Center for wildlife will close

Financial woes, road work force site to shut doors

JOHN DODGE, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Saturday, February 16, 2002

McCLEARY -- A wildlife rehabilitation center here is shutting down operations at the end of March, owners of the center said Friday.

Tough financial times combined with a highway intersection project on and near the 11-acre site spelled the demise of the Progressive Animal Welfare Society Olympic Wildlife Center, PAWS Wildlife Director Kip Parker said.

The few animals residing at the center will be transferred to the PAWS rehabilitation center in Lynnwood or to other licensed wildlife rehabilitation centers, Parker said.

"This is regrettable, but we can't operate two facilities," Parker said.

PAWS took over operation of the McCleary site in May 1999. It employs five people and relies on the services of some 40 volunteers to care for sick, injured and abandoned wildlife.

The current site on Mox-Chehalis Road is incompatible with a state Department of Transportation intersection project slated to begin soon at state Route 8 and Mox-Chehalis, Parker said.

And the economic recession in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks is playing havoc with the nonprofit group's funding base, which is primarily charitable donations, he said.

PAWS will continue to take calls at the McCleary phone number -- 360-495-3337 -- regarding wildlife requiring treatment and care.

"And we remain committed to operating the Lynnwood center," he said.

John Dodge covers the environment and energy for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5444.

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Progressive Animal Welfare Society

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