PAWS cares for cats displaced by Hurricane Katrina

Gemini

Last month, PAWS received four cats rescued in the Gulf Coast who were previously cared for at the Oregon Humane Society. All are being treated for upper respiratory infection and were quarantined for 10 days to monitor for other health issues. Currently, they are in foster homes to recuperate until they are available for adoption on December 16 th. Their photos and descriptions have been posted on Petfinder.com, giving their families the opportunity to locate them.

Two of the cats, Morris, an orange tabby who is approximately 14 years old, and Joanie, a grey and white older cat with a bobbed tail, are being monitored closely. Both spent time in the emergency vet clinic on arrival, seriously weakened by their ordeal. Morris was found by a neighbor in the New Orleans area where, sadly, his feline sibling had already died. His is the only story we know.

The other two, Mandy, a shy and sweet black and white cat, approximately seven years old, and Gemini, a unique brown tabby who has some Abyssinian traits and is approximately three years old, are doing well. All our new charges are receiving excellent medical care and plenty of TLC to help them feel comfortable so far from home.

PAWS is taking up to six adoption applications for each cat. You can download an application and bring it in person to Cat City in Seattle or to our main shelter in Lynnwood (click here for directions to both locations) to meet with an adoption counselor. People will be notified if they are selected and PAWS will arrange a visit with the cats.

Please remember, these four cats need homes, but so do the many other cats and dogs that enter PAWS every day. Consider giving one of them a second chance and freeing up space in our shelter for more animals in need.

Even if you are not currently looking to bring home a new animal companion, you can help. PAWS urgently needs help to cover the costs of these cats’ medical expenses and the thousands of animals like them we care for each year. Please make a donation today online, or call 425.787.2500, ext.255. For all the animals in our care, thank you.

Special thanks also to the Humane Society for Seattle/King County for coordinating the transportation and transfer of animals displaced by Hurricane Katrina to our area.

PAWS for a Bite

It was a fabulous night of fine food and fundraising for animals at PAWS. Thank you to everyone for dining out on October 18th for PAWS for a Bite. Please join PAWS in thanking our partner restaurants for participating in this annual event. Keep the following list handy and be sure to visit these restaurants year-round, to show you appreciate their support of PAWS. Stay tuned for the grand total raised in December's newsletter.

• Addis Café
• Agua Verde Café and Paddle Club
• Amici Bistro
• Barking Dog Ale House
• Carmelita
• Chaco Canyon Café
• Circa
• Crow
• Dish
• Serafina
• Stumbling Goat Bistro

Bring 'em home for the holidays

More families bring companion animals into their lives during the holidays than any other time of year. That's why PAWS is joining thousands of other shelters across the country for "Home 4 the Holidays." Between November 7, 2005 and January 2, 2006, PAWS' goal is to place at least 500 homeless dogs and cats into new loving homes, offering adoption fee discounts on featured animals. So instead of buying your next friend from a pet store or breeder, adopt from PAWS and give a homeless animal the second chance she deserves. Give her a home for the holidays! Click here for more information on adopting and to see some wonderful animals looking for a place to call home.

   Dust off those pruning shears

Northern Saw-whet Owl   (photo by Paul Bannick)

In a previous edition of People Helping Animals, we cautioned you about cutting down or trimming trees during the early spring through early fall, the height of nesting season for many wild animals. (Read the March 2005 edition) Now that leaves are turning color, it's a good time to safely trim those branches. Your chances of finding an active nest from now until early January are pretty slim, but always check first. However, do consider leaving that old, dead tree on your property. Snags provide essential, year-round shelter for cavity dwellers like flying squirrels, small owls, and some woodpeckers. For more information call the PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at 425.787.2500 x817.

Appreciate your local shelter!

During the week of November 6 - 12, PAWS is joining the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to celebrate National Shelter Appreciation Week. Animal shelters play a vital role in maintaining the health and safety of the local community while they advocate and care for many kinds of animals. Did you know that PAWS…

• Makes approximately 3,000 loving matches between people and homeless dogs and cats, and reunites another 375 lost animals with their families every year?
• Provides training classes and a free behavior helpline to strengthen the bond between people and their pets, thus keeping more animals in their homes?
• Has cared for more than 91,000 wild animals representing over 240 species since 1981?
• Serves as the first-responder in Washington state in caring for affected wildlife in the event of an oil spill?
• Has reached more than 3,000 children in the last year, with messages of responsible pet care, respect for wildlife, and treating all animals with kindness?
• Assists the public in finding humane ways for solving human/wildlife conflicts in their communities?
• Advocates for animal and environmentally-friendly legislation to defend and protect the wild and companion animals with whom we share our lives?

If you'd like to be part of PAWS' work, volunteer, attend a special event, adopt your next companion animal, donate supplies or money and tell a friend. To get started, visit our website at www.paws.org.

Have an animal-friendly holiday feast

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, it's estimated that 256 million turkeys will be raised for food this year. Most of them will likely have spent their lives in cruel, deplorable conditions in factory farms. This holiday season, shake things up by serving up a delicious vegetarian meal instead. There are several tasty meat substitutes available in local grocery stores. Cook these up as you would with your favorite traditional recipes and try the following sides as a complement. Delicious!

Stuffing for Turkeyless Turkey

• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 1 onion chopped
• 1 cup mushrooms chopped
• 1 teaspoon marjoram
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cup water
• 3 tsp "chicken" flavored broth powder (vegan item available in many natural food stores) or vegetable broth powder
• 1 1/2 loaves bread cubed
• 1/2 apple cut into small cubes
• 2 stalks celery chopped
• 1 teaspoon sage
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Slice bread into small cubes. Sauté oil, onions, celery and mushrooms until onions are transparent. During last few minutes of sautéing, add sage, marjoram, thyme, salt and pepper. Add "chicken" flavored broth powder to water and mix well. Combine all ingredients and toss well. Put in baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Mushroom Gravy

• 1/2 pound mushrooms
• 1/2 cup nutritional yeast (brewers yeast) flakes
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 1/4 cups water
• 1/4 cup soy butter
• 1/2 cup white flour
• 3/8 tsp onion powder

Sauté mushrooms in soy butter until soft. Mix yeast, flour, salt and onion powder. Blend water into dry ingredients until smooth. Heat on low until thick, stirring constantly. Cook one more minute. Add mushrooms to the mixture and stir to blend. Taste. Add extra salt or onion powder if desired.  Makes about 3 cups.

For more great vegetarian recipes check out the Vegetarians of Washington's website at www.vegofwa.org.

All rights reserved. ©2005 Progressive Animal Welfare Society

A 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.