We adopted a rescue dog from Tennesse. PAWS was very thorough in their application process to ensure, insofar as possible, a good fit. They have good guidelines for the foster families and introduced us to the woman who was fostering the puppy. She was very communactive and sent regular pictures and updates during the adoption process. We live in northern New England and PAWS put in a lot of effort to bring the puppy to a location where we could easily pick him up. All in all, we were very pleased with our interaction with everyone at Paws and the entire adoption process.
We welcomed our second dog through working with PAWS New England, and it was such a great experience. We fell in love with a puppy who we knew would quickly be a great match for our family and especially our older 12-year-old dog who showed signs of slowing down and loneliness. Being a two-dog household has been so much fun.
The foster mom was so hands on throughout the process. Letting us know so much about this pup so that we could be confident she was a good match for our home. The home visit was thorough and made me realize how very much PAWS cares about their dogs - ensuring they are matched with the home that is right.
If I ever want to adopt another dog, I will return to PAWS!
This rescue is fantastic. My boy came up on transport while I was on vacation and they found a foster for a week until I returned. I was getting pics and updates the whole time I was on vacation. very easy to deal with and any/all questions or concerns have been answered. I would not hesitate to adopt another animal from them.
Paws New England and all of their staff and volunteers and the entire network that they have are completely AMAZING. Paula, my adoption coordinator, is one of the kindest people I have ever met. Joanne, the leader of the pack (lol) is so generous and sweet. Their hearts are in the right place, and all they want to do is put the right dog with the right family. I have been so blessed to know these lovely people and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Please rescue a dog from Paws New England, you will not be dissapointed and you will have an amazing experience.
Our extended family has worked with PAWS NE for more than 4 adoptions. Molly (fka Bonnie) was a great addition to my family. She's goofy, lovable and smart. PAWS takes great care of the animals with their army of volunteers and legit partner organizations down South.
We LOVE our PAWS babies.
I fell in love with a dog that was boarding at my workplace through the rescue and offered to foster her. As soon as my resident dog met her, they instantly clicked! It was a sign because my resident dog is super picky with his friends. After 8 months of being on the fence about adopting her, we decided that we couldn’t break the bond they formed. Fast forward 3 years, she’s living her best New England life! I also decided to volunteer for Paws as well, what better way to give back❤️
We were looking for a sweet dog and went on PAWS NE to take peek at what dogs are available. I also went on their Instagram site to see what dogs might be close by for a visit.
We came across a sweet Mama Dog, Samoa, that looked sweet and cute and just happened to be at a local brewery that weekend for a meet and greet. We went and met her and fell in love. The volunteers were so nice and answered so many of our questions.
The process was very thorough and went smoothly. Our foster Serena was able to do a FaceTime to meet us and the rest is history. I would highly recommend finding your dog through PAWS. They were so helpful and kind.
I first encountered PAWS NE at an adoption event in the fall of 2024. I had one dog already, and wasn't really looking to add another, I just wanted to go pet all the dogs while enjoying a cold beverage from the brewery hosting the event. Then I noticed a shy girl doing her best to go unnoticed and was immediately drawn to her. A few weeks later I filled out an adoption application and brought Honey home. Now I have two great pups to hog the bed at night and follow me everywhere I go!
The adoption process with PAWS NE was very straightforward. They were thorough in making sure it was a good match for both me and the dog, but not overly intrusive. The adoption coordinator stayed in touch throughout the process so I always knew what the next step was. I felt that the adoption fee was more than fair considering she was already spayed and up to date on her vaccinations.
We had an amazing experience with PAWS New England, as we found the sweetest, most loving dog - Petey. Petey was found living outside in Texas and when we saw photos of him, we knew he was the one. PAWS was very easy to work with during the vetting process and I appreciated how much care they put into making sure we were the right fit. 10/10 recommend this organization and we were are still monthly donors since adopting Petey in May 2020!
I support Paws New England as a monthly donor because I believe in their mission of rescuing neglected, sick, elderly dogs as well as pregnant mamas, you name it from overcrowded shelters. Regardless of the need and how big the challenge, Paws takes on cases that many rescues cannot. The messages that are posted about the challenges many of their dogs overcome is so inspiring. All of this takes hard work, dedication and most of all money! Since I'm not in a position to foster or volunteer to provide support to Paws, I donate monthly and boost social media posts and daydream about adopting all of the dogs.
I have been a supporter of Paws New England since December 2014 when I adopted my first rescue through their wonderful organization! Their staff is totally dedicated to finding the right furever home for their precious pups!
I adopted Gabbie, a very rambunctious chihuahua, at the age of 3 years & she is now 13 & going strong!
I adopted Jake, an absolutely adorable Dachshund mix, at the age of 12. Six months after his adoption, Jake was diagnosed with bilateral anal sac cancer. He had surgery to debulk his cancer, followed by several rounds of chemotherapy, until his cancer metastasized. Even though his time with me was short, I was so blessed to have him in my life!
I adopted Charlie, aka, Charles Lickens, a very spunky senior Dachshund, at the age of 12. Charlie is now 17 & he hasn’t slowed down one bit.
I am just so grateful for all the wonderful people at Paws New England! They are truly angels here on Earth!
The enclosed photos are of Gabbie & Charlie and Gabbie & Jake, my precious canine kids. I will forever be grateful to Paws New England for bringing them & Jake into my life!
I have had the pleasure of being a foster mom for PAWS New England since August of 2024 after losing my sweet girl Rosie in July. Rosie had the best foster mom, and becoming a foster and helping other dogs in need seemed like the perfect way to honor her memory. Since August, I was able to foster and help 5 amazing dogs find their forever families. I feel so grateful to be able to make a difference and be part of such a wonderful organization that has helped so many animals in need. PAWS New England tirelessly and generously goes above and beyond to save as many animals as possible. I am so proud to be a small part of their community and all that they do to be a voice and savior to animals that deserve the very best life!
We adopted our dog through Paws and had the absolute best experience. The foster mom we were put in contact with was amazing. So helpful and we still stay in touch. Everyone was very upfront with our dogs needs and temperament. The organization has even reached out after adoption was final to check in. This community and the support is very rare to come by. We love our dog and couldn’t be more happy we adopted through Paws. I would highly recommend getting in touch with someone from this organization if your interested in rescuing.
I chose PAWS New England, yes, because the pup photos were so darn cute, but also because the agency seemed to really care about the dogs. Some rescue agencies seem to be more focused on making money, but PAWS really cared for the puppies, the mother, their health and especially where they were headed to next. This is my first dog, so I had a lot of questions. Everyone was very patient, helpful and very honest in their support. I would definitely adopt through this agency again if we wanted our family to grow even more!
Paws of New England has been amazing for us! We’ve adopted two beautiful pups in the last two years. From the start, they were diligent in evaluating our applications and making sure we were a good fit for each dog. The communication was excellent throughout the process, and they were always available to answer any questions we had. The care and attention they give to their animals are clear, and we are so grateful for the love they’ve brought into our home.
Previous Stories
From the moment we welcomed Velma into our home, it's been an absolute delight to see her blend in so beautifully. The adoption process with Paws of New England was incredibly smooth, which made everything from the start even more comforting. Velma has been doing great! She instantly bonded with her new brother, Pancho, and they've been inseparable. Watching them play and establish a close bond has been heartwarming.
Velma has also adapted well to her new environment, sleeping through the night without any issues. This smooth transition is a testament to the wonderful work done by the adoption agency and her inherent sweet nature. Overall, we couldn't be happier with how well Velma has adjusted to her new family and home. It's like she was meant to be with us from the start!
We were able to find and quickly adopt a small puppy to keep our older dog company after the passing of her brother. We were able to coordinate with the foster family once we were approved. Everyone we interacted with was delightful and clearly had a lot of love for our newest member of the family.
We adopted Brindley, formerly Gumbo, on January 1. The foster mom was wonderful. She provided Brindley with some great foundations in behavior. At first she was anxious around men in particular, but she gradually got over this.
She loves to play, take long walks, and go on car rides. She cuddles at night. She may have chewed a few socks and an old towel or 2, but no big deal. The majority of the time she is well behaved around people and other dogs. She loves going to the dog park and playing with other dogs. She goes outside no matter the weather: sun, rain, snow or freezing weather.
PAWS New England provided us with so many resources and tools to make this a great adoption.
Brindley has been an absolute joy.
PAWS is absolutely wonderful! We have adopted two dogs from them who have been the absolute best dogs we could have ever imagined.
We adopted Mabry, aka Mabel, in November of 2023. She has been such a love that absolutely completes our family. It is very satisfying to know we are giving Mabel her best life ever. She loves playing with her older sibling, Harmony, and loves to try and play with her older cat siblings as well...not as easy as it sounds. Lol
We had been looking for a puppy to add to the family for a while when we came across Brahma (now Brody) from Paws New England. Although they are very careful about who they place their animals with, they make it a very smooth and easy process. Each person I had the pleasure of speaking with was very kind. I even got the opportunity to speak with Brody's foster mom and ask questions so I could be sure he would be a good fit for our family. We love Body so much and are extremely greatful to paws for bringing him into our lives!
We had the best experience with PAWS New England! We saw the post for Mickey and immediately wanted to meet him. He was abandoned in a home in TN and was underweight, yet he was a very active and loving little dog. His foster mother, Kristin, was wonderful with him. She brought him over for a visit and we instantly knew we wanted him to join our family. Just before we were going to bring Micky home, he was diagnosed with kennel cough. Knowing we had an elderly dog in our household, Kristin kept him until his treatment was over and he was no longer a risk to our senior dog. He came with all his records and immunizations up to date and was neutered, all at the cost of the nonprofit. He is such an adorable addition to our family bringing us much joy every day. It is heartwarming to see an organization actually live out its mission, caring for these unfortunate dogs until they find their furever homes. They put the dog's wellbeing first and are devoted to their care and welfare. You can see that for Kristin, it is a labor of love. We are 2 years down the road and still so grateful for little Mickey and the blessings he brings us every day. Thanks Kristin and PAWS New England!
Previous Stories
I adopted Mickey earlier this year. I saw his post on PAWS New England and fell in love with him! It was a very easy process to apply for him. His foster mother, Kristin, was so accommodating and helpful in the process. She got Mickey over to our house so we could meet him right away. It was obvious she took great care of him after his transport up from TN. She was flexible with dates and times and made all the effort to get him to me and follow up getting all his records to me as well. PAWS New England gave Mickey complete medical care and handed him over to me in great condition with all vaccinations up to date and all medical assessments done. He is a very happy, healthy dog despite his unfortunate start in life. It was a great experience dealing with PAWS New England. They did everything they said they would and didn't misrepresent anything. The people who staff this great organization are truly amazing animal lovers and go above and beyond in rescuing these dogs in need and caring for them until they find their furever homes. I'm so grateful to all of them for the opportunity to have Mickey come into my life!
As a first-time dog mom, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience than PAWS. I was so impressed with the entire process. It was well-organized and communication was fantastic. I knew I’d want to continue working with them even if I wasn’t selected. I had an initial phone interview, spoke with my pup’s fosters at length, and had a virtual home tour. These folks go to great lengths to make sure it’s a perfect fit for you AND for the pup. We discussed the financial commitment, the time and training commitment, her specific breed needs, our lifestyles, activity level, and many more important topics. Every volunteer I spoke to was so lovely, kind, and knowledgeable (Noel, Denise, Kristin, Sarah). They were fast friends and I’ve kept in touch with all of them. I even received pictures and videos of my girl as we moved through the process. It’s clear that everyone at PAWS truly cares about all of these animals. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to make a serious commitment to adding a furry friend to their family!
Paws helped me find the perfect puppy for our family. I wanted a dog that would be my companion and Rip is perfect. He kayaks, hikes, goes on the boat and is a lapdog (at47 pounds) when I need him to fit that role. He is the best dog. Thank you Paws! Nicole Dexter was his foster and Suzanne was key during the adoption process.
We have adopted 2 babies from Paws and can’t say enough about the organization. They are truly dedicated to finding the best fit for both dog and human.
I adopted max at 9 yrs old . He is my little love . Cora Ellis was his foster mom. It was the best situation . He is still going strong ! I would definitely adopt from this rescue again .
We adopted are sweet boy coleslaw after our little dog Sam passed away from cancer. They made the process seem simple and I tell all my friends and family to go to paws new england.
I've adopted two dogs from Paws NE. All of my interactions with the org and its volunteers have been so positive. The process is thorough but not cumbersome, volunteers are knowledgeable and responsive, and I didn't feel forced in to the adoption or left to figure things out on my own. Highly recommend PawsNE. Can't say enough good things about this org and its volunteers. Very well run.
This sweet birthday girl (9 yrs old today) came home to me in Dec 2021. PAWS NE volunteers were wonderful to work with and let me know what to expect every step of the way. (Even though she is the 3rd dog I’ve adopted through rescue each handles process differently). They really really care about their roles in finding their countless pups the bestest forever homes and go above & beyond!
I recently lost my dog unexpectedly to cancer. It was just after the new year and I was heartbroken and crushed. He had been my long time companion and friend during the last 13 years of my military service. I was so lonely and depressed I thought it might help if I could meet some rescue dogs. I saw Lolo on PAWS New England’s website and felt like she might be a good match. Ohhh but when I met her I was in love!!! The folks at PAWS made the adoption process so easy and the foster family was so supportive. I love this rescue and the fact that they really care about each pet and the adoptive family. ❤️
In Nov 2012 I adopted a chocolate lab from PAWS New England. When I adopted her it happened very quickly and was unable to meet transport. PAWS went out of their way and met transport and spent the day with her and met me at my job at the end of my day. I can not say enough about PAWS New England. Coco was the sweetest and most lovable dog and my families best friend and companion. Unfortunately we lost her last night unexpectedly but we are very thankful for the 12yrs that we had. Thank you PAWS for allowing us to be her family.
PAWS was great to work with. Open communication and made me really feel like they had my best interests in mind along with the puppies as well. I now have my best friend and helped saved a life due to the hard work of this organization! Highly recommend using them. There have definitely been bad experiences with other rescues, not this one though! Always offering resources and help even months after having your new pup!
The PAWS New England team clearly care so much for their rescue pups and we are so happy with our Jada. Ali, Jada's foster mom was wonderful through the adoption process and we are so pleased with how happy and healthy Jada is! Thank you so much for everything!
We are so happy to add Harley and Gypsy to our family! They’ve only been home for a few days and they are doing beautifully! We will always be a boxer home, and we are so happy to give these two beautiful girls the best life they can possibly have! Thank you Paws New England for adding to our boxer family!!!
PAWS was incredibly thorough, informative, and really screens and vets all players in the equation. They are committed to “the right fit” and recommend the best resources. They take the time and really care! We’re so glad we found Sugar!
My husband and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this organization! Everyone we have come into contact with has been so helpful, caring, and generous with their time and advice! We are first time dog owners, so this was very important to us. Dolla… now Penny has fit in beautifully with our family, and we couldn’t be happier! Highly recommend 10/10 to anyone looking to adopt a dog!
I cannot say enough good things about Paws NE! We adopted our beloved Amata from them in 2013 and were lucky to have her in our family until we had to let her go last year due to cancer. After grieving our sweet girl, we decided that the best way to honor her memory was to open our hearts and home to another rescue in need of a loving family. This time we adopted our wacky Lulu, again from Paws NE. She keeps us laughing with her zany antics every day!
Paws NE is organized and efficient and it is evident that their agenda is to find the right home for each of their pups.
Paws NE’s network of volunteers is amazing, and I must especially single out Lulu’s foster mom, Lauren C., who single handedly rescued Lu’s pregnant mama, Hunney, from the side of a busy highway and opened her home to her so that she could give birth to her beautiful pups in a safe, loving place. Lauren has kept all of the adoptive families from Hunney’s litter in touch and we could not be more grateful to her! ❤️
We had a great experience with Paws New England. They listened to all of our wishes and concerns about adopting a dog and were super thoughtful in presenting available dogs. We have a loud house with 5 kids and are not an easy match for a lot of dogs. They have a very comprehensive screening process that I found helpful. There was plenty of people available to answer questions both during the matching process and after. The volunteer who fostered our dog has gone above and beyond in helping us and we are still in touch 6 months later.
I adopted a puppy through PAWS New England. They were very thorough, proactive, caring and understanding. You could tell that they had both the animal's and human's best interest in mind when going through the adoption process and after! They are incredible group of people doing good for all of our furry friends!
I had an exceptional experience with Paws New England. From the moment I expressed interest in Jonquil (now known as Betty), Julia went above and beyond to ensure that the adoption would be a perfect match for both me and the dog. Since I have a senior dog and 2 cats, I wanted to make sure the dog I adopted would fit in with my family. The dedication to making the adoption process as smooth as possible was truly remarkable. Throughout the entire adoption process, Paws New England consistently prioritized my comfort and satisfaction. They patiently addressed all my inquiries and concerns. I was able to speak with foster mom Meg who put my mind at ease. I cannot express enough gratitude to Paws New England for their professionalism, compassion, and attentiveness.
Since bringing my new companion, Betty, into my home, she has seamlessly settled in and become an inseparable part of my life. Betty's favorite place is right by my side, whether it's snuggled on my lap (BIG lap dog!) or nestled beside me in bed at night. The joy and enrichment that Betty has brought into my life is immeasurable, and I attribute this happiness to Paw New England’s unwavering commitment to their work.
To Julia and Meg, I am sincerely grateful for the positive impact you have made in both Betty's life and mine. Your dedication to animal welfare and the genuine care you extend to each and every adoption is truly commendable. May you continue to be blessed for the incredible work you do.
We had been looking for a puppy for months. We wanted the right fit for our family. We saw Angelina on pet finder and filled out an application. PAWS was a great organization. We had clear, frequent communication with their team. We had an adoption coordinator, another volunteer who did our home visit. We had frequent communication with the foster family. Weeks before Angelina came to live with us we had photos and videos and knew all about her.
When you adopt through PAWS you have a support team that you can contact at any time. They suggested training materials and gave practical advice for our new pup. We were so happy with our experience!
I have adopted three rescue dogs from PAWS and have been impressed each time with the dedication, excellence, and commitment of this organization. Their mission is to rescue dogs who are otherwise vulnerable to euthanasia in "high kill" shelters. I look at my beautiful shepherd mix and my little Scottie and I thank god every day that PAWS cares about ALL at risk animals, not just those in MA, and that they consider EVERY life to be of value, even animals who have been neglected and abused so severely. PAWS leadership and team are on top of the many complexities of placing animals in new homes and work with integrity and care to be sure all is well. This vote comes with my strongest recommendation that PAWS New England be recognized as the amazing non-profit organization that it is!
PAWS New England coordinated a beautiful union between our new pup-Petey and us. We had been looking for quite some time for the right fit. We were clear with our strengths and the type of dog we desired because we already had a 10 year old, female, lab mix and a 6 year old, female golden retriever. Petey exceeds our expectations. He is handsome, smart, sweet, playful, adventurous, energetic and super friendly. He loves everyone and every dog he meets. He's wonderful. We can't imagine our lives without him.
PAWS New England representatives were friendly, informative, and caring. They really want to make sure that the dog matches the family as much as the family matches the dog. We were interviewed in order to know that we were the real deal. I valued that aspect a lot- they care about where their dogs are going. If and when it is time to adopt again, PAWS New England will surely be our first option.
Working with Paws was such a great experience. Everyone really cared about the dogs best interest. Working through the adoption process was so easy and I was always kept informed of next steps. I was even able to talk to foster mom and get updates. What an amazing rescue. And the best part is we ended up with such an amazing puppy. He blended in with my 4 other dogs like he has always been here. He is so sweet and we are having a blast with him.
Our family was very satisfied working with Paws New England to adopt Eddy. The group was very helpful, honest, convenient, and a pleasure to work with!
I adopted Duncan the cutest little Jack Russel Mix. I had the best experience talking with everyone especially Duncan’s foster mom Cora. Everyone was so knowledgeable and made it a very easy adoption. I would absolutely adopt another dog from paws of New England and maybe sooner than later because Duncan might like a sibling!
What an incredible rescue agency. They truly show they care for the pets in their network, and spend the time and energy finding the perfect and safest families. Rescued one puppy 4 months ago, and in the process of getting another at the moment. Will never rescue from another agency.
PAWS New England was an absolute joy to work with, responding to my adoption form quickly and walking me through the process. Everyone was friendly and knowledgeable and I couldn't be happier with my new four-legged family member. If/when I'm looking for another companion I will definitely be starting with PAWS.
We adopted our Pup at 11 weeks old and Rose (f/k/a) Otter is now 6months old. She has added so much joy to our family’s lives and has become best friends with our cats. Paws of New England was very thorough and wonderful to work with. I would adopt from there again in a heartbeat! I am still in touch with Rose’s foster mom in Tennessee and also in touch with the adopter’s of Rose’s brother. We get the pups together for pupdates. Overall she was vetted and cared for very well and Paws of NE is very invested in her well being and health. I am very grateful for our Miss Rose
My family was so fortunate to adopt through Paws New England. Not only did we get the most perfect pup for our family, but the process of working with this rescue was beyond incredible. It was so evident that every member of the Paws’ team loves dogs and wants to ensure the best life for every dog that comes through. They continue to offer support after adoption and we could not be more grateful to them. We love our Apollo and we love Paws NE.
I worked with Paws New England to adopt my dog. They were fantastic throughout the process - and my dog was heartworm positive (which they told me) and they paid for her treatment and worked with me to get it scheduled. Everyone was very pleasant, and I ended up with an amazing pup. They do great work saving these dogs in the south and getting them great homes in New England. I'm forever thankful for them for bringing me my pup!
I am very grateful to Paws New England because I was able to find my four-legged daughter Nala!! she is very affectionate and best friend of my princess Camila.
Marvin was a senior pit bull wandering the streets of Memphis. Fortunately he was picked up by a local rescue. Paws New England had him transported to Rhode Island to a great foster home where I was able to pick him up. Paws New England accurately described him as a sweet dog. He gets along with my beagle. They are best buddies. Paws New England did extensive research to make sure the adoption would be successful. I am very grateful to be matched up with Marvin.
I got my Bella through PawsNE in june of '15, she was a bit over a year old, 13 lbs when I got her and she was terrified of me, of children, women, etc. The appearance of spatulas, shoehorns, flyswatters and even mildly loud curses would send her hiding either under the bed or under my truck depending on where we were at the time though it diminished over 6 months by which time she grew by 50%. I learned patience and she learned that any negative feedback from me for failing a lesson was short, 15 seconds perhaps and all was forgiven as we moved onto something else.
I'm retired and she's with me constantly on the river or working in the woods here. Folks love her and she loves them all including very young children. I got service dog status for her which is a godsend. She is welcomed everywhere because she is so happy and well behaved. I couldn't ask for a better partner.
I would have given PawsNE a 5 star rating and should have just for providing me with the fantastic pup but... It took 3 months to adopt her at the time with very little feedback from them until one night I checked my mail at 8 o'clock to see mailings within the hour from PawsNE. The first mailing told me that Bella would be in Hartford, Ct. at 3 am the next morning. What??? I live on the canada border 6 hours driving time from Hartford. The 2nd mailing dealt with the fact that they hadn't charged me the $400 or so for the dog yet and I dealt with that with a C/C soon enough. However someone at PawsNE arranged to have another person picking up a pup from them that lived hours closer to Hartford pick my dog up as well. They called me and I met with them at 7 am 3 hours south of here to take the dog.
About Bella, the dog herself, all I ever hear from folks is that they'll take her anytime. At the pub she's expected and welcomed more than I am. I thank PawsNE for keeping her alive as she had a lot of homes before I got her as I found out when I called a number on a vets' report of months earlier. She and I will take a long, months plus driving trip to see family throughout the west next fall as I have a service reunion to attend. The idea of leaving her behind with friends never occurred to me.
Lets see what can I say! My husband and I adopted a basset hound (William) from PAWS NE a short time ago. We immediately fell in love with him. Did he have issues - yes, needy yes (that is the nature of the breed lol) vocal absolutely, some would say whiney. I think to myself how he must feel, an older dog having one owner all of his life and then having to leave to a stranger because his owners could no longer appropriately care for him because of their age limitations. How crushed he must feel. So all I can do is give him all my love, some quality of life, become besties, and when I sometimes lay down with him at night (him being on the dog bed and me on the floor), I get a blanket to cover us, I cuddle right into him and know that he knows he is loved so much and for that time there are no worries. Thanks to the great staff member at PAWS NE who took a great deal of time placing him with the right owners and boy did she make the right decision lol!! LOVE THIS DOG 4-EVER !!!
PAWS New England needs to improve their vetting process to make sure that dogs are put into a loving home that provides for their needs. My wife brought home a dog from PAWS New England without my permission. I wish that PAWS New England did some sort of vetting to make sure their dogs were going to a good home. Would a short home visit by a local volunteer be too much to ask? Or a phone call to me making sure that I'm on board?
I haven't seen my wife take the dog for a walk in months. The dog deserves better. PAWS New England, please make sure your dogs are being placed into good homes.
Four years after our first dog passed away we knew it was time for a new pup. We saw a post on Paws New England’s Facebook page and fell in love with this sweet puppy who’s rescue story really touched our hearts. As first time adopters this was a new process for us and Paws New England’s volunteers really helped us every step of the way! We were able to get updates from both the adoption coordinator and the foster along the way as the whole process took a little over a month since our puppy was much to young to make the travel from TN to New England. I would recommend anyone I know who are looking to adopt from Paws New England. We are so grateful to have Kane apart of our family!
I will forever be grateful to Paws New England for the wonderful experience of adopting my beloved Annie who was a stray on the street in Texas. They made sure Annie had all of her shots, was spayed, and thoroughly checked out before she went up for adoption. Annie’s foster family was so nice, knowledgeable, organized and 100% dedicated to Annie finding the best home. I don’t want to think about where this sweet, funny, and adventurous girl would be without Paws NE. I am so thankful she is mine and I get to be her mom.
This is the second time we have adopted from Paws and it has been a great experience both times. They take the time to make sure that the match is a good one for both you and you’d dog. They provide great resources to help you and your new family member adjust. I would recommend Paws New England to anyone looking to adopt!
Truly no better organization I’d rather volunteer my time at. PAWS is 100% committed to every single dog that they under their wing.
Almost one year ago we were introduced to PAWS New England when we saw a post with the sweetest puppy, with the biggest ears. A year later we can’t imagine life without our big, goofy, lovable boy. From his fosters, to the coordinator, and everyone in between, the adoption process is so thorough. In my opinion, the PAWS volunteers go above and beyond to make sure these dogs get placed in the best homes possible. Our boy Tobey couldn’t have been a better fit for us; he fit right into our lives and is everything to us. We will be forever grateful to PAWS and the fantastic work all of their volunteers do!
My husband Chris and I have adopted both of our dogs through Paws NE and we could not recommend this organization enough. Our first pup Brewster came up from Tennessee in March of 2020 - he was Heartworm positive and we decided to take on his treatment so we could have him with us sooner - every person we worked with in the process of bringing him home and getting him healthy was kind, compassionate, and prioritized Brewster’s health and happiness as number 1. After a little more than a year with Brewster in our lives and a move to a bigger space we decided it was time for a second dog. It was a no brainer to work with Paws NE again. Just days after deciding it was time to start looking Fred was posted on the Paws NE Facebook page, I immediately fell in love with her, and the rest is history. To this day I still get messages from the women who found Brewster on the streets of Tennessee - and encouragement of all kinds. Fred’s foster checks in on a regular basis. Paws NE isn’t just an organization, it’s a community that I’m grateful for on a daily basis.
We adopted our dog Albus from PAWS New England two years ago. From start to finish, the adoption process was very positive. They even set up a Facebook group to connect us with the other owners of Albus’s litter so we are able to share pictures and keep in touch. We recommend PAWS to all our friends who are looking to adopt a dog
I lost my first dog last July, and once I was ready for my next I started looking and came across PAWS New England. The process was super easy and quick, I loved how communicative everyone was. I was able to get in touch with the southern foster and get to know more about the dog I was adopting. It was a match made in heaven, love at first sight even…because I saw her picture and I had to have her. She melded right in and went with the flow and went everywhere with me. I call Jade my social butterfly because she just wants all the love and wants to say hi to everyone she meets. She is a love bug, and I honestly think it’s because she has only been loved since the beginning of her life and I am so appreciative of this rescue for getting her on the right track to early. And because of how social she is, we are able to give back and foster puppies. This rescue is filled with so much care and love not only for the dogs but for each other. If someone needs something or has a question everyone is eager to help. I tell everyone I know about PAWS NE, it’s the perfect little community.
We adopted our Finnegan through Paws NE. Finnegan came to us in Massachusetts from Tennessee The adoption and the foster were most helpful with questions and concerns about this boy. Finnegan was abused before being rescued. He has come to us with a lot of fear, anxiety and trust issues. We are working so hard with him to not only show him, but prove to him we will never hurt him.
Joanne, the founder of Paws NE, has been an exceptional help. She has reached out to me personally and provided help for not only Finnegan, but for us as well. Joanne has reached out to other volunteers who have been angels.
We have volunteered for another rescued who have been great but they do not always follow though the way that Paws NE does. We highly recommend this organization! I’m sure we will be adopting from Paws again in the future. This is the rescue you want to use when searching for your new 4 legged family member.
I would give them 10 + stars!!
Dawn Bankert
I have adopted dogs 6 times - 5 from other organizations. I have filled out over a dozen applications in attempts to adopt in the past. I have learned "The Process" is often painful, it is tedious and often it is intrusive and overall inexplicably difficult to the point of being inhibitive.
Adopting from PAWS New England from the beginning was none of these. The application is straight forward and simple. The contact and interviews were honest and matter of fact while being fun. The entire time I was adopting my new puppy I was kept informed as to "the behind the scenes" necesities. This entire episode has been celebratory and wonderful. I felt supported in my efforts to open my home and heart to a new puppy. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the people that do the work and the mangement and care that is obvious in every step along the way.
I adopted my dog Kalder through PAWS New England about two years ago, and when we decided to adopt a second puppy a few months ago I knew there was no other rescue I’d rather work with! They are so passionate about the animals, and out a lot of work into making sure that their dogs get matched with the right home for them. I recommend PAWS New England to everyone I know who is considering adopting a rescue pup! Attached is a pic of my two pups, Kalder and Sadie ❤️
I'm fortunate in that I've been able to adopt two wonderful girls from PAWS New England over the course of two years. This entirely volunteer run organization was extremely thorough, and really ensures that their dogs end up in the best homes for them. My adoption coordinators were kind, efficient, and detail oriented; my home visits were accompanied by final rounds of questions to really make sure I could provide the right home for the right dog. I cannot express enough how positive my experiences were, or how highly I recommend this rescue. These folks truly care about their dogs and do everything they can to ensure long, healthy, happy lives with the right families. I'm very, very grateful.
Paws New England has changed our lives. We are a couple with no children in Nova Scotia and wanted to have the companionship of a pet but wanted to do it in a way that would benefit a pet without a home. We got lined up with this organization through my cousin’s wife (they foster with Paws) and we went through the process to adopt our sweet boy , Tobey. Tobey has been the biggest blessing in our lives and we couldn’t imagine life without him. Please if you have the room in your home and your heart check out this wonderful organization. Brandon (Canada)
We found PAWS New England through Petfinder. We have now adopted 3 dogs from over the years!!.All different breeds and ages!!!.Their dedication to all the rescues is immeasurable!!..We are part of the PAWS family and wouldn't have it any other way!!
We adopted Kula in May fro Paws New England. It was such an incredibly smooth process! Everyone was so helpful and professional. We are so happy!
Meet Maggie, the new light of our lives. We will be forever grateful to Paws of New England for rescuing Maggie, her seven brothers and sisters and Mom, and allowing us to make her part of our family. Paws of New England did their due diligence to ensure that Maggie was being placed in a responsible and loving environment. Maggie’s foster parents Melinda and Andrew and their two fur babies helped Maggie to get adjusted to her new life. At only 14 weeks of age, Maggie came to us already knowing how to sit on command and with a tail that wags non stop. She continues to grow, learn, and thrive. Our hope is that we will make her as happy as she makes us. I wish continued success to this organization and to all the wonderful and generous volunteers that support it. ❤️
after setting out to find our families new best friend, I came across the paws organization & their available rescue dogs I found VADER.
I also saw that he had a few siblings and all of which were very very cute and they just kind of lingered in the back of my mind for an entire day maybe more than a day even. I was very happy that I submitted my application of interest for him as soon as I did because just looking into his eyes in that picture said everything I needed to know.
to my surprise once VADER got home with us he was exactly what we needed which I was actually a little afraid of him not being a good fit.
we had this dog potty trained in one week or less, we trained him to do simple commands and he’s followed them all and exceeded our expectations tremendously. The one thing I really do have to point out is the fact that I was only required to drive half an hour from my house to meet the person for VADER!!! and he came all the way up from Tennessee so that speaks volume on their behalf!!
next time that I need a dog or want to donate to a organization like this I will always return to paws of NE!!!!
also I really appreciated the in-depth zoom appointments calls and even the check ups after the adoption took place.
they really make sure that these rescue dogs are going to a great home and we have given him nothing short of that.
The adoption process was easy. Our baby was brought up from Texas and brought to her fosters. We met her and fell in love with the sweet girl and brought her home a week later
I have adopted 2 dogs from Paws New England in the past year. I can’t say enough good things about Paws, they put the animals first and do their diligence to ensure that each animal is going to a safe and loving home. In my experience they are completely transparent about the personality and medical history of each dog, no surprises! They also take on costly medical cases and cover the cost of treating preexisting conditions like heartworm disease even after adoption. I recommend Paws New England to anyone looking to adopt.
Valentino's story (aka ROLO) is a happy ending thanks to all the efforts of the volunteers at PAWS New England! Our adoption coordinator, Shelley was fantastic. Deborah, was his foster mom who had recognized that he was such a sweet & deserving dog that had been overlooked for 10 mos at Tipton County shelter in TN. As an adult, male Pit bull terrier in a large shelter, his odds of adoption there were not so good & although Deborah already had 8 dogs in her care, she decided she just had to take him in. We spotted his adorable "glamour shots" & description on PAWS' website and had to know more about him.
Deborah & Shelley were so forthcoming in sharing the info that my family needed to make the decision to adopt out of state, sight unseen. In fact every single person at PAWS New England was amazingly helpful & a pleasure to work with! We live in midcoast Maine & Shelly was able to recruit 3 kind volunteers to help relay Valentino from CT to ME after he was brought by transport from Tennessee. It's been 4 months since we brought this boy home & we couldn't be happier. We continue to let everyone that we know about PAWS New England & our wonderful experience.
I hope this review finds anyone who has the misfortune of having to rehome their dog/ Forgive the length (I usually try to be brief), but in a situation that can be so remarkably difficult, I hope some of the level of detail provided will ease some of the pain & nerves.
Our dog of four and a half years bit our 15 month old daughter - resulting in a stitch to her head & laceration on her eyelid that has thankfully healed. It wasn't an isolated event - we had a previous scare & a hand full of minor incidents. While our dog by no means was aggressive in nature, his high levels of anxiety mixed with a perpetual need to be in the mix of things proved to be a poor mix for a home w/ an increasingly mobile toddler. We made the decision to rehome our dog - a decision that was both easy to make, while remarkably painful.
The obedience trainer that we had used had connected us with NE Paws - and I genuinely can't say enough nice things about them. To say they went "above & beyond" our expectations would be a disservice to the amount of work & empathy that was shown.
The foster mother (Lauren) connected w/ us on a video conference call the day we reached out to them - even though she was on vacation seeing her daughter & grandchildren. She was incredibly kind, understanding & patient - as she listened to my wife & I blabber through tears explaining the situation. On that call she committed to staying in constant contact, giving the dog a great transitional home and allowing us to be apart of the adoption process - and she absolutely delivered on each and every front.
We dropped our dog off at the foster's home - which honestly seemed more like a dog resort. Plenty of space inside & an enormous fenced in backyard with a ton of space, toys everywhere, a plastic kiddy pool, etc. The foster mother's husband (Gary) proved to be just as kind as Lauren, walking us through all the sorts of things they do w/ the dogs including walks, hikes, trips to the beach, etc. They also discussed their overall approach to fostering - a week of observation before listing the dog, including some boundary-testing so they could get a full understanding of what would and would not be a good home for the dog. Once the dog was listed we could be involved (if we wanted), and they would have no reservations about declining an application if they didn't see it as a fit.
We were sent home with a hug & words of encouragement from Lauren, as well an entire box of kleenex that we absolute most certainly needed. We were told to reach out to her w/ as many updates as we needed, and a smiling photo of our dog was sent to us via text even before we were home, shortly followed up by an update on how he had done on his first walk.
The week of observation we were sent plenty of photos & text updates. When NE Paws felt they identified a good fit for our dog, Lauren reached out w/ a few follow-up questions she had to make sure it would be an ideal fit. We'd connect with the gentleman who wanted to adopt that week to address any outstanding questions he had. Afterward, Lauren reached out to us to make sure we didn't have any outstanding concerns with the adopter, while relaying to us that she'd made it clear that it'd be important for us to stay in contact w/ him.
Re-homing your dog is an awful process. NE Paws can't make it not painful - but it'll be immediately clear that you are in as capable of hands as possible - and you will be consistently re-validated throughout the process of that.
We were finally ready to rescue another dog to join our family. During the pandemic it was not easy to find dogs let alone a lab-ish puppy we were seeking. I was fortunate to hear about this rescue from a friend and I reached out immediately. We were lucky enough to get one of the Tennessee "Snow Puppies" that needed homes. The process was very smooth the communication was excellent from coordinator Joanne and foster mom Fong. We couldn't be happier with our girl Juneau joining our family! PAWS of New England is an excellent organization and highly recommend them.
Our adoption coordinator, Terri, and the foster family were so wonderful to work with during the process of adopting our dog. As first time dog owners (primary), we understood why our many applications were not chosen but were glad PAWS New England decided to choose us to adopt our dog. Both Terri and the foster family were very communicative throughout the process, answering all of our questions and keeping us updated until we got to bring her home. We also felt like they were very honest and gave us as much information possible about her temperament/health. While it was an adjustment for our dog to move from a more wide open area to city living, she is doing great. When we had issues with some reactivity, the PAWS team sent us resources and local organization that could help us. All in all, we would highly recommend PAWS NE to anyone interested in adopting a dog.
We have adopted two rescues now through this organization. They are both our first rescues, we adopted one 3 years ago and then one most recently a year ago. I can’t rave about this organization enough. They are so organized, the process is detailed as it should be but not so difficult it is impossible. You get right away the people donating their time here really care about the animals, they devote their time so selflessly to the cause. Our first pup came up on a big AC-cooled, well run truck. It was so cool to see other people line up to welcome their new pup. It was a very special experience, I felt like a new mama! Haha. Second experience, we adopted her directly from foster and they were so accommodating, as we had been past adopters. Adopted another literal angel. We have had so much success with them and we thank them every day they have done all the hard work so we can share our lives with our two gems. Specifically Joanne and Chris are amazing. But everyone there is amazing.
I had been trying to adopt for months, going through every organization I could find, applying for dog after dog. I kept getting denied again and again, mostly because I was a “first time dog owner”. I felt I was being treated so unfairly because I have more experience with dogs than most and I have wanted one of my own for so long. Then I came across PAWS and although I wasn’t a right fit for the first dog I applied for, the coordinator saw my passion and wanted to help me. She took the time to find another dog that she thought would be a great fit for me and set me up with his coordinator. I’m so glad she did because it kickstarted the process of bringing my Alfie into his new forever home. The volunteers of PAWS were friendly, polite, helpful and efficient. The process went much quicker than anticipated, especially after applying elsewhere for months on end, and next thing I know I’m speaking with the foster. He was also great and let me set up a meet and greet and I ended up taking Alfie home that same day. I’m so grateful for everyone I worked with and would absolutely recommend working with PAWS. Overall best experience I had with a pet adoption agency and I worked with at least a dozen. So thank you all!
Absolutely fantastic group of people. I was supported every step of the way and they were transparent about my dog's history and needs. They continued supporting me after the adoption and I can't be more grateful for the care and support of Ting and myself.
Izzy came to us in September 2020. We lost our beloved Edgar in June and we were and still are completely devastated from the loss. We wanted to give another deserving pup a good home and PAWS helped us do that! Izzy is the sweetest, funniest, silly girl! We can not imagine our lives without her and I think Edgar sent her to us! Every person we have come across from PAWS has been amazing! I tell people about PAWS almost daily!! We are so grateful to each and every person that works there!
I adopted my puppy Winter “Winnie” in January. Through the adoption process i could tell that this organization truly cares about sending pets to their forever home. My adoption coordinator Sam was excellent and communicated frequently. Once winter was with her foster family, i got daily updates and pictures. The family also used the name i had picked out so she would be used to it. Some friends i know have adopted through different rescues and did not receive the same level of coordination. 10/10 would recommend this organization and will adopt from them in the future.
We adopted Cooper through Paws New England in January, 2021. The process could not have gone smoother! We are especially thankful to the foster family in Tennessee. After they received our contact info from Paws NE they contacted us and while we waited for his arrival they shared pictures, his schedule, personality traits, likes/dislikes & more. They even asked what we planned to name him & started to call him by our chosen name to get him used to it. When we began our search doe a dog, I truly believed the “right” dog would find us and thanks to Paws New England, he did.
Thanks to PAWS New England, Spencer was a shining star in our families pandemic experience. He has brought so much love, adventure, comfort and fun into our lives. Our rescue experience was perfect. We worked with a few volunteers from PAWS New England who educated, supported and inspired us during the adoption journey. We cannot express our thanks enough!
We adopted Bola through PAWS NE and had such a positive experience! All of the staff and volunteers were so helpful and supportive from start to finish. They answered all of our questions immediately and took care to ensure that we were getting the support we needed. Bola is 7 months old now and we’re so thankful to have her as a member of our family. Thank you to everyone at PAWS NE for helping us rescue our beautiful girl!
We adopted our puppy, Dottie, in December 2020. Coming to us in Massachusetts all the way from Texas, the PAWS New England team including the foster in Texas supported us every step of the way; always ready to answer questions at the drop of an email. Dottie is 7 months old now and when we ran into a snag in her training we reached out to PAWS whom then immediately connected us with their behavioral team and within 24 hours we were receiving support...at no cost to us beyond the initial adoption fee. They’re a wonderful organization and my family and I look forward to working with them again in the future!
I adopted my dog Cinnamon in July of this year from Paws New England. I had applied for dogs on pet finder and other organizations, but hadn’t had any luck-until I applied through Paws New England. The process was pleasant and everyone who works for Paws truly cares for the animals and ensures they go to great homes. Everyone was professional and kind, and super helpful when it came to any questions or concerns I had. Cinnamon has been such an amazing addition to our family! We still stay in touch with Donna and her foster Mom Gina. Cinnamon even went and visited her! I can’t say enough great things about this organization. They truly do God’s work!
My husband and I adopted a Beagle/Lab mix rescue named Penny through PAWS NE and the experience was perfect from start to finish. Everyone we spoke to -- all empathetic, knowledgeable, loving women -- Terri, Joanne, Nancy, Dana and Kathy -- were super helpful. If you are on the fence about adopting through PAWS -- jump off -- they are well worth your time and investment.
Ted S. and Burke P.
Deep River, CT
My experience adopting my pup, Kiwi, through Paws New England was nothing short of incredible. Everyone I worked with through Paws, from adoption coordinators, to “virtual” home visit coordinators, to Kiwi’s foster mom, was so helpful and knowledgeable throughout the process. PAWS takes the time to ensure that each dog is going to the perfect home. I couldn’t be more pleased with the support I received along the way—and I ended up with the perfect new canine best friend!
PAWS NE helped my family find a perfect fit for us. My boys and I are first time dog owners and our adoption coordinator Dana S. was there for every single question we had. She walked us through the process and stayed in touch throughout. Foster Nancy R. gave us more info and shared photos of the boy we eventually made part of our family, Hubert. He was a perfect fit for us and quickly became a part of our life. We can't imagine things without him now. We tried other adoption programs but are quite grateful that we found PAWS NE. They have stayed in touch with us and are genuinely interested in Hubert's journey. We 100% recommend them and have suggested them to friends and family. -Mike Smith
Very accomodating! My roommate needs an ESA and was told one dog didn't fit, but then received suggestions and help to find others. Definitely one of the best shelters around.
We adopted both our girls, Lyla and Salem, from PAWS New England, Feb. 2017 and May 2020. Working with our PAWS adoption counselors and other volunteers were wonderful. PAWS provides you with lots of pertinent and important information right up until the actual day of adoption. They are happy to answer any questions promptly. We had excellent experiences with PAWS NE — and two of the best dogs ever!!
Previous Stories
We adopted our sweet Lyla from PAWS in February 2017. PAWS co-founder Joanne is a former neighbor of ours and we saw on a daily basis the deep commitment and love she had for her PAWS foster dogs. I saw Lyla on the PAWS Facebook page and was immediately in love. This 3-legged beagle/terrier just stole my heart. We had telephone conversations and emails with her Texas foster family that helped tremendously in getting to know her before she arrived in Massachusetts. We still share photos and updates with her foster family! The adoption process was smooth and informative and very professional. We absolutely ADORE our Lyla! She is an amazing addition to our family. Thank you PAWS!
We had a great experience overall with PAWS New England! We've been so pleased with our dog adoption, and all the help they've offered along the way. After we adopted our pup, we were contacted regularly checking in to see how we and the dog were adjusting. They provided resources for training and education, they provide services for spaying/neutering (included in the fee), and they even chip the dog as well. We've been so pleased with the entire process, and we'd do it again in a heartbeat!
My family and I are so thankful for Paws New England! I had been looking to adopt for a while, then our 9 year old shepherd, Gunner, passed and we stopped looking for a bit. After a few weeks I just longed to have a companion again, I missed Gunner every second of every day....my husband was not convinced. That all changed one Friday evening when I saw "McKinney" and showed him...he immediately said "apply for him." His adoption coordinator, Donna, was so sweet! She put me in contact with the foster Mom, who I still speak to almost daily, as well as helped me set up my home check! Everything happened so fast and I was beyond elated for it! I applied for him on a Friday and got to pick him him the following Saturday! He is now named Zeke and I could not picture our family with a different dog. He is crazy, curious, so affected and just the most adorable guy ever!
Paws New England’s was Amazing!!! Amber Connors was my adoption coordination and she did a great job. She connected me with my sweet boy Wyatt’s foster parents and I was able to ask them questions as well as them getting a chance to know me. Amber made getting my boy super easy and even when I was a little stressed out in the beginning she was available for me to talk to and advised me of a few tips. I had a cat at home and we were not sure if Wyatt was good with cats but Amber worked with the foster parents and the amazing foster Family was able to get Wyatt cat tested and he did such a great job! I fell in love with Wyatt at first picture! Him and I were meant to be and he’s the best dog I could have ever asked for! It was great not feeling alone when adopting a dog for the first time. Paw New England is amazing and I recommend this nonprofit to anyone and everyone.
We adopted our beautiful Jenny from Paws New England. They have been so supportive throughout The whole process, and 3 weeks later they are still checking in. They truly care about the animals they rescue and ensure they are sending them to a loving home. I highly recommend adopting a dog from them.
Excellent experience from start to finish. Laura was amazing in facilitating everything with our puppy adoption. Thank you!
I can’t say enough good things about my experience at PAWS New England! Our adoption coordinator, Laura, was the best! There was always great communication and Laura was so willing to answer all of our questions, big or small. I love that everyone that works for this organization are dog lovers and truly want to place these dogs in the best home possible! I am forever grateful to PAWS for allowing us to adopt our girl!
We were looking for a puppy to adopt during the pandemic as our elderly dog had just died. I had been looking around for weeks eventually found PAWS New England and a litter. I filled out an application and from the point where my application was received to the day we picked up our dog, about one month later, PAWS New England was incredibly helpful and professional. All the steps described in the adoption process were followed with care. Even after we got our puppy our adoption counselor Paula made herself available to check in with for advice and updates. We could not be happier.
We adopted a 3 year old mix in June and the experience was seamless. We spent time speaking with the foster family, the coordinator and eve got personal engagement from the co-founder to ensure that everything was going smoothly. It is our first dog as a family and she has fit in so nicely. I would recommend PAWS to anyone looking to adopt!
Paws New England help us fill a huge paw shaped hole in our hearts. Not only did they help us, but they also fill the same paw shaped hole in our lab, Scrappys heart too. They gave a an amazing girl we named Sage, and she’s become such a bright light in our lives. Everyone involved in Paws I encountered was so nice and helpful, the adoption process was great. Sage has become an amazing little sister to scrappy, and they’re inseparable, whether they’re chasing each other through the yard, wrestling in the living room, or snuggled on the couch. Thank you Paws for helping us find the missing puzzle piece to our family.
My fiancé and I experienced a lot of difficulty looking for a puppy during the pandemic. Ariana from PAWS worked with us tirelessly to find us a puppy that would fit in best with our lifestyle. She was extremely communicative and positive throughout our experience and we couldn’t be happier with the new addition to our family! Would recommend PAWS New England to anyone looking to rescue a deserving pup.
Thanks to the great work of PAWS New England we were able to adopt our precious puppy Rocco. All throughout the process we worked with wonderful people who care about saving animals and giving them their best lives. Between the Adoption Coordinator Amber, the virtual home inspector Lisa, and the foster family, we were incredibly impressed with the friendliness and professionalism of the PAWS community. I sing their praises to everyone I meet and can’t stop looking at all the other dogs that need loving homes.
We adopted a pup from PawsNewEngland back in Feb. of 2020, which they recused from a puppy hoarding situation in a southern state. The process was very detailed but yet simple because we had an adoption coordinator who was fantastic, Ariana. She walked us through each step kept us informed. The foster mom Fung, who had our pup prior to her coming to us, was so nice, she sent us photos and videos, met with us for a meet & greet, always available to discuss food & supplies. All prior vet paperwork was provided. The home inspection was also super easy, the volunteer worked with our schedule, was friendly & punctual. Our puppy was already trained and social, I think due to the fact that she wasn't kenneled but in a home with a foster family, we liked that and considered this vital. If we decide to add to our family again we will definitely adopt through PawsNewEngland. She is such a happy dog and couldn't imagine our life without her now! Thank you to all the outstanding volunteers @ PawsNewEngland.
I have been volunteering with animal rescue groups for a decade or more. After moving to the New England area I decided to join PAWS of New England as a foster parent. I must say that this is a group of stellar, dedicated individuals that work together seamlessly to find the right home for the animals that come up from the South. I am proud to be able to be a part of this team and to be able to make a difference.
I am also a adopter of a PAWS dog, and I am grateful that I was able to adopt Sophie, our newest best friend.
I have been volunteering for several years now and this is one of the best rescues I have worked with. Everyone works together for the good of the dogs and no dogs are left behind or looked over due to extent or expense of medical issues. The people I have met through this organization renew my faith in my fellow human beings everyday with the love, compassion they have for the dogs and the commitment everyone has to make sure every dog gets the best chance they could possible get.
I joined Paws New England almost two years ago. My initial intent was to offer short term help after Hurricane Harvey. The experience was so positive, I decided I wasn’t going to be a “one and done”.
The infrastructure and support enables me to do more than I was able to do in a smaller organization.
We couldn’t be more pleased with every aspect of our experience. From the moment we saw our dog, Desi Lu, on the PAWS NE site, the process was straightforward and the coordinator and the foster mom were the perfect combination of supportive and helpful to us, while vetting us thoroughly for the protection of the dog. We are so happy to have the perfect dog for our family and to be able to provide a good home to a dog who really needed one. Many thanks to all of the hardworking and caring volunteers at PAWS NE.
Paws New England has taken in 3 stray dogs I've helped over the past year from the Memphis, TN area. They completely vetted each dog including spay/neutering and found them awesome homes with northern families. While the dogs were me, PNE paid for everything they needed including vetting, food, treats, and transport to their new families. PNE was very professional and proficient. It was a complete joy to work with PAWs New England!
We've adopted two of our dog's from Paws New England. The adoption process is thorough and the support throughout the process is amazing. We highly recommend Paws New England and absolutely adore our Paws dogs Nora and Mr. Fezziwig!
Previous Stories
We adopted Callie from this organization. We couldn’t imagine life without her! Paws made sure we were a good match and a happy home for her.
We adopted Kylie in July of 2018. She is the most loveable dog. She loves to give kisses, cuddle with her human family,play with her fur sibling and friends.
Thank you for allowing us to add her to our family.
Previous Stories
We adopted our girl four months ago a and could not be any happier with hers and the PAWS family! This organization made sure we were the right fit and that our puppy would be in a good home! Thank you for what you do!
PAWS New England was top notch from beginning to end in our adoption process! In my opinion, we were a tough family to match. I was determined to adopt again, not only because I love dogs but because the loss of our 13 year old pup had left my 80 yr old mom who lives with us without a companion. We were complicated because of our 2 yr old twins- anxious, reactive dogs would not be a good mix... ha! A simple match in the rescue world ❤️. We had a horrible experience with an agency who apparently prioritized getting a dog a home over getting a dog the RIGHT home, which could save the already traumatized cutie the hardship of another transition, not to mention the toll it took on our family. The Paws team was very cohesive and worked to find us a great addition. They were clearly invested in the well being of all and called attention to potential problems before we all agreed that our Sadie would be a perfect fit for our family. I’m so grateful that they clearly were looking at the full picture. If you are looking to adopt a dog use PAWS New England!
My Ellie is a Paws Alum, 8 months now, and is just the sweetest gentle soul. I am constantly impressed by the dedication and drive of all the Paws volunteers. Definitely an organization I highly recommend supporting!
We adopted our wonderful dog Lucy from PAWS New England 3 years ago. They really take the time to make sure the pup is a good match to your family. We had a volunteer come out to our house to verify that we were who we represented ourselves to be. They checked out our house, yard etc. the foster families are a blessing and when we picked up Lucy she filled us in with what we needed to know. Love the work that they do!
We are two-time PAWS New England adopters and cannot recommend them enough! If not for PAWS, both our pups may have not have made it. Otis (adopted in 2014) was found as a stray in Tennessee with advanced heartworm disease and Wrigley (adopted in 2018) was brought to a shelter in Texas with a partial amputation that needed repair. PAWS stepped in to get them comprehensive medical care and amazing foster care while they healed. Throughout the adoption process and beyond, we've gotten nothing but transparency and support from the dedicated founders and volunteers. I follow the PAWS dogs online and am so impressed by the number of dogs they are able to save — from puppies to seniors to special needs. We feel super lucky to have added Otis and Wrigley to our family and can't thank the great folks at PAWS New England enough.
After less-than-ideal experiences trying to adopt from a couple other rescues, we learned about PAWS at an adoption event. It was clear from the start that PAWS was different. They don’t just want to place dogs, they want the best match for both people and pet. Adopters are fully vetted, dogs are honestly evaluated so you know what to expect. The amazing volunteers and foster families do everything possible to ensure a successful forever pairing.
Both our sweet boys came to us from PAWS; Max joined our family 5 years ago and Scooter became part of the pack 3 years ago. We were hesitant because wouldn’t have the chance to meet Max ahead of time, taking him home right off the transport from down south. Joanne reassured us before adoption day and kept in touch after to make sure we and Max were getting on well. Scooter was fostering in MA, and we were able to meet him with Max before finalizing his adoption.
The PAWS does rescue/adoption the right way, and we recommend them to anyone looking to add a furry bundle of love to their life!
Last year I decided I was ready to find my “fur baby”. I came across Luca on the PAWS adoption page and instantly fell in love with her. I knew right then I needed to adopt her and give her a forever home. I live in Massachusetts and she was in a foster home in Texas so unfortunately I was unable to meet her prior to adoption. At first I was skeptical about it but the process they took to make sure she was a good match for me put me at ease. I spoke with a woman from PAWS who explained the process to me, then had someone come to my house to make sure I was a suitable pet owner and that Luca would be taken care of. Following this I then was able to speak with her Foster mother, Betsy, who assured me she was a wild child but had a loving, fun personality. Betsy was very honest and I was appreciative for that. 2 weeks later I drove to the drop off location and was given Luca and knew I made the right choice. She has been such a joy to have. She greets me with kisses in the morning, she plays well with other dogs and has been working on her bad habits but without a doubt I wouldn’t trade her for the world. PAWS helps so many animals in need and I absolutely will be adopting from them again in the future!
We are so grateful to PAWS, Amber our coordinator, and Betsy the amazing foster momma, for creating the path that led to Lily becoming a part of our family! The entire adoption process was expedient, thorough, and overall a very positive experience! Great efforts were made to make sure she was a perfect fit for our family, and we couldn't picture another dog filling her shoes as well as she does.
PAWS NE helped us to find the absolute perfect addition to our family. Poppy (fka Eve) was my third application, but we are SO glad we got her. My daughter and I needed her just as much as she needed us. The fosters are amazing and work very hard to make sure their foster pup is a good fit for your home. The adoption process was smooth with accurate information from beginning to end. Please please adopt from PAWS and help support an amazing rescue team!
I got my dog Oceana from PAWS New England in November 2017. From the foster mom, from TN who reached out to me and always made herself available to my texts and calls, even after the adoption to the adoption coordinator and the volunteer who visited my home everyone seemed to really care about Oceana and finding her the best home possible. Oceana is such a sweet and happy dog and I am so thankful to PAWS for bringing her into my life.
We adopted our little man Buddy from PAWS New England in 2016. The overall experience was amazing. The quality of their web site, the amazing variety of rescued dogs that were available, the thorough nature of their vetting process for adopters, the efficient process for actually obtaining your rescue, and the kindness and efficiency of the staff, were the very best we have encountered.
We highly recommend PAWS to anyone considering adoption.
And, Buddy agrees with all of the above.
PawsNE helped bring this beautiful girl (Princess Buttercup) to us a little over a year ago! Everybody (adoption coordinator, home visit coordinator and her southern and northern fosters) were so helpful, so encouraging, and so patient with us as first time puppy parents. I cant rave about PNE enough. I wish I could rescue more furry friends.
Paws NE is the best rescue! We got our dog from them five years ago. They are trustworthy and truly an amazing group of angels. They really evaluate each dog’s needs and find the best fit for the animal and family.
Zara (fka Hattie) has been the best addition to our family! Our first rescue needed a companion to help break him out of his shell and Zara has been the perfect match! The process in obtaining Zara was not as overwhelming as through other rescues we had looked into. Her foster mom was very flexible in meeting us and encouraged our other dog to come meet her as well. Zara is social and friendly and loves to play. Now that she has a baby sister she has proven to be the best big sis as well! She is so great with our one year old! We are grateful to have had such a great experience!
I adopted my best friend Bruschi from the rescue in 2009 and I loved what they do so much that I wanted to get involved. I started fostering for them in 2010 and I have fostered over 30 dogs with the group. They are so committed to their dogs- supporting adopters with advice, training for adoptable dogs with behavioral challenges and trying to match families with the dog best fit to their family. I found my second dog, a senior pit bull type, Cheyenne, when I fostered her and decided she would retire with me. Can’t say enough good things about this group.
We rescued our Pup almost a year ago. His transition from Texas was seemless and PAWS helped every part of the way from the adoption coordinator to the foster, the special transport and finally a backyard delivery! I was so inspired by all the volunteers, I have begun volunteering for PAWS myself and telling everyone I can about this great organization!
Katy, Bobby and Ziggy!
We adopted our 2 perfect dogs from PAWS and could not imagine our lives without them. Both dogs were from TN. Our first perfect girl Lilly Lou was 16 weeks old and was fostered in MA. Everyone at PAWS was so wonderful during the process, that 6 months later, we adopted our second dog, a 10 week old little guy who was being fostered in TN. PAWS arranged transportation for him and on super bowl Sunday last year, he was all ours. We could not be happier to have them and without PAWS, it would not have been possible.
I fostered for PAWS until I moved out of New England a few weeks ago. If you are thinking of volunteering for PAWS, do it. You will not find a more helpful, organized, informed, and caring group of people. Fostering for PAWS is as flexible as you need it to be in terms of schedule, the types of dogs you foster, and the degree of your involvement with the process. If you're worried you won't be able to let your fosters go, you'll be so impressed by the quality of PAWS' adoptive families, and a unique feature of PAWS' is that as a foster, you can get to know adopters really well during the process so you feel confident about your foster's new family. Fostering for PAWS is so easy, and it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I'm grateful for the experience and can't recommend it highly enough.
We adopted our girl from PAWS New England last year to add a 2nd dog to our family after losing one of our labs. Shortly after adopting her we lost our 2nd lab. Having a puppy really helped fill in the hole and we can’t imagine life without her! Adoption was a breeze and everyone is so friendly. My mom adopted her dog through PAWS and a neighbor just did as well!
I adopted my rescue girl, Tempe, from PAWS NE in December 2014. They were amazing to work with from start to finish. My adoption coordinator, home visit volunteer and the awesome foster mom in TN who I spoke with at length, everyone was kind, responsive, professional and always focused on what is best for the dog. Cannot thank them enough and already look forward to adopting from them again!!
We adopted our Sampson in 2014. He was a great fit into our then big family! Paws worked with us to make sure we were all a great match. I was so impressed with this organization, we put on a food drive for them in our community that fall. Now this year I have fostered puppies for them. I get to see things from the other side. I am amazed and inspired by the hard working and loving volunteers!
PAWS New England is amazing! I adopted a dog last year and they made the process so easy. I was able to talk to the foster Mom and she sent pictures and videos. My PAWS dog is such a great addition to our family and they were so helpful every step of the way. I recommend PAWS to everyone I know and have even had a friend adopt a senior dog through PAWS. They will be my go to the next time I am ready to adopt!
9 years ago we adopted Ruby. Ruby was the best pup ever. She passed away last year from lymphoma. Working with Paws to adopt Ruby was a great experience. They were professional and on top of everything. Once Ruby was part of our family we kept in contact with PAWs NE. It felt like a big family. When she passed they were also there to comfort us. Losing Ruby was one of the hardest things ever. Having Ruby as part of our family was the best thing ever.
Previous Stories
We adopted Ruby from PAWS New England in 2009. Ruby was a lab mix and the sweetest , smartest most loving dog ever. She slept with us every night. If we were in the living room watching TV she was on the couch with us. In 2012 my husband was diagnosed with cancer. Ruby was by his side the whole time he was receiving treatment . When he could not get out of bed after chemo she laid there with him. He is doing well now. Unfortunately this past year Ruby was diagnosed with lymphoma. It was stage 4 and even with treatment we were only able to have her for an additional 2 months. A week ago she passed away. Right up to the end she remained the sweet , funny dog we loved. I cannot thank Paws New England enough for giving us our Ruby. I just wish it could have been longer than the 8 years we got with her, I am so thankful we had her in our life. Our whole experience working with PAWS was amazing. My son and daughter in law also adopted a dog from PAWS NewEngland three years ago. Their Natty is also a sweet special little girl. PAWS New England is an amazing dedicated group of volunteers who do great work. Thank you for all you do and for saving Ruby 8 years ago, and allowing us to have the most amazing dog as part of our family.
We are about to adopt our second dog from Paws New England. He will be our 4th rescue. The staff and foster parents of Paws will literally move heaven and earth to prepare the dogs and their new families for a successful adoption. I would encourage you to read Jude’s story. His foster mother sends me frequent updates. His recovery is a miracle. The truly amazing fact is that the adoption fees are so reasonable and the dogs come neutered and micro chipped. We will be forever grateful.
Previous Stories
PAWS New England brought my first Dog, Noel, into my life around 3 years ago. I was extremely pleased with how professional this organization handled the adoption process. Noel was with a volunteer foster mother who was very knowledgable and was able to fill is in on every aspect of Noel's temperament and habits. We also had a separate volunteer to come and inspect the our living situation and where Noel would live. Having this mandatory process made me very happy. It is far too often adopted dogs are returned because they are not brought into a good situation, and this process helps ensure their "forever home". PAWS did their research and had extensive background on Noel's previous life and medical history. She has 3 legs, and is allergic to certain medication, so this was extremely important. There were no mysteries and no surprises, and I ended up with the best dog on the planet. If you are going to adopt, please look here first!
Previous Stories
My fiancé and I adopted Noel 2 years ago From PAWS New England. This is truly an amazing group of people who saved our little girl! She made it to MA from a shelter in Memphis TN and PAWS made sure she was perfectly taken care with medical care and a loving foster until she made it into her forever home, with us :) The world needs more people like this and more organizations like these!
My first contact with PAWS was in Boston in June of 2014, when I adopted my Mooney, to fill the void caused by the death of Lito from a burst tumor. The vetting process was thorough but totally rewarding. Two years later I wanted to get Mooney a brother. I had moved from Boston, MA to Woonsocket, RI. PAWS, once again, was a great help. Remembering me they cut some of the vetting process, which was grateful. PAWS is the only rescue group I know of that allows you to pick the dog before the vetting process begins. Most groups do the vetting first and then the dog you were hoping for has already found their forever home. I can't recommend PAWS enough, they are the best group around.
Previous Stories
I've used PAWS NE twice and both times it was the very best. Two years ago I adopted Mooney and the adoption was do quick my head was spinning. PAWS is the only place I know when you begin the adoption process you pick the dog you want upfront. And they help you with picking up your new member of the family. So, when I decided Mooney should have a brother I returned to PAWS and fell in love with Joe and the process was even faster. I always mention PAWS when a friend is looking for a,new dog.
We adopted Wembley 3 years ago. He was adopted multiple times and returned, Paws New England took the time to work with us and Wembley. He has been such an amazing dog and he is so happy in his new home. We were very lucky to find him and for him to find us. We love him very much and couldn’t imagine life without him
I got my baby Rusty Ryder FKA as Ryder Roo from Paws and Ive had him for almost a year now and I couldnt love him more! Great experience, easy adoption!
We adopted Mint Julip in June 2017 and absolutely love her! We call her JuJu or Mint or just Beautiful. Melinda Rondeau and her husband of Massachusetts were the perfect foster parents for her. They taught her to sit and she was house trained when we got her! She is a clever little girl who loves other dogs and cats. She is still leary of new people but we're working hard to help her be more social. It seemed like it took forever to get the adoption thru but now it seems like she has always been a part of our family.
How lucky could we be to have found PAWS of NE and our little princess, Molly! We have had her for almost a year now and she is the biggest joy to my husband and me. We were unfamiliar with PAWS, but found Molly while searching online. We had recently moved to our favorite retirement destination, when we came in contact with Elaine through PAWS. Funny thing was this foster mom was from a community close to where we used to live so I recognized the telephone area code and exchange number when it was given to us. We had several conversations with Elaine and she explained that even though she was Molly's foster mom, she had also adopted her. But after a while, even though she loved (and still does!) love Molly, she had to give her up because Molly was not happy. She had other foster animals, and she knew that Molly wanted to be the single dog in the family. Elaine did this for her love of Molly. After being approved we were able to meet Molly. The first words out of my husband's mouth were "She's beautiful!" Shortly after meeting our princess, we had a situation arise that would cause us to delay our adopting her. The staff at PAWS worked with us and Elaine was gracious enough to keep her until we could take her. We didn't want to lose her!!! When it was time for the delivery day Elaine came to us. We know how difficult it was for her. We were all in tears. But she said she knew when she met us that we were the right family for Molly. We most certainly still feel that way!!! The other great part of this relationship is that we have family back in Elaine's community, so every time we get a chance to go back, we let Elaine know, and we all meet up for lots of hugs. And Molly still runs to Elaine every time for kisses! What does that say about a great person, and foster & adoptive mom? Now Molly has a "dadda & a new momma," and she loves all of us. Thank you so much to PAWS of NE for not only finding us a new furry baby, but also a new dear friend who we can still call for advice if we need to!
Paws NE was so amazing to work with. We originally had taken in a dog from extended family and tried to work with this dog who was a sweet boy but didn't like my kids. I was put in contact with Joanne from Paws who was great and took in this little fella who needed a quiet home. She was able to find him that home. In turn she said she would help us find our family dog. I had looked through the adoptable dogs who fit our criteria and our beautiful Ziva was one who I had really liked. Joanne contaced Zivas foster Diane who happened to live close by. It worked out that we were able to have a meet and greet with Ziva. She was an absolute joy and sweet girl. My kids liked her and she responded well to them. Which was our number one concern. We had another visit and it sealed the deal. We now have had her about a month and we feel like she's been with us since she was a puppy. Our family is complete. She has such a sweet personality and extremely playful. We would like to Thank Paws for helping our family with finding loving homes for not only one dog but for two.
Paws New England was so great to work with! We originally adopted a dog who was very shy and skiddish. We hoped that after some time she would warm up to our family but after a month she was getting worse instead of better. She was scared of our kids and wouldn't go near my husband. Her local foster mom Lauren was in constant contact checking in to see how we were doing. She was determined to find us the family dog we wanted. We decided to bring the dog back so she and us could find a better fit. When we brought her back we met Jackie Lee and instantly knew she was the right fit. Paws was awesome about the exchange and paying for care for an infection she had when we took her home. They also found a forever home for our first dog Telsa and I heard she's doing great! Lauren continues to stay in contact and I now consider her a friend. I would highly recommend Paws to any friends wanting to adopt.
I worked with PAWS as a foster for the amazing pups that come this way! They are a wonderful organization that work very closely to make that these pups receive the best homes possible!
Where do I begin....this adoption process has been a great one. We adopted Christina, now named Lucy from Texas. She was a stray and heartworm positive, like many of these poor pups. We saw her on line and fell in love immediately. We started the adoption process and we're greeted by Kristin Sweeney. The process was very comprehensive and rightfully so, you need to make sure these pups are going to the best home. Our Lucy was fostered by Tara Tennant and family so she could go through her heartworm treatment. Tara is a beautiful and generous person, who fosters many dogs and gives them a nice transition to their forever home.
Lucy arrived 3 weeks ago and has settled in nicely, she is sleeping in my bed right now and will always have a place there for the rest of her life. She will be pampered, fed the best food and will go for many long walks. She will never know pain or heartache again. She is truly in her forever home. We love her so much! Thank you to all the volunteers, you are all gifts from God, please continue to do the work you do and save all these beautiful fur babies....God bless.
We adopted Twiggy on Thanksgiving morning, and could not be more thankful to the PAWS New England team! Kristin S. helped guide us through all our questions as new pet parents, and Kate and Kim were such loving foster moms. Twiggy fit right in as our little princess, and we can't imagine life without her!
There are not enough words to describe how absolutely amazing PAWS New England has been to both Matt and I. Winston Churchill has now been apart of our little family for a year and it has been the best year of our lives. From swimming to hiking to snuggling our everyday is filled with just that much more love because of this amazing organization. Our adoption coordinator Kristin S. was outstanding! I could not believe how throughly and efficiently the adoption process was. And we could have not picked a better foster family than Debbie and her kids, they gave Winston the perfect start to his happily ever after. We can not wait to adopt again, we LOVE PAWS New England!
We adopted Barkley a Yorkie mix through PAWS New England they are extremely a competent organization putting us through a though vetting process and found the care of their fosters very impressive. Barkley has brought such joy to our lives and will forever be grateful to Elaine and Paws for allowing us to bring Barkley to his forever home......with much gratitude and love ....Linda
PAWS was amazing and so helpful every step of the way. We adopted Aspen in March and he has been a great addition to our family. We have a five year old Wheaten Terrier who has anxiety and they worked with us to make sure that Aspen was the right dog for us. They got us in touch with his foster family and we were able to find out about his personality and get pictures and videos. I have already recommended PAWS to friends getting ready to adopt and would use them again in a second. We love Aspen and have PAWS to thank!
PAWS New England has been amazing - they helped us find our best friend Brody! Everyone we dealt with at PAWS including Tara and Kristin were amazing, and you could tell they really care about the animals they're helping. They kept us up to date throughout, and after dealing with several other shelters, their process was simple and easy to navigate. We are so thankful we found PAWS, and the perfect pup for us!
We recently adopted Thumbelina, a 6 month old puppy. She is amazing and we are thrilled to have her. The PAWS agency and especially Jeanne we wonderful. They are so caring and helped us through the entire process. Thumbelina is so well behaved and you can tell she was very well cared for. Thank you so much for our new family member!!!!
PAWS New England brought an underweight, abandoned American Bulldog mix up from TN in hopes of finding her a forever family.
The day this sweet little dog made the public listings of their website, I happened to look and read her story. My wife and I were moved by this little survivor's story. We contacted PAWS New England to inquire about availability. Months later, Sunny Daze is a happy and healthy treasured member of our family.
The PAWS New England staff have remained in touch and are like her extended family. They're available for advice and are a great support network. I've made new friends since rescuing my pup through PAWS New England and highly recommend people to rescue when looking for a pet.
PAWS New England is top dog in my opinion
We adopted Bandit the summer of 2015. I cannot speak highly enough of his foster, Mary, or the PAWS organization. We had taken in a dog prior to PAWS from elsewhere and it was a disaster, so I was nervous; they walked me through every step, connected me with the foster, encouraged meet & greets, thoroughly vetted *us*, and made sure it was a good fit. Bandit is our love! We couldn't imagine our world without him. He was the perfect fit for our family, and we have PAWS to thank for that!
We adopted our senior (10 yr old) sweetheart about a year ago from PAWS New England. It was such a wonderful experience I now volunteer as an adoption coordinator, transport volunteer and hope to become a foster parent for the organization in the future. This is a group of dedicated men and women who truly care about the dogs and the adopter, always working to create the best match!!! It's a privilege to volunteer for this organization
My fiancé and I adopted our dog Noel about two years ago from Paws New England. PNE saved her life. She had a broken leg that healed incorrectly that needed amputation and horrific mange and later almost died from being allergic to medicine. PNE never gave up on her. After surviving Noel was adopted by someone who ultimately left her at a shelter, and PNE took Noel back when they found out to keep fighting for her to have the life she deserves. Everyone I spoke with during the adoption process was so helpful. I wanted to get Noel before my vacation started, and despite it being a time crunch PNE worked diligently so I could get Noel on time. I love seeing how much PNE loves their rescues when they post updated stories and adoptaversary pictures!! PNE is a truly incredible organization and I would recommend them to anyone considering adopting a dog!
I first became involved with PawsNE in Sept 2014 after I attended a fundraising event for them and met 2 wonderful volunteers. Before the night was over, I applied for a senior dog who needed a loving home. I was not chosen to adopt this dog and that was the right decision on the coordinators part. I could not provide what that dog needed at the time. But immediately I immersed myself in volunteering for this organization and I began transporting. My first transport was for Snip Snip a dog being fostered by the Co-founder J. Hutchinson. I knew that I wanted to more for this organization because everyone I came in contact with was all about the dogs. I was trained as an Adoption Coordinator and have been doing this for 2.5 years. It is the greatest thing I have done in my life! I love helping to find forever homes for these dogs that were at one time, unwanted, neglected and at risk of being euthanized! I have so met so many great people working with PawsNE and I have joined close to 200 pups with new families that will give them everything they need and more! It truly is very rewarding working with an organization who truly cares about these dogs. I work full time, have 7 pets of my own and dedicate many hours to these dogs. The only payment I get is the smile on a dogs face when they get the BEST home!
I believed my experience with paws new england was good until I went to the vet and they determined my dog has lyme disease and has had it since before the adoption process. The vet also determined my dog is 5 when paws told me he was 3. I love my dog, but i am very upset with the misrepresentation of my dog
We adopted our dog Hatcher through Paws NE. He is the best dog and perfect for our family!! Our adoption counselor helped us find the perfect dog , who loves other dogs, cats, and kids. We could not be happier! We would wholeheartedly recommend adopting a dog through Paws New England!
We adopted Lexi from PAWS NE 1 1/2 years ago. Everyone was very professional and caring. Quick to return a call or an email during the process. A friend referred PAWS to us. This past week we adopted our 2nd puppy from PAWS. As with the first adoption all went smoothly and now we have two rescue dogs...
We adopted our Sadie from Paws New England several years ago. The process was easy and smooth. Everyone was friendly and they genuinely care about where their dogs are placed. We are so lucky that they connected us with Sadie - she is an amazing dog! We will definitely go through Paws New England in the future!
Great experience as a new foster with Paws. Such a committed group of organized volunteers who take their roles very seriously. Love being a part of this group!
I adopted my love from PAWS NE a little of a year ago. They were all so nice and I loved the process I had to go through the to become an approved adopter. They aren't letting these dogs go to just anyone who wants them. Most of these dogs have already been through so much already, so they make sure they are going to loving forever homes.
Nash (formally Baloo) was brought to New England from Tennessee. He and his 2 brothers were found in a trash bag after being thrown out of a car window. I can assure you he will be spoiled rotten for the rest of his life. We love him to the moon and back.
I was looking for a playmate for my 6 year old Yorkie mix when I found Lacey Lou on the Paws site. I couldn't be more pleased with Elaine and the entire group at Paws NE. The approval process was quick and painless. I met Lacey on adoption day and it was clear from Elaine's tears as she left her with me that she has a huge heart and a lot of love for the dogs she fosters. Lacey has been with me for a few months and everything I was told about her has been very accurate. She's a healthy fun loving Yorkie mix and is becoming fast friends with my other dog and cat. I couldn't be happier with my experience.
My boyfriend and I adopted our first dog through PAWS and i can easily say it was the best decision we have ever made. Lola was part of the central perk litter and she is the best pup in the world! We had great coordinators to help us through the process and we stay in touch because they care so much about the pups they foster and take care of. We want to get Lola a brother or sister soon and we most definitely will be adopting through PAWS again :)
I adopted my dog from Paws New England in March 2014. The adoption coordinator contacted me within a day of my filling out the online application. She was prompt, open to all my questions and very candid about what it is to adopt a dog sight unseen. We spoke over the phone and another volunteer came in person to do a home check. Within a week and a half of inquiring I was approved and picking up my new best friend from quarantine. Every step of the adoption process was professional, efficient and informative. Best of all I got my best friend! She arrived in Massachusetts safe and sound and I can't imagine life without her!
Paws New England completely changed my life. My boss is a foster parent and I am friends with several volunteers from Paws NE. My mother passed away in May of 2015 of Pulmonary Fibrosis. She was everything to me. I felt so lost. One day I was showing my fiancé one of the foster dogs that comes to my work and we began to just scroll for fun and then there he was, little Sammy! I immediately stopped and said there's something about this guy. We gotta have him. We weren't even looking to add another pet to our family but this felt right. I immediately contacted my boss and Joanne. They bent over backwards to bring Sammy into my world. His foster mom Susie took such great care of him and constantly gave us updated on our guy until we could pick him up. We officially adopted him on Father's Day and renamed him, Gulliver aka Gully! It's been a little over a year and to this day I cannot thank Paws NE enough!!! They're such an amazing organization that changes lives of people and animals. Gulliver is my loyal little buddy who adores me with everything in him and I 10,000% feel the same. Paws NE is ALL HEART! They're all about saving animals and giving them to loving and good homes. They do an amazing job and I owe so much of my happiness to them!!!
We adopted our beautiful girl Rosalee from PAWS New England. Not only were they professional and kind, but they were accomodating in every way. They leaned over backward to help us with our timing of this adoption, due to a cross-country move that we were undertaking. The foster mom worked with us and kept up up to date on our girl while we were getting our new home ready to receive her. We believe that this organization is one of the most caring and well-run organizations that we've come across. The volunteers will stop at nothing to provide many derserving dogs a second chance at a decent life. We will continue to support their heroic efforts as long as we are able to.
Dominique and George Perrin
I adopted a dog last year through PAWS New England. I had detailed conversations with her foster mom, her trainer, and the adoption coordinator before bringing her home. When I did bring her home I was shocked to realize that the organization had definitely concealed an important piece of information on this dog that would be important to any adopter; that she was highly aggressive towards humans (which I had clearly stated to them when I was choosing a dog to adopt that I would not tolerate aggression). Looking back on all of the conversations I had, it seemed that the people working in this organization were very eager to get this dog out of their care. Unfortunately this caused an upsetting situation for both the dog and I. I ultimately decided that the dog had to be relinquished back to PAWS and when i contacted people in the organization they immediately put the blame on me. I reached out to the founder of the organization because it was so important to me that this dog find the right home but she was completely combative and unprofessional. Overall, this organization may mean well but their adoption efforts are disorganized and overall quite shady. You're better off going to your local shelter!
I was considering fostering for a couple years, and then I saw "One Nation Under Dog" on HBO, and finally jumped in. I fostered, and a couple dogs later decided I couldn't let one go, and adopted her. I can't foster anymore, so I help with other tasks that come up. One thing I love about this rescue is you are told when fostering to be COMPLETELY honest when adopting your dog out, and to tell a prospective adopter the good, and the bad about the dog.
I volunteered for PAWS about 8 years ago, I flunked. I ended up adopting 2 of my fosters. The second foster that I adopted came with double pneumonia. Joann from paws covered all the vet's expenses. Joann and paws was there for me thru the whole ordeal. They are a premium non-profit, truly caring and supportive
Marge Varone, Cumberland,R
4014750461
I started volunteering with PAWS about 2 years ago and I am truly amazed at how this group continues to just do the right thing daily by their dogs, volunteers and adopters its an amazing organization. I cant say enough good things, which is why I continue to volunteer my time even though I have a full time job am a busy mom and have my own pack of fur babies
My husband and I are both "Client Served" and Volunteers with this great organization. We have the utmost respect for other rescues but this is the one we have chosen to dedicate most of our time and energy with. Two of our fosters through PAWS came to us with injuries of unknown origin and stayed permanently with us, becoming happy, active members of our pack of four. Both required costly surgeries and follow up care but PAW never considered not making it available to these two little "mutts." Another foster arrived at the TN shelter with her eye dangling out of her socket. She's living large with a loving New England family who adores her.
Like so many rescues and non profits PAWS needs to spend a lot of time and energy raising money to pay for vetting and injuries. Ghandi said the greatness of a nation and its moral progress could be judged by the way it treats its animals. Wouldn't it be nice if all our voiceless beings were treated with unfailing kindness and compassion and homeless animals (and humans of course!) become a thing of our past and not our future?
Paws New England is a phenomenal organization. The folks who run it are kind, well organized, and care so much for every animal they rescue. I got one of my three dogs from PAWS seven years ago. When PAWS rescued him, the shelter said he was so sick and underweight that "he's not worth saving." The amazing people at PAWS took him in anyway and after his health improved, PAWS adopted him out to me. He is the most amazing animal! He's been a therapy dog since 2009, has "modeled" for the local humane society training brochure, helps give out Hallowen candy at our town's downtown kids party and even marches in the town's 4th of July parade (wearing an Uncle Sam hat, of course.). He has the happiest, most loving personality and I cannot imagine that this is a dog who wouldn't be here without the committed people at PAWS.
We adopted Mojo from PAWS New England. She was part of a litter of 7. Her mom and dad also were rescued and adopted. She was born and raised in a loving foster home, which has helped her develop into the amazing and loving pup that she is. We are so grateful to PAWS and their incredible team of foster parents and other volunteers!
I had just lost my beautiful rescue of 10 years. It was heartbreaking! I reached out to my friend Linda, who is also a PAWS volunteer. She reached out to Joanne, the founder of PAWS, and within days I had photos of babies to choose from. I had my precious new baby girl in my arms the very next week (and my friend Linda delivered her to me =). Joanne didn't even know me, but she worked with me on the financial aspect of the adoption and I am so grateful to her for that! I am now Facebook friends with everyone involved in the adoption process of my girl, Sassy; the woman, Karen, who rescued her in Texas and all of her foster moms as well. They are a wonderful organization to work with. As a result, I am now a PAWS volunteer! Love every single one of them!
We adopted our dog from PAWS in 2012, when she was about four months old. A few days before we expected to pick her up from transport, we received a call from our coordinator stating that our puppy, Juliette, had been diagnosed with both giardia (stomach bug causing diarrhea) and demodex mange at her last health check before travel. The coordinator said they would hold her until the giardia had cleared and she was okay to travel, which impressed me in and of itself; they already had our adoption fee and could have easily put a sick dog on the transport, claiming ignorance when she got sick along the way. They also gave us the option of either waiting until the mange had cleared (which could take months) or taking her with their support to treat it. We of course opted to get our pup as soon as we could, and PAWS more than held up their end of the deal. They not only covered all the cost of all the mange treatments, they were in constant contact to track her progress, offer suggestions, and even recommended a specialist when the mange didn't clear up, the cost of which they also covered. Having heard tales from others who have adopted from other rescues and unknowingly ended up with dogs who have heartworm and other illnesses, I know that PAWS went above and beyond what is typical. They want the best for their dogs, and their adopters, and they go the extra mile to make sure it happens.
I began my search for my partner in crime about a year after unexpectedly loosing my dad. I came accross paws through an adoptable pet website. I loved the rescue from the first interaction I had with one of their volunteers. I originally put in for 2 pups that had already began the pre adoptive process. I could have easily moved on and continued with the large pet adoption site; however I decided to wait it out and hope that a purfect for me pup would become available through PAWS. Two months into the constant "adoptable dog" page checking miss Gracie appeared. It was love at first sight and within a month she was running off the transportation truck into my arms wiggling like crazy. The volunteers with PAWS are hands down angels from above. Devotiong so much personal time even after their long days of work and children let alone furbabies. I have always recommend PAWS to family, friends, coworkers and even complete strangers when I hear them speak of wanting a dog. The unbelievable support PAWS gives to families of their adopted senior dogs has brought a tear to my eye on many occasions. Awesome job all!!!! I could not recommend PAWS enough.
I am a volunteer with PAWS New England and also adopted my current dog from them. Just a top notch organization with awesome volunteers. Everyone goes above and beyond to help dogs in need. We love our dog and are thankful she was saved by PAWS New England.
Both of my dogs are rescues from TN that I adopted through PAWS New England. The PAWS New England team are dedicated volunteers who provide the utmost love and support through the rescue, foster, and adoption process. We stay in touch with the foster moms who cared for my dogs in TN and New England. They are part of our family as we would not have found each other without their efforts.
I adopted my puppy Archie from Paws New England in 2010. He was located in Tennessee and they arranged for him to be transported to me. It was a very smooth process to adopt from this organization. The volunteers were very friendly and informative. I was able to speak to my dogs foster mom and get all the information I needed prior to adoption. Before his transport my puppy has a very small health issue, he was treated at the veterinarians and Paws New England immediately informed me regarding this issue. I was very impressed how forthcoming they were. It is now 2015 and I just began fostering for Paws New England and still I am impressed on how they really care and put the dogs best interest first. Paws New England does a great job saving as many dogs as they can. With out this organization may dogs would not be saved, nor would not get the medical treatment and love they deserve and would perish.
Thank you Paws New England for what you do!
I have been volunteering for PAWS for over 2 years. It amazes me how they go above and beyond for their dogs!
I recently adopted my beautiful puppy, Holly, from Paws New England. I am so thrilled by the service that I received from this wonderful organization. My case worker, Roberta, was absolutely amazing!!! She took so much time to talk to me about Holly and the adoption process. Roberta did everything she could to make this adoption work out for me. Holly is the most lovable, adorable, precious little puppy and is a fantastic addition to my family. I could not be happier!!! I would highly recommend Paws New England!!! They truly love these animals and take the time to search for the perfect home for them. If you're looking to adopt a rescue dog... please check into Paws New England... you won't be disappointed!
Why are almost all of the very positive reviews are clustered around one negative review? Looks like a bunch of phony reviews.
I adopted a dog from PAWS in April, and I love her to bits - but her temperament is VERY different from what was described. This was the second dog I had applied for through this rescue. After going through an interview, and having all of my references checked, I was not chosen to adopt the first dog. This was after some confusion where I was lead to believe that I was going to be able to adopt no problem (the foster arranged a time for me to come meet and pick-up the dog!). This was very upsetting, but I figured they were just trying to do their best to arrange the very best home for the dog.
Several months later I applied for a different dog. I spoke with the foster and the dog seemed to meet all of my criteria (good with all people and kids, great with dogs, would be ok living with a pet rabbit). Again I went through the interview process, they contacted my references again, and this time I was approved to adopt. PAWS does not allow you to meet the dog until you have been approved to adopt, and this dog was being fostered 4 hours from our home. So we basically had to take her home with no idea what her temperament was really like. But based on the fact that they didn't think the first dog was a good fit, I figured they were doing their best to make sure that this dog would fit perfectly into our home.
We quickly found out she was very different than what we had expected and prepared for. She is very skittish around new people, and extremely dog reactive. She also has an insanely high prey drive - not conducive to living in harmony with a pet rabbit. These are all behaviors that I noticed in the first week of her being at our home, so I would assume it is something the foster should have noticed. I contacted the foster several weeks after having the dog at home to see if she had noticed any of these behaviors and how she dealt with them, and she just said that she didn't notice any of those things and that the dog just needs to settle into our home. It has now been 6 months, and I have spent over $1000 on private training and special reactivity classes. The dog trainer that we use has a lot of experience with reactive dogs and is now suggesting that the only way to calm her down would be to medicate.
I am just baffled on how they could have been so far off the mark with just general personality traits. I partly blame myself for not insisting we meet the dog before bringing her home. I guess I have learned my lesson!
The dog we wanted to adopt had tested heart worm positive. We were told that she needed to have treatment before we could adopt, but since the vaccinations are over a period of a couple of weeks, maybe we could take her early and they'd provide transportation to the vet. They wanted to use a vet in Connecticut who was much less expensive - as in $300.00. I called our vet (suburb of Boston) and his price for antibiotics, first vaccination, and follow up vaccination was nearly $1,500.00. That set up red flags. Why/how could this vet do it correctly for a third the price. Plus our vet said after the treatment the dog had to be kept very quiet for three months - only on leash for bathroom breaks. The concern is that exercise causes the heart to pound and any residual worms could pass to the lungs. PAWS said - "don't worry about that - I've had dogs treated and they're perfectly okay to run and play." More and final red flags.
I am questioning the proliferation of these animal rescue organizations and how or if they are regulated. There is a significant amount of money flowing in. Cutting costs for treatment should not be necessary.
I understand that this organization is volunteer-run but I found the entire process to be extremely drawn-out and frustrating. The adoption coordinator let our adoption application drop for over a week after the phone interview before we had to scramble to get everything done for the puppy's arrival. The woman who came to do the home visit was unfriendly and rather rude. Then, after three weeks of being given the run-around, they called us and told us we had two hours to confirm that we wanted the dog! Since we were in the hospital with our grandmother at the time, we missed this ridiculous deadline. After all that work we had lost the puppy that we had started to think of as ours- very frustrating for me and disappointing for my children.
Although I believe their hearts are in the right place, there were a lot of problems with my adoption. I love my dog more than anything and wouldn't trade her for the world, but she ended up having a very serious heart problem that easily could have been discovered before adopting her out, but was not. Also, the day I brought her home she went into heat, even though she had supposedly been spayed. Obviously not. She was in heat for a month. After that, the organization offered to have her spayed, but I would have had to bring her to a vet quite a distance away who worked at a dog track. I was absolutely not going to do that, especially since I now knew that she had a very bad heart and would not get the care she needed. So I spent a lot of money to have her spayed at Angell Memorial in Boston, and PAWS only refunded me what the dog track vet would have charged. I also have spent a lot of money and worry on my dog's heart condition. After initially being diagnosed, PAWS offered to take her back and put her in a permanent foster, but there was no way I was going to do that. Oh, and she also had two tick-borne diseases that had to be treated, and mammary tumors that had to be removed. This was immediately after I adopted her, so these conditions also should have been discovered and I should not have had to pay for them.
I again want to say that I love my dog more than anything, and I do believe that the PAWS volunteers really care. But my experience was very difficult, and I think there were things about my dog that should have been known and disclosed. I still donate to PAWS, though, because I want to help the dogs and I believe they do too.
We recently adopted a dog through PAWS New England. We are very impressed with how thoroughly they checked our references and how quickly the adoption process was completed. The foster parents of our new "furbaby"were the folks that we dealt with the most and they were terrific!!
I adopted my dog Jethro in 2010 from Paws NE and they were wonderful!! I found them to be caring, kind and professional! The adoption process was easy and quick!! Less that a week after our application was approved we got to take our Jethro home!!! Thank you paws for all that you do!!! I had such a great experience with Paws NE that I am thinking about becoming a volunteer myself!!
I adopted my beautiful Crystal from PAWS. It was the best experience ever. It was not a business transaction; it was an adoption. I was amazed by the heart, compassion and dedication of all the PAWS volunteers. But I was especially amazed by how PAWS always puts the dog FIRST. It's not your looks, your money, your tantrums or your level of education what gets you accepted as a PAWS adoptive parent. It's your ability to put the dog first too, even if that means that you cannot adopt the dog that you want, or you have to return the dog because it is no longer working, or you cannot pick up the dog on the day you planned. The pups come first. Period.
I am a foster mommy for Paws of New England here in Memphis TN., and there are no words for how wonderful this group of people are!! They are the most caring people in the world when it comes to our for legged babies!! They work truly hard everyday, and even have full time jobs, and spend time at work, and even work all hours of the night to coordinate happy homes for these angels that people have thrown out like common trash!!! I have NEVER EVER had anyone even come close to being rude, and have always done everything they said that they would, and I live 1200 miles away!!!!! I can't begin to tell you how many lives they save without a question asked on a day by day basis!!! It's soooo amazing!!! That being said if you are NOT a right fit for these babies, and they don't place one of angels with you, then there is a reason, and a damn good one, and fully trust ANY placing or nonplacing of these babies!!! Keep fighting the GREAT fight ladies, because each and EVERYONE of you are amazing in my book ;)
I have never been more impressed by a nonprofit dog rescue as I am with PAWS NE. They have so many amazing volunteers that are able to manage to coordinate and orchestrate the rescuing of animals from numerous states, give them the health care that they need, find foster homes and then get these dogs to their forever homes where they can be part of a family instead of society's castoffs. My first experience adopting my Teddy was such an amazing experience that I then adopted two more, one from a puppy mill rescue in Tennessee where PAWS was amazing enough to take in 30 special needs dogs and managed to tirelessly give them all of the healthcare they needed and found proper homes for these special dogs. I am FOREVER grateful to this group of volunteers who live to help these angels!
I adopted my beautiful Trinity Ryleigh from PAWS NE and was so impressed with the process and the organization that I now foster and volunteer for them all the time. I have rescued and fostered dogs for over 20 years and dealt with many groups....this group goes above and beyond. Everyone I dealt with was so helpful and kind. Now as a volunteer and foster I work closely with so many members and am proud to say I am part of the PAWS NE family. They will do whatever is needed above and beyond for any dog and I am so touched by the support they offer adopters and fosters. Absolutely an outstanding organization.
This was the worst experience I've ever had with any business.. My girlfriend and I were days away from getting a new puppy that we were really excited for, when we were given false information about the pick up which was hours away from us.. When we questioned it, we were treated with in the most disrespectful and rude way I've ever Ben treated.. They would not admit any wrong doing even after we gave them written documentation of the agreed upon time.. It resulted in them making threats and eventually terminating the contract two days prior of us picking up the dog. It was the worst experience I've had to date and I would never use this group of unprofessional people ever again.. And I suggest those that do to proceed with caution. Absolutely horrible experience.
I adopted two dogs in 2010. Though I believed my family to be complete, I fell in love with another of their pooches in 2011 and also adopted her buddy. Four special dogs who always make me smile. PAWS New England is a rescue a cut above the rest. They are accommodating and so willing to do ANYTHING to make sure that each and every animal finds the best possible forever home. Their volunteers are tireless in fighting to improve the lives of pooches (and sometimes cats too!). I hold them in the highest regard and would not hesitate to urge you to donate your time, energy, and/or money to this worthwhile organization. I am a very particular person, particularly in terms of who I donate to and I can assure you that every dollar you send to PAWS New England will be put to very good use.
Previous Stories
As a woman on disability with ill health, it was nearly impossible for me to to go local shelters to search for a special pooch to adopt. Through on-line research, I discovered Paws New England. They were very thorough, professional, and supportive in assisting me with adopting a dog who would be the perfect match for me and my older dog. The coordinator and the foster mother did everything possible to help me through the adoption process. I am thrilled with my Tennessee pooch, Cooper. When my Molly died last October, I again returned to this site and found another special dog, Cali, to join my small family. I have the ultimte respect for this organization and hightly recommend them to one and all.
When we decided to adopt our first dog, we searched away on petfinder.com, and submitted an application to PAWS. The first pup got snapped up right away, but the ladies at PAWS jumped right in and helped us find the PERFECT little guy for us!! Its 2 years later, and we try to help PAWS whenever we can, my boyfriend said it best last week "I still feel so indebted to them" PAWS, we can't thank you enough for finding us Oliver!!
PAWS New England is a wonderful organization that I had the opportunity to do business with. We adoped a foster dog through them and the whole process was stress-free and well handled. The information provided about our dog was wonderfully presented on the website right down to our dog's likes, dislikes, adaptability, etc. PAWS New England is a wonderful opportunity for animals to be adopted by families that want to help out an unfortunate dog or cat that probably had no chance of having a happy life. I feel so fortunate to have had this experience and our dog has been a joyful addition to our family ever since we brought her home. I would definitely use them again if we could and I always recommend them to friends who may be interested in getting a pet always suggesting adoption first! Thanks so much and keep up the loving, wonderful opportunities you offer for both pets and families to connect with each other.
I adopted my dog, Ozzie, from PAWSNE in 2008. He had been a very sickly puppy on death row when volunteers from PAWS pulled him from a high-kill shelter in TN. Because he was so sick, the volunteer was told that he was "not worth saving". Well, luckily for everyone, the folks at PAWS were persistent and saved Ozzie, even in his dire state -- he had distemper. PAWS got him treated then had to wait a few weeks before putting him on petfinder.com, to make sure he was healthy enough to be adopted. As soon as I saw him on petfinder.com, I knew he was the puppy for me. I adopted him and he was the best puppy I've ever come across. Now, a few years later, Ozzie is the happiest, healthiest, friendliest dog. He's a certified therapy dog and we volunteer at a psychiatric facility several times a month where he brings residents as much happiness as he brings me. Without the intervention and persistence of the volunteers at PAWS, I would never have had the chance to have such an amazing dog. I believe so strongly in the work that PAWS does that I now foster for them as well.
We adpoted Spencer a year ago. When we found out that he had heartworm, Joanne was right there every step of the way with support and true concern for Spencer and for me. The process was not nearly as awful as I expected with Joanne and Paws New England help. I tell everyone how wonderful they are! Keep up the great work.
I had rescued a mother dog with some babies and I was new at rescueing dogs in danger. I did not know how I was going to adopt these dogs out. A lady rescuer told me about Joann Hutchinson at Paws New England. I called JoAnn and she made arrangements for me to send the pups to her. She had foster homes for them to go to. They were soon all adopted into forever homes. They later took more dogs that I had rescued. These were all dogs that would have died if it had not been for a lady named Jo Ann Hutchinson. Thank you so much for all the work you all do to save the precious lives and help fellow rescuers.
Followed the rescue and it's members after a weather related disaster destroyed one of their rescue shelters in Tennessee. I also volunteer for a rescue in Tennessee (not related to the area that was destroyed) I know how difficult this volunteer job can be and was impressed by the effort and work the rescue did to keep people informed while working to protect the animals.
Paws New England saved my life! I had just lost a family pet and it was the total commitment of Joanne Huchinson to help me get another. And I can not say enough about the wonderful dog she got for me. You know, one of those dogs of a lifetime!!
I was a total wreck from dealing with the loss of my dog and started crying when I saw the new pup. Joanne went out of her way to comfort me. I felt silly for being so weak at the moment, but Joanne was one in a million and understood the pain I was feeling. I have never forgot that...and I never will.
I just cannot say enough about my experience with Paws New England and Joanne Huchinson. And I cannot stress enough the good work they are doing. There is surely a lofty place in Heaven for you!!
Becky and Ann and Morgan
Paws New England is the BEST !! I got my shelter dog from them and the foster woman who cared for him before me knew his personality to a T so I was guided to a dog that was best suited to my lifestyle and personality. My dog is wonderful and as a result, we are a good fit. This happened because of the group of volunteer foster people that Paws has in place when they 'pull' a dog out of one of those HORRIBLE shelters. They are experieced dog people who know and see what each of these dogs need so they end up finding a truely good home. Paws New England are a group of volunteer " saints" (really !) who help abandoned and abused dogs help people to lead richer lives. Also, when I had a medical issue with my dog the head organizer offered to put me up in her own home with my dog for two days so my dog could see her fantastic vet....!! All I can say is that these guys are truly great and giving human beings.. Period.
I know first hand that this great group of people are in the front lines and have saved/ homed many dogs . I was there in the beginning before it became a more organized "non-profit" ....a few of us did the best we could to move dogs out of a bad situation.
Now there is cooperation with a vet hospital and therefore there is more success in saving/ homing dogs. Tracy/ Kelly/ Joanne, (and others), have created a wonderful system .....Thank you guys.,
I was a Paws foster for a beautiful young dog who had some emotional problems. Paws does a great job at rescuing many dogs from a high kill shelter in Tennessee. There were many lovely people I dealt with during my first foster attempt.
I do have some concerns, as I called up to foster and no one even came for a house visit. Moreover, the dog they gave me was aggressive towards my dog and, though she was lovely in so many ways, her aggressive actions towards my dog and my fiance' had caused us some anxieties.
In the end, she went to live with a wonderful man and I'm thrilled to say that he was able to give her a great deal of training and one on one attention. This little dog is now actively involved in being a pet therapist.
The problem that I have is this: one of the founders of this organization wrote me a scathing letter. She had asked me to take in a puppy after my first foster was adopted out. I told her that I couldn't do it straight away as I need to make a trip to Michigan to visit a dying aunt. A number of e-mails were exchanged and, overall, she refused to see my point of view. It got nasty, she actually got downright cruel and intimated that I had made a big mountain out of a molehill with the first dog I had fostered.
I actually had felt bad at the time.. Very bad. Now, I realize that this woman was way way way out of line. My first foster had tremendous issues and, though she was a lovely dog, someone should have been there to help me more. Moreover, if I was such a bad foster WHY THE HELL DID SHE WANT ME TO TAKE IN A PUPPY?
Insane. Truly crazy stuff. I am still in touch with the man who adopted my first foster and have gone on to work on fostering others. There has been no problem.
SO..I commend PAWS for rescuing dogs. One of the heads, Kelly Parker, is quite wonderful. Another is ...well, let's just say she does not have the skills to deal with people and could be hurting this organization immensely.
I just felt an obligation to write an honest review. The majority of people involved at PAWS are great. But they have a very volatile head person who did not, at least in this case, treat a volunteer very fairly. This was my first time and she was brutal and unfeeling. Thank God I went on to work with other organizations.
Please know, it is the dogs that matter and some 'dog people' are not very nice to other human beings.
I adopted my dog Fred from this organization. PAWS goes out of their way to find the appropriate match between owner and pet. They gave me a grace period to see how he fit into my family and checked in periodically. I received a detailed description of his health, personality, temperment. I also received documentation of all medical procedures and findings.
Fred has brought me such joy that I can't describe. And it is gratifying to know that he would have otherwise been euthanized if it wasn't for the caring people of this organization. They save animals lives everyday in a conscientious and self-less manner that is honorable.
What a wonderful organization! hands down, very professional and carring, they listen to what my husband and I were looking for in a pup and helped us out.
Our family decided to adopt a second dog to be a playmate for our first, and after researching different agencies we decided upon PAWS New England.
Each and every person spent as much time as we needed answering questions and helping us through the process of finding the perfect playmate for our Murph, and the right playmate for us as a family based on our needs and wants!
Because of the close relationships between the volunteers~ and they in turn with each dog, was instrumental in finding not only the right dog but one who is just a love~
We can't imagine not having our Cookie girl~
Thank you Paws for all your love, support, and outstanding commitment, and integrity!
The entire experience from start ~to 2 years into loving our "cookie" has been nothing but outstanding.
We are so grateful to you for helping us find our cookie girl, and murphy thanks you too!!
xoxoxo
I adopted a wonderful puppy from PAWS in 2009. The staff was extremely nice and informative. I would never hesitate to work with PAWS again, they are a great non-profit and if you are looking to adopt a pet you should strongly consider PAWS.
My wife and I adopted a rescue dog through PAWS. We are crazy about our dog and admirers of PAWS' tireless efforts to save dogs. Our dog had been saved from a kill shelter by PAWS and nursed back to health by a partner organization in Tennessee before being sent North to be adopted. PAWS also does a great job in its internet fund-raising, relying heavily on videos which really pull on your heartstrings. PAWS is a dedicated, highly competent organization with a powerful sense of mission.
I have donated several times to PAWS New England and I also adopted aa rescue dog through them. This organization works tirelessly to rescue animals that are abused, or otherwise viable loving pets that have met unfortunate circumstance and would likely end up needlessly euthanized if not for PAWS efforts. Abandoned animals are at an all time high and fundraising for non profits like PAWS has been challenging in these economic times - but the lives of these animals are worth a donation, no matter how small. I would encourage anyone to read the success stories on the PAWS website and you will be in awe.
Two years ago we adopted Count Chocula, a miniature poodle with a birth defect of an absent left hind paw. He will be 5 y/o in April. He is a wonderful dog, well trained and housebroken and crate trained from the first day of our adoption. The missing paw doesn't slow him a bit and he even walks on the stump on the carpets and if he is "stalking" in the yard. PAWS helped us with timing to our schedule. As the saying goes "Don't shop, adopt" and especially with PAWS New England
I have had the pleasure of dealing with Paws New England for the past 4+ years. Since my first encounter with that organization, we have adopted 3 rescue dogs, the third will arrive next week. Their charter of finding home for available rescue dogs is fantastic. They have generated a process that works great, and interface with other pet organizations to optimize their efforts. Their pet finding service is quite personal, and they continue to treat each client like a family member. They provide a complete history and information packet on their adoptable animals, and also provide follow through after the adoption. They always tell the truth about their animals and don't hold any punches; this is extremely valuable to minimize any "surprizes" at the client level. The service and personal; attention they provide is beyond description. The only other organization I have dealt with in this category, on a national level, is Best Friends in Utah. I would never go to any other place the rest of my life to adopt a dog; why mess with extreme success !!!
I work at John Gagnon's Pet Resort and through work came in contact with Paws NE. Paws NE sends us dogs to work with that may have had a rough start. We help evaluate/socialize each dog, then we help Paws find homes for the dogs. This organization is on top of all their dogs. They have excellent communication between potential adopters and the Pet Resort. Anytime there has been any question about the dog regardless if it is medical issue or the status of progress we are making, they respond immediately. They genuinely care about the dog, the dogs history and the potential home the dog may go to. That said, they do care about family's that may have to give their dog up and the sadness that brings. They want all potential adopters to get exactly the kind of dog that fits their lifestyle. Because they are so wonderful, I have jumped in to fostering for them which has been a wonderful experience. If I could give more than 5 stars I would!
PAWS New England is such a great organization! My husband and I were looking for a dog who needed a good home. We found "Chevy" on the website & immediatly fell in love with his Beagle features. I put in an application, and now, a year later, we couldn't be happier with the new 4-legged member of our family.
What sets PAWS New England apart is their dedicated care to "Chevy" before he came into our arms. He was transported to CT from a high-kill shelter in Tennessee, and put into a foster home with "Aunt Marie". We still refer to her as "Aunt Marie" because she took such amazing care of "Chevy" (now "Captain). He was surrounded by love, toys, other playful dogs, and even his own sweater! Aunt Marie was a god-sent who spent her money and time taking impeccable care of a dog that she knew was transient (while having a couple of her own too).
We can't say enough good things about the services that PAWS New England provides.
We adopted Keiko (formerly Hudson), a mixed breed, from PAWS of New England Oct of 2009. He was from Tennesse and we live in Boston. Normally the transportation would be on a truck with other dogs, but one of the great volunteers was coming up to New England already so she took Keiko with her with another adopted dog. They were so helpful during the entire adoption process especially with him being so far away. Great communication, lots of questions for the adopters which makes me feel good knowing they don't send dogs to just anyone. The right fit has to be there. PAWS is a great organization and we thank them so much for everything they do for these animals!!
Incredible service! We literally wrote a five page Doggie Dissertation, describing exactly what we wanted in a new addition to the family and PAWS went out and found us exactly what we were hoping for. This is an organization run by people who are clearly passionate about animals and passionate about the mission of PAWS. I'm impressed with every interaction with this organization. Thank you PAWS!
My husband and I adopted our dog from Paws a few years ago and he is the light of our lives. We have since started fostering and have found the experience to be both rewarding and fulfilling. The people who we work with are dedicated to saving dogs of all breeds, ages and backgrounds. I personally feel that I have found a cause I was meant to be involved with and I owe everything to Paws New England for helping me find purpose in my life.
I love this animal rescue and all that they do for the dogs down in the south who are abandoned, abused or neglected. Every year they save hundreds of dogs from a life of abuse or from being put to sleep in the overcrowded shelters. These dogs get a second chance as they are transported to New England to be adopted.
I believe in their unbelievable work and the tireless efforts of all of PAWS' volunteers. I wish I could donate so much more to help them continue their efforts.