December is one of our favorite times of year to slow down, reflect on community, and celebrate the people and organizations who make the world kinder for animals. So it feels especially fitting to kick off this month with a spotlight on PAWS New England, a rescue whose entire mission is built on compassion, second chances, and the belief that every dog deserves a place to call home.
And with Giving Tuesday happening today, we couldn’t imagine a better moment to share their story.
A Rescue Born From Heartbreak and Hope
PAWS New England began the way many great animal-welfare stories do: with a moment that changed everything.
In the mid-2000s, one of PAWS’ founders walked into a high-kill shelter in Tennessee looking for a lost pet. What she found instead were countless dogs scheduled for euthanasia, not because they were unhealthy or dangerous, but because there simply weren’t enough homes for them. That day became a turning point, sparking a mission that would grow into a multi-state rescue network capable of saving thousands of lives.
In 2005, PAWS New England officially formed. What started as a small, volunteer-led effort has since grown into a robust, foster-based rescue serving dogs across the South and placing them into loving homes throughout the Northeast.
Today, PAWS is still 100% volunteer-run, a remarkable feat for an organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes hundreds of dogs each year. Their model keeps operations flexible, personalized, and deeply community-driven. Every dog’s journey is shaped by people who choose to show up purely out of love.
How PAWS Creates Second Chances
What makes PAWS special is how thoughtful and holistic their rescue process is. Their work unfolds in three key phases:
1. Rescue
PAWS partners with overcrowded, under-resourced, and high-kill shelters, especially in the South, where dogs face overwhelming odds. Many of these animals would have no path forward without intervention.
2. Rehabilitate
Once in PAWS’ care, dogs receive veterinary attention, behavioral support, and the chance to decompress in a foster home. Fosters are the heart of this process: they get to know each dog’s personality, preferences, and needs, making it easier to match them with the perfect adopters.
3. Rehome
After recovery and evaluation, dogs are transported to New England, where they meet families eager to open their homes. PAWS’ adoption process is thoughtful and transparent, prioritizing the long-term success of every match.
This foster-centric approach doesn’t just save lives, it builds community. Every volunteer, every adopter, every foster becomes part of the dog’s transformation.
Giving Tuesday: How You Can Help Today
Because PAWS is entirely volunteer-run, donations are the backbone of their life-saving work, covering medical bills, transport costs, food, medication, supplies, and emergency interventions.
Today is an especially meaningful day to support their mission. A gift of any size goes directly toward helping dogs who are already in their care and those who haven’t yet gotten their chance.
👉 If you’re able, consider donating to PAWS New England today.
You can also uplift the broader rescue community by donating to your own local shelter or rescue organization, many of whom are facing record intake levels and rising medical costs.
Giving Tuesday is more than a fundraising moment, it’s a reminder of the collective power we have to make change when we all give a little.
What to Expect This Month
Throughout December, we’ll be choosing a pet from PAWS New England to highlight every Tuesday. Each pup has a story, a personality, and a future that’s still unwritten and you might just meet the one who’s been waiting for you.
From puppies to seniors, from shy souls to adventure-ready companions, PAWS has a wide variety of animals looking for homes right now. We’re excited to introduce them to you.
Why We Chose PAWS New England
We chose PAWS because they represent everything we believe in: compassion, community, and the belief that pets are family. Their volunteers go above and beyond, no matter how hard the story or how long the road to recovery. The level of care, transparency, and heart behind their work is exactly what we love to celebrate.
Their commitment is simple:
Until the day comes when euthanasia is no longer the solution for overcrowded shelters, PAWS will keep showing up one dog at a time.
We’re honored to shine a light on that work.