Colossal Honored at Grand Opening of PAWS Wildlife Center
“The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will.” –Theodore Roosevelt
America’s Favorite Pet (AFP), one of Colossal’s flagship competitions, is near and dear to our hearts. We love bringing together cats, dogs, and pet parents to celebrate the true gift that these human companions are. And we couldn’t be more proud to support a cause like PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society) by raising millions of dollars benefiting them through the AFP campaign.
Colossal was recently honored for raising $2M+ benefiting PAWS at the ribbon cutting of their new Wildlife Center in Snohomish, WA. Funds from the $3.2M+ 2023 DTCare grant were allocated to this new facility, which recently celebrated its grand opening attended by Colossal CEO Mary Hagen. “These funds mean nutritious meals, safe shelter, lifesaving medical treatments, and an opportunity for PAWS to do even more for animals and the people who love them. We are indescribably grateful for the support, and we are honored to be part of America’s Favorite Pet!” said Andi Anderson, PAWS Director of Philanthropy.
The PAWS Wildlife Center, situated on a sprawling 25-acre campus, has facilities tailored to the needs of its diverse wildlife patients. With increased capacity for care, including expanded outdoor pastures and upgraded surgical suites, the center is equipped to provide comprehensive support to a wider range of species, from black bears to seals and waterfowl.
“The new PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is a specifically designed, state-of-the-art facility that will give thousands of wild animals the second chance they deserve. Just beyond these doors, amazing things will happen every day. Our veterinary team will restore an injured owl’s flight, a volunteer will feed dozens of orphaned baby birds, and a tiny bear cub will find safe shelter in a facility designed to prepare her for a life in the wild,” said PAWS CEO Heidi Wills Yamada.
PAWS sees an increase in calls for abandoned or injured animals like black bears, bobcats, or raccoons during extreme heat and wildfire conditions. Those animals will now come there to recover. "We have seen a 75% increase in the number of calls that have come into our wildlife center," Wills Yamada told KING 5 Seattle. "Now, much of this work will be done at the new PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, ensuring that more animals receive the care and support they need to thrive in the wild."
Some of the highlights:
While the Lynnwood-based PAWS facility could only care for six baby bears at a time, the new Snohomish Wildlife Center, with additional outdoor pastures, can help up to 30 bears at a time.
There is a new flight track where birds can fly 360 degrees.
Seals and waterfowl will be rehabilitated at the aquatic center.
The former surgery space is 85 square feet, while the new space is 450 square feet with two operating tables.
The Wildlife Center has the only oil bird washroom in the state.
The nearly $50 million project has been 15 years in the making. “It’s just far enough away from the urban areas that people will still drive here but secluded enough that it’s beneficial for the animals, away from human sounds, which is better for their recovery.” It’s important to note that this is not a sanctuary. Animals come to PAWS in order to be rehabilitated and are then released back into the wild where they belong. For rehabilitation to be deemed successful, released animals must be able to survive on their own and be an integral part of their species’ population. They must recognize and obtain appropriate foods, respond with fight or flight to potential dangers, and select mates of their own species to reproduce.
The PAWS’ on-site rehabilitation and veterinary teams provide expert care for more than 260 species of mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. PAWS is only one of two permitted facilities in Washington State to rehabilitate American Black Bears and marine mammals, primarily Harbor Seals.
Much of PAWS’ wildlife operations are moving from Lynnwood to the new Snohomish location. The Lynnwood facility will stay open for companion animals. PAWS also has its Cat City satellite adoption facility in Seattle, so it will operate out of three locations.
Want to be a part of saving animal lives? Donate to PAWS here.
