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Fall 2009 |
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For Kids Only Are you crazy about cats and dogs? Do you ever wonder about the wildlife here in Washington? Check out the PAWS Kids Workshops. You'll learn fascinating animal facts, why animals do the things they do and how you can help them. Each half-day session is filled with hands-on activities, games, crafts and tons 'o fun. Join us at the PAWS Campus in Lynnwood, Washington. We hope to see you soon! Join the fun. |
 Nina at PAWSwalk At our 18th annual PAWSwalk this year, 14-year-old Nina was the youth who raised the most donations. Nina has always been passionate about animals, and didn't let her age stop her from volunteering. She decided PAWSwalk was a great way for her to be involved, along with her best dog friend, Tanner. She asked friends and family to support her love for animals. Thanks to her efforts, Nina raised an awesome total of $500 to help the animals at PAWS. That will buy microchips for 100 dogs or cats, so they can get home safely if they ever get lost. Way to go, Nina! Know some cool kids helping animals? Tell us about them at paws.org! |
 My friends and I love animals. We really want to start a club at our school and do things to help PAWS. Can you help us? From, Callie, age 10 Hello Callie, Starting a club at your school is a great idea. As a group of animal lovers, there are so many things you can do when you work together. PAWS can send you information to help you hold a school-wide donation drive, send a speaker to your school for an educational assembly, or give your club other fun and creative ideas to help the animals at PAWS. Thanks for that wonderful question and good luck with your animal club! Your friend, Riley Raccoon Have a question for Riley? Send him your question and he will try to answer it. You can e-mail him at Riley@paws.org. |
 Seabirds S.O.S.
 Common Murres rest and recover in PAWS pools until they are healthy enough to be released. Stormy waters had stirred up mysterious algae off the coast of Washington and Oregon, creating a soapy foam. This sticky foam caused seabirds to lose the waterproofing of their feathers. These seabirds, Western Grebes, Common Loons, Red-throated Loons and Common Murres spend most of their lives in the water because they are physically unable to stand on hard surfaces. Without the waterproofing of their feathers, the birds could drown or freeze to death. Many of the birds ended up stranded along the beaches, unable to feed or take care of themselves. Volunteers rescued the seabirds and transported them to rehabilitation centers, like PAWS, so they could get the special care they needed. PAWS sped into action to get the slimy, toxic algae foam washed off each bird. Special pools and stations were set up to clean the birds. With the approval of the local water district and the fire department, PAWS had to tap into a nearby fire hydrant because we needed so much water. Staff members and volunteers worked around the clock to clean, feed, provide medical attention and care for the seabirds until they were healthy enough to return to the sea.  Keep the environment clean by doing daily tasks like recycling the newspaper and turning off unnecessary lights. Carpool with your friends to school or turn the water off while you're brushing your teeth. These may seem like simple tasks, but remember, every little bit of energy counts when it comes to saving the world we share with animals. |
A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray by Ann M. Martin  Got a favorite animal book? Tell Riley all about it. We may review it in the Kids Helping Animals newsletter. 
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Career Spotlight: Naturalist
 To prepare for a bear cub's return to the wild, PAWS' naturalist Kevin helps build a den for the bear's winter hibernation. A naturalist is an expert on animals and their habitat. A naturalist understands how animals and birds behave, what they eat and where they live, and even what they are communicating! He knows how to read all the clues wild animals leave to tell their story. Best of all, he is passionate about teaching others to care about their environment and all the wildlife who live in it. At PAWS, when the wild animals and birds are healthy enough to return to the wild, the naturalist will decide when and where to release them. He also represents PAWS on TV and radio, and helps communities with humane solutions for wildlife so that animals and humans can live together peacefully. The best way to get started is to look and listen to all the sights and sounds of animals and birds you find in your own backyard, at a park or out hiking with friends and family. You can learn a lot just by watching how animals forage, what types of natural foods they eat, and how they care for their families. And most importantly, when you learn new and fun facts, be sure to share them with others! |
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Vocabulary
Did you notice the green words in this newsletter? These are vocabulary words that may be new to you. Below you can find each word with its definition. Algae: A plant-like form that grows in damp places or water Forage: To look for food Habitat: Place where a plant or animal lives Humane: Kind and compassionate Microchip: A tiny computer chip with a special code that is linked to all the information about the animal's family Rehabilitation: To restore to good health so that an animal can survive again on his own |
Want more ideas? Check out paws.org! |
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Kids Helping Animals is published by the Humane Education Program of the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). A Northwest leader in protecting animals since 1967, PAWS shelters homeless animals, rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife, and empowers people to demonstrate compassion and respect for animals in their daily lives.
All Rights Reserved. ©2009 Progressive Animal Welfare Society. PAWS, P.O. Box 1037, Lynnwood, WA 98046 425.787.2500 |