PAWS Mission & Vision
The mission of Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is to rescue homeless and unwanted companion animals through sheltering and adoption into responsible, loving homes, while advancing community education and services to ensure responsible pet ownership, so that in the future companion animals are no longer in need of being rescued.
PAWS vision is to be a leading expert in the field of animal welfare so that our community and its animals are served through compassion and diligence. We envision a future where the overpopulation of homeless companion animals is eliminated and every adoptable animal is a valued member of a responsible home.
Animal Control Mission
The mission of Plaquemines Parish Animal Control is to protect the citizens of Plaquemines Parish from the dangers of diseased and nuisance animals; to legally protect animals from mistreatment; to enforce parish and state animal control laws; to educate our parish in responsible pet ownership; to provide temporary housing and care to homeless animals while coordinating possible adoptions through partner humane organizations.
PAWS staff partner with Plaquemines Animal Control Officers (ACO) to help deliver this mission by caring for the animals once they arrive at the shelter. ACO’s report directly to the Parish Health Department and provide the following services:
• Investigates animal bites
• Pick up strays
• Investigates nuisance complaints
• Investigates calls of neglect and abuse
LEARN MORE about Animal Control Ordinances, what to do if you lose or find an animal, and report animal abuse HERE
PAWS – Animal Control
Partnership
Since 2011 PAWS and Animal Control have shared the same building and maintained separate management, directives and operating procedures.
Beginning January 2016, PAWS was awarded the contract to manage the operations in the entire building bringing animal control under PAWS responsibility. While the Animal Control Officers (ACOs) still report directly to the Plaquemines Parish Health Department, they work hand-in-hand with all of PAWS staff to ensure that every animal in PAWS care receives the same level of care and compassion.
While the role of PAWS staff is the health and well-being of all animals during their stay at Animal Control, the ACOs are responsible for picking up strays, addressing animal abuse and complaint calls, dealing with wildlife issues and working with the community to ensure the animals and community members remain safe.
PAWS & Animal Control Contact information available HERE.
2019 Goals
A primary focus for PAWS in 2019 is the revitalization of our community service and partnerships programs. The following list of goals represent these initiatives.
- Initiate a Reciprocity Program through the development of partnerships with other non profit organizations to collaborate on special projects.
- Develop a First Job Program, in which PAWS makes a commitment to embrace high school students by providing skills training, and job opportunities within the organization.
- Launch the Salute Program. Where 30% of PAWS workforce are military members or military family members. We strive to be a service member friendly organization.
- Enhance Community Outreach Programs with a keen focus on educating the community about the appropriate care of animals including heartworm prevention, feral cat programs, pet overpopulation and the importance of spaying and neutering.
