The Story Behind PAWS in Lynnwood

Decades ago, Virginia Knouse constantly saw boxes of kittens or puppies outside the grocery store that were ‘free to a good home.’ “It was awful, and we wanted to do something about it,” recalled Virginia. The tragedy of euthanasia was concerning and overwhelming at local shelters in Lynnwood, Washington.

In 1967, Virginia banded together with a small group of dedicated people to solve the pet overpopulation problem through spaying and neutering. Thus, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) was formed. Virginia Knouse went on to serve as president of PAWS until the early 1990s. 

The founders began to raise money to pay for spay and neuter surgeries through rummage sales, which eventually turned into the first PAWS thrift store. As word spread around the community, people began to bring in cats and dogs in hopes that the animal welfare group would take care of them. Two years later, PAWS opened its first companion shelter to house, take care of, and find homes for unwanted pets. In 1981, the organization began to rehabilitate sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife.

Since the inception of PAWS in 1967, the organization has found loving homes for over 130,000 cats and dogs and has cared for over 140,000 sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. PAWS continues to make the world a better place for countless critters through outreach, education, and advocacy. To learn more about PAWS, visit https://www.paws.org/.