Pet overpopulation and animal homelessness is a community responsibility. Help by doing your part. The best way to get involved is to start in your own community. Whether you have 40 hours a week or just 40 minutes, every little bit counts.

 Here are a few ways you can help animals in your community:

Be a responsible pet owner. Keep current identification on your dog or cat at all times.

Spay or neuter your pet. Always keep your dog or cat properly confined or supervised. In addition to the basics-food, water, shelter, and veterinary care-give your pet lots of love and attention.

 Donate food, old blankets and towels, or other needed supplies, goods that may assist animals in distress. 

 Foster an animal. We often have kittens and  puppies, older sickly or frail animals that need fostering for a short while. Highly rewarding emotionally, it requires someone who is prepared to look beyond their own needs in order to help an animal. We give preference to people who are at home most of the time and do not have pets themselves.

 Adopt that special friend. Choose your next pet from us; we have many wonderful dogs and cats of different shapes and sizes just waiting for a permanent, loving home.

Spread the word. Tell your friends about us. Promote animal safety and responsible pet ownership. Celebrate Pet Awareness Week the first full week of November.

Vote for the animals. Support legislation to protect animals. Contact government officials about animal issues and urge them to support pro-animal legislation.

Be a hero. Report animal cruelty and neglect as well as injured or stray animals. You may prevent suffering and even save a life. Try to contain a stray animal in an area so that we can collect it.

Lastly, teach your children well. Instruct children      in how to care for animals properly and how to treat them with kindness. Set an example by doing the same.

 If you'd like to open your heart and make a donation to PAWS, kindly contact Di Butlin on 083 287 9917 or visit www.plettanimalwelfare.co.za