PAWS (Pound Animal Welfare Society Of Montclair, Inc.) is an animal rescue and sheltering group that has been serving Montclair and the surrounding communities for 44 years. Our organization focuses on at-risk dogs and cats throughout New Jersey. We maintain two small sheltering facilities (one for dogs and one for cats) as well as an established fostering network. Finding forever homes, spay-neuter, and humane education are all central to PAWS’ mission. Rescue and reduce are key principles in our work of finding animals good, appropriate, forever homes; preventing warehousing and/or euthanizing adoptable animals; changing public consciousness about the value of animals and our responsibilities to them; helping address the puppy mills issue; and promoting spay/neuter. PAWS operates as a highly responsive and flexible animal rescue group. Our sanctuaries, along with our strong fostering network, enable us to continue sheltering a limited number of animals in need, often “bully breed” dogs. At any given time, we typically care for about 10 dogs and up to 100 cats and kittens. We provide critical services to the local north Jersey communities, and also assist overcrowded shelters throughout NJ. PAWS connects people and animals, helping in numerous ways: Quality Veterinary Care – PAWS provides optimum veterinary care including spaying and neutering. Foster Homes – Next to adoptions, finding foster homes is most central to PAWS’ mission. Resource for Families – We have been successful in helping local families who have needed to relinquish their pets, but wanted to do whatever they could to ease their companion’s transition. By providing these families help with the screening process, we’ve helped animals land in the right new home, bypassing the shelter system. Humane Education – PAWS speaks at local schools at their request to speak about homeless animals. Valuable Networks – We network with other rescues and shelters as well. When we get inquiries for a certain type of dog, we are able to connect an adopter with another shelter who may have an animal that would be suited to that home. For the past few years PAWS has been conducting adoption days at the Verona NJ PETCO and West Orange NJ PETCO stores. We have been recognized as an Petco Adoption Partner; for several years now, regularly conducting onsite adoption events, and more recently as a Petco Charitable Partner.
Adoptable Cats: To ensure placement into a home best suited to each individual cat, the application process includes having applicants complete our Cat Pre-Adoption Application form, on which we ask for some general information, including two references and a veterinary reference, where applicable. An adoption counselor will process the application, and contact the applicant to discuss any questions or considerations either party may have. Adoptable Dogs: To ensure placement into a home best suited to each individual dog, the application process includes having applicants complete our Dog Pre-Adoption Application form, on which we ask for some general information, including two references and a veterinary reference, where applicable. An adoption counselor will process the application, and contact the applicant to discuss any questions or considerations either party may have. If the adoption seems to be a good fit, a brief home visit will be scheduled. If the applicant rents, a written consent must be submitted by the landlord stating that a dog such as the one being considered will be allowed residence in the building. If more than one application is received for a particular dog at any given time, the applicants will be notified, and the adoption counselors, upon processing these applications, will make a decision, in the dog’s best interest, as to the adoptive home.