Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS)/East Bay
PAWS/East Bay is dedicated to preserving the bond between people and their companion animals. We are a volunteer program serving low-income persons with disabling illnesses or conditions and low-income seniors by helping to care for feline and canine companions.
Information for - Clients ** Donors ** Volunteers
Clients
Client Eligibility
Eligible persons include low-income pet guardians living with a disabling illness/condition or low-income pet guardians age 65 years or older. Clients must live in Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Emeryville or Richmond. Pets may only be dogs or cats and only two animals per home can be supported by PAWS/East Bay. The animals must be spayed/neutered and be 6 months or older.
Services Provided (for cats & dogs only)
• In-home assistance including dog walking, litter box maintenance and minor grooming
• Transportion to the BEBHS veterinary hospital
• Free veterinary care up to $250 at the BEBHS hospital
• Free pet food/litter delivery
• Emergency foster care for pets
How to Sign Up
Request an application by calling the PAWS/East Bay office at (510) 845-3650 or by email to pawseb@berkeleyhumane.org or download an application in MS Word format (type your responses) or PDF format (write in your responses). Verification of medical diagnosis (seniors excluded) and monthly income is required.
Donors
PAWS/East Bay is a volunteer-run program and we would greatly appreciate any support that you can provide. The following is a "Wish List" of items that could be donated in order to help us provide PAWS/East Bay services to our clients. If you would like to make a monetary donation, please phone (510) 845-7735, ext. 19, or send a check to the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society, noting that the donation is for PAWS/East Bay. Another great way to help is by being a volunteer.
Wish List
• cat and dog food (unopened)
• flea and tick products (esp. Advantix and Revolution)
• clay or clumping cat litter (unopened)
• cat and dog nail clippers
• cat and dog brushes and combs
• dog ramp for cars to transport clients' pets
Volunteers
Be A Volunteer
Volunteers are the heart and soul of PAWS/East Bay and volunteer opportunities are plentiful and diverse. On-going, weekly volunteer opportunities, and once-a-month visits to deliver food or supplies or temporary fostering of an animal are all possible. Please review the job descriptions below for the various positions. Time, physical demands and insurance requirements vary.
If you would like to volunteer dowload a copy of the application in MS Word format (type your responses) or PDF format (write in your responses). Fax the application to us at (510) 845-3652 or mail it to 2700 Ninth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710. To have an application mailed to you, call (510) 845-3650. Once your application is reviewed, we will conduct a short phone interview. A three hour volunteer orientation class is required.
IN-HOME SERVICES
(travel to the client’s home and work with their animals on site)
Dog Walking:
Volunteers on dog walking teams help walk dogs for those who are bed-bound or home-bound or who do not have the energy to exercise their dogs. We make an effort to pair volunteers up with clients who either live near them or near where they work. You would then go to that client's home once per week on a regular schedule (e.g. Tuesdays at 7pm), take the dog out for a walk, and then come back the next week at the same time. A general rule of thumb is that walks should last at least 45 minutes, but it depends on the health and ability of the dog. Volunteers are expected to walk the dog at least once per week, for a minimum six-month commitment. Dog-walking Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, or accompanied by a parent who is also a registered PAWS/East Bay Volunteer.
Cat Care:
Volunteers on cat care teams clean cat litter pans for clients who are unable to clean the pan. Volunteers are responsible for one cleaning a week unless otherwise arranged. Similar to dog-walking, we try to pair volunteers up with clients who either live near them or near where they work. There is a minimum commitment of six months, and an age minimum of 18.
Nail Clipping/Minor grooming:
PAWS/East Bay also needs volunteers who can go to client’s homes to clip nails, brush animals and provide other limited grooming activities as the volunteer feels comfortable. Volunteers for both cats and dogs are needed.
PET FOOD DELIVERY:
Volunteers visit our office to pick up pet food and deliver it to homebound clients. You must have a healthy back and be capable of lifting 40 lbs or more. In addition, you must have a valid California driver’s license and current liability insurance. *Delivery Assistants go with the delivery drivers, helping to navigate, and bringing the boxes of food inside while the driver waits with his/her car.
FOSTERING ANIMALS:
Often times our clients are hospitalized or find themselves in a transitional situation, which precludes them from having their animal at home. During such times we look for a temporary, short-term (1-4 weeks) foster care placement within a volunteer’s home. Most often the need for a foster home is immediate. All PAWS/East Bay client animals are spay/neutered and the we assume all costs associated with pet food & supplies, as well as any veterinary services required while in foster care.
ANIMAL TRANSPORT:
Volunteers are needed to pick up and deliver pets to veterinary and/or grooming appointments. You must have a valid California driver’s license and current liability insurance. This volunteer opportunity will usually require a round trip.
Appointments are generally during the work week, so we are mostly looking for volunteers who have daytime availability.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
PAWS/East Bay is always looking to spread the word about our program, to bring in more clients, volunteers and donors, and to further the knowledge that the public has about pets with disabled owners, service animals, and the human-animal bond. Volunteers are needed who can sit at information tables at street fairs, animal events, pet stores, parks, busy street corners, and other places to hand out information about PAWS/East Bay and its programs and further awareness of the organization. If you enjoy chatting with people, this is a great way to spend a couple of hours. Outreach volunteers are most needed for Saturday and Sunday events, but occasionally for evenings, and during weekdays.
FUNDRAISING:
Assist PAWS/East Bay by volunteering at special fundraising events. This area of volunteer work is best suited for individuals who enjoy working with the public. Types of volunteer activities might include: distributing PAWS/East Bay printed materials, event set-up, cashiering, bartending, supervising security, ticket taking, food service or supervising a volunteer station.
PICK-UP OF DONATED GOODS:
PAWS/East Bay will occasionally receive donations of pet food and other related items that need to be picked up and brought to our warehouse. Let us know if you have a van, truck or SUV.
OFFICE WORK:
From time to time the PAWS/East Bay office has needs for volunteers who can assist in the office. Office volunteers would need to be available during weekdays.
CONNECTIONS:
Are you a person with connections? Every dollar or item donated means help for a person and pet in need. Do you know a groomer or kennel that would provide us with free or low cost services? How about connections to pet food sources, flea products, toys, treats or collars and leashes? Perhaps you know people who might be interested in making financial donations to our organization. We can always use new sources for donations!
