The Panhandle Animal Welfare Society was first incorporated in 1976. We have played a key role in the field of animal care and control in Northwest Florida for decades with dedication. Our first facility was a small building in Valparaiso, Florida. In 1986, the shelter was renamed the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society, affectionately known as PAWS. Today, we serve over 218,000 residents in Okaloosa County and surrounding communities.PAWS is dedicated to offering refuge and medical care to injured animals, providing homeless animals with a second chance at life. We are committed to protecting animals from cruelty, neglect, and indifference, and to fostering compassion and empathy in our community. By promoting responsible pet ownership and advocating for humane education, spay, and neuter programs, we aim to reduce companion animal overpopulation and create a more humane and caring society for all animals. We believe that every animal deserves respect and access to humane care and services. Our mission goes beyond animal welfare; it encompasses the well-being of our entire community. We recognize that barriers to resources greatly affect marginalized groups, and we strive to eliminate these inequities through policies, public safety, diverse partnerships, and community outreach. We are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute to our shared vision of a humane and just world for all.