Rescue Rewards Group of the Week - November 28, 2011

PAWS helps homeless animals in many different ways

As we head full steam ahead into the holiday season with wonderful foods and desired gifts, let’s take time to remember those less fortunate – and that includes the “four-footed ones” among us.  Wherever you live, your local animal shelter would appreciate a donation of funds, food, blankets, cat litter or other items.  Give them a call!

Pet Angel Welfare Supply

If you live in Florida, we hope that you will consider making a donation to this very worthwhile organization.    Pet Angel Welfare Supply has expanded its scope since we signed them up as a Hale Rescue Rewards partner one year ago.  They served as a food bank for pets in Duval and Nassau counties in Florida and now help with adoptions, transport and donations of raised beds, toys and vaccines for shelter pets.

Food Pantry

PAWS’ founder Karen Smith said that she founded her organization to help meet a growing need.  Smith hopes that with the free pet food, pet owners dealing with tough economic times will think twice about giving up their animals. "Or at least until they can find a home before taking it to a shelter, maybe it would give them the time to find a permanent home," she said.

Elevated Pet Beds

PAWS also provides elevated pet beds, vaccines and any other comfort or necessity items needed for county animal shelters. Smith said that there are many county animal shelters where dogs and puppies are kept in kennels open to the cold air, and have nothing to sleep on except cold wet concrete, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and cats have nothing more than their litter boxes.  A donation of $10 to PAWS will provide one bed for a homeless pet living in a shelter.   As Smith explained, a comfortable and busy shelter pet is a happier, healthier pet. Happier pets are more adoptable and have a better chance of getting out of a shelter alive and into a loving home and stressed pets are much more likely to become ill or go “kennel crazy” or withdrawn and depressed and have to be euthanized.    “Providing raised plastic beds will keep puppies and dogs off cold wet floors and can be sterilized, preventing illnes.  Blankets, Kong toys, vaccines, and other items to provide comfort, prevent illness, and give mental stimulation will ease stress and ultimately lead to more adoptable pets and reduce euthanasia,” she said.

Transport

PAWS recently took on another role – that of transport.  They purchased a horse trailer to begin transport of animals from local area kill shelters to northern shelters on the East Coast where they get a second chance and have a better chance at adoption.  

Philosophy of Kindness

“The mission of Pet Angel Welfare Supply is to be an all encompassing resource center for all homeless animals and help better the animal community and shelters with the necessary resources for them to draw from and show compassionate care for the homeless, neglected, and abused animals within our community,” said Smith. “We are driven by the simple philosophy that kindness to animals helps build a better world for all of us.”