PAWS Magazine

Issue 63, Spring 2006

PAWS News and Notes

PAWS' "Report Card" for 2005

• Through PAWS Humane Education Program, we reached 2,541 young people—a record 780 in May alone—with messages of compassion and respect for wild, companion and farm animals.

• Thanks to dedicated staff and volunteers, we placed a record-breaking 1,335 special needs companion animals through our Foster Care Program, for rest, recuperation and socialization before adoption.
• We found new, loving homes for 2,742 homeless dog and cats and returned another 366 lost animals to their guardians.
• PAWS cared for 2,956 injured and orphaned wild animals of 144 different species. Of the 1,557 animals that we were able to treat, 778 were released back into the wild.
• Highly trained volunteers assisted nearly 600 callers through our free Behavior Help Line—providing practical behavioral advice for dog and cat guardians to help keep animals in their homes.
• PAWS collaborated with Focus Wildlife, Islands Oil Spill Association and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife to provide oil spill training in bird search, collection and rehabilitation.
• PAWS fielded 7,774 calls from citizens seeking expert advice on humanely solving conflicts with wildlife and providing assistance for injured animals.
• After the Seattle Goose Program's successful second year of operation, Seattle granted an extension of the moratorium on the lethal removal of Canada Geese from its parks through 2006.
• PAWS' campaign to stop the Omak Suicide Race received nationwide attention and resulted in sponsors— including Wal-Mart, Crown Royal and Campbell's Soup—withdrawing their support.
• Nearly 1,100 volunteers gave over 50,000 hours of their time to PAWS, from feeding baby birds and walking dogs to giving classroom presentations and helping with administrative tasks. All in all a successful year—thank you for your support in making it all happen!

Nordstrom "adopts" the PAWS family

The employees of Nordstrom in Seattle did something very special for the animals this holiday season. They adopted the PAWS family during their annual giving tree donation drive. Employees donated more than 400 pounds of food for the dogs and cats at PAWS, along with toys, blankets, kitten and puppy formula, dog biscuits and leashes. And, we received more than 24 boxes of food for our wildlife patients as well as eight digital timers to track their feeding schedules, and water bottles and heating pads to keep them warm. What's more, to keep our facilities in tip-top shape more than $1,450 in home improvement store gift cards were donated. Thank you Nordstrom for caring for the PAWS family!

Getting them home for the holidays

During the first week of the New Year, PAWS successfully ended another Home for the Holidays adoption campaign, again surpassing our goal for the season. We found new, loving homes for 366 cats and 174 dogs for a total of 540 animals between November 7, 2005 and January 6, 2006. The kindness and hope people have shown by opening their hearts to homeless animals was enough to brighten any winter day: here's to a lifetime of friendship and joy!

Even though this campaign has ended, PAWS continues to care for many wonderful animals looking for their forever homes. Come by and meet a few— you just might find the unconditional love you've been looking for.

To learn more about how you can help the newest arrivals at PAWS, check out our special invitation to join our spring baby shower on page 13.

Seattle pet licenses now available at PAWS Cat City

In order to help companion animal guardians in Seattle be in compliance with the city's new licensing laws, PAWS Cat City is now an official vendor of Seattle cat and dog licenses. Not only will we offer licenses for sale with adoptions, but any Seattle resident seeking a new or renewal pet license may purchase theirs at the same location. Cat City is located at 8503 Greenwood Ave. N. in Seattle. Hours and directions or call Cat City at 206.782.1700.

Save the Date for Paddle for PAWS

On Sunday, June 4, 2006, two fearless friends of animals will swim three and a half miles across chilly Puget Sound waters to raise funds for the animals at PAWS. Now that's dedication! Bob Donovan and Paul Zimmerman will take the plunge on Vashon Island, finishing tired, but happy, at Lincoln Park in West Seattle on their seventh annual Paddle for PAWS.

The team is seeking boat owners to accompany the swimmers, providing moral support and helping ensure their safety throughout the approximately four-hour swim. Of course, they are also seeking pledges of support to reach their fundraising goal of $10,000.

Contact Brian Thurston at 425.787.2500 x833 or briant@paws.org for more information. Visit our Paddle for PAWS page for the latest news on Paul and Bob's watery adventure and how you can help!

Driving an important message around town

In January, the new “We Love Our Pets” license plate featuring lovable characters designed by artist and author Brian Basset (“Adam@Home” and “Red and Rover”) was launched across the state. Sales of the plates, which have already surpassed the 400 mark, will help fund pet sterilization programs statewide. The plate is available at all Washington State vehicle licensing offices, and the more plates sold, the more companion animals will be spayed or neutered thus reducing the number of homeless animals in need. The earlier you get your plate, the lower your plate number will be, and beginning March 1, 2007, plates can be personalized. For questions or to locate vehicle-licensing offices visit https://wws2.wa.gov/dol/vsagents. The cats and dogs thank you!

Legislative wrap-up

The 2006 Washington State legislative session proved mildly successful for animals. The good news: engaging in or promoting of sexual activities with animals and being a spectator at dog or cock fights are now both felonies. These bills will strengthen our state's ability to combat animal cruelty. Disappointingly, the bill to ban private ownership of potentially dangerous exotic animals, HB 1151, again died on the Senate floor. However, PAWS and its animal welfare partners are still hopeful for future passage of the act to protect animals and people. Other important bills such as banning force-feeding of birds for Foie Gras and disaster planning for pets, also died in session. Read about the current legislative session.

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