PAWS (Pet Animal Welfare Society)
Our Mission
The Pet Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is a dedicated no-kill shelter committed to improving the lives of homeless, unwanted, and neglected animals by providing essential medical care, emotional support, and love until they find their forever homes.
Our Journey
Since 1962, PAWS has served our community through the vision of founder Betty Long. Starting with dogs and later expanding to include cats in the 1980s, we transitioned from renting space to operating our own custom-built shelter in Norwalk in 2001 to better meet the needs of the animals in our care.
How We Help
Our operation relies on a dedicated team of paid staff and volunteers who provide daily care, socialization, and medical support. By working closely with local rescues and focusing on spay and neuter education, we strive to save lives and decrease the number of unwanted pets in our region.
Your Role as an Adopter
We believe that finding the right match is the start of a lifelong friendship. Our adoption process is designed to ensure both the family and the pet thrive, requiring an approved application and a scheduled visit to meet our wonderful animals in person. We provide full transparency regarding an animal's medical history and needs to ensure a smooth transition into your home.
Start Your Journey Today
We invite you to view our current available cats and dogs online to find your new family member. When you are ready, please complete our Adoption Application or contact our staff to learn more about our upcoming events and how you can support our mission to give every pet a second chance at a better life.
- Caring staff and volunteers
- Clean facilities
- Inconsistent foster care communication
9/23 - Ricardo is a young, intelligent, playful, a good listener, handsome, and enjoys working on his manners! He’s friendly with people and dogs. At the end of a busy day, he likes to relax and be cozy. He’s the ideal partner! @doggonesmart #paws #pit #rescuedog #rescue
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