Helping Paws needs community’s help
“I have a soft spot for the underdogs,” says Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary Executive Director Marnie Miszewski. “Most people aren’t willing to take on animals with problems. It’s my mission to make sure these animals have a comfortable, happy home in which to live out their lives should they not be adopted.”
After losing her job, Miszewski decided to fulfill a dream and sunk all her savings into founding Helping Paws, a “no kill” cat shelter, a little over a year ago. “Most of these cats were someone’s beloved pet and we do our best to find loving homes for them. Fortunately, we’ve had some success with that. But for owners who have to give up pets which other shelters would consider unadoptable, the knowledge that they will have a home for life is such a comfort,” she says.
“Some of our special needs cats really don’t need any special treatment,” Miszewski said, “like Noah, who is blind and came from adverse circumstances but is surprisingly loving and trusting and Peter, whose back legs were injured when he was hit by a car but has no problem running up and down stairs. And our FIV and feline leukemia cats should pose no concerns for potential adopters,” she said. “Their diseases cannot be transmitted to humans and they live long and normal lives.”
But some of the shelter’s other cats have conditions which require medical attention, medication or special diets. “Spring, a very sweet, friendly little Manx kitty, suffers from ‘Manx Syndrome’ and has some bowel issues. We are desperately seeking a vet sponsor for her because this condition might be able to be reversed. Bentley is a great cat which just needs to watch what he eats or he’ll get sick.”
While local veterinarians try to keep the costs of treating Helping Paws cats low, the bills mount up. “Kitties can sometimes get eye and ear infections, colds or respiratory infections and need to be inoculated for rabies, distemper and FIV regularly,” Miszewski says. “I make a lot of trips to the vet!”
The shelter offers a home-like setting with carpeted sleeping areas, water fountains, toys and every amenity to make the cats comfortable, even TVs. Volunteers come in daily to help take care of the cats.
While Helping Paws’ space is limited and houses only cats, Miszewski hopes to have a larger facility to include dogs. In fact, Helping Paws had started an expansion a few months ago. “Unfortunately, with the lack of snowbird support this time of year, some donation boxes being stolen and the ever-increasing cost of necessary food and supplies, building is on hold and every day is a challenge,” she said. “It’s sad because, on average, we get five calls per day from people needing to find new homes for their pets.”
Helping Paws volunteer Kathy Jones thinks the community will be responsive once they learn about the shelter’s plight.
“When I first read about the shelter when it opened, I knew I had to visit and contribute, not only financially, but with my time,” she said. “Scooping litter boxes isn’t my favorite chore but, once that is done, I play with and groom the cats and they love it. So do I.”
“The Pine Island Community has been very kind to me,” said Miszewski. “I’m grateful to find a bag of food or litter, blankets and towels and cat toys in our donation box in front of the building. Every little bit helps and it sometimes feels like Christmas when we get there to an overflowing box!”
There are various ways you can help Helping Paws in addition to donating needed supplies.
On Saturday, Oct. 29, Helping Paws will be at the Pine Island Animal Clinic’s Pet Costume Contest and also at Mike Greenwell’s Haunted Halloween Walk, both from 2 until 4 p.m., to provide information and accept donations. Donations may also be mailed or you can become a member of Helping Paws newly instituted Pals Program to provide financial support. Call 239-283-9100 or visit www.helpingpawsanimalsanctuary.com for more information on the Pals Program.
Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary is located at 10060 Mallory Pkwy E, Unit D, in Saint James City, FL 33956. Visiting and volunteer hours are from 4:00 to 6:30 PM daily with all other business by appointment.
– Written by Helping Paws volunteer Kathy Jones
Helping Paws needs community’s help
“I have a soft spot for the underdogs,” says Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary Executive Director Marnie Miszewski. “Most people aren’t willing to take on animals with problems. It’s my mission to make sure these animals have a comfortable, happy home in which to live out their lives should they not be adopted.”
After losing her job, Miszewski decided to fulfill a dream and sunk all her savings into founding Helping Paws, a “no kill” cat shelter, a little over a year ago. “Most of these cats were someone’s beloved pet and we do our best to find loving homes for them. Fortunately, we’ve had some success with that. But for owners who have to give up pets which other shelters would consider unadoptable, the knowledge that they will have a home for life is such a comfort,” she says.
“Some of our special needs cats really don’t need any special treatment,” Miszewski said, “like Noah, who is blind and came from adverse circumstances but is surprisingly loving and trusting and Peter, whose back legs were injured when he was hit by a car but has no problem running up and down stairs. And our FIV and feline leukemia cats should pose no concerns for potential adopters,” she said. “Their diseases cannot be transmitted to humans and they live long and normal lives.”
But some of the shelter’s other cats have conditions which require medical attention, medication or special diets. “Spring, a very sweet, friendly little Manx kitty, suffers from ‘Manx Syndrome’ and has some bowel issues. We are desperately seeking a vet sponsor for her because this condition might be able to be reversed. Bentley is a great cat which just needs to watch what he eats or he’ll get sick.”
While local veterinarians try to keep the costs of treating Helping Paws cats low, the bills mount up. “Kitties can sometimes get eye and ear infections, colds or respiratory infections and need to be inoculated for rabies, distemper and FIV regularly,” Miszewski says. “I make a lot of trips to the vet!”
The shelter offers a home-like setting with carpeted sleeping areas, water fountains, toys and every amenity to make the cats comfortable, even TVs. Volunteers come in daily to help take care of the cats.
While Helping Paws’ space is limited and houses only cats, Miszewski hopes to have a larger facility to include dogs. In fact, Helping Paws had started an expansion a few months ago. “Unfortunately, with the lack of snowbird support this time of year, some donation boxes being stolen and the ever-increasing cost of necessary food and supplies, building is on hold and every day is a challenge,” she said. “It’s sad because, on average, we get five calls per day from people needing to find new homes for their pets.”
Helping Paws volunteer Kathy Jones thinks the community will be responsive once they learn about the shelter’s plight.
“When I first read about the shelter when it opened, I knew I had to visit and contribute, not only financially, but with my time,” she said. “Scooping litter boxes isn’t my favorite chore but, once that is done, I play with and groom the cats and they love it. So do I.”
“The Pine Island Community has been very kind to me,” said Miszewski. “I’m grateful to find a bag of food or litter, blankets and towels and cat toys in our donation box in front of the building. Every little bit helps and it sometimes feels like Christmas when we get there to an overflowing box!”
There are various ways you can help Helping Paws in addition to donating needed supplies.
On Saturday, Oct. 29, Helping Paws will be at the Pine Island Animal Clinic’s Pet Costume Contest and also at Mike Greenwell’s Haunted Halloween Walk, both from 2 until 4 p.m., to provide information and accept donations. Donations may also be mailed or you can become a member of Helping Paws newly instituted Pals Program to provide financial support. Call 239-283-9100 or visit www.helpingpawsanimalsanctuary.com for more information on the Pals Program.
Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary is located at 10060 Mallory Pkwy E, Unit D, in Saint James City, FL 33956. Visiting and volunteer hours are from 4:00 to 6:30 PM daily with all other business by appointment.
– Written by Helping Paws volunteer Kathy Jones