PAWS of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap was incorporated in 1975 as a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, and was run as an all-volunteer organization for its first 25 years. Although most programs and activities were centered on Bainbridge Island, the organization quickly discovered the need to offer services in the northern half of Kitsap County, WA, which includes two tribal reservations, several small rural towns and a large military presence with a naval base and naval shipyard.
Since its inception, the organization has acted as a resource for low-income pet owners in need, providing financial assistance on a case-by-case basis. Before 2000,
PAWS developed its adoption procedures and operated adoption outreach from area pet stores. In 2003,
PAWS hired its first part-time employees to open its own adoption center. The agency was also offered the in-kind use of a barn property on Bainbridge Island which was upgraded to serve as a sanctuary for “unadoptable” cats and as a preparation/recovery center for cats in the adoption program. In 2013,
PAWS expanded into two new adoption centers, one on Bainbridge Island and one in Kingston, in North Kitsap County. Through this expansion, the agency has effectively doubled its capacity in the adoption program.
Our mission is to advocate, educate, and provide direct services to nurture the bond of companionship between pets and their people, for the health and well-being of both.
PAWS programs include:
- Cat/Kitten Adoption – PAWS operates two storefront adoption centers, cats and kittens are included online through PetFinder search;
- Cat Sanctuary – Open-concept shelter staffed daily, with medical care and support for “non-adoptable” cats; also provides pre-screening and socialization area for our adoptable cats.
- Dog Adoption Personal Shopper Service – Combination of PetFinder, telephone consultation, and in-person visits to Kitsap Humane Society and other local rescue groups;
- Educational Outreach – WagFest, an annual celebration of all things canine, as well as our PAWS information booth staffed at community festivals and events; informational articles distributed through our web-site and monthly newsletters;
- Hartstone Spay/Neuter/Vaccine Assistance – Financial assistance is provided for low-income families for both dogs and cats through partnering veterinary clinics/hospitals and is free for tribal members;
- In From the Wild (Trap/Neuter/Release) – Feral cat management, with spay and neuter procedures provided through partnering veterinary clinics;
- KitsapLostPets.org – Website hosted by PAWS enabling searchable photo listing of lost/found pets;
- PALS (Pets and Loving Seniors) – Seniors who own their pets receive regular visits from staff and volunteers to provide wellness checks, nail trimming, etc. to support retention. Healthy older cats (age 9+) are permanently fostered with seniors seeking a pet companion. PAWS retains ownership of the cat and pays for food, litter and visits to the veterinarian;
- PAWS Pet Food Bank – Donated pet food, bagged into portion sizes by our volunteers, is picked up by families in need at partnering food banks;
- Phone Counseling – Hundreds of calls handled annually by trained staff to assist families with difficult behaviors and transitions;
- Veterinary Assistance – Financial assistance for low income families to help them keep their pets healthy and part of their family for a long time to come.