PAW Team

By Michael Mullen
August 15th, 2018

As an avid lover of animals, especially dogs and cats, I have a hard time seeing homeless people and their animal companions living on the streets. How are they caring for their pets' health, outside of routine food and water? What about health concerns that inevitably crop up? How do the pet owners themselves balance their own needs to survive, with the needs of their friend? While it is heartbreaking to think about, it is also important to realize how much of a big deal these companions are to their owners. They provide love, reason, companionship, happiness and security. In short, these pets are all they have. I recently came across an organization that provides free veterinary care to the pets of those living in extreme poverty, or that are homeless.

According to their website, the Portland Animal Welfare (PAW) Team essentially runs with what amounts to a skeleton crew, as well as a friendly horde of volunteers. They give free care to over 1,000 animals a year; a number they say will grow substantially over the next few years, due to Portland's continuing homeless crisis. So far this year, a little over 1,000 pets have already been helped in general, over 400 have been spayed/neutered, and almost 600 volunteer hours have been given. The PAW Team is the real deal, and it is worth your time to check them out (and possibly donate!).

Source:
https://www.pawteam.org/