Here’s an organization singularly devoted to saving lives – four-legged lives, that is.
Peace for Paws, based in Dublin, is a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization that focuses on saving the lives of animals that are on shelters’ euthanasia lists. Since its inception in 2011, the organization has rescued about 700 animals.
The organization is the brainchild of Julie Robert and Maria Grimshaw. After an impactful volunteer experience in a large-scale animal rescue, the sisters decided to form their own organization to help out. Their backgrounds as an accountant and lawyer, respectively, helped get them through the necessary paperwork and planning needed to get the organization off the ground. Several other volunteers – who are now, like Robert and Grimshaw, directors at Peace for Paws – joined in to help.
“We are the animals’ last possible option,” Robert says.
Peace for Paws rescues cats and dogs exclusively. Because it runs entirely on volunteer efforts, they face a great deal of work just to keep up with its current animals.
All of the animals Peace for Paws rescues are put into its foster home system, made possible by a dedicated network of volunteers, to await adoption. While in foster care, each animal is spayed or neutered and treated for any health problems.
“We currently have 30 or 40 foster homes,” says Robert. “The same process we go through to pick out an adoption program is the same process we go through for fosters. We can only take animals if we have open foster homes.”
This process is not easy. To foster or adopt an animal, each prospective owner or caretaker must fill out an online application that includes personal and veterinarian references. This is followed by a check of any other animals in the home. Any current pets must be fixed, as well as fully vaccinated for their protection.
“One of the biggest things we have problems with is animals that aren’t spayed and neutered,” Robert says. “We can’t (place) them until they are. It gives us a chance to educate people on why that’s important.”
An owner who has ever surrendered an animal for any reason will not be able to adopt. Each owner who gets through the application process must then arrange a home visit from a volunteer to confirm the applicant’s information.
If an adoption does not work out and an owner cannot keep the animal, it comes back to the organization.
“We do not want our animals going back to the shelter or going to another party,” Robert says. “But we’re pretty picky about the families that adopt from us, so we don’t see a huge (animal) return rate.”
Of the cats and dogs Peace for Paws rescues, 50-60 percent come from Franklin County, and almost all of the others are from Ohio.
An animal’s age and breed factor into the adoption process. Puppies are usually in foster care for only two or three weeks before they are adopted, but for adult dogs, the process is generally longer.
Mixed-breed puppies are usually quick to be adopted, as are some specific breeds, such as German shepherds, border collies and Labrador retrievers. Other breeds, such as adult pit bulls, face longer waits.
Peace for Paws relies on donations and fundraising events to maintain its operations. One of its largest annual events, a silent auction
, generates 10 percent of its operating budget. Other events, such as dog walks, also help raise money and awareness.
Taylor Woodhouse is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
An Auction for Adoption
Bids, Barks and Beats is exactly what it sounds like.
The third annual Peace for Paws silent auction fundraiser is scheduled for 8-11 p.m. Nov. 15 at York Golf Club, 7459 N. High St. in Columbus.
This past year, the auction raised about $11,000, and the organization this year is shooting for $20,000 says Julie Robert, one of its founders.
Central Ohio businesses donate items, which range from beauty products to The Ohio State University paraphernalia and are generally valued anywhere from $20 to $1,000.
The evening includes food, drinks and live music as well as the auction.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. They can be obtained via Peace for Paws’ website, www.peaceforpawsohio.org.
