PAWS rescues and re-homes approximately 200 dogs and 700 cats annually. Many of the dogs are strays from local animal control facilities and most of the cats that we help are strays and abandoned kitties who roam our streets. A portion of the pets that come to PAWS have been relinquished by their owners, who are no longer able to care for them. PAWS has a handful of paid staff and a team of dedicated volunteers who help with everything from fundraising, kennel work, walking dogs, socializing cats, and much, much more. Every person at PAWS is a valued member of our team. Without them, we could not accomplish the miracles that happen every day! We constantly seek to increase the number of lives we can save by finding adoptive homes for the animals in our care, working closely with other animal groups, and raising funds to secure the supplies and facilities necessary for our operation. PAWS also seeks to decrease the number of unwanted pets by informing and educating the public about the importance of spaying and neutering.

PAWS is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that began in 1962 by Westport, Connecticut resident Betty Long to rescue homeless dogs and place them in permanent homes. In the early 1980s, our rescue efforts were expanded to include cats. For 37 years, PAWS rented space from local boarding kennels and veterinary hospitals. Over time, the demands placed on us by the community increased and we felt that in order to increase and expand our services, we would need our own shelter. In 1999, PAWS undertook the task of building a shelter of our own. We moved into our own shelter in 2001 and have since greatly increased the number of pets we have been able to help.