Amy Beichler, Director of PAWS interview Cleveland Plain Dealer May 4, 2009

Amy Beichler of the Public Animal Welfare Society talks about her pet project: 'Ten Minutes With ...'

by John Campanelli/Plain Dealer Reporter

Monday May 04, 2009, 8:08 AM

Gus Chan/The Plain DealerAmy Beichler cuddles with Izzy, a Shih Tzu, in her home in Cleveland. "A lot of these rescued animals know where they came from and have a lot of gratitude."

The Public Animal Welfare Society, or PAWS, is one of the area's oldest and most respected cat and dog humane rescue groups. It is unique in that it doesn't have a shelter of its own, instead relying on a network of foster families to take in rescued animals. Cleveland's Amy Beichler, PAWS' executive director, has nine adopted animals of her own. She recently answered a few questions for PDQ's John Campanelli.

When did you know you were a friend to animals?

When I was very, very young and wanted to rescue everything, including birds that I found in the yard dying.

What's the strangest animal you've rescued?

That would probably be a goat. That happened when we were in New Orleans and we took a goat into safety after the hurricane.

The Public Animal Welfare Society's annual PAWS 4 A Cause event is Saturday, May 15, at the South Chagrin Reservation. It will feature animals up for adoption, demonstrations, contests, vendors and a 1- and 2-mile walk.

For information on how to become a PAWS foster, or to see what animals are available for adoption, visit pawsohio.org. PAWS ensures that all its animals are healthy, evaluated in a home environment and spayed or neutered before being put up for adoption.

Are you a dog or cat person?

Both, but if you were to press me, dogs.

What are your pets' names?

The cats are Molly, Lukey, Gus, Frank, Lucy and Macy. And then the dogs - they're all boys - are Satchmo, Nate and Izzy.

Where do they all sleep?

The cats do not sleep with me. They sleep about the house. The one dog sleeps in his little bed in my office. Izzy and Satchmo sleep with me.

With six cats, how many litter boxes do you have?

We have six.

Your favorite cat litter?

For keeping the smell down, Tidy Cat Small Spaces. I absolutely love that litter.

And food?

I feed the cats Iams Dry. In the morning I will mix in some Science Diet Moist. The dogs are all on a special prescribed diet from the vet.

Who has worse breath, cats or dogs?

That depends. Sometimes cats have some nasty mouth odor if they have some nasty disorder. They all smell sweet to me for the most part.

Sweet? Really?

They do. I get kisses from all kinds of dogs. Cats, you have to earn it from them.

What's the biggest misconception about adopted pets?

That you can't get a purebred through rescue, that you need to go to a breeder. You can get pretty much any purebred you want, from Great Danes to your tiny toy breeds.

How many dogs and cats does PAWS have available for adoption now?

I'm guessing about 40, mostly kittens and cats right now.

How are pets affected when the economy turns south?

Horribly. It's been a nightmare for the last year. Foreclosures - we've taken animals that were locked in an attic for a month. Skin and bones.

What's your best rescue story?

There was a dog, we named her Allie. I found her cowering behind my garbage can. She had been stabbed twice. Somebody had beaten and stabbed this puppy. She was just a baby. ... I got her into foster with one of our most experienced fosters and she just blossomed. She went from a scared, cowering, badly beaten dog to a beautiful, loving, I-will-kiss-you-and-show-you-unconditional-love pet. She was adopted by a wonderful couple. That is a story that really stands out. ... But it makes you angry, too.

Do you think Allie somehow knew to come to your house?

It's the strangest thing. I've had dogs come here. They just show up here.

You see so many neglected and abused animals. How do you keep from getting angry and jaded about humanity?

We see the worst of humanity but then we see the other side. Our volunteers, 200 people who do a variety of things here. They give of their time, they transport animals, they fund-raise they do all of this work just for the animals. Then there are the people who come to us to adopt a pet. Great people. That's what keeps me sane.

What should someone do if they see an animal being abused or neglected?

They need to call an Animal Protective League humane officer immediately (216-377-1630). And make a report and be willing to be a witness.

Some people might think abused and rescued animals are damaged goods. What do you say to that kind of thinking?

These animals are so resilient and so giving. A lot of these rescued animals know where they came from and have a lot of gratitude for where they end up. They're very giving animals.

What's PAWS' biggest need?

Foster homes. People willing to open their hearts and homes to a rescued pet.

Where do dogs and cats go when they die?

The rainbow bridge. ... I've got a lot waiting there for me.