P.A.W.S. or Pets Are Wonderful Support refers to a number of North American

non-profit organisations A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

that advocate the value of the bond between humans and their pets as a means to extend a person's

quality of life Quality of life (QOL) is defined by the World Health Organization as "an individual's perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards ...

and life-span, specifically elderly or disabled persons. The PAWS organizations provide subsidized pet food, veterinary care, pet medication and human services such as dog walking, litter box cleaning and transportation to thousands of clients.

History

The first PAWS organization was founded in

San Francisco San Francisco (; Spanish language, Spanish for "Francis of Assisi, Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the List of Ca ...

California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...

in 1987 as part of the response to the

HIV/AIDS Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus. Following initial infection an individual ...

crisis when volunteers at the

San Francisco AIDS Foundation The San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services for people with HIV/AIDS, with a mission to end the AIDS epidemic in the United States. They were founded in 1982, at the beginning of the AIDS ...

food bank noticed that HIV/AIDS patients had used the food supplied to them to feed their pets. PAWS began with a focus on AIDS patients, many of whom (especially in the earlier days of the AIDS epidemic) found themselves without support from family and friends, and relied on their pets for companionship. In 2003, PAWS San Francisco expanded its services to persons with other serious illnesses or

mental health Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing cognition, perception, and behavior. It likewise determines how an individual handles stress, interpersonal relationships, and decision-making. Mental health ...

problems, and in 2007 to senior citizens with low incomes.Eileen Mitchell
"PAWS protects pets of those who need them most"
''

San Francisco Chronicle The ''San Francisco Chronicle'' is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California. It was founded in 1865 as ''The Daily Dramatic Chronicle'' by teenage brothers Charles de Young and M. H. de Young, Michael H. de ...

'', April 19, 2008. More than thirty other PAWS agencies (which are modeled on, but independent of, the San Francisco group) have been established in other North American cities. Actress Nadia Sutton founded the Los Angeles agency (now known as PAWS/LA) in 1989.

PAWS NY

In 2009, Rachel Herman founded PAWS NY, which offers services to clients across New York City who have physical and financial barriers to caring for their pets. The organization provides services such as volunteer dog walking, litter box maintenance, and other pet care; a pet food pantry; foster care; and discounted veterinary services to its clients. In 2019, PAWS NY helped 275 people and their 387 pets across New York City and in 2020, the organization was featured on ''The Weekend TODAY Show''.

PAWS San Diego

PAWS San Diego was founded in 1993 in Northern San Diego County, as "P.A.W.S. North County". The founder operated the organization out of her own home, and used her own car to deliver the ideals of P.A.W.S. to San Diegans. In 1997, P.A.W.S. North County expanded its services to low income, disabled, chronically ill and elderly clients. In 2001 P.A.W.S. San Diego County was founded when the greater San Diego office was absorbed as a result of financial issues. In 2005, P.A.W.S. San Diego County doubled the number of its clients and partnered with the

San Diego Humane Society San Diego Humane Society, is a non-profit organization in San Diego, California with five campuses in San Diego County - El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, San Diego and Ramona. They are an open-admission shelter and are zero euthanasia for healthy ...

to share office space and storage. In 2006 P.A.W.S. San Diego County leased an office space in City Heights and expanded its operations. By 2011 they had outgrown their space and moved to a warehouse space in Grantville and adopted the name "PAWS San Diego." Today PAWS San Diego has established itself as an integral part of the San Diego community by delivering essential pet supplies and support to homebound San Diegans through their Wellness program and supplemental meals and assisting other San Diego non-profits through their PAWS Pantry program.

References

External links

PAWS San FranciscoPAWS NY
{{Authority control Charities based in California Health charities in the United States Non-profit organizations based in San Francisco