Company Profile
PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society, Inc.)
Company Overview
Unique in the nation for our breadth of animal welfare programs and services, PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society, Inc.) has been serving the animals and people of the Puget Sound region since 1967. Located on a seven-acre campus in Lynnwood, with a satellite adoption center in Seattle’s University District, PAWS provides direct care for more than 8,000 animals of nearly 200 different species every year, and helps create positive change for animals through education and outreach, legislative efforts, and partnerships.
PAWS Companion Animal Shelter serves as the designated shelter for stray cats and dogs in nine municipalities throughout King and Snohomish Counties – placing homeless, lost or orphaned cats and dogs in loving, permanent homes or reuniting them with their families. PAWS Wildlife Center is internationally recognized for its professional training programs and high-quality wildlife care – rehabilitating injured, sick or orphaned wild animals with the main goal of releasing them back to the wild where they belong. PAWS Education Programs reach thousands of adults and youth alike every year, taking our messages of compassion for animals into schools and the broader community.
Company History
Founded in 1967 by a group of activists concerned about the plight of homeless animals, The Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) was formed to promote spaying and neutering to help end pet overpopulation and the euthanasia crisis in shelters.
The founders first raised money to pay for spay and neuter surgeries at local veterinary clinics with a rummage sale in an office basement, which soon became PAWS' first thrift store.
As word spread that an animal welfare group was operating a store in Lynnwood, the store became swamped with cats and dogs brought in by people who hoped PAWS would take care of them. Within two years, PAWS opened our companion animal shelter to house, care for and find homes for lost, abandoned, unwanted, homeless companion animals.
Like many shelters, we also began receiving sick, injured and orphaned wild animals. In response to this great need, PAWS started rehabilitating local wildlife in 1981, and became a voice for protecting habitat and wildlife in Washington State and beyond.
Even after expanding into hands-on care of animals, advocacy and education remained key elements of PAWS' work. We have brought about changes to improve the lives of all animals, and the people who care about them.
Today PAWS continues to teach the community, including children, how to be responsible guardians of companion animals and to respect our wild neighbors.