PAWS Mini Magazine Fall 2020

PAWS Connections Anil Kapahi

Eaglet Reunited

With the community's help, this eaglet was placed in an artificial nest and reunited with her parents.

with Parents

T

he PAWS Wildlife team was running out of time to reunite a juvenile Bald Eagle who had fallen from her family’s nest. Just seven weeks old, she had tumbled 130 feet and was brought to PAWS by a neighborhood homeowner.

Veterinary staff were relieved to discover only minor lacerations.

To survive, young eagles must learn to fish from their parents—a lesson that takes months to master. Normally, PAWS would have cared for this juvenile eaglet for about four weeks or until she was able to fly on her own back to her family.

However, because she was this eagle family’s last nestling, wildlife rehabilitation staff knew they had only 48 hours to reunite her with her parents until they left the area for good.

Due to its height, placing the eaglet back in her original nest was not possible. So PAWS Naturalist Jeff Brown devised a plan to put the eaglet in an artificial nest on a platform near the original nest. The challenge was finding a location where

The eaglet’s parents kept a close eye on her while waiting for her to fledge.

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Make a Difference Long into the Future

M

ark B. first became associated with PAWS decades ago at a time in his life when he was becoming more knowledgeable about the issues facing wild and domestic animals. Not long after becoming involved with PAWS, Mark named PAWS as a beneficiary in his will.

“PAWS has been—and continues to be—an important player in animal welfare,” says Mark. “It is much more than just an animal shelter… I admire the way in which PAWS uses both tried-and-true methods in its daily work while at the same time making use of the newest ideas and techniques in animal welfare. I am also impressed by its education and advocacy work, especially with children. The PAWS Wildlife Center serves a critical function.”

Mark shared what inspired him to take the big step of including PAWS in his estate plans. “I think PAWS is a valuable, I’d say even crucial, organization which warrants my support. We all know times are tough for nonprofits. But even when times get better, there will always be a need for people to commit their resources. I hope those who believe in what PAWS is doing will step up to the best of their ability. The animals are depending on it!”

By including PAWS in my estate plans, I hope to make a difference long into the future.

Mark and his beloved cat Valentino who passed away at the golden age of 21.

If you’d like to find out more about including PAWS in your estate plans, please contact PAWS Philanthropy Officer Larry Symonds at lsymonds@paws.org.

Cover Story - continued the adults were comfortable landing to feed this young eagle. Eagles prefer to fly into the wind and have access to the nest from at least three sides.

The only suitable location was the roof of the finder’s home. The homeowner was supportive and even allowed the nest to be screwed directly into the roof for additional stability.

Once placed in the artificial nest, the eaglet was content to stay. A Wi-Fi-connected camera was set up to monitor the eaglet and confirm the parents were visiting to feed her. Wildlife staff noted visits every day until the exciting moment when the eaglet fledged from the nest and flew into the wild.

Raptor Banding Before the eaglet in this story was renested, she was banded

by Patti Loesche of Seattle, a permitted bird bander with Urban Raptor Conservancy. Banding allows PAWS to track how patients are performing once they are returned to the wild. One such patient was a Cooper’s Hawk released early in 2020, who was spotted this summer tending a nest with young. Collecting this data and understanding factors that affect post-release success help PAWS rehabilitators better prepare future raptor patients for their return to the wild.

For more content related to this story, visit paws.org/Fall2020.

Citizen Renesting PAWS makes every effort to return young animals to their families if they are in good health and there is evidence the parents are still in the area. This work is often performed by PAWS staff but can also be done by citizens who find a baby bunny, squirrel or songbird. PAWS Wildlife Admission Specialists Kiersten H. and Joshua H. assist finders on how to renest healthy wild animals. Not only does this allow a baby to be quickly returned to its parents, it also frees up space at PAWS Wildlife Center for animals in need of medical care. “To those finders who are hesitant to try renesting, I emphasize that they are giving the animal a higher chance of survival,” says Kiersten H.

Mutual Rescue

Amid the Pandemic “Animals are a blessing for one’s mental health. They need you and you need them."

O

n a rainy day in February, a transport arrived at PAWS from California carrying a special family. Despite the dreary weather, Willow, a diminutive Dachshund, and her five tiny puppies were embarking on a hopeful new beginning. Originally rescued from a hoarding situation, Willow was shy and fearful.

“PAWS is an ideal place for under-socialized dogs,” says Lisa Hockins, PAWS Shelter Operations Manager. “Our knowledgeable staff and patient foster families give these dogs all the time they need to come out of their shells.”

Experienced foster parent Asa Tsuki Fox happily volunteered to help socialize the mama dog and her rambunctious brood. It took time. “At first, Willow wouldn’t come out of her kennel if someone was in the room. She couldn't even go outside to go potty as she’d

Willow's puppies were quickly adopted.

Willow and her five puppies were welcomed with open arms at PAWS.

frantically try to run away,” recalls Fox. Still, Fox kept trying, hand-feeding Willow and sitting on the floor beside her kennel to build trust.

Meanwhile, Lori and Charles Allen were dealing with the combined loss of Lori’s mother and her Dachshund Mookie. People were isolating and sheltering in place due to the emerging pandemic—a tough situation for a family in grief.

As summer approached, the Allens felt the timing was ideal to welcome a dog into their family. Charles was retired, and Lori and their son Kyle had plenty of time to devote to a new family member. When Lori came across Willow’s profile, she knew she was the one.

“This little girl needs us,” says Lori.

Willow and her puppies were taken in by a loving foster home until they were ready for adoption.

Says Lori, “Willow’s true, sweet self is shining through. She loves belly rubs and is getting more relaxed and comfortable every day.

Willow is non-stop entertainment and the topic of many conversations.”

Thus began the delicate process of building trust with the nervous and skittish dog. Lori first met Willow in the fenced visit yard on the PAWS campus. While Willow darted around trying to find a place to hide, Lori sat down on the ground and nonchalantly chatted with a PAWS staff member. Willow’s curiosity got the better of her, and she finally came close enough for Lori to casually pet her.

Most importantly, Willow has given Lori, who is still grieving the loss of her mother, a set schedule and an excuse to get outside more. “Animals are a blessing for one’s mental health,” Lori explains. “They need you and you need them. I find myself smiling and laughing more, which is a good thing, especially right now.”

Fast forward several months—Willow has made amazing strides! She explores the outdoors at every opportunity, and her favorite activities are snacking on blackberries, jumping in the hayfield, and barrel rolling across the grass.

For more content related to this story, visit paws.org/Fall2020.

Thank you for making these success stories possible with your support of PAWS!

From the heart Dear PAWS Supporters,

In September, I joined volunteers to welcome 83 dogs and cats from overwhelmed shelters to safety at PAWS.

PAWS’ Promise PAWS helps cats, dogs and wild animals go home and thrive— whether home is the family room or the forest. We do this by rehabilitating orphaned and injured wildlife, sheltering and adopting homeless cats and dogs, and educating the community to inspire compassionate action for animals.

PAWS

mini magazine Issue 7, Fall 2020 Editor in Chief: Laura Follis Associate Editor: Amanda Van Kleeck Writers: Jennie Baxla, Larry Symonds Graphic Designer: Lynn Jefferson Photographers: Jim Diers, Asa Tsuki Fox PAWS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and relies on community support to conduct our work to help animals.

PAWS, PAWS Cat City, PAWSwalk, Kids Who Care, and PAWS Academy are service marks owned by the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). © 2020 Progressive Animal Welfare Society.

Privacy Policy: PAWS respects our donors’ and friends’ confidentiality.

Although on rare occasion we may send you materials from another organization, we never release our mailing list.

PAWS is a member magazine. Membership is available with a donation of $35 or more.

For change of address notification, call (425) 787-2500, x261.

PAWS Cat City: (206) 782-1700 5200 Roosevelt Way NE Suite B Seattle, WA 98105

The staff at PAWS are committed to filling an essential need in our community during this unprecedented time. PAWS recently joined with partners to bring animals from overpopulated shelters to safety, an event captured by NBC Nightly News. We are honored to be profiled in this inspiring rescue story. (Visit paws.org/fall2020 to watch the video.)

and hearing impaired, and those missing limbs—find loving families.

While some animal shelters have reduced or suspended operations, we remain open on an appointment-only basis to serve people seeking dog and cat companions.

Our customer service representatives are spending more time on the phones learning about potential adopters, and those adopters are being given valuable information about the animals prior to meeting them. Matchmaking is PAWS’ forte.

During this time of social distancing, the unconditional love and warmth from an animal companion matters more than ever. Dogs and cats don’t know there’s a pandemic. They still need us. And thanks to supporters like you, our amazing community is there for them.

PAWS relishes the role of matchmaker and takes pride in ensuring that even harder-toadopt animals—dogs and cats with medical conditions, seniors, bonded pairs, sight

Board of Directors Chuck Stempler, President Katie Jordan, Vice President Jennifer Evans, Treasurer Strom Peterson, Secretary

Josh Amato, Norm Arkans, Christy Cheever, James Donaldson, Joanna Grist, Joe Grube, Heather Hager, Steve Hall, Gayle Johnson, Jill Jones, Van Katzman, C. Han Kim, Ju Lee, Bob Mahon, Dan McGrady, Batur Oktay, Peter Schrappen, Karen Trujillo, Kris Tsujikawa, Muriel Van Housen, Jennie Warmouth

CEO Heidi Wills

PAWS

15305 44th Ave W PO Box 1037 Lynnwood, WA 98046 paws.org Contact PAWS: (425) 787-2500 Adoption Information x435 Animal Cruelty x861 Donations x441 Foster Care Program x822 Hours and Address x410 Lost and Found Pets x565 Volunteer Information x230 Wildlife Center x817

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How do we do it? Yes, we have outstanding adoption experts. But it’s only possible because we are part of a community of incredibly generous people who want to make a difference for animals. The average stay for dogs and cats at PAWS is a remarkably short five to seven days.

With gratitude,

Heidi Wills CEO

#GivingTuesday is December 1, 2020

But why wait?

You can give early to bring an abandoned animal at risk of euthanasia in an overcrowded shelter to safety at PAWS. For just $54, a cat or dog, like sweet Denali, will be transferred to PAWS to find a loving family of their own. Your gift today will give a cat or dog the ultimate joy—a home for the holidays and beyond.

Make your gift today at paws.org/givingtuesday

2021 PAWS Calendars Now Available!

NOW in FULL Color!

Your calendar purchase plays a part in helping care for, adopt and rehabilitate more than 9,500 animals who are brought to PAWS each year.

Purchase a calendar for yourself and the animal lovers on your holiday list at paws.org/PAWS-Shop.