Dear Friends,

As summer begins, and its warm rays of sunshine draw us out of our homes, I hope that one place it may draw you is Marymoor Park on September 8 for our 21st annual PAWSwalk celebration. We’re excited by the location change. PAWSwalk is not only fun for dogs and the rest of us (see back cover for more information), it also raises important funds for the animals who will arrive at PAWS this year.

In a single day recently, PAWS Companion Animal Shelter took in more than 50 dogs and cats who were at risk. Forty-six of them were transferred in from other shelters. By week’s end, many of the dogs had been adopted, and the kittens were flourishing in foster care. The prior week, PAWS Wildlife Center received nearly 25 different species of animals, among them baby songbirds, hummingbirds, river otters, ducklings, deer fawns, a coyote pup, seal pup and a tiny orphaned Black Bear cub. At admission, she weighed in at only four pounds but is now thriving in our care.

Your support also enables humane education for hundreds of children. I recently attended a session of our “Kids Who Care” six-week classroom program. I always enjoy hearing feedback from our youngest constituents as they share what they learned: “At the PAWS visits I learned that animals do have feelings, just like us people…I’m happy we have a place like PAWS where we can take care of and treat animals kindly. Animals deserve to be on this planet as much as we do.”

As you are out enjoying the many wonderful festivals and farmers’ markets in the region, I hope you’ll stop by our outreach booth this summer. For a list of where PAWS’ outreach booth will be in July, take a peek at page 7.

All of PAWS’ amazing education efforts and direct, lifesaving care for animals is not possible without your support at events like PAWSwalk. Thank you, and we hope to see you there!

With gratitude,

Annette Laico
Executive Director