Paws

Area residents with an interest in wildlife are invited to a meeting Wednesday afternoon for prospective volunteers to PAWS (Preservation And Wildlife Society) Farm and Nature Center in Mount Laurel. Volunteers may choose between becoming licensed wildlife volunteers or doing yard and office work at PAWS. A licensed wildlife volunteer is someone who cares for injured and orphaned animals, said Barbara Smyth, a licensed wildlife volunteer for PAWS. "There is always a need for volunteers," she said, especially in the springtime.

Yo, Fire Commissioner Hairston, it's bad enough you haven't been supportive of firefighters seeking medical benefits in their battle against hep C. Letting Engine 50 lose Smokey 2 would be too much. Yes, we know the Fire Department forbids stations to keep pets, a policy established after some dogs nipped passers-by. But if you close your eyes to the presence of a new mascot at Engine 50, a grateful city will thank you. Apparently, it's your call; reporter Dana DiFilippo was told that if a waiver were sought, the commissioner could decide on a case-by-case basis.

Gather round the TV set, kitties, this ad's for you. Whiskas, the cat-food company, says the 30-second commercial it will be airing on ABC, CBS and NBC starting tonight is designed to appeal directly to cats. They, after all, are the ones that consume the product. "To keep cat owners in the loop," said the company announcement, "a 15-second teaser spot will run in advance of the ad, alerting them to get their pets to the TV. The main ad features a series of high-pitched sounds, zigzag lines and other images that researchers on feline behavior have found attract a cat's attention.

To honor St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals whose feast day is Monday, representatives from Philadelphia's Finest who patrol on all fours have been honored with a special blessing. "We asked God to protect the animals from the dangers and hazards which confront them, along with the policemen and women who take them on patrol," said the Rev. David A. Hockensmith. Hockensmith, rector at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Frankford, yesterday morning blessed four horses, five dogs, and their partners on the front plaza of the Police Administration Building at 8th and Race streets.

Santa will open his big bag to area animal-welfare groups this Christmas, thanks to the PAWS pet-food store in Woodlyn. The store is collecting money and pet supplies for four organizations as part of its holiday theme, assistant manager Jo Charest said. The organizations are the Francisvale Home for Small Animals in Radnor, the Morris Animal Refuge Auxiliary in Willow Grove, Sanctuary Hollow in Valley Forge, and the Delaware County branch of TWAIN (Those Who Are In Need).

The Daily News Pet of the Week is Buddy, a 6-month-old pitbull mix at the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. Buddy is friendly and would make a great family pet. He gets along well with dogs, cats and children. To adopt Buddy, contact PAWS, 100 N. 2nd St., at 215-238-9901. When inquiring, please provide his tag identifier, A14446118-Clinic. A $110 fee includes sterilization, vaccines and microchipping.

FOR YEARS, I've read Stu Bykofsky's work and admired his role in the animal-rights community. But his four-part series about PAWS has me somewhat confused. What is his motive with these articles? Is he trying to educate us about what really goes on inside PAWS? Or is he trying to turn people away from adopting at PAWS? I'm a volunteer for PAWS, and I think the real issue here is that people should understand how important it is to spay and neuter their pets. If there were a law to force people to spay and neuter pets, we wouldn't have the overcrowding.

This week'sDaily News Pet of the Week is Walter, a 10-month-old pit-bull-terrier mix offered by the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. Walter is social and gets along with other dogs his size. He'd be best for homes with children older than 10 and no cats. To adopt Walter, contact PAWS, 100 N. 2nd St., at 215-238-9901. Please provide his tag # A15899980-PAC when inquiring. A $110 fee includes sterilization, vaccines, and microchipping. n

With temperatures in the 90s, the Philadelphia Zoo is a long way from the Arctic Circle, but these polar bears find a way to beat the heat. One (left) wasits for a cold one on the rocks, while another (above) cools off with the paws that refreshes. More hot weather is on the way.

A pit bull getting a walk in Old City yesterday slipped loose of its collar and attacked a horse. Kelly, a light-brown pit bull mix, jumped up and latched onto the horse's underside and leg about 2 p.m. outside the adoption center of the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, where the dog was being housed, said Allison Homer, PAWS' assistant manager. "She just got really scared," said Homer, 24. "She's had a rough life, and she gets easily rattled. " Kelly was outside and about to go for a walk with a PAWS volunteer when the Philadelphia Trolley Works carriage pulled up next to her at 2nd and Arch streets, next to the adoption center.

TheDaily News Pet of the Week is Angel, a 1- to 2-year-old pitbull mix at the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. Angel is friendly and sweet after meeting a person, and would do fine in a home. To adopt Angel, contact PAWS at 215-238-9901 and provide her tag number, A15431533-Clinic. Her $75 adoption fee includes sterilization, vaccines and microchipping. n

This week'sDaily News Pet of the Week is Walter, a 10-month-old pit-bull-terrier mix offered by the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. Walter is social and gets along with other dogs his size. He'd be best for homes with children older than 10 and no cats. To adopt Walter, contact PAWS, 100 N. 2nd St., at 215-238-9901. Please provide his tag # A15899980-PAC when inquiring. A $110 fee includes sterilization, vaccines, and microchipping. n

T HE Daily News Pet of the Week is Bandit, a 1-to-2-year-old Labrador retriever mix at the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. Bandit is social and friendly with dogs, cats and children. He'd benefit from some obedience training. To adopt him, contact PAWS, 100 N. 2nd St., at 215-238-9901. When inquiring, provide his tag identifier, A15621807-clinic. A $75 fee includes sterilization, vaccines and microchipping.

THE Daily News Pet of the Week is Buttercup, a 6-year-old boxer mix at the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. Buttercup is calm and loving. She is a medium-size dog with great manners. To adopt Buttercup, contact PAWS, 100 N. 2nd St., at 215-238-9901. When inquiring, please provide her tag identifier, A15459045-Clinic. A $75 fee includes sterilization, vaccines and microchipping.

The Daily News Pet of the Week is Justice (right), a 2-to-4-year-old Rottweiler-German shepherd mix at the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. Justice is friendly and sweet. She has lived with a Chihuahua mix, and would love a canine friend in her new home. She would do best in a home with no cats. To adopt Justice, contact PAWS, 100 N. 2nd St., at 215-238-9901. When inquiring, please provide her tag identifier, A14446215-Clinic. A $75 fee includes sterilization, vaccines and microchipping.

THE Daily News Pet of the Week is Shadow, a 4-month-old pitbull mix at the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. Shadow gets along with other dogs. He would do best in a home with older children and someone who can give him basic obedience training. To adopt Shadow, contact PAWS, 100 N. 2nd St., at 215-238-9901. When inquiring, please provide his tag identifier, A14797634-PAC. A $110 fee includes sterilization, vaccines and microchipping.

The Daily News Pet of the Week is Buddy, a 6-month-old pitbull mix at the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. Buddy is friendly and would make a great family pet. He gets along well with dogs, cats and children. To adopt Buddy, contact PAWS, 100 N. 2nd St., at 215-238-9901. When inquiring, please provide his tag identifier, A14446118-Clinic. A $110 fee includes sterilization, vaccines and microchipping.

THE DAILY NEWS Pet of the Week is Marcia, a 1- to 2-year-old pit-bull mix at the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. Marcia is friendly and loving and gets along with other dogs, but prefers a home without cats. She would do best in a family with older children who can teach her basic obedience. To adopt Marcia, contact PAWS, 100 N. 2nd St., at 215-238-9901. When inquiring, please provide her tag identifier A14284581-Clinic. A $75 fee includes sterilization, vaccines and micro-chipping.

THE Daily News PET of the Week is Tammy, a 1-year-old pit-bull mix at the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. Tammy is cuddly and lovable and knows some basic commands. She is friendly with other dogs and would do best in a home with no cats or children. To adopt Tammy, contact PAWS, 100 N. 2nd St., at 215-238-9901. When inquiring, please provide her tag identifier, A12425140-PAC. A $75 fee includes sterilization, vaccines and microchipping.  

THE Daily News Pet of the Week is Rockford (right), a 1-to-2-year-old pitbull mix at the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. Rockford is cheerful, curious and sweet. He gets along great with other dogs, and would do best in a home with children older than 10. To adopt Rockford, contact PAWS, 100 N. 2nd St., at 215-238-9901. When inquiring, please provide his tag identifier, A14099383-Clinic. A $75 fee includes sterilization, vaccines and microchipping.