Pet Animal Welfare Society of CT (PAWS) is a 501c3 no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the rescue and adoption of our community’s homeless and abused dogs and cats - those who may have been surrendered because their owners can no longer afford expensive medical costs or those who may have been just let out in the cold as strays. These beautiful animals may not be the breed-of-choice nor the age-of-choice, but they deserve to be healthy, happy and living in a loving home and this comes with financial challenges.

PAWS operates an in-house medical department to treat PAWS pets before they are ready for adoption.  Pets receive vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, a dental if needed, and a microchip along with other medical treatments before adoption. PAWS also supports outsourced medical procedures that PAWS cannot do in-house such as echocardiograms, x rays, etc. Our in-house surgeries have strengthened our ability to carry out our mission effectively and efficiently. Adoptions have increased year over year (2017: 610; 2018: 689; 2019: 926; 2020: 990 (COVID bump); 2021: 881. Since all animals are required to be spay/neutered before adoption, having our own Clinic has dramatically decreased the time from intake to adoption by about a week because we can spay/neuter almost immediately upon intake. As a result, more animals can be adopted, and PAWS in turn can take in and rehabilitate more animals in need.  

PAWS also operates a Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) program.  TNR is the most humane and effective method for reducing and managing the numbers of feral and stray cats in our community.  Feral cats are trapped, spay/neutered, then returned to their original territory.  Friendly adults and young kittens can be placed for adoption.  

PAWS is not affiliated with any national animal welfare organization and relies on the generosity of our supporters.