Panhandle Animal Welfare Society
Our Mission
The Panhandle Animal Welfare Society, affectionately known as PAWS, is dedicated to the welfare of animals by providing the essential resources, education, and programs needed to improve their lives. We are committed to serving our community and ensuring that the abandoned are protected, the hungry are fed, the homeless are sheltered, and the injured are given compassionate care.
Our Story
Since our incorporation in 1976, we have played a key role in animal care and control across Northwest Florida. Starting from a small building in Valparaiso, we have grown to serve over 160,000 residents in Okaloosa County and surrounding communities.
Our Commitment to Care
Operating as a private, 501(c)3 nonprofit, our shelter in Fort Walton Beach serves as a safe haven for thousands of animals each year. Our Humane Services Division oversees the medical care and daily needs of every animal in our Adoption Center and Vet Clinic, ensuring they receive the attention they deserve while awaiting their forever families.
Your Partner in Adoption
Adopting a pet is a beautiful journey, and we believe in creating successful, lifelong matches between animals and their new families. Our adoption counselors are here to help you find your new best friend, providing resources on everything from 3-3-3 rule transitions for dogs to setting up a perfect space for your new cat. Whether you are looking for a playful puppy, a calm senior, or a long-term resident, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Join Us Today
We invite you to come visit us at 752 Lovejoy Road NW in Fort Walton Beach to meet our adoptable animals during our daily adoption hours. You can also view our currently available pets on our Trello board or contact our adoption teams directly to start your journey. Together, we can provide the loving homes our animals truly deserve.
Trust Assessment
GoldRated Sep 9, 2026
NonprofitVerifiedMunicipal PartnerOperating 50+ years
FinancesOnline Review Highlights
- Compassionate staff
- Clean facilities
- Operational friction and poor communication
Vetted by
How we assessCoverage We Reviewed
Get The Coast
8/19 - Okaloosa approves interlocal agreement with Crestview for animal control partnership
Commissioners unanimously approved a partnership with the City of Crestview for animal control and sheltering in north Okaloosa County, with both governments splitting operational costs.
Get The Coast
8/4 - Okaloosa Commissioners approve $600K in surtax funds for animal control startup
Commissioners unanimously approved $600,000 in surtax funds for startup capital as Okaloosa prepares to launch in-house animal control before its PAWS contract ends Sept. 22.
Recent Videos
10/7 - 🐾 Playgroup isn’t just for the rough and rowdy! 🐾 Meet some of our sugar faced sweethearts and gentle pups! 💜 These sweet seniors may not be wrestling, chasing, or tearing around the yard, but they still enjoy spending time with their friends and soaking up some fresh air and companionship. Sometimes, “playgroup” looks like a leisurely stroll, a little sniffing, some gentle socializing, or simply hanging out with friends. And honestly? That sounds pretty perfect. 🥰 With a hurricane approaching, we would LOVE to get these pups out of the shelter and into safe, loving homes. Interested in fostering through the storm or adopting? Come meet these sweet pups today! 🩵🐾 📍 PAWS 752 Lovejoy Rd NW Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 🕙 Adoptions & Meet-and-Greets: 10:00 AM–4:30 PM daily 🐾 Guided Walkthroughs: 11:00 AM–4:00 PM #PAWSFWB #PanhandleAnimalWelfareSociety #AdoptDontShop #AdoptASenior #SeniorDogs
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10/7 - 🐾💥 MEET OUR ROUGH & ROWDYS! 💥🐾 Looking for a pup who thinks wrestling is a love language? 😂 We’ve got some rough, rowdy, playful pups ready to meet you! These guys are full of energy, love to play, and would make the perfect temporary sidekick while they wait for their forever homes. 🩵 🌪️ Thinking about fostering through the hurricane? Come pick up a playful friend and give a shelter pup a safe, cozy place to ride out the storm! A few days in a home can mean the world to a shelter dog—and you might just discover your new best friend. 🐶💜 📧 Interested in fostering? Email foster@paws-shelter.org
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10/6 - 🐾💜 THERE’S A CAT FOR EVERYONE AT PAWS! 💜🐾 Whether you’re looking for a tiny bundle of chaos, a sweet and social adult, or a wise senior who just wants a cozy place to call home… we’ve got cats waiting to meet you! 🐱 🐾 Kittens — playful, curious, and full of personality 🐾 Adults — loving, fun, and ready to be your best friend 🐾 Seniors — gentle, deserving, and often happiest curled up beside you No matter what age or personality you’re looking for, your perfect feline match could be waiting right here. 🩵 Come meet our adoptable cats and find the one who makes your heart say, “That’s my cat.” 🥹🐾 📍 PAWS 752 Lovejoy Rd NW Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 ⏰ Adoptions & meet-and-greets: 10:00 AM–4:30 PM daily Adopt One. Help Many. Join the Rescue Effect. 💜🩵
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10/6 - 🐾 PLAYGROUP = HAPPY PUPS! 💜🩵 Zoomies? ✅ Wrestling matches? ✅ Making new friends? ✅ Having the absolute BEST time? ALWAYS! 🐶💜 Our playgroup pups are showing off their personalities, burning off some energy, and proving that shelter life doesn’t have to mean missing out on fun! And just look at those happy faces! 🥹🐾 If you’re looking for a dog who’s ready to play, love, and become your new best friend, come meet one of our adoptable pups! 💜 📍 PAWS 752 Lovejoy Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach 🕙 Meet-and-greets & adoptions: 10:00 AM–4:30 PM daily 🐾 Guided walkthroughs begin at 11:00 AM
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10/5 - 🐱💜 HAPPY MEOWY MONDAY! 💜🐱 Mondays are a whole lot better when they come with whiskers, purrs, and plenty of toe beans! 🐾✨ Our adoptable cats are ready to steal your heart and make themselves right at home. From playful personalities to professional cuddle bugs, there’s a feline friend waiting to meet you! 🐱💕 Come meet your new best friend at PAWS! 💜🩵 📍 752 Lovejoy Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach, FL ⏰ Adoptions & meet-and-greets: 10:00 AM–4:30 PM daily #MeowyMonday #AdoptDontShop #AdoptACat #CatsOfPAWS #PAWSFWB FortWaltonBeach RescueCats
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10/5 - 🐶💜 Some dogs just LOVE having a dog friend! 🐾 Our playgroup crew is full of happy, social pups who love to run, wrestle, chase toys, and have a good time with their four-legged friends. 🐕🩵 If you’re looking for a dog-friendly dog, we’ve got plenty to choose from! Whether you’re looking for a canine companion for your current pup or simply want a social butterfly who enjoys making friends, one of these pups could be your perfect match. Come meet our playgroup crew and find your new best friend! 💜 📍 PAWS 752 Lovejoy Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach 🕙 Adoptions & meet-and-greets: 10:00 AM–4:30 PM daily #AdoptDontShop #DogFriendly #PlaygroupPups #AdoptableDogs #RescueDogs PAWS FortWaltonBeach
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10/2 - 🌧️🐶 Rain or shine, playtime must go on! 🐾💜 The rain can’t get these pups down! While the weather may be gloomy, our playgroup dogs are still having a blast running, wrestling, chasing toys, and making new four-legged friends. 🩵 If you’re looking for a dog-friendly dog, we’ve got them! These pups are ready to bring their playful personalities and love of canine companionship into their forever homes. 🐕💕 Come meet our playgroup crew and find out who could be your new best friend! 📍 PAWS 752 Lovejoy Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach 🕙 Adoptions & meet-and-greets: 10:00 AM–4:30 PM daily 🐾 Guided walkthroughs: 11:00 AM–4:00 PM #AdoptDontShop #DogFriendly #PlaygroupPups #AdoptableDogs #RescueDogs PAWS FortWaltonBeach
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10/2 - 🐾💜 Meet Doodle Bob! 💜🐾 At about 45 pounds, Doodle Bob is an affectionate and playful guy who is ready to find his new family! 🥰 And here’s a bonus—Doodle Bob walks great on a leash! 🐕🦺 Whether you’re looking for a walking buddy or simply a sweet companion to share your days with, Doodle Bob is ready to meet you. Come meet this handsome guy and see if Doodle Bob is your perfect match! 💜 📍 752 Lovejoy Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach 🕙 Adoptions & meet-and-greets: 10:00 AM–4:30 PM daily 💜 Adopt One. Help Many. Join the Rescue Effect. #AdoptDoodleBob #AdoptDontShop #AdoptLocal #PAWS #FortWaltonBeach RescueDog AdoptableDog RescueEffect
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10/1 - 🐾 Two Dogs, Two Very Different Personalities, One Thing in Common! 🐾 Meet Bruno and Alpina! 💜🩵 Whether you prefer a laid-back gentleman or an energetic young pup, we have someone waiting to meet you! 🐶 Bruno | 10 years old | 38 lbs Don’t let his grumpy old-man face fool you! 😉 Bruno might seem a little cranky at first, but underneath that exterior is a sweet gentleman looking for a loving home to spend his golden years. Sometimes, the best things come in slightly grumpy packages! 🩵 🐶 Alpina | 10 months old | 35 lbs Young, energetic, and full of sweetness! 🩷 Alpina is ready to bring some fun, wiggles, and plenty of love into her future family’s life. If you’re looking for a fun-loving companion, she might just be your girl! Two very different dogs, but both deserve a chance at a loving home. Could one of them be your new best friend? 🐾 📍 Come meet Bruno and Alpina at PAWS! 752 Lovejoy Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach, FL 🕙 Adoptions and meet-and-greets: 10 AM–4:30 PM daily #AdoptDontShop #AdoptLocal #PAWSFWB #AdoptAShelterDog #ForeverHome
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10/1 - 🖤 WHO SAYS BLACK IS BORING? 🖤🐾 These dogs are dressed to impress, they go with everything, and they’re ready to be your new best friend. So why are black dogs often overlooked? Did you know black dogs (and cats, too!) can take longer to find their forever homes? Today, on National Black Dog Day, we’re shining a spotlight on some of our gorgeous black and mostly-black adoptable dogs! 🐕🦺✨ From playful goofballs to professional couch cuddlers, these pups have plenty of personality, love, and goofy charm to share. 🥹🖤 Don’t overlook the ones wearing black. They might just be your perfect match! And let’s be honest… black goes with everything. They’ll match every outfit, every season, and every adventure. 😎🖤 Come meet them and see who steals your heart! 📍 752 Lovejoy Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach 🕙 Adoptions & meet-and-greets: 10:00 AM–4:30 PM daily 🐾 Guided walkthroughs: 11:00 AM–4:00 PM 👉 Browse adoptable animals: paws-shelter.org/adopt #NationalBlackDogDay #BlackDogDay #AdoptDontShop #AdoptableDogs #BlackDogs ShelterDogs AdoptLocal PAWS
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9/30 - 🐾 Looking for a dog who LOVES other dogs? We’ve got them! 🐶💜 Our playgroup pups are proof that some dogs are just happiest when they have a four-legged friend to romp, wrestle, chase, and play with. Whether they’re looking for a canine sibling or just hoping to make some new besties, these pups are ready to find their forever homes! If a dog-friendly dog is what you’re looking for, come meet our playgroup crew! 🐕🩵 📍 PAWS — 752 Lovejoy Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach 🕙 Adoptions & meet-and-greets: 10:00 AM–4:30 PM daily 🐾 Guided walkthroughs: 11:00 AM–4:00 PM Come find your new best friend! 💜 #AdoptDontShop #DogFriendly #PlaygroupPups #AdoptableDogs #PAWS FortWaltonBeach RescueDogs DogLovers
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9/30 - 🦖 Meet Iguanodon! 🐾 This 55-pound boy is pure joy on four legs! 💜 Iguanodon is sweet, playful, and always ready for some fun. Whether he’s zooming around, playing with his favorite toys, or splashing around in the pool, this happy guy knows how to have a good time! 🧸💦 If you’re looking for a fun-loving pup who’s ready to make every day an adventure, come meet Iguanodon today! 🐶💜 📍 PAWS — 752 Lovejoy Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach 🕙 Adoptions & meet-and-greets: 10:00 AM–4:30 PM daily #AdoptIguanodon #AdoptDontShop #PAWS #FortWaltonBeach #AdoptableDogs RescueDog DogLovers
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