PetPALS of Southern New Jersey, Inc.
100 Essex Avenue, Suite #300
Bellmawr, NJ
Phone: 856-931-4399
Fax: 856-931-4463
100 Essex Avenue, Suite #300
Bellmawr, NJ
Phone: 856-931-4399
Fax: 856-931-4463
PetPALS of Southern New Jersey is a non-profit New Jersey corporation organized to provide services to the animal companions of people living with terminal, chronic or debilitating illness, or financially needy senior citizens. PetPALS' services are limited based on established policies, including a geographic limitation restricting services to Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties.
What is PetPALS?
PetPALS of Southern New Jersey was organized in Audubon, New Jersey by a group of volunteers seeking to provide simple, direct services to men, women and children living with chronic or terminal illnesses, and to increase awareness in the general population on issues about pets and other serious illnesses.
Modeled after PhillyPAWS in Philadelphia and similar initiatives in other cities nationwide, PetPALS is a nonprofit, charitable organization, registered in the State of New Jersey. Our application for tax-exempt status- 501(c)(3)- was approved in March 1996 by the Internal Revenue Service. We are a volunteer organization, overseen by a Board of Director and supported by committed volunteers, partner-veterinarians and a number of AIDS service and animal welfare resources. Administrative office space and furnishings are provided to the organization by the AIDS Coalition of Southern New Jersey.
Partner-veterinarians provide routine professional and emergency services at reduced rates to the organization for the benefit of our clients. More complex medical care is provided at the discretion of PetPALS. Short-term foster care and boarding opportunities are also offered, and permanent adoption can be arranged in extraordinary circumstances. Prospective volunteers are trained for service. PetPALS offers a unique opportunity for all friends of animals to provide a basic, caring service to neighbors living with serious or terminal illnesses, and their beloved animal companions,whether dogs or cats, birds, fish, large or small, domesticated or not.
Our assistance is available to pet-owning people who have a terminal illness, a chronic, debilitating illness, or a financially needy senior citizen, and who reside in Camdem, Gloucester, Salem or Burlington counties. In general, services are only limited by the availability of volunteers and resources, although certain programs are only available to those individuals demonstrating financial need.
Services Offered by PetPALS
In-home Pet Care- We provide volunteers who can walk your dog, clean bird cages and aquariums, exercise your cat and change its litterbox, or simply feed your pets.
Pet Food and Supplies- Assistance is available in obtaining pet food and supplies.
Veterinary Care- We can provide help in obtaining professional pet health care for a pet through our network of partner-veterinarians.
Foster Care- Temporary housing and care for pets are provided if the owner is hospitalized.
Adoptions- Assistance is offered in placement of pets when the human companion dies or is no longer able to maintain the pet. Please click on the links here at PetFinder if you would like to see who we have up for adoption right now. All pets adopted will only be sent to local homes, usually within the four counties we serve. The pets are not kept at the office, so please do not arrive expecting to look over the cats and dogs we have up for adoption - appointments must be made in advance.
Pet Grooming
Transportation- Our volunteers can offer transportation to grooming and veterinary appointments.
Education- We act as a resource and referral network and can provide health and educational information, including "safe pet" guidelines to owners. We also offer a speakers bureau about our programs and the issues we are concerned with.
Long-Term Planning- Assistance is offered in planning to insure for continuous pet care, and legal resources and referrals for wills and power-of-attorney documents.
Pets and People
Pet ownership brings with it very special rewards. Pets are an important part of our emotional support network. They are a source of warmth, trust, unconditional love, and they ask little in return. Studies have shown that the human-animal bond has very positive effects on emotional and physical well-being. These effects include a positive attitude,lower blood pressure, and better managed stress.
People with terminal illnesses face many changes in their lives. They all experience loss of health, while some lose financial stability, employment, and even friends. In these times, the companionship of their pets offers real emotional and psychological bebefits. Their pets' love and affection are unconditional and dependable. However,sometimes people with terminal illnesses are advised to give up their pet because of certain medical considerations. They may also experience difficulty in maintaining their pets because of the financial and physical care challenges that sometimes result from their conditions.
People with Serious Illnesses and Their Pets
With proper care and understanding, pet owners with chronic and terminal illnesses may be able to keep their animals as long as possible. As long as the animals are healthy, the possibilities of human health risk of pet companionship are minimal. People with HIV disease especially, and those with other serious illnesses, are encouraged to explore this option and together with their physicians and veterinarians make the individually appropriate choice.
