Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) is a volunteer-based, nonprofit organization that provides for the comprehensive needs of pets of seniors and low-income persons with HIV/AIDS or other disabling illnesses. By providing this essential support, educating the larger community on the benefits of the human-animal bond and advocating for the rights of disabled individuals to keep service animals, PAWS improves the health and well-being of these individuals and the animals in their lives. Located in San Francisco, PAWS is celebrating its 20th anniversary this October and has served thousands of people and their pets since its founding.
Whiskers’ owner was a long-term PAWS client. Despite a serious disability and low-income status, his owner worked hard to provide a stable and loving home for his cat. He had arranged for a friend to move into the apartment to take care of Whiskers when his health took a serious turn for the worse. He was in the hospital when someone broke into his apartment and murdered the man taking care of Whiskers. The cat was the only witness to the horrible, senseless act of violence.
**Get the October 2007 issue of CAT FANCY to read the full article.**