- P.A.W.S.
-
Pets Are Wonderful Support 
Abbreviation P.A.W.S. Motto Pets Are Wonderful Support Formation October 1, 1987 Headquarters San Francisco, California Region served San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego Website www.pawssf.org P.A.W.S. or Pets Are Wonderful Support is a North American network of non-profit organisations that advocate the value of the bond between humans and their pets as a means to extend a person's quality of life and life-span, specifically elderly or disabled persons. P.A.W.S. provides subsidized pet food, veterinary care, pet medication and human services such as dog walking, litter box cleaning and transportation to thousands of clients.
History
P.A.W.S. was founded in San Francisco, California in 1987 as part of the response to the HIV/AIDS crisis, when volunteers at the San Francisco food bank noticed that HIV/AIDS patients had used the food supplied to them to feed their pets. P.A.W.S. was founded on the belief that no one should have to choose between taking care of themselves or their pets, and that pets give their owners the energy and motivation to live a better, more fulfilling life. More than thirty other P.A.W.S. chapters have since been founded.[1]
P.A.W.S. San Diego County
P.A.W.S. San Diego County was originally founded in 1993 in Northern San Diego County, as "P.A.W.S. North County". The founder operated the organization out of her own home, and used her own car to deliver the ideals of P.A.W.S. to San Diegans.[2]
In 1997 P.A.W.S. North County expanded its services to low income, disabled, chronically ill and elderly clients. In 2001 P.A.W.S. San Diego County was founded when the P.A.W.S. Greater San Diego office was absorbed as a result of a financial crisis. In 2005 P.A.W.S. San Diego County doubled the number of its clients and partnered with the San Diego Humane Society to share office space and storage. In 2006 P.A.W.S. San Diego County found the permanent home it is in today, just off of Euclid & El Cajon in San Diego.[2]
Today, P.A.W.S. San Diego County has grown to such an extent that they have outgrown their location and are searching for a new one.[2]
Categories:- Charities based in California
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
- Non-profit organizations based in San Francisco, California
- Non-profit organizations based in Los Angeles, California
- HIV/AIDS
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