice on dealing with the animal in a humane manner. There are all sorts of effective solutions to different human/wildlife conflicts that do not require the killing or harming of the animal. If you simply get rid of one wild animal without taking care of whatever it is that attracted that animal to your property, another will be drawn in by the same attractant and take his place. You can also read about a variety of animals and how to co-exist with them in the wildlife resources and fact sheets page.

Is trapping and relocating a wild animal legal? Can PAWS trap and relocate a wild animal at my home, school, business, etc?
No, it is not legal. Neither citizens nor PAWS can legally trap and relocate wild animals. Relocation is perceived as a quick, effective and humane solution to resolving human-wildlife conflicts. It is, in fact, an ineffective, often inhumane and potentially ecologically destructive method for dealing with wildlife.

Ineffective: A new animal may quickly replace the one that was relocated. Effective long-term solutions can only be achieved by discovering what is attracting the animal and then removing the attractant (covering garbage cans, bringing pet food inside, sealing up potential denning areas in attics or under decks, etc.).

Inhumane: Many animals do not survive relocation. Animals who are relocated have to fight for new territories and are often injured or killed in the process. Relocation of a mother and young is almost always futile, since it is often difficult for her to quickly find food, shelter, and a safe place to raise her young in unfamiliar surroundings. The mother may be forced to abandon her young for her own survival.

Biologically unsound: Relocation of wildlife to new territories can disrupt the wildlife populations that are already living there. Relocating wildlife may also introduce diseases or parasites into areas in which they did not previously exist.

Can I keep a wild animal as a pet?
It is illegal in the state of Washington to possess a wild animal without a permit unless you are transporting that animal to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. (WAC 232-12-064)

Will the wildlife in my neighborhood starve if I don’t feed them?
No. In fact, feeding wildlife can be detrimental for them.

When wild animals begin to depend on humans for food, their foraging skills may be diminished.
They may also lose their healthy fear of humans, which is important to their survival. An animal who no longer fears humans is also far more likely to come into conflict with them.
The food that humans tend to feed wildlife, such as leftovers from the dinner table, can cause serious health problems.
When food is easily available, wild animals may congregate in unusually large numbers. They may also produce more offspring, further increasing population density, and causing imbalances. This may also result in aggressive behavior among the animals and/or facilitate the spread of disease.
Feeding migratory animals may interfere with the animals’ awareness of seasonal changes in natural food supplies that tell them it is time to migrate.

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