Companion Animal Services At PAWS there’s more to the journey than meets the eye. Here’s the path thousands of companion animals will take this year on their way to their new homes. Check in at the front desk please When animals arrive at PAWS, they are taken into the receiving room. Dogs and cats arrive as strays from nine communities, so the first thing staff does
is check for identification by looking at tags and scanning for microchips. Next, they are examined for signs of illness or injury and vaccinated to prevent disease and maintain good health. Dogs and cats who need to be spayed or neutered receive a pre-surgical exam. Then they’re checked into the housing area.
Some animals detour to foster care Many of the animals we receive are kittens and puppies, both with and without mothers. They’ll be placed into foster care until they mature and are ready for adoption. Other animals are enrolled in foster care while recovering from injuries or illnesses. Each year, our dedicated foster parents care for more than 2,000 cats and dogs.
Striving for the best outcome for each animal The cats and dogs at PAWS are constantly monitored and evaluated by staff and volunteers who work on socialization by spending time with them. PAWS uses the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match™ program to assess the cats’ personalities in order to pair them with the best homes. Staff also perform temperament tests as a way to assess behavior. From staff and volunteers, all dogs get Good Dog Training, which includes learning basic commands and manners.
Lost and found From scouring lost and found fliers and internet postings, to wordof-mouth clues, PAWS staff works diligently to return stray animals to their guardians. Their efforts result in over 65 percent of stray dogs being reunited with their families. Thirteen percent of stray cats are returned home, which is far above the national average of 2.5 percent.