Who We Are

Precious Paws Rescue & Adoption, Inc. is a 501-C3 non-profit organization that provides emotional and wellness care for homeless, abandoned, and neglected cats and kittens in a cage-free no kill shelter until suitable homes can be found. The shelter is operated by a group of dedicated and committed volunteers.

In Sept. of 2003 Precious Paws Rescue & Adoption Inc. was organized and incorporated in November of 2003.
In April 2004, the organization received a non-profit 501-C3 status. A small licensed facility was established May 1st, 2005 to shelter the most needy, which are stray abandoned kittens and homeless pregnant mother cats.

We provide a stress-free environment and quality care for all animals. Upon intake cats are checked for parasites, properly dewormed, vaccinated, tested for leukemia/fiv and monitored until it is safe to transition them into our wonderful community room where they are free to socialize with other compatible animals, run play climb or perch along a sunny window until suitable homes can be found.

All animals are spayed or neuter by the 5th month of age.  Our strict spay/neuter policy helps control the pet population and prevents the birth of unwanted litters and abandonment often seen in many regions of the country.

We provide a safe refuge for all cats who enter our system and will never euthanize for space or any other reason unless the cat no longer has a good quality of life and to prolong it would cause inhumane suffering. 

The organization formed in Sept 2003 after discovering the high rate of abandonment and lack of shelter facilities to address this problem.  The volunteers have dedicated thousands of hours and are totally committed to their goals and mission.

Precious Paws Rescue & Adoption is not publicly funded, and relies totally on donations and fundraisers to continue their work.

Our area unfortunately sees a high rate of abandonment, especially of cats and kitten litters. We need to be able to continue our work and increase services to the community.

Our mission is to develop a quality service that will alleviate suffering and improve the health and welfare of animals, develop effective spay/neuter programs to reduce overpopulation and reduce abandonment of unwanted litters,  develop educational programs especially for elementary school children so we may be able to instill good strong values about the importance of humane treatment of all animals and offer pet related services to the communities. 

We collaborate with communities to increase volunteerism and network with other animal welfare groups in an effort to gain more knowledge, stability and success.

Our web site is a wonderful tool that is is helping to to increase adoptions, encourage support and stay connected with our communities.

We encourage public support and look forward to years of success at saving lives one animal at a time.

Dedicated volunteers are encouraged, donations are tax deductible but most of all it will help us continue our mission at saving lives one animal at a time.

History of Precious Paws Rescue & Adoption Inc.

Precious Paws Rescue & Adoption, Inc. was founded in August 2001 in Van Buren, ME in response to an alarming rate of euthanasia and a general lack of care and concern provided to homeless cats and kittens at the town's local pound. The service area of Precious Paws includes Van Buren and its surrounding communities which are located at the northern tip of Maine, and are all considered rural low-income areas. There are only 2 humane societies in the northern tip of Maine and neither one are able to accept animals from our service area (which is the St. John Valley) since they are not municipally funded by these towns, leaving PP with a significant area to service using limited funds and human resources.

Currently, holding facilities are overseen by area police officers and are utilized to house stray dogs, and some cats and kittens. Animal cruelty and neglect are widespread with substantial evidence of little or no education and training on animal welfare issues. Another area of concern is the lack of properly trained animal control agents, which often results in animal abuse being ignored as police officers do not hold these calls with high priority. When animals are picked up, they receive minimal care, are kept in extremely unsanitary and in stressful conditions, receive little or no human contact, and are caged in the same quarters as dogs for a period of no longer then 3 days.

Precious Paws was founded with a mission of eliminating abandonment and inhumane killing of unwanted cats and kittens in the region, reducing euthanasia rates at local pounds, preventing cruel treatment and suffering of unwanted animals through prevention and intervention activities, and promoting respectful and kind treatment for all animals.

Precious Paws was awarded a grant in August of 2002 from the Wal-Mart Foundation, which provided for the purchase of medical supplies and for spaying and neutering for some animals. In addition, private donations from caring citizens have supplied animal food and litter at no cost to the organization. Area towns have difficulties making room in its annual budget for Precious Paws; therefore, no funding from the town is available. In November of 2003, Precious Paws Rescue & Adoption, Inc. became officially organized and incorporated, and in April of 2004, received a 501(c0(3)non profit organization status from the Internal Revenue Service. Donations are tax deductible. The shelter opened its doors in May of 2004 and is overseen by a group of volunteers.

Goals and Objectives

Last updated Thursday, April 12, 2007