PAWS lobbyists worked hard in Olympia this legislative session.

Lawmakers launched strong efforts to overturn the voter-approved State Initiative-655, which three years ago banned hound-hunting of cougars for sport and bear baiting. PAWS Wildlife Advocate Will Anderson teamed with the Humane Society of the United States to defeat most of these attempts. As this issue of PAWS News went to press a final effort remained alive in the Legislature to partially repeal I-655. PAWS News will provide an update in our summer edition.

PAWS Companion Animal Advocate Kay Joubert promoted a bill that would allow shelters such as PAWS to own and operate veterinary clinics. Current state law allows only veterinarians to own veterinary clinics, rather than animal shelters whose clinics wish to serve the public.

PAWS had to switch gears after a bill to remedy the situation was proposed (Senate Bill 5657), but a provision was added that PAWS could not accept; as amended, the bill would limit PAWS and municipal shelters like the City of Seattle’s to offering spay and neuter services to only to low income residents.

The PAWS Advocacy Department created an e-mail-based Legislative Response Network. The network was comprised of dozens of Washington state citizens who are willing to contact or e-mail their representatives and lawmakers.