What factors contribute to well being, and how do companion animals help? Well being, personal dignity and aging in place includes communication,
community engagement, access to health and human services, home safety and security, life-long learning, the ability to contribute and to have a sense of purpose. Our clients report increased communication, engagement, exercise,
play and an increased feeling of safety, security and comfort. A pet’s loy- alty and unconditional love, despite changes in the client’s health or physical abilities, creates a deep bond of friendship and significantly reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation. Pets learn your daily rou- tine and can sense when you aren’t feeling well; they give comfort to you. The care and feeding of an animal give clients a purpose; a reason to get out of bed in the morning and a reason to smile. Animal antics make us laugh all the time. Think about all the short clips that “go viral” on the Internet, the majority are hilarious animal moments.
How and when did PAWS San Diego begin? PAWS founded in 1993 as PAWS North County. Nancy Luebin, an HIV/ AIDS hospice nurse, delivered food out of the back of her car and recruited a team of volunteers to join her in helping several dozen people dependent on their pets. Ten years later by 2003, PAWS had grown to a county-wide service organization that served just over 300 low-income elderly, disabled and chronically-ill people and their pets with an annual budget of $100,000. In response to that growth, our name changed to PAWS San Diego County. By June 30, 2011, our $252,000 annual budget will provide care and services to the 1,031 companion animals of our 687 clients.
That is amazing. In 10 years PAWS San Diego more than doubled the clients served. What efficiency measures did you employ to accomplish so much with so little? 80 cents of every dollar donated is spent on direct client services. We have five part- time paid staff members. The rest of us are unpaid volunteers and board members who donate our time, talent and dollars to accomplish our great mission.
How does a client qualify to receive your help? First, clients provide documentation showing that they are low income (less than $1,200 per month). Secondly, they present proof that they are elderly (age 60+) or they obtain a doctor’s note that they are disabled or chronically ill. They also must provide documentation that their companion animals have been spayed or neutered and cur- rent on required vaccinations. If they are not, we refer them to the Spay Neuter Action Project (SNAP) and The Pet Network for vaccines. We encourage clients to limit their heart and home to no more than two pets.
What specifically does PAWS do? PAWS delivers monthly pet food and supplies, provides veterinary care vouchers
and in-home support—dog walking, pet waste cleanup and transportation to and from veterinary appointments. PAWS assists people who face choosing between food, health care or medicines for themselves or for their companion animals—folks who will feed their dinner to their pet. This is a desperate, delicate, life-threatening balance. Without PAWS these vulnerable and isolated people would be faced with the heart breaking decision of saying goodbye to their beloved companions. And what hap- pens then? The person’s well-being and health declines and the animal ends up in the already over burdened shelter system. No one should have to give-up their best and only companion due to financial hardship or failed health. PAWS has also a survey and referral program. April 2011 marked the beginning of our 360° Client Wellness Survey and Referral Program. We know our clients; they reach out for their pets, their babies, before they reach out for themselves. We are compelled to take notice when our Volunteer Delivery Driver is their only other regular, trusted
visitor. We are obligated to help when a client asks if their dog’s food is fit for human consumption. We need to be the bridge that helps connect our clients to services that provide them with food, clothing and health
care. When they reach out for help in keeping their
companion pets, we can ask, “Are YOU okay?” That’s the heart of PAWS: Helping Pets, Helping People. It’s a win for everyone!
As the population ages and life spans increase, can you keep up with the sheer number of people needing your services? It’s a major challenge, Bill. With the help of our community I believe we can. We cur-
rently have to turn away 15 qualified people a week and can only add them to our wait- list. But we are working to improve marketing and fundraising, to further streamline services. PAWS just completed our five-year strategic plan with the volunteer help of San Diego Social Venture Partners. The first step was to increase our warehouse and work space which we have accomplished, but we have a lot more work to do!
How can our community help? What’s on PAWS’ wish list right now? We need volunteers; we need schools, social groups, churches and business to host
pet food or cat litter drives. We need San Diegans to step out and attend our annual fundraiser Fiesta del PAWS on Saturday, June 11th. It historically brings in 30 percent of our operating budget.
Describe Fiesta del PAWS. It is a fabulous, festive afternoon garden party held at an historic Spanish estate adjoining Balboa Park. This year’s theme is Dia de los Animales. Festivities include decadent food and drink, live entertainment, silent and live auctions, a pampered pooch area, a dog treat bar by Fido & Co., spin & win by PETCO Foundation, massages for humans, psychic paw readings and other surprises! Well-behaved, leashed dogs get a free ticket and can enter the “Best Dressed Pooch Contest” for a chance to win a year‘s supply of Natural Balance Pet Food vouchers.
To purchase tickets to Fiesta del PAWS online, visit
pawssdc.org. For more information call 619.297.7297. Fiesta del PAWS runs Saturday, June 11 from 4 - 7 p.m.
MAY 2011 | RAGE monthly 13
lisa lipsey and her doggies
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