PAWS reaches out a paw to shelter without heat

Three weeks old and frostbitten
Photo courtesy PAWS

PAWS Companion Animal Shelter in Lynnwood gave a warm reception Wednesday to some very chilly canines.

The twelve animals came from Adams County Pet Rescue in Othello, Washington. The Pet Rescue, experiencing delays in finishing their new facility, is completely without heat.

“Every animal we have is outside right now,” says Pet Rescue shelter staffer Laurie Sheriff.  

“It’s so cold.  It’s been no higher than two degrees at the most.” Sheriff commented. “We have three, maybe four kennels inside our building, but even so, there’s still no heat and it’s just too cold to assure the animals’ safety and comfort.”

So the rescue reached out to PAWS for help. At least twelve dogs needed immediate assistance and had nowhere to turn. “PAWS has been great,” says Sheriff. “They’ve literally been a lifesaver.”

Only two puppies survived the cold
Photo courtesy PAWS

The dogs were transported on Monday. Two of the dogs are only three weeks old and both are suffering from frostbite. But that’s not the result of the cold kennels. The puppies were found just a few days ago with their mother, who was tied to a tree in below-freezing conditions. Five of her puppies had already died from the cold when the remaining two were brought to Adams County Pet Rescue and then included in the group of dogs being transported to PAWS.

“Other than the frostbite, the puppies appear to be in good health,” says Kay Joubert, Director of PAWS Companion Animal Shelter. 

“We’ll continue to bottle feed them, and tend to the frostbite, but they’ll make it through this.”

The rest of the transferred animals are in fine condition, according to Joubert, and will be available for adoption shortly.

Make a donation to help these animals.

PAWS provides shelter services for both Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.