"How can I make a difference? I'm just one voice..."

I often hear the words "How can I make a difference?" or "My small gift won’t have any impact." or "I’m just one voice—a letter from me doesn’t mean anything."

Thirty-one years ago some very brave people—with little money and only their own convictions to guide them—set about trying to help animals, stop abuse and create a better world. Their determination and effort became the Progressive Animal Welfare Society. Since then PAWS has grown to include many different programs and tens of thousands of members and supporters. Each person contributes to making the whole PAWS an organization that can make a difference.

More than 300 dedicated volunteers work at PAWS each week to help care for the animals, maintain our facilities and support our programs. We would not be here, saving animals’ lives, without the commitment of our volunteers.

Thousands of people send us contributions, $5 to $5,000. This money allows us to keep our doors open to the homeless dog or cat, injured owl, orphaned duck or baby bear that needs shelter and care. It also gives us the ability to wage campaigns on behalf of animals—protecting gray whales from the Makah tribe’s proposed hunt, ending the importation of puppy-mill puppies from the Midwest, stopping the brutal and often fatal Omak Stampede Suicide Race.

Others help by writing letters or making phone calls – to state lawmakers, prosecutors and judges involved in cruelty cases, or neighbors who are neglecting their dog. We are greatly helped by the people who get involved and raise their voice for animals.

When we join together – whether it’s by giving time, donating money or speaking up—we create a cacophony that must be heard. PAWS is the organization it is today because of you—your support, your voice helps PAWS make a difference for animals. Thank you.