Foster and Emergency Care
In addition to our Housecall Program, PAWS NY offers emergency foster or pet care
to qualifying low-income New York City residents.
"Thank you again for your generous love and care. My long hospitalization would have been unbearable if I had not been assured that Milo was in good and loving hands. "
Medical Crises
Low-income New Yorkers who need temporary care for their pets during a medical crisis can receive foster support. We strongly believe that no pet guardian should have to choose between getting the medical attention they need and ensuring their pet is safe and cared for.
Substance Use Recovery Program
Started in 2023 to honor the memory of Susan Sydney Weiss, this program provides foster and emergency care for pets as their guardians seek inpatient treatment for substance use.
It is specific to low-income individuals who are unable to establish care for their pets in their absence. Our network of committed and vetted volunteers are eager to open their homes for temporary foster care.
Pets can help individuals in recovery stay sober. Research shows that pets assist individuals in recovery by:
- Providing therapeutic empathy
- Providing connections that can assist in socialization
- Serving as family in the absence of human family members
- Supporting self-efficacy
- Strengthening a sense of empowerment
Survivors of Domestic Violence
For survivors of domestic violence, too many are forced into an impossible choice: safety for themselves and their children — or the pet they love.
We believe no one should have to make that choice. If you or someone you know needs temporary care for a pet while seeking safety, we encourage you to reach out to PAWS NY. For those who meet our eligibility criteria, we may be able to arrange a temporary foster placement through our network of vetted foster volunteers, based on availability and the needs of the pet.
