Progressive Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) is a volunteer-based charity organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged and in-crisis people access veterinary care to keep their animal companions safe, healthy, and in their loving arms. We know that animal companions support the physical and mental health of humans.
PAWS programs
We must solve people’s problems to truly address our most challenging animal problems!
The biggest impact comes from education plus better access to care when it is needed most:
By keeping more pets safe and healthy at home, we also help prevent some of the pressure on overloaded rescues and shelters.
and …We are one of very few Ontario groups directly accessible to the public with no stipulations other than need-based ones.
In the beginning, PAWS was instrumental in making London Ontario a friendlier place for animals.
Progressive Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) was first formed in 2012 in collaboration with seven local animal welfare groups in response to an urgent need for a more ethical animal control model for the City of London. Due in large part to our members’ influence and advocacy, the City of London enacted numerous new animal welfare guidelines, partnerships with local rescues AND designated London as a “No Kill City”. The focus shifted from euthanasia to collaboration, adoption and treatment programs.
PAWS and City leaders understood that there was a real need to support those with animal companions in difficult times.
PAWS then evolved into a non-profit organization aimed at improving the lives of animal companions and their human families by facilitating access to affordable veterinary care and other support services. PAWS has been running as a non-profit in this capacity ever since and has successfully supported dozens of vulnerable families and animals in our community.
In 2019 PAWS set off to establish itself as a charity. After much paperwork and many COVID delays, we officially became a charity in 2022!
Location – We collaborate with many clinics and agencies across parts of Southwest Ontario. With more sustainable funding, and community interest, PAWS’s intention would be to serve all Southwest Ontario communities. Currently we are able to serve clients in this area.