across the country

SUPPORT PAWS

Couple finds pets homes across the country

Support Paws fosters animals and transports them to find their forever homes.

By Lauren H. Dowdle Photos Courtesy of Support Paws

It can be difficult for an animal shelter to take care of and find forever homes for pets that are sick, injured, pregnant, or abused. To offer support to both the shelters and rescue animals, Support Paws helps foster these animals — and also transports them to find them homes.

Chelsea couple Michael and Shannon Partain started Support Paws about five years. They had fostered animals from the Shelby County Humane Society in Columbiana, but they wanted to do more. So, they began transporting animals from the local shelters that were overcrowded to find them homes, and the nonprofit was born.

“We’re the only people who would gut a 35foot RV to carry them up north,” Michael says.

They’ve travelled to states like Wisconsin, Connecticut, and New York where they know rescues will be able to find the pets forever homes. The couple also helps take care of puppies and other dogs in need of extra care at their home before they transport them to another rescue shelter — in addition to the pets they’ve decided to keep.

Currently, they have nine puppies, seven elderly dogs, and five older cats. But, that number can change on any given day depending on the need. They have 15 acres surrounding their three-story home, giving the animals plenty of space to roam and enjoy life.

“I have a thing for old people, and my wife has a thing for dogs. So, we bring those together,” Michael says with a laugh.

While he enjoys working with all of the animals, Michael says his favorite part has to be the puppies.

“You can’t have a bad day when you get to hold puppies every night,” he says. “They may make messes, but they’re completely adorable.”

One puppy came to them after it was in a fire, burning a third of its body. They stayed up with the dog for weeks until she was able to find a home — and she found the perfect one.

The pup, now named Clover, was adopted by the Madeira Beach fire department. They even have a Clover Day in town in her honor, and she demonstrates the “stop, drop, and roll” technique for children.

There are plenty of other stories of dogs who have been through difficult situations, like being abandoned or having injuries. One of the best ways animal lovers can help these pets — besides adopting — is to foster them.

“You’re saving a dog’s life if you foster,” Michael says. “The No. 1 reason dogs are put down is because they don’t have anyone to take care of them when they’re sick or need to be held back for a little while.”

One of their first rescue dogs started out as a foster, and now Michael says he couldn’t live without it.

“If you love animals, you can save one instantly,” he says. “Just fostering or going to the shelter to volunteer doesn’t cost you anything.”

Michael says they even have people who volunteer to hold puppies. While that might not seem like much, simply holding the adorable pups helps socialize them, which can prevent behavior issues.

“If they play with them and get the puppies used to people, when the dog is picked up, they won’t growl. That’s an adoption right there,” he says. “It’s the little things no one thinks about.”

In addition to fostering, Support Paws is always in need of donations, which help with things like vet bills, transportation, and supplies. People can also donate items like puppy training pads, pet food, litter, and other essentials.

“We go through 50 pounds of dog food and 35 pounds of puppy food every week at minimum,” he says.

Whether it’s taking care of an elderly dog or a litter of puppies, this couple has a passion for these furry friends.

“We absolutely love what we do.”

To learn more about Support Paws and find ways to help, visit Supportpaws.com.

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Written by Fultondale resident James Jernigan