From the Letter from our Executive Director and Board Chair:

As we reflect on the past year, we are deeply thankful for the incredible support from our community. Your dedication to our mission of helping New Yorkers stay with their pets has made a profound impact. Together, we have enhanced the lives of so many. We’re excited to share highlights in Fiscal Year 2024’s Annual Report, showcasing the initiatives made possible through your generosity.

This past year was a busy one for PAWS NY, as we continued to expand our programs and reach across New York City. We hired Will Braithwaite as our new Communications Manager to help with outreach both in-person and online, and began hosting monthly pet pantry food distribution events thanks to a generous grant from The Brady Hunter Foundation.

Additionally, PAWS NY once again hosted our annual Barks & Blooms Spring Benefit at the Monarch Rooftop, raising $70,000 thanks to the generosity of our community. We also participated in more than 11 community service events across NYC and were featured in multiple press spots including an article in Authority Magazine on the mental health benefits of having a pet in old age, a volunteer spotlight/write-up in the West Side Rag, and a TV spot on BronxNet TV that highlighted our programs.

A highlight of the year was when pop star Cyndi Lauper shared our post about our Barks & Blooms Benefit on her personal Facebook page!

On behalf of the staff and board at PAWS NY, we thank each and every one of you for your support and partnership. None of our work would be possible without you and our incredible network, and we are proud of all that has been achieved. You inspire us every day!

Click here to download the PDF of the full Annual Report.

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Thank you RedRover!

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“Over the years, the ASPCA has provided generous grants to PAWS NY, as well as programmatic support, both of which allow us to thrive as an organization,” said PAWS NY Founder and Executive Director Rachel Herman. “We are so thankful for this long-term partnership with the ASPCA and will leverage this new grant to continue to help our clients and their pets during this tumultuous time.”

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From the Letter from our Executive Director and Board Chair:

As the team at PAWS NY reflects on the past year, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the unwavering support of our generous community. Your commitment to our mission of keeping New Yorkers in need together with their beloved pets has made all the difference. Together, we have truly helped to improve the lives of all we serve. That is why we are pleased to present this year’s Annual Report with a summary of all the impactful initiatives that we were able to provide to the NYC community due to your generosity.

This past year was a busy one for PAWS NY, as we continued to expand our programs and reach across New York City. We hired Elia Rangel as a new Intake Coordinator to help with outreach in the outer boroughs, and Adrianna Ruiz joined the team as Foster Administrator, helping with Hospital Respite foster cases and launching the new Substance Use Recovery Program.

Additionally, PAWS NY once again hosted our annual Barks & Blooms Spring Benefit at the Monarch Rooftop, raising more than $168,000 thanks to the generosity of our community and a special gift from the ASPCA. We also participated in more than 16 community and volunteer service events across NYC, debuted an animated short created by Klick Health called The Bridge, and saw some great press coverage from PIX11 News, All for Animals TV / 1010WINS, and more.

On behalf of the staff and board at PAWS NY, we thank each and every one of you for your support and partnership. None of our work would be possible without you and our incredible network, and we are proud of all that has been achieved. You inspire us every day!

Click here to download the PDF of the full Annual Report.

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PAWS NY is honored to join as a Collection Location for this year’s New York Cares Coat Drive. This annual event collects tens of thousands of gently used jackets and coats each year, and this year celebrates its 35^th year helping New Yorkers in need.

As a Collection Location, PAWS NY will collect coats from the community and will be accepting donations on Wednesdays from 9am to 5pm, from now through December 13, 2023.

Come by our office at 134 West 29^th Street (between 6^th and 7^th Avenues), Suite 802, to make your donation to the coat drive and help keep NYC warm this winter!

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On September 6, we joined with many other nonprofit organizations, community groups, and on-campus clubs for the New York University Fall Service Fair. This gave us a chance to meet with hundreds of NYU students who are interested in giving back to the community, and we hope many of them will join us as volunteers in the coming weeks and months.

Later that week, on September 9, the PAWS NY team headed up to Harlem to participate in the first-ever Harlem Dog Fashion Show, hosted by Harlem Mothers & Fathers S.A.V.E. and the NYPD’s Patrol Borough Manhattan North. It was amazing to meet so many pups and see their fabulous outfits—what a day!

We continued our college tour with a visit to the Community Partners Fair at Pace University on September 21, where we had the perfect spot right under some funky lights. This was the first time in several years that this event was held in-person, so we were happy to make some IRL connections with Pace students.

On September 21, we also stopped by the recently-renovated Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, where we set up a table in the lobby to spread the word about PAWS NY among library patrons.

During the month, Carrie Nydick Finch, our Deputy Director of Programs and Strategy, gave several presentations at partner organizations across New York City, including at the Rodney Kirk Center, a social services program in Manhattan with a focus on older adults. On September 20, she presented at the Project FIND Pet Expo alongside our partner Search and Care, connecting with dozens of older pet owners looking for resources.

And then last week during a break in the rain, we hung out at the NYC Office of Emergency Management’s Pet and Service Animal Preparedness Fair on September 28 in Union Square. We spoke with New Yorkers about PAWS NY programs and making emergency plans for their families that include pets!

In addition to all of the September festivities, PAWS NY also participated in the Macaulay Honors College Community Resources Fair on August 21, and we were out and about at The Baroness Bar in Long Island City for their Haute Dog Fashion Show on August 30.

Thanks to everyone for inviting us to participate in these wonderful events! Have an event that you’d like PAWS NY to attend? Email Kimberly.Green@pawsny.org.

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After releasing The Bridge in January 2023, PAWS NY is proud to announce that the short film, created by Klick Health, has been recognized with several industry awards and accolades. It was featured in numerous media outlets over the past six months, including Animation Magazine, PRWeek, Animation World Network, Adweek, Shots, and Fox News, and it was also named Shoot Online’s Top Spot of the Week on January 18, 2023.

Please watch The Bridge at this link and see the full list of nominations and awards that the film received below. (*Trigger Warning: The Bridge contains themes of depression and suicide.)

Advertising, Health, and Industry Awards

Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity

• Silver Lion in Digital Craft for Animation
• Bronze Lion in Health & Wellness for Animation

New York Festivals Health Awards  

• GRAND Tower | Health & Wellness: Animal Health – FILM – Short Form
• GOLD | Health & Wellness: Animal Health – FILM – Short Form
• GOLD | Health & Wellness: Animal Health – FILM TECHNIQUE | CRAFT | Animation & Visual Effects 
• SILVER | Health & Wellness: NEW YORK CITY AWARD – HEALTH AND WELLNESS 
• BRONZE | Health & Wellness: Animal Health – SOCIAL MEDIA – Social Video 
• FINALIST | Health & Wellness: Animal Health – AUDIO TECHNIQUE | CRAFT | Music 

ANDY Awards 

• The Bridge – Gold – Craft 

Med Ad News Manny Awards

• The Bridge – Best Philanthropic Campaign 

The One Show

• Gold Pencil – Health & Wellness – Branded Content – PAWS NY – The Bridge
• Gold Pencil – Health & Wellness – Film – PAWS NY – The Bridge
• Gold Pencil – Health & Wellness – Craft – Art Direction – PAWS NY – The Bridge
• Gold Pencil – Moving Image Craft & Production – Animation – Single – PAWS NY – The Bridge
• Silver Pencil – Design – Moving Image – Single – PAWS NY – The Bridge
• Bronze Pencil – Branded Entertainment – Craft – Art Direction – PAWS NY – The Bridge
• Merit Award – Branded Entertainment – Long Form Video – Single – PAWS NY – The Bridge
• Merit Award – Film & Video – Online-only Films & Video – Over 60 Seconds – Single – PAWS NY – The Bridge

The Art Directors Club (ADC) Awards 

• Gold Cube – ADC-50721 – Advertising – Craft in Video – Animation – Single – PAWS NY – The Bridge
• Gold Cube – ADC-50722 – Advertising – Television / Film / Online Video – Film – Single – PAWS NY – The Bridge
• Gold Cube – ADC-50724 – Motion / Film Craft – Design for Good – Motion / Film Craft – PAWS NY – The Bridge
• Gold Cube – ADC-50723 – Illustration – Animation – Single – PAWS NY – The Bridge
• Gold Cube – ADC-50725 – Motion / Film Craft – Craft in Motion / Film – Animation – PAWS NY – The Bridge
• Silver Cube – ADC-50720 – Advertising – Branded Content / Entertainment – Online Video – Short Form – PAWS NY – The Bridge
• Silver Cube – ADC-50726 – Motion / Film Craft – Craft in Motion / Film – Use of Music / Sound – PAWS NY – The Bridge

Clio Awards

• GOLD – The Bridge: Film – Public Service – 61 Seconds to Five Minutes
• GOLD – The Bridge: Film Craft (Animation) – Public Service – Animation
• SILVER – The Bridge: Design Craft – Public Service – Animation
• BRONZE – The Bridge: Film Craft (Music – Licensed) – Public Service – Music – Licensed
• BRONZE – The Bridge: Digital/Mobile & Social – Public Service – Moving Image/Video

PAWS NY Founder and Executive Director Rachel Herman accepts the Grand Clio Health Award 2023 for The Bridge.

Clio Health Awards

• GRAND – The Bridge: Health Awareness & Advocacy – Film Craft – Animation 
• GOLD – The Bridge: Health Awareness & Advocacy – Film Craft – Animation 
• GOLD – The Bridge: Direct (Health Awareness & Advocacy) – Film
• GOLD – The Bridge: Branded Entertainment & Content (Health Awareness & Advocacy) – Film – Scripted
• GOLD – The Bridge: Design Craft (Health Awareness & Advocacy) – Animation
• SILVER – The Bridge: Film (Health Awareness & Advocacy) – 61 Seconds to Five Minutes
• SILVER – The Bridge: Film Craft (Health Awareness & Advocacy) – Music
• SILVER – The Bridge: Digital / Mobile & Social Media Craft (Health Awareness & Advocacy) – Music / Sound Design
• BRONZE – The Bridge:: Film Craft (Health Awareness & Advocacy) – Sound Design
• SHORTLIST – The Bridge: Social Media (Health Awareness & Advocacy) – Social Video

Webby Awards

• The Bridge: Video – General Video – Health & Wellness

The Shorty Impact Awards

• Winner – Storytelling Category

The Wagsies

• Professional Choice Award

Representatives from PAWS NY and Klick Health at the 2023 Webby Awards

Film Festivals and Awards

Selected to screen at the following:

• British Animation Film Festival
• Malibu Film Festival
• 7th Hollywood World Film Festival-23
• New York City Independent Film Festival
• FFAA (Abidjan Animation Film Festival)
• International Animation Film Festival Golden Kuker – Sofia
• Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology 2023
• Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF)

Award Winners:

New York Cinematography AWARDS (NYCA)

• Best Animation Film 
• Best Animation/Cinematography 

Toronto Independent Film Festival of Cift

• Best Animated Short

WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival

• Shorts – Animated

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NEW YORK, NY – Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY has partnered with the New York City Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) to connect with the agency’s ­­network of volunteers to provide support to PAWS clients and pets in need.

New York City is home to approximately 1.7 million older adults, and NYC Aging works to eliminate ageism and ensure the dignity and quality of life of the City’s diverse older adult population. NYC Aging also works to support caregivers through service, advocacy, education, and volunteerism.

Earlier this year, PAWS NY—which provides pet care support to older adults and individuals living with illness or disability—presented about its programs and services to staff at NYC Aging. This led to discussions around a volunteer partnership, as NYC Aging recruits and refers hundreds of volunteers across the five boroughs for opportunities to give back at local nonprofits. PAWS NY is the latest to join the list of organizations that volunteer with the agency.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with NYC Aging to find more New Yorkers who want to volunteer with people and pets in their communities,” said Rachel Herman, Founder and Executive Director of PAWS NY. “We are hopeful the partnership will broaden our reach as we expand our programs and help to serve more folks in need.”

“As a dog mom myself, I know firsthand the many great benefits and advantages of a companion animal. Pet ownership has shown to improve physical wellness and mental health, as well as reduce emotional stressors,” said Department for the Aging Commissioner, Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “NYC Aging is excited about our new partnership with PAWS NY to connect older New Yorkers in need of help caring for their pets due to physical, mobility, and other challenges with volunteers to provide that support.”

Visit www.pawsny.org/volunteer to learn more about volunteering with PAWS NY, providing dog walking, litterbox maintenance, and other daily pet care support to New Yorkers and their pets.

# # #

About PAWS NY

The mission of PAWS NY is to help New York City’s most vulnerable residents remain with their pets by delivering critical programs and services through a community of partners and volunteers. Our programs help keep pets in their homes while protecting and promoting the human-animal bond that is so physically and psychologically valuable to our clients.  Thus, our motto: helping people by helping pets. To learn more, visit www.pawsny.org.

——

Contact:

PAWS NY: Kimberly Green
(o): 212-203-4760, x304
(e): Kimberly.Green@pawsny.org

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PAWS NY: What advice do you have for getting cats into their carriers for a trip to the vet?

Dr. Hildenbrand: For most cats, their home is their sanctuary; it is safe there. This way, when they see the carrier come out, they’re like, “I know this means I’m leaving and it’s not going to be fun.” I tell people to take the carrier out well in advance, even days before your appointment. The cat will get used to it being there, they may even sleep in it. You can use treats to lure them into the carrier too.

If you’re really having a hard time getting them into the carrier, then you can talk to your vet about getting medication beforehand so you can help get them into the carrier. Talk about it with your vet personally because they might have other recommendations that are more specific.

Also, carriers that have multiple ways of going in—like top down or from the front—are easier on owners because some cats don’t like one way or the other. Carriers that have more ways to open can be easier as well.

PAWS NY: What are the most important things for cat guardians to understand about cat health?

Dr. Hildenbrand: Cats are notorious for not telling us when they are hurt until its very late. One way you can combat that is by getting to know your cat and knowing what their normal is. By knowing their normal, then you know when they are not acting like themselves. You can see the signs early on and know when to bring them to your vet.

Also having them get annual check-ups, especially as they get older, is important, because it can help us identify problems earlier. We can do screening and bloodwork, so we have a good point of reference for the future if anything happens.

PAWS NY: What tips do you have about cat grooming?

Dr. Hildenbrand: Cats are very good about maintaining themselves, typically. People ask me, “should I bathe my cat?” I usually say no. Cats are very good about grooming themselves. If you have a larger cat who might be a little overweight and can’t groom properly and reach areas. Longer-haired cats can get matted, so those are some areas where you can help with grooming. You can try to see if the cat likes to be brushed; some cats love it and some cats hate it.

In terms of getting their nails trimmed, if you can start them early with that, it’s the easier thing to do. Lots of positive reinforcement. Give them treats and Churu to give them positive reinforcement for getting their nails done. If they’re not really open to it, you can go in steps: positive reinforcement for showing them the nail trimmer, then touching their foot, and so on. It might take some time, but you can get there. Monitor that and make sure their nails aren’t growing into their paw pads. And you can always go to a groomer or vet to get help if nothing is working.

PAWS NY: What about advice for giving a cat medication?

Dr. Hildenbrand: It usually depends on what the medication is. I think the less hands on you can be with a cat, the better. Once they decide they aren’t into something, you don’t have a lot of wiggle room. If you can give it in a very benign way, like food or a Churu, that’s the way to go. Pill pockets or a soft cover to just cover it up. If it’s a powder, you can sprinkle it into food.

If you’re having trouble giving medication, you can also work with your vet. Sometimes there are ways for us to give it in a different form. People usually know what works for giving medication to their cat, so then you can go from there.

We hope this advice is helpful! Watch the full video here and DM us with any additional cat health questions!

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