Paws and Claws Society

SAFER "Cats on the Border" Program - Another year has come and gone and the volunteers working for the S.A.F.E.R. Cats on the Border Project have taken full advantage of the resources so generously provided by Paws & Claws Society. Over the past year we spayed/neutered 351 cats and kittens and also adopted 35 cats and kittens into loving homes. These adoptions made possible in large part by the PACS Petfinder pages, were not only a blessing to the cats and kittens that were able to leave the stray and feral colonies, but also a blessing to the colony caretakers as it reduced the number of cats in their care.We had many success stories but two come to mind. The first is the story of "fire cats". There was a house fire in a community that was outside of our target area and 40 cats and kittens, and their owner, lost their home. Paws & Claws Society stepped up, even though the fire didn't occur in our target area, and paid for all the medical work for these cats.We were able to bring 17 of these cats to the farm and ultimately to the permanent homes of dedicated volunteers of the TNR program. Some of the cats involved in the fire have been returned to a very grateful owner, but the rest have remained with SAFER volunteers.The second story involved a neighborhood in our target area.A family had about twenty cats and they decided to move leaving all the cats to fend for themselves. The family just tossed the cats out the door and left. The volunteers jumped into action and all of the cats and kittens were fixed with many receiving much needed extra medical attention. While the neighbors could not afford to get all the cats fixed, they were willing to work with us to ensure that the abandoned cats shelter and nutritional needs were met.These cats would not have survived without PACS Cats on the Border program. As we look back over 2023, we are grateful for the dedicated volunteers and all of the colony caregivers. Cats on the Border program has, over eight years of existence, spay/neutered 3,351 stray or feral felines, thereby preventing the birth of millions of kittens. kittens that would have had no future in our communities. After eight years and 3,351 cats, Paws & Claws is able to bring the SAFER "Cats on the Border" program to a very successful conclusion.Circle of Compassion for Animals: brings together groups and individuals in a coalition of animal advocates with the expectation of establishing no-kill communities. First introduced in 2006,the "Circle" continues to build on its initial success by expanding the circle of participants each year.Objectives are to increase the placements of adoptable, healthy dogs & cats, reduce the deaths of shelter dogs & cats, reduce the number of spay/feral cats in the county via TNR and placements, increase the number of spay/neuter surgeries, and to provide appropriate medical treatment, behavior modification and/or foster care to turn sick, injured animals into animals ready for placement."Circle" partners strive to find loving, permanent homes for all adoptable animals. PACS offers financial support to "Circle" referred animals, including treatable and hard to place animals. Support includes reasonable medical care and/or behavior modification training necessary prior to placement. "Circle" members may include representatives from local and county government, the veterinary community, animal control officers, businesses, and individuals who work diligently on behalf of animals.Hope to Home Rescue Support - A life saving partnership with several of our Circle of Compassion partners to rescue animals that many shelters would consider "unadoptable" was implemented by Paws & Claws in 2021 for any animal that can't go immediately up for adoption. Often they are sick or injured. They may need 24 hour care, sometimes emergency surgery, a lot of TLC, and a safe place to heal. We provided more than $8,227 in medical assistance in 2023.Give a Little Bowl of Love: 2023 unfolded as another year of great economic uncertainty for many animal caretakers and their beloved pets. More than $16,000 was provided in pet food assistance to help caretakers feed their pets.Safer(Stray and Feral Eminent Rescue):this program is a Paws & Claws initiative developed and implemented under the auspices of the STAATS FOUNDATION in accord with their plan to establish no-kill communities. This network of local rescue groups and individuals is committed to improving the quality of life for homeless and unwanted felines by providing and finding homes, assisting and educating the community, and controlling overpopulation. Paws & Claws Society partnered with local organizations to spay/neuter 200 felines in 2023.Burlington Report & Educational Program - Paws & Claws Society was pleased to unveil its first issue of its newsletter, Burlington Report, in April of 2011. The fictional character of Burlington the Cat was born, and he began to share his life story and experiences with us. Each issue builds on the original story of Burlington and the family that adopted him. For the last 12 years, readers have not only been entertained, but have learned many things as they followed Burlington through his life journey. PACS Burlington Report offering is both educational and entertaining. Burlington Report can be found and read by visiting Paws & Claws Society website www.pacsnj.org. Paws and Claws Society is a 501(c)(3) charity operated entirely by volunteers.