Background
Many of the homeless, people struggling with addiction, and those who are financially disadvantaged have animals they rely on for emotional comfort and support. However, many of these people are unable to afford to keep them. In many cases, this financial strain means animals get abandoned.
In today’s economic climate, basic care for animals has become costly. The costs and responsibility are high and sometimes impossible for the people who rely on soup kitchens and outreach centers for basics like food, clothing and shelter. Some are forced to abandon their animals due to financial constraints and the inability to feed or pay for vet care or because most animal shelters do not have the capacity to take these animals in temporarily when people need to go away, e.g. hospital care or rehabilitation. Many outreach organizations have stated that they do not have the resources to help people in need with pet care and support, but have flagged this as a real need that is impossible to finance and manage.
Our Goals
Our mission consists of 3 parts:
- Providing financial support to pet owners who struggle with the responsibilities of keeping their pet healthy
- Providing access to medical care facilities at minimal cost
- Giving rescue animals a healthy home
About Us
Lexi Watson, Founder
Through my work at local outreach centers in Morristown, NJ, I have seen that many of the homeless, people struggling with addiction, and those who are financially disadvantaged have animals they rely on for emotional comfort and support. However, many of these people are unable to afford to keep them. In many cases, this financial strain means animals get abandoned. Other’s report neglecting their own basic needs to make sure their pets' needs are met first. With this knowledge, and also being an animal lover, I started Paws4good in an effort to address this need in our community. By partnering with outreach centers, Paws4Good’s mission is to help people who would benefit from the emotional and psychological benefits of having an animal, but don't have the financial means, such as those who are homeless, to provide their animals with a healthy, stable environment, and to give them the opportunity to experience the healing benefits of animals, while also combatting the number of animals that are abandoned due to an owners inability to provide for them. By supporting us, my hope is that you will help create a community where individuals can prioritize their well-being while ensuring the well-being of their beloved furry companions.
Partners
|
"Nourish.NJ, a NFP, is proud to partner with Paws4Good, a nonprofit who believes in the healing benefits of animals for people struggling with emotional and psychological issues. In addition to unconditional love and a sense of responsibility particularly for someone who is lonely or alone, pets provide emotional support and comfort that helps individuals deal with challenges, depression, anxiety, PTSD or other medical issues that might compromise their quality of life.
Nourish.NJ creates lasting solutions to the root causes of hunger, homelessness and poverty, our partnership with Paws4Good allows us to work together to ensure people who come to nourish. NJ struggling with their own food insecurity or mental or medical health issues have access to additional resources to help care for the food and medical needs of their pets." -Nourish.nj Testimonial "Family Promise of Morris County’s mission is to mobilize community resources and people to end the crisis of homelessness and housing insecurity faced by families and individuals by providing a continuum of services leading to self-sufficiency.
We have proudly served our community for 34 years and are committed to improving overall housing, economic, health and wellness outcomes in Morris County. Our programs provide shelter, housing, rental assistance, eviction prevention, diversion and prevention, outreach, education, and care management to individuals and families who are currently experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, and those who formerly experienced homelessness." -Family Promise Morris County Testimonial |