Non Profit of the Week: PAWS

I am one sick puppy (laryngitis, ugh) and instead of blogging, I’d really rather be bingeing on episodes of The Wire (warning: linked video is NSFW) and mango sorbet, so I’ll keep this brief. PAWS (the Progressive Animal Welfare Society) is awesome; they run a wonderful shelter in Lynnwood, about 20 minutes away from Seattle, and they also have an all-cat adoption center, Cat City, over in Greenwood. They’re all about helping animals and educating people; they also offer wildlife rehabilitation and companion animal services. Also, I can tell you from personal experience that their staff is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful for someone looking for the right shelter animal to take home and love to pieces. My parents cat Charlie- who is a spoiled, adorable rascal- was a PAWS kitty and we could not have asked for an easier experience of choosing a new cat a few months after my beloved childhood kitty had passed away from old age.

Again, since I sound like Lindsay Bluth when she lost her voice in Arrested Development (R.I.P.) and feel like someone is clamping my vocal cords with red-hot calipers, I’ll let them speak for themselves:

PAWS’ Vision

PAWS is the leading voice for animals in Washington State and a recognized leader in the nation for its progressive outreach and education programs, legislative work, and premier wildlife rehabilitation and companion animal services. Through many collaborative relationships with organizations and individuals, PAWS is making a better world for animals.

PAWS envisions this world to be a place where all people recognize the intrinsic value of animal life, are mindful of the impact of their daily behaviors and choices on animals, and consistently demonstrate compassion and respect.

PAWS’ Values

The recognition and respect of the intrinsic value of animal life.
The capability of animals to express their natural and innate behaviors in appropriate ways, and experience the highest quality of life possible.
The right of animals to be free from cruelty, neglect, and abuse.
The importance of ending companion animal overpopulation.
The caring guardianship of companion animals.
The preservation of wild species and their habitats.
The role that all humans play in the active stewardship of maintaining the environmental and ecological balance of the earth.
The consideration of the animals’ best interest when making decisions, along with consideration of the longterm consequences and the impact of our work when determining how best to allocate PAWS’ resources.
The trust that the public places in us with regard to animal care and the management of our resources.