Washington Wildlife Center Heals 4,000 Animals Each Year

A bald eagle sits patiently as veterinary staff gently stretch her healing wing, preparing her body to soar again. She arrived at the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Snohomish County with a broken bone and mysterious wounds covering her body.

"People find these animals down and don't know what happened," said veterinarian Dr. Nikki Rosenhagen. Sometimes the cause is clear, like a car strike or window collision, but this eagle's story remains a mystery.

The injured eagle is just one of more than 4,000 animals PAWS treats every year. On a recent Tuesday, staff admitted a bat, a ring-necked duck, and an adult raccoon within hours of each other.

Wildlife rehabilitator Robbie Thorson said Washington's outdoor culture keeps the center busy. "A lot of people are hiking, and it's not uncommon for people to see bears or deer," Thorson explained. During peak summer months, PAWS can receive 60 to 70 animals on the busiest days.

That outdoor awareness helps explain why residents like Irene Billa spring into action when they find injured wildlife. She discovered a motionless hummingbird on her porch and initially thought it had died.

"I noticed it was breathing," Billa said. "So I got really excited and decided to bring it to PAWS to see if they could save it."

The center treats everything from tiny birds to bobcats and black bears. Staff also prepare for disaster response, including wildfire injuries and oil spill victims.

"Wildlife are just trying to live their normal lives, and they're often impacted by people, vehicles or development," said Jennifer Convy, senior director at PAWS. "This is our way of helping and giving back."

The Ripple Effect

About 800 volunteers like Holly Aprecio keep the operation running, preparing meals, cleaning enclosures, and providing daily care. "Lots of cleaning," Aprecio said with a laugh. "Animals aren't known for being especially tidy."

Staff intentionally limit human interaction to preserve the animals' wild instincts. But some situations require hands-on care, especially in the baby bird nursery where spring brings a surge of orphaned chicks.

"Each animal is an individual," said wildlife rehabilitation manager Raina Domek. "How they respond to care and the problems you solve along the way make the work rewarding."

A recently admitted kestrel falcon arrived with unexplained injuries but is now recovering after weeks of treatment. Wildlife veterinary intern Dr. Hassan Hanna remains optimistic about the bird's future.

"We're hoping with supportive care, pain medication, and time that the injury will heal," Dr. Hanna said. Every animal treated at PAWS shares the same destination: healed and heading home to the wild.