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Please direct questions or comments to info@paws.org.

PAWS Mailing Address:
PO Box 1037
Lynnwood WA, 98046

PAWS Street Address:
15305 44th Ave W
Lynnwood, WA 98087

PAWSwalk is this Saturday!

It’s not too late to join us for the 15 th annual PAWSwalk on Saturday, September 9 at Seattle’s Magnuson Park ! Details, including a schedule of events and how to register and collect donations, are at PAWSwalk.net.  

A cover dog search contest for CityDog Magazine and testing for well-mannered dogs for Canine Good Citizen certification are just two new events happening at this year’s PAWSwalk. Registration and check-in begin at 8 am with the 5k walk kicking off at 10 am. Then enjoy animal-friendly shopping, canine massage, agility demonstrations, a kids’ zone and much more.

Every registered walker will receive a PAWSwalk bandana. In addition, walkers will be rewarded for their fundraising efforts with fabulous prizes! Visit PAWSwalk.net for details. Social, leashed dogs are welcome on the walk, as long as they are current on vaccinations, over four months old, friendly to people and other dogs, and not in heat.

The animals thank you!

If you build it, the raccoons can come

After years of collecting generous donations, and hundreds of hours of construction, including much-welcomed volunteer muscle, the last two (of four) new raccoon enclosures have been built! It began with the first Have a Pint for PAWS fundraiser at a local pub in Seattle in 2002, where friends gathered for laughter, beverages and raffle prizes.

These cages are professionally designed and manufactured using galvanized metal and nickel plated bolts for long life. The concrete floors and drains allow PAWS to provide an excellent, easily cleanable environment for orphaned raccoons prior to release back into their native habitat. They are each complete with hammocks and hidey-holes to make the raccoons feel more comfortable. Now with four units, PAWS is better able to manage different age groups of raccoons and minimize the risk of disease transmission between the groups. Currently, PAWS is caring for 4 4 raccoons  at different stages of rehabilitation.  Most will be released back to the wild places from which they came by early October , and three recently orphaned babies will spend the winter at PAWS and be released next spring.  

Three of the units are named for the pubs that have been so supportive in our fundraising efforts: Molly’s (Molly Maguire’s in Ballard), Mulleady’s (in Magnolia) and The Ould Triangle (in Greenwood). The last unit was named The Regulars, after the kind supporters who raised many a glass for PAWS at all the Have aPint for PAWS events.

And speaking of raising a glass for PAWS, the next event to help fund additional improvements at PAWS Wildlife Center is on Saturday, October 7 at 8 pm at The Ould Triangle. There will be, as usual, live music, raffle prizes, good friends and great beer. The Ould Triangle is located at 9736 Greenwood Ave N. in Seattle. Cheers!

Be careful what you wish for

Have you ever tossed a coin into a fountain to make a wish? So many of us have. Unfortunately, the staff at PAWS Wildlife Center were reminded just what an unexpected hazard it can be to local urban wildlife. In August, the center received a Mallard duckling who had been living around a fountain in a busy tourist spot, and swallowed several coins. The coins not only prevented him from eating proper food, but the copper metal made him very sick. The next time you decide to make a wish, make it on the first star you see at night, rather than on coins in a fountain.

Rediscover the joys of loving a pet

What’s better than a soft pile of fur to warm your lap or a wet nose to tickle your ear? These are the gifts that pets give. In celebration of Grandparents Day on September 10 th, PAWS invites seniors to rediscover the joys of sharing their lives with a companion animal by adopting a new best friend.

Research has shown that companion animals improve physical and mental health simply by their presence and unconditional love. By adopting a cat or dog a person can feel benefits such as decreased stress and blood pressure – not to mention the fellowship of a faithful friend.

Realizing these benefits, PAWS offers a "Seniors for Seniors" program. It successfully matches senior animals over seven years old with senior humans 60 and over for a reduced adoption fee of $35. Adult, senior animals are a perfect fit for older people looking for a new friend, since kittens and puppies can be quite a handful. Older animals often need and appreciate quieter, slower-paced homes.

Each adopted furry friend also comes with a certificate for a free health exam by a local vet, a collar, and a microchip (a form of permanent identification). Spaying and neutering is also included in the fee, as well as the animal's first set of vaccinations. Visit the adoption services page on the PAWS’ website for more information.

School’s back in session

Going back to school is not only an adjustment for the human members of a household, but also for the four-legged members. For the last three months many family pets have had the luxury of having more people around, and less alone time. Admittedly, some animals may actually welcome the quiet time once school starts. But others may need some extra help getting used to the change in schedules. Be sure to include your animals on your checklist of things to think about. If you are experiencing behavior issues with your dog or cat, call PAWS’ free Behavior Helpline at 425.787.2500, ext. 860 or visit the helpline page on the PAWS website.

As students get ready, so does the PAWS Humane Education Program. 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.