SNOHOMISH — Nine growing black bear cubs currently in care at the PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center have some very big appetites—and PAWS is asking the community and local businesses for help keeping up with their dietary needs.
PAWS is currently caring for nine black bear cubs at its Snohomish facility, including five expected to return to the wild later this fall. During their time at PAWS, providing the varied, nutritious diets the bears need is a significant undertaking for the wildlife rehabilitation team.
The center is especially in need of vegetables, including carrots, squash, zucchini, pumpkins, broccoli, sweet peppers, lettuce and cabbage. Fresh and frozen vegetables are welcome.
Donations of salmon and other whole fish are also helpful. Fish must be whole and have been frozen for less than six months.
For those who would like to help PAWS purchase food as needs arise, gift cards are another valuable way to support the bears and other wildlife in care. Costco and Safeway gift cards are especially helpful, and allow the wildlife team to purchase fresh food and other needed items as supplies run low.
With several weeks remaining before the first five bears are expected to return to the wild, PAWS is also inviting grocery stores, farms, produce suppliers, restaurants and other area businesses to consider donating food or becoming a short-term partner to help meet the bears’ needs.
“Bears are generally eating on average 140 pounds of a mixed diet—vegetables, fruit, protein—each day! Multiply that by nine growing bears, and it is a tremendous amount of food. We are trying to fuel their growth and preparation for release back to the wild, so we appreciate all the support,” said R. Harrison Edell, PAWS CEO.
Black bear rehabilitation is highly specialized. Orphaned cubs may spend months at PAWS growing, developing natural behaviors and preparing for life back in the wild. PAWS is the only wildlife rehabilitation facility in Washington permitted to rehabilitate multiple black bear cubs at one time.
How the Community Can Help
PAWS is currently seeking:
- Vegetables: carrots, squash, zucchini, pumpkins, broccoli, sweet peppers, lettuce and cabbage
- Fish: salmon and other whole fish that have been frozen for less than six months.
- Gift Cards: Costco or Safeway
- Business partners: Local farms, grocers, produce suppliers, restaurants and other businesses interested in helping provide food for the bears and other wildlife in PAWS’ care
Vegetables may be fresh or frozen. PAWS cannot accept citrus fruits, onions, garlic, leeks, tomatoes or spicy peppers. No apples at this time.
Donations can be delivered during business hours to:
PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
13508 State Route 9 SE
Snohomish, WA 98296
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Phone (425) 412-4040
Every food donation helps PAWS provide specialized diets for the thousands of wild animals that come through its doors each year. Cash and monetary donations, of any kind, are appreciated throughout the year.
About PAWS
The Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) helps cats, dogs and wild animals go home and thrive—whether home is the family room or the forest. We do this by rehabilitating orphaned and injured wildlife, sheltering and adopting homeless cats and dogs, and educating the community to inspire compassionate action for animals. For more than five decades, PAWS Companion Animal Shelter has led the way in providing expert, compassionate care for animals in need. PAWS cares for more than 4,000 dogs and cats each year, provides training and education to strengthen the human-animal bond, and works to end animal cruelty and overpopulation. For more information, visit paws.org.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
