Our founder and Executive Director Rachel Herman sat down with Dr. Ann Hohenhaus on Ask The Vet to talk all things PAWS.

When asked about her favorite part of working at PAWS NY, Rachel responded “Honestly it’s hearing the longevity and relationships of some of our longstanding clients. For example one of our first clients we ever had – because of our support, that man and his dog got to spend another 10 years together. Thats what means the most to me.”

Check out the episode wherever you listen to podcasts! https://www.amcny.org/ask-the-vet-podcast/

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On January 18th, we were beyond excited to be featured on the new CBS show Extraordinary World with Jeff Corwin! Our episode explored our partnership with The Brady Hunter Foundation, specifically one of our recent Pet Pantry Food Distribution Events in Astoria, Queens.

The episode also shone a spotlight on three of our Housecall clients, ending with a spotlight on Eric and his black Lab Lex. Said Eric in the episode, “I gotta be there for my boy, you know.” Eric then high fives his trusty pup!

You can check out the episode on the streaming service Paramount+. Our episode is Season 1 Episode 3!

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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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What an honor! On October 10th, our Founder/Executive Director, Rachel Herman, was named a “Drew Gooder” on The Drew Barrymore Show.

When asked about how PAWS NY provides care for guardians who need support, Rachel said, “we provide physical pet care for individuals who are going through hard time. As we age we may face limited mobility and difficulty caring for your pets. That in no way means you don’t love your pet. In fact– that’s when you need the love of your pet the most.”

“If you have a pet, your pet is your family. And you shouldn’t have to give that pet up for any reason,” said Herman.

A huge thank you for the recognition, and thank you to Tidy Cats and Purina for your generous support! Also thank you to Drew Barrymore for spotlighting the amazing work we’re doing to preserve the human animal bond for so many New Yorkers! Check out the full 4-minute interview here!

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PAWS NY Barks & Blooms was recently featured in Forbes!

The article handpicked a few of Manhattan’s most glamorous galas from the past month and PAWS NY’s annual benefit was first on the list! It’s a real who’s who of NYC best-dressed humans (and dogs).

Thanks to our incredible community of supporters, we raised more than $70,000 to support the human-animal bond and help New Yorkers stay with their pets. Shout out to the creative team Blonde and Co as well as Annie Phaosawasdi of Hunt Auctioneers for helping us reach our fundraising goal.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images.

Check out the full article on Forbes.com! 

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Our Bronx volunteers and clients were surprised to see a nice treat last week when PAWS founder and Executive Director Rachel Herman dropped by for an interview on BronxNet Open TV!

Rachel mentioned how our Housecall Program connects hundreds of PAWS volunteers with New Yorkers who can’t properly care for their pets. She also mentioned ways to get involved with PAWS, including attending our Barks & Blooms Benefit on May 20.

“If you have a pet, your pet is your family. And you shouldn’t have to give that pet up for any reason,” said Herman.

Thank you @bronxnettv for having us on the show to talk about the amazing work we’re doing to preserve the human animal bond for so many New Yorkers! Check out the full 8-minute interview here!

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Carrie Nydick Finch and Rachel Herman

Carrie Nydick Finch, the Deputy Director of Programs and Strategy for PAWS NY, and Rachel Herman, Founder of PAWS, recently guested on the People, Pets, and Purpose podcast hosted by Diaz Dixon, the Maddie’s Advisor for External Affairs and Partnerships for the Human Animal Support Service Project. Carrie spoke about PAWS NY’s new Substance Use Recovery Program, which provides foster and emergency care for pets whose guardians who are seeking in-patient substance use treatment.

“When it comes to the substance use program, I have a huge love in my heart for people who are battling those issues,” said Dixon, as she interviewed Carrie and Rachel. ” So often, people won’t engage and go into a program, because they don’t have a safe place to keep their pets – so they won’t go into a treatment program or domestic violence shelter because of their pets. So that’s phenomenal. You’re doing that!”

Check out Carrie and Rachel’s full episode of the People, Pets, and Purpose podcast to learn more about our House Call program, our Substance Use Recovery Program, and why Carrie and Rachel love helping people and their pets through PAWS NY. Thanks to Diaz for having us on the show!

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Nellie and Jango cuddle on a couch, photo by Beth Schwartz

Attention Upper West Siders: this one’s for you: the West Side Rag featured PAWS in an article!

Journalist Lisa Kava sat down with Victoria, Will, and Rachel from PAWS to talk about three specific clients and how PAWS is helping them care for their puppies. The article also goes into detail describing the lore from how founder Rachel Herman originally started the nonprofit.

“Rachel Herman, executive director of PAWS NY, founded the nonprofit in 2008, when she was a graduate student at New York University. PAWS, which stands for ‘Pets Are Wonderful Support,’ was inspired by a homeless couple and their dog that Herman saw each day on her way to class.

‘It broke my heart that someone would give up a warm bed at night to stay with their dog, because at the time shelters did not allow pets,’ Herman told West Side Rag. ‘I began to think about older adults and how as we age taking care of pets might become more difficult for some.’ While working in development at the ASPCA, Herman pursued her PAWS idea, eventually raising the funding to make it a full-time job in 2012.”

We’re so happy Rachel took that first major step in 2008 towards making an impact on New Yorkers and their adorable pets. The animals are happy too!

Check out the full article and learn about some of the amazing guardians and volunteers that help make PAWS such an impactful organization.

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PAWS NY was recently featured in a Bored Panda article! The article shines a spotlight on seven different clients of PAWS and their adorable animal companions. PAWS supports pet guardians by offering services like dog walking and litter maintenance to things like medication administration and fostering when a pet’s guardian is hospitalized.

“At PAWS NY, we believe that pets are family, and we work to help keep families together,” said Rachel Herman, the Founder and Executive Director of PAWS NY. “When you see our clients together with their pets, their strong bond is evident. That happiness that exists between the person and the pet—that’s what we’re about.”

Check out all the great photos taken by the amazing PAWS NY photographer David Andrako, of some of the people and pets who are part of the PAWS NY program, showcasing the strength and beauty of the human-animal bond.

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“This is huge. This is a revelation,” said Tawny in the introduction to the episode. “I love pets and I currently have two. I’ve always had pets. So this strikes a personal chord as a person in recover and an animal lover.”

Later on, Lisa added, “I have also seen a ton of people over the years who, one of the biggest things that kept them from going inpatient when they needed to was, ‘I cannot leave my cat. I cannot leave my dog. I don’t have anyone to take care of my animal.’ That is why what you’re doing with the Substance Recovery program is great.”

Check out Carrie’s full episode of the Recovery Rocks podcast to learn more about pets and mental health, our Substance Use Recovery Program, and more. Thanks to Lisa and Tawny for having us on the show!

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