The shelter is open to the public on Mondays & Tues for donation drop off, information and other services but adoptions are by appointment on those days.
PAWS is open to the public during the hours listed above. The public is invited to visit our shelter during those hours to inquire about animals available for adoption, learn about our adoption process, and complete an adoption application. It is best to call ahead for an appointment to meet with an Adoption Counselor, as one might not be available to meet with walk-in applicants, or there might be a lengthy wait.
However, walk-ins are welcome and we will make every effort to accommodate them.
Applications are available online, or you may stop by the shelter during the hours listed above, to complete an application and learn more about our adoption process.
The adoption applications can be found at Cat Adoption Application or Dog Adoption Application.
Please note that animals can only interact with adoption applicants who have completed an application and met with an adoption counselor.
For the comfort and well-being of our dogs, only staff and volunteers may enter our kennel area.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have other pets, please bring a copy of your Vet records so that we may verify that they are spayed/neutered and up to date on vaccinations. This is necessary prior to adopting a pet from PAWS in the evening or on the weekends as we are not able to reach most Vets by phone at those times.
We can be flexible if the listed adoption times do not work for you.
When coming to see pets, whether by appointment or during the open house, please expect to spend at least one hour at PAWS with the pets. It is important that you spend time with the pets in order to select a pet that is a good match for your family.
The adoption applications can be found at Cat Adoption Application or Dog Adoption Application.
ADOPTION FEES: Effective April 1, 2011
The adoption fee helps us defray the cost of the animal's food, boarding and medical care. Any additional donation you would like to make above the adoption fee is greatly appreciated. Your contributions are tax deductible.
Cats & Kittens: $90
The feline adoption fees include age-appropriate vaccines and testing for Feline Aids and Feline Leukemia for kittens over 12 weeks of age (Please Note: No test is 100% accurate for these viruses). We spay/neuter all cats and kittens old enough for the procedures before they go home with you. We also offer low-cost options for spaying/neutering unaltered kittens when they are old enough to be altered.
Dogs & Puppies: $210
The canine adoption fees include age-appropritate vaccines and testing for heartworm. We spay/neuter all dogs and puppies old enough for the procedures before they go home with you. We also offer low-cost options for spaying/neutering unaltered puppies when they are old enough to be altered.
Shelter Positions Currently Available: Please, no phone calls!
Canine Shelter Associate, Part-Time
Must love dogs. Responsibilities include taking out dogs for elimination opportunities, exercise, and basic obedience training; cleaning and disinfecting kennel runs and rooms; picking up poop; feeding and medicating; washing dishes; doing laundry; hauling trash. Must be comfortable handling dogs of various sizes, breeds, and temperaments. Starting salary is $9 per hour. This is a year-round position. Applications are available at PAWS Monday thru Friday from 11 am to 7:30 pm, or send letter of interest / resume to Adrienne at adrienne@pawsct.org.
Feline Shelter Associate, Part-Time, 8 am to Noon.
Must love cats & kittens. Duties include feeding, cleaning and scooping litter boxes, clipping nails, administering medications, cleaning/disinfecting cages and floors, weighing animals, hauling trash, washing dishes, and doing laundry. Must be able to work quickly and efficiently, and work independently in a fast-paced work environment. The work is demanding but extremely rewarding. This is a year-round position. Salary is $9 per hour. Applications are available at PAWS Monday thru Friday from 11 am to 7:30 pm, or send lettter of interest resume to Adrienne at adrienne@pawsct.org.
No phone calls please for either position.
Become one of The Few. The Proud. The Covered with Hair. Join PAWS!
PAWS Store
Looking for a gift for the pet lover in your life? Want to support the mission of PAWS instead of supporting the local mega-mall? Shop at the PAWS on-line store where all proceeds help us to provide shelter, food and medical care to the deserving homeless animals in our care.
Orders may be placed on-line with a credit card through our secure server or you can print out the order for and mail it to us with your check.
Visit our PAWS Store and shop 'til you drop to help pets in need!
Upcoming Events:
We are taking a break for the winter but check back soon for upcoming events!
Who We Are
PAWS is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in continuous operation since 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. PAWS rescues & rehomes approximately 115 dogs and 435 cats annually. Many of the dogs faced euthanasia at local pounds and most of the cats that we help are strays and abandoned cats that 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.
As we are a registered non-profit, all contributions to PAWS are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law.
PAWS has a handful of paid staff and a team of dedicated volunteers that help with everything to fundraising, to kennel work, to walking dogs and much, much more. Every person at PAWS is a valued & needed member of our team - without them we could not accomplish the miracle that happen every day!
For 37 years, PAWS rented space from local boarding kennels & veterinary hospitals. Over time, the demands placed on us by the community increased and we felt that in order to increase & 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.
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. PLEASE NOTE: PAWS does not provide low cost spay/neuter programs for pets. For low cost spay/neuter resources, please visit the spay/neuter section of our links page on our website at www.pawsct.org.
Phone: (203) 750-9572
Email:
paws@pawsct.org
Click here for a list of pets at this shelter
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