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1) What does PAWS stand for?
PAWS is an acronym for Pet Assistance Welfare Society.
2) Is PAWS a national group?
In short, no. While there may be other groups with similar names, PAWS of NE Louisiana was created to help animals and people in our community and is not associated with any other organizations.
3) What does PAWS do?
We provide the following services through our programs:
-Spay/neuter assistance to low-income pet owners
-Free pet id tags at monthly Tag Days
-Pet therapy visits to retirement homes/hospitals/library
-Promotion of pet adoptions at monthly offsite adoptions
-Teach Humane Education in schools
-Rescue placement for shelter animals
4) How do I receive spay/neuter assistance?
Fill out a spay/neuter application and return it to us to see if you qualify for our program. Once we receive your application we will contact you by phone or mail and discuss the process of getting your pet spayed or neutered by a local vet. We ask that you pay a small co-pay to us which we will apply to the surgery cost. We will provide assistance for up to 5 pets in one household. If you are feeding feral (wild) cats and need assistance for them, please call Trap-A-Cat at 396-2636.
5) How can I get a free pet id tag?
You can attend one of our Tag Days at Petco on the last Saturday of each month from 12:00-4:00. The 1st tag is free and each additional tag is $2.00. If you would like a tag sooner or cannot make it to a Tag Day, you can stop by the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter at 417 Well Road in West Monroe where we keep our tag machine. You can purchase tags there for $2.00 each.
6) What is pet therapy?
This is where volunteers take their personal certified therapy dogs on visits to retirement homes and hospitals where they visit with residents. We also visit the library with the dogs for a reading program that allows children to read to the dogs. Visit our Therapy Page to learn more.
7) How can I get my dog/cat certified as a therapy pet?
Your dog would need to have basic obedience training in order to become certified. You can enroll your dog in a class at the Ouachita Valley Dog Training Club. Once your dog has been through the class, you can then have them tested there to become certified. Cats and other small pets can be certified too through another organization. Visit our Therapy Page to learn more.
8) How do I become a member?
Submit a membership form and fee to us. You will then become a PAWS member and will receive a special membership gift by mail. Your pet can also become a PAWS member. Visit our Join Today page for more information or to sign up online.
9) What can I do to help?
You can become a member, make a tax-deductible donation, help with upcoming fundraisers or events, help us come up with new ideas or spread the word about PAWS. There are endless ways that you can help. Just call or email us. Visit our Volunteer Page or You Can Help page to learn more.
10) I have a dog/cat that I need to find a home for. Can PAWS help?
PAWS does not have a shelter or place to take in homeless dogs or cats. You can call one of the local shelters to see if they can help you. If the dog or cat is a pure breed, you can do an internet search for breed rescues and contact them to see if they can accept your pet.
Shelters: Humane Society Adoption Center of Monroe - 387-9553
Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter - 323-4032
River Cities Humane Society for Cats - 343-3031
4Paws Rescue (Ruston) - 251-3647
Morehouse Humane Society (Bastrop) - 318-283-0288
Delta Humane Society (Rayville) - help@thedeltahumanesociety.com
11) I need financial assistance for my pet's medical needs (other than spay/neuter).
PAWS does not provide assistance for medical issues other than spay/neuter. You can call ORVAL (Ouachita River Valley Animal League) at 318-388-0606 or http://ouachitarivervalleyanimalleague.org/ and they may be able to help.
12) I know of an animal who is being neglected or abused. Who do I call?
If you are outside the city limits, call the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's department at 318-387-8792. If inside the city limits, call the Monroe (318-329-2600) or West Monroe (318-396-2722) police dept. Local Animal Control also takes complaints at 318-325-0756. You can also call Grace's Home for Abused and Neglected Animals at 361-0333 or the Humane Society of Louisiana at 1-888-6-HUMANE or visit their website at www.humanela.org.
13) I would like to donate to PAWS. How do I do this and where does my money go?
We are all volunteer organization, so your donation goes directly to support our programs: Animal Shelter Rescue, Humane Education, Pet Therapy and Spay/Neuter Assistance. You can donate online through our website or you can mail your donation to us at P O Box 15432 Monroe, LA 71207. If you would like to make your donation in memory or in honor of someone, just include that information and we will send an acknowledgement to that person or their family.
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