PAWS: 2021 in Review  Before we head into 2022 and celebrate PAWS’ 40th anniversary, let's take time to review the year gone by. Thanks to our many generous supporters, volunteers, and foster caregivers, PAWS overcame the many constraints imposed by COVID-19 and had an amazing year. Although the office was closed most of the year, we were still able to accomplish a lot. Here is a summary of some of our 2021 achievements. Cats & Stats for 2021 Of the 171 new cats taken in by PAWS in 2021, 83 of these were kittens, and 31 were born in PAWS’ foster homes! Some of our foster caregivers were able The rest of the 171 new felines included 78 adult cats and 9 seniors (aged 13 and over). Over the course of the year, PAWS fosters cared for over 250 kitties, including long-term and hospice cases.
In 2021, several new individuals and families volunteered to foster our continually growing number of cats-in-need. At the end of the year, we had 47 active foster caregivers. Our Humane Response Line continues to receive dozens of calls and emails every day. Fortunately, we have a dedicated team of volunteers who answer every email and phone call that we receive. And, as always, our volunteers and fosters gave generously of their time and energy, assisting with everything from animal caregiving to data management to staffing the PAWS 24-hour voicemail service. We could not continue to serve our community and the many animals in need without your help. Thank you! Pet Food and Supplies for the Community
In 2021, the PAWS Pet Food Pantry provided almost 3,000 pounds of pet food: enough to feed more than 12,000 cats and 3,500 dogs! As a member of PAWSitivePantry, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides a safety net to help pets whose families have fallen on hard times, PAWS also distributes pet food to local human food pantries and works with volunteers from other Massachusetts animal welfare groups to gather needed supplies and redistribute to those who need it. Traditional Events go Virtual
In 2021, they did not disappoint. Since we could not hold an in-person event, Leslie and Kim offered a virtual experience via Zoom. The online Mediumship was very well received, raised significant support for our PAWS animals, and provided an inspiring afternoon for all who attended. This year, the Mediumship will follow the same format and be held on Saturday, March 5, 2022, from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. Click here for more information and to register. Creative Volunteers Find New Ways to Reach Our Supporters PAWS receives no local, state, or federal funding. Therefore, we rely entirely on donations to support our efforts. These donations allow us to provide spay/neuter surgeries for the animals in our care and pay for needed vaccinations, medications, and other medical services such as dental work and diagnostic tests. Hence, fundraising continues to be a primary focus. Thanks to the creativity of our volunteers, we had a very successful year. Although we were unable to hold in-person events or participate in the usual community festivals, we reached out to our dedicated supporters via social media, email, and running several virtual events. We held a Valentine's Day event in February and participated in Days of Giving in May. This three-day event focused on our adorable kittens and raising funds to ready them for adoption. During July and August, we ran $5 Fridays, which highlighted some of our older cats and cats that had been in PAWS’ care for a long time. The outpouring of donations on Giving Tuesday, an international day of giving, was yet another example of the tremendous generosity of our community. Through these grassroots efforts, the small donations of many loyal supporters made a huge difference in the lives of cats in need. Thanks for Your Support! PAWS thanks everyone who contributed to these efforts. With your help, we can continue to provide care and seek homes for hundreds of needy animals each year.
We hope to see you in 2022!
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to assist with these births. Does fostering a cat with kittens make you a grandparent? 
Out adoption team found new homes for 148 cats and kittens.
The PAWS Pet Food Pantry, which opened shortly after the COVID-19 shutdown in the spring of 2020, had a
remarkable year. Based in the PAWS office in Wakefield, the Pantry is open every Tuesday afternoon, accessible to anyone, and provides food, litter, treats and other supplies for cats, dogs, birds, and even a turtle.
Since 2012, gifted mediums Leslie Gabriele and Kim Dunsmore of “With Love and Gratitude” have shared their talents and insights by hosting mediumship experiences for PAWS and donating 100% of the proceeds to benefit local animals and pet families. 
