Wild Patients Falling From the Sky

 

We receive so many injured wild animals here at the PAWS Wildlife Center, it sometimes seems like they must be falling out of the sky. And sometimes, as demonstrated by a recent patient, that is exactly what is happening. 

On March 23, a Common Goldeneye was found sitting in a stairwell at the Holy Names Academy in Seattle. Unlike Mallards and a few other duck species, goldeneyes aren't prone to wandering around on land far from water. A stairwell is certainly not a place a goldeneye would ever choose to be, but this bird had not arrived there by choice. The bird had been attacked by a predaor. His neck was badly lacerated, the tip of his bill was cracked, and he had lost a significant amount of blood. Judging from the nature of the wounds and the fact that the bird ended up in the stairwell, the most likely course of events is that the goldeneye had slipped from the grasp of a passing eagle that had intended to make a meal of him.  Too injured to fly, the duck fell to the ground and came to rest in the stairwell. His bill tip was fractured on impact.  

At PAWS the bird was stabilized and then anesthetized so the veterinary staff could assess and treat his wounds.  Drs. Huckabee and Johnson cleaned the neck wound before inserting a wicking drain and suturing the wound closed.  As of this writing, the goldeneye’s wounds are healing well, and he is slowly regaining his strength.

I photographed the goldeneye prior to the repair of his neck injury. He was anesthetized at the time and the veterinary staff was preparing to suture his wounds.  The photo is graphic, so I wanted to give you the option to not view it if you don't wish to do so.  If you do choose to view it though, it will give you a much clearer picture of how far the duck has come since his admission.  Click the link if you wish to   View this photo.

The photo below was taken just five days after the goldeneye was admitted.  As you can see, he's come a long way.

Pet of the Week: Nacho

 

Meet Nacho!

Nacho is a sweet girl looking for love.  This quiet six-year-old Tortie mix loves getting her head rubbed and will push up against your hand for scratches!  A little shy, Nacho loves the quiet life – being brushed, looking out the window and cuddling with her special someone.

She’s good with cats and dogs with the proper introduction, and warms quickly to anyone that shows her gentle affection (or treats!) 

With her brilliant gold eyes and her beautiful markings, Nacho would make a wonderful addition to any cat-loving family. 

Come visit Nacho today!

 

 

 

Wrens Make Themselves at Home in the Latest Campus Update

Spring has officially arrived, and the wildlife on the PAWS Campus seems to know it.  Click the link below to download the latest issue of The Campus Update.

Download Campus Update 032412

Spruce Elementary Pet: More Eddie!

 

We have already featured this gentle giant in our blog before, but now he is getting the full support of the second grade students in Miss Jennie Warmouth's class at Spruce Elementary!  They have given his adoption profile a complete makeover, and we're certain that this creative write-up will help Eddie find his forever home.

Eddie is a big love who gets around really well despite having three legs. The students came up with a handful of wonderful things that come in three's, and Eddie is one of them! Read his new adoption profile below, then come to PAWS for a visit!

 

Do you love triangles? How about three wishes? What about three scoops of ice cream? (chocolate + vanilla + strawberry!) Or three golden eggs? If you love the number three, then Eddie is the one for you!

Over at PAWS, the volunteers lovingly call Eddie a tripod.  And in Room 15 we call him a TRY-ING-pod. Why? Because he just keeps on trying! He is a HERO! He shows the world that life can still be great! Eddie has three legs but he can still run like the wind. No challenge is too great for ED-TASTIC! Would you like a cuddling adventure dog? Then Eddie is your boy. He’s an amazing wonder. He LOVES to play and is always looking for an adventure. Eddie is an exercising athlete! Eddie is HANDSOME, HEALTHY and HAPPY!

He is just a goofy little leprechaun who has a heart of gold. Do you have a heart of gold? Because he might have the golden key to your heart!

 

 

 

Feeling Hungry? Join PAWS at Vegfest!

 

Get ready for some food and fun...

VegFest 2012 is almost here! Join us on March 24 and 25 at Seattle Center’s Exhibition Hall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for this year’s VegFest, Seattle's annual Vegetarian Food Festival.

Enjoy a delicious sampling of Washington’s tastiest vegetarian and vegan dishes (over 500 different kinds to try!), watch cooking demonstrations, visit representatives from a variety of local organizations, and savor your way to the PAWS booth.

We will have lots of great information on how to live (and eat) humanely, so be sure to stop by and see us!

Whether you’re veg or not, there is sure to be something for everyone at this fun and tasty event. We're getting hungry just thinking about it!  

 



More Signs of Spring on the PAWS Campus

Singing, incubating, building, drumming, mutual preening and food sharing—all are signs that spring is coming soon to the PAWS Campus!  Click below to download the PDF and read the full story in the latest Campus Update.

Download Campus Update 031212

PAWS Saving Lives, One Vaccine at a Time

 

Since the advent of the modern day vaccine, no drug has been so beneficial to both human and animal welfare as the vaccine for rabies.  Rabies is a virus that circulates in animals, and humans can catch the disease if they are bitten or scratched by an infected animal. But with increased awareness and access to these vaccines, we are able to save untold numbers of human and animal lives.

But vaccines do not come cheap, and many pet-owners cannot afford to properly vaccinate their animals.  So in honor of World Rabies Day, PAWS was awarded a grant from the Global Alliance for Rabies Control to be able to provide free rabies vaccinations to clients at our low-cost spay and neuter clinic.

"Our clinic offers low-cost vaccines, but many of our clients are unable to afford them" says Kay Joubert, PAWS Director of Companion Animal Services.

"The ability to offer these free rabies vaccines is a significant benefit, especially since their pets do not typically receive routine veterinary care and many of the clients have limited access to information about zoonotic disease prevention" says Joubert.

Thanks to this life-saving grant, PAWS veterinarians have been able to provide rabies vaccines for 118 dogs and cats, and they still have 132 left to offer.  "I'm so grateful that we have these to offer to our clients," says PAWS veterinary team member Felicia Larson. "Almost every person has taken advantage of the free rabies vaccine. It's awesome."

By providing rabies vaccines free of charge to clients at our low-cost spay and neuter clinic, PAWS is able to raise awareness about the impact, prevention and elimination of the rabies virus in our community and all over the world. 

Learn more about World Rabies Day and help spread the word!

 

Pet of the Week: Pete

 

Meet Pete! 

Pete says, “Although I'm a Boxer, I'm a lover! Not a fighter." Pete is a goofy boy who loves, loves, LOVES his ball! He will amusingly try to put more than one in his mouth and can entertain himself for hours!

He gets along well with other dogs and enjoys romping around on the playground.  But he also loves just hanging with you and will happily curl up beside your feet for an afternoon nap.

He loves his people and enjoys going on walks. He would do best in a home with children over the age of 12 so he can get all of the attention! This Boxer wants your love and wants to be your #1 fan.

 

Don't fight it, take this handsome boy home today!

 

 

 

Wild About Our Volunteers

 

Whether it's bottle feeding an orphaned squirrel, trying to keep up with an excited dog on the leash, or showing a young child how to hold a kitten, there's never a dull moment in the life of a PAWS volunteer! And we could not care for the thousands of cats, dogs and wildlife that come through our doors each year without these compassionate and dedicated animal-lovers.

Each year, more than 1,000 volunteers donate thousands of hours of service, giving hands-on care to the animals, educating the public about animal welfare, assisting at PAWSwalk and other community events, providing administrative support, and much more.

Our volunteers report a sense of satisfaction in contributing to the health and well-being of the animals, and working alongside others who want to do the same.

Garbrielle Evans, a PAWS Wildlife Center volunteer, loves the experience of directly caring for animals in need. "I help nurse injured wildlife back to health," she says.  "Volunteering at PAWS is amazing and I'm so thankful for the experience." 

Erin Kohlenburg, a weekly dog-walker and PAWS foster parent, agrees that the experience of being a PAWS volunteer is incredibly rewarding. "I enjoy spending time with the different dogs" she says, "and learning about them so they can find perfect matches for a permanent home."

Today, we celebrate all of our volunteers and the incredible work that they do.  Because without them, there is no us.  And if you are not a current volunteer but are interested in being a part of the life-saving work that we do, find out more about what it means to be a PAWS volunteer and sign up today!

Happy Volunteer Appreciation Day from all of us at PAWS! 

Spruce Elementary Pet: Meet Frenchy

 

The second graders at Spruce Elementary know their geography.  And they also know a star when they see one!  Miss Jennie Warmouth's students spotted Frenchy and could tell that she is a one-of-a-kind feline.  If the children think she's better than french toast and french fries combined, she must be one special cat!

The students created this adorable profile for Frenchy to tell everyone what a catch she is.  Read what they have to say about this international kitty who is full of personality. Then come to PAWS in Lynnwood to meet Frenchy and fall in love!

 

Oooh laa laa! Where in the world is the most beautiful art? Where in the world is the most tasty toast?  FRANCE of course! Since this little kitty is called Frenchy, she will remind you of all the great things about France!  Frenchy is sweeter than french toast, french fries and pastries combined! 

Everyone knows that people fall in love in France and all of the people are going to stop and fall in love with Frenchy!  She is just so beautiful.

She is quite a favorite at PAWS!  She’s got a BIG personality and the confidence to let others know who is boss! She is cute like a teddy bear and soft like a blanket. If you dream of a French cat, then Frenchy is the one for you!

This kitty would climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower just to say "Bonjour” to you.  Come fall in love with Frenchy today!