PAWS Connections
Anil Kapahi Photo by Anil Kapahi
PAWS-adopted cat Tommy explores winter snow in the safety of his catio.
Safe Cats, Safe Wildife
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sk anyone owned by a cat and they’re sure to agree that keeping beloved felines safe is an incredibly important responsibility. The Safe Cats, Healthy Habitats outreach campaign, a collaboration of PAWS’ Education, Adoption and Wildlife teams, is teaching cat guardians what this means and how to put ideas in action. “Ensuring that people, pets and wildlife live in harmony is at the heart of what makes PAWS unique,” says Katie Amrhein, PAWS Education Manager. “Cats who roam outdoors unsupervised face dangers such as vehicles, predators, poisons, diseases, and getting lost. Cats who are safely confined can live for 15 to 20 years, significantly longer than free roaming cats.” Just across the parking lot from the PAWS Companion Animal Shelter, where cats are adopted into loving homes, sits the PAWS Wildlife Center. In their daily work of rehabilitating sick, injured and orphaned wild animals, the staff and volunteers come across patients who are the victims of cat attacks. A steady stream of injured birds — CONTINUED INSIDE
"Double Trouble Den" is proof that solutions for keeping cats safe do not have to be boring.
Please deliver to a friend of animals at this address. 15305 44th Ave W PO Box 1037 Lynnwood, WA 98046 paws.org
Non-profit Org U.S. Postage Paid PAWS
Giant Snowball arrives at PAWS
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hen Snowball arrived on a transport from California, PAWS staff and volunteers did a double take. At 103 pounds, this uber-husky Husky covered in thick, white fur more closely resembled a polar bear than a dog. Upon his initial exam, PAWS staff discovered Snowball’s extra-large physique was likely the result of hypothyroidism, a hormonal disorder that puts him at risk of obesity and skin problems, but can be managed with lifelong daily medication. “Snowball was initially reserved and quiet with us,” says Animal Services Manager, Anya Pamplona. “But once the medication started to help and Snowball settled in, we really got to see his true goofysometimes-stubborn-but-always-wonderful Husky personality shine through.” In order to better monitor Snowball’s health and recovery, he was placed in a home with experienced foster volunteers Britnee Blake and Annette Michaels. “Snowball settled right in,” his foster moms recall. “He would give a Husky ‘a-woo’ every time he came inside. It was like he was checking on us, making sure we were okay and letting us know he was back in the house. Sometimes we would ‘a-woo’ back and have a conversation with him.”
Snowball soaks in the winter sun and undivided attention from his new mom.
Maybe he was telling them he was ready to find his forever home, because not long after, his
Snowball needed the help of many on his journey to find his forever home.
soon-to-be mom (who asked to be referred to as Snowball’s mom) spotted Snowball on the PAWS website. She instantly fell in love and knew she had to meet him. “I saw his sweet smile and the longing for love in his eyes,” gushes Snowball’s mom. It didn’t take Snowball long to return the love. In fact, the moment he fell in love might have been when she gave him a piece of cheese. Since then, he hasn’t left her side. These days, Snowball is active and when he’s ready for a walk, he runs around play-bowing and howling. “He's getting so much exercise that we’re finally starting to see he has a waist,” says Snowball’s mom. “He brings joy into my life. I couldn't ask for a better companion.” Thank you for supporting PAWS and making Snowball’s story possible. Foster care volunteers allow PAWS to place dogs and cats who aren’t quite ready for adoption into loving, temporary homes. If you are interested in fostering animals like Snowball, please visit paws.org/ volunteer/foster. To see additional content related to this story, visit paws.org/Spring2020.
Cover Story - continued and small mammals—many the victims of cat attacks—come through the doors throughout the year. Most are infants who lack the ability to escape when approached by a cat. In 2019, 516 birds and mammals admitted to the PAWS Wildlife Center were injured by cats. “The goal of Safe Cats, Healthy Habitats is to encourage cat guardians to keep their cats inside or safely confined for the benefit of cats and the wildlife around us,” says Amrhein. “We’ve developed a resource kit with plans that can be tailored to each individual person and their cat. Safety does not need to be boring!” Just ask Anil Kapahi, who built “Double Trouble Den,” a creative catio (enclosed cat patio) for his PAWS-adopted cats Tommy and Benjamin to explore and enjoy a front seat to the great outdoors. "A catio is the ideal solution for someone who wants to give their cat the security of the indoors and the freedom of being outdoors,” says Kapahi. The Safe Cats, Healthy Habitats campaign was introduced to 1,600 cat enthusiasts at Seattle International Film Festival’s CatVideoFest.
To download your free Safe Cats, Healthy Habitats resource kit, visit paws.org/resources/safe-cats-healthy-habitats.
Bobcat
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“He turned his head and looked toward me. That’s when I knew he was alive!”
After being hit by a car and left by the side of the road, this bobcat was found by a former PAWS staffer.
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ulie Stonefelt vividly recalls the dark fall morning she came across an unconscious bobcat lying in the road on her way to work near North Bend. Alarmed and concerned, she pulled over, fearing the worst. “I felt very sad to think he had died while crossing this high-traffic area that cuts through his home territory.” Luckily for this bobcat, Stonefelt was a former PAWS employee and recognized that he was very much alive but needed immediate help. “Working in emergency wildlife care, I learned to be very calm and focused when handling situations like this,” Stonefelt explains. She knew her friends at the PAWS Wildlife Center would be the bobcat’s best hope for survival. Dr. Nicki Rosenhagen, PAWS Wildlife Veterinarian, recalls what a relief it was to see the patient bounce back from the trauma of a suspected vehicle collision. Upon admission to PAWS, the prognosis for this adult male bobcat was very guarded, but by the end of the day the animal was standing on his own. “While still relatively unaware of his surroundings, we felt more optimistic about his recovery,” says Rosenhagen. While the bobcat continued to improve over the next several weeks, finally regaining
full vision and coordination, the PAWS Wildlife Center was receiving a steady stream of orphaned bears and other patients during an unusually busy season. With the animal enclosures filled to capacity, the decision was made to transfer the bobcat to Sarvey Wildlife Center in Arlington to finish the last stage of recovery and assessment. “The bobcat needed to demonstrate a range of coordinated, high-speed maneuvers which required more space than we had available at the time,” says Jeff Brown, PAWS Naturalist. “We called around and Sarvey had room.” When the bobcat was ready for release, PAWS, Seattle Public Utilities, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife collaborated to identify a safe location within the bobcat’s home territory. On the morning of November 7, the fully recovered bobcat was returned back home to the wild. “PAWS is lucky to have such strong relationships with partners in the community,” says Brown. “Without the help of so many, this bobcat’s story would have had a tragic end.” Stonefelt, the Good Samaritan who came to the bobcat’s aid, was invited to participate in his release back to the wild. Says Stonefelt, “I will always be committed to helping animals with whom I cross paths. I’m grateful that in cases like this, PAWS is a place that can help them have a second chance.”
After several weeks in care, the fully rehabilitated bobcat was released back to his home territory to thrive.
If you find a wild animal you think is injured, sick or orphaned, please call the PAWS Wildlife Center right away at 425.412.4040.
To watch the bobcat's release, visit paws.org/Spring2020.
Thank you for making these success stories possible with your support of PAWS!
From the heart Dear friends, It’s an honor to be the new CEO of PAWS. The challenges facing PAWS and our community are changing quickly in response to a worldwide pandemic.
New CEO Heidi Wills with June, one of two cats her family adopted from PAWS.
I’m finding that PAWS volunteers, donors and board members are every bit as committed. Thanks to the groundwork of leaders before me, PAWS is widely respected and able to responsibly adapt its operations in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
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 5, Spring 2020 Editor in Chief: Laura Follis Associate Editor: Jennie Baxla Writers: Laura Follis, Jennie Baxla Graphic Designer: Lynn Jefferson Photographers: Jeff Brown, Anil Kapahi, Katie Amrhein PAWS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and relies on community support to carry out our work to help animals. PAWS, PAWS Cat City, PAWSwalk, Kids Who Care, and Bark in the Park 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.
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Even in my short tenure, I have seen how capable and caring the well-respected team of professionals at PAWS are in their service to animals and people who care about animals. I am in awe of their remarkable adaptability, resilience, hard work and can-do attitude.
PAWS is indebted to Annette Laico, who served as CEO for 17 years, Interim CEO Leslie Chandler and other dedicated board members, and many generous donors who have helped transform the lives of thousands of animals and people who love animals.
Board of Directors
Leslie Chandler, President Jennie Warmouth, Vice President Jen Evans, Treasurer Strom Peterson, Secretary Batur Oktay, Christy Cheever, Jill Jones, Jaime Puracal, Karen Trujillo
Chief Executive Officer Heidi Wills
Incredible volunteers over many decades have cleaned cages, fed baby birds, walked dogs and fostered cats. PAWS needs to deepen and broaden our base of support, now more than ever. PAWS has been there for animals in need for over 50 years and continues to take that responsibility seriously, even as we face a health care crisis. I look forward to working with every supporter of PAWS to meet the needs of animals and the people who care about animals with boundless courage, collaboration and compassion. With gratitude,
Heidi Wills Chief Executive Officer
PAWS Wildlife Center
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We need helping hands ll babies need around the
clock care and orphaned wildlife is no different. If you would like to help us fulfill our mission to rehabilitate sick, injured, and orphaned animals for release
PAWS
back to the wild, please consider
15305 44th Ave W PO Box 1037 Lynnwood, WA 98046 paws.org
volunteering during the busy spring
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
survive without the help of our
PAWS Cat City: 206.782.1700 5200 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite B Seattle, WA 98105
baby season at the PAWS Wildlife Center. These babies would not dedicated volunteers.
More information at paws.org/volunteer. Want to know more about what's happening at PAWS? Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/PAWSWashington and on Instagram at paws_wa.