About PAW

What Does PAW Do?

The PAW Society operates a cat adoption program.  Cats accepted into the adoption program are accepted based on their need and availability of foster homes.

The PAW Society is proud to support and provide a no-cage environment. Please read below to find out more.

Where is PAW?

The PAW Society is based in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
The Society operates the cat adoption room in the Petcetera Store (Park Place Mall, downtown) in Lethbridge, Alberta. 
Please click here for more information.

What Does PAW Do For the Cats?

Incoming rescued cats are vaccinated, dewormed and will be checked by a veterinarian if there are obvious or known medical needs.  Depending on the cats’ age and heath status, they are then spayed or neutered.  Following that, cats will ideally spend time in a foster home where they receive the care, love and attention that they may have never known.  Rescued cats come to PAW in many different conditions: sometimes malnourished, sometimes injured, and sometimes exhausted from living outdoors.   

When a spot becomes available in PAW’s no-cage adoption centre (which can take a few months), the cat will be moved from its foster home to that location.  Cats are also available to adopt directly from their foster homes.  Persons wishing to meet a cat they have noticed on the website are asked to complete the application process first.  PAW will then arrange a meet-n-greet in the foster home.

For some rescued cats, being in the adoption centre proves to be too stressful for them.  PAW pays close attention to any signs of stress that a cat may exhibit in the adoption centre and will make every effort to return the cat to foster care should that occur.  The Society strongly believes that taking care of the emotional needs of rescued cats is just as important as tending to their physical needs.
If a kitten is adopted from PAW, its spay or neuter surgery will be done at approximately 5 1/2 months of age. The surgery is included in the adoption fee (all follow-up kitten surgeries are booked by PAW).

The adoption process is designed to help PAW determine if the adoption is in the cat’s best interest and to assist prospective adopters in finding the cat that is most compatible with their lifestyle.  Prospective adopters find the consultation process very informative. The goal is to enable a successful, life-time adoption.

Who Can Adopt a Cat?

Persons 20 years of age and older are eligible to apply to adopt a cat. People who are renting must have the landlord's permission and be able to provide the landlord’s contact information.

More info about adopting a cat from PAW (including prices and location) can be found here.

What is a 'Foster home'?

A Foster Home is where a rescued cat will go when it enters the Society. The cat stays with its foster family until it is adopted or moved to the adoption centre. Fostering is another great way to volunteer your time to help homeless cats. It can be an extremely gratifying experience. PAW would not be a functioning rescue group without its valuable foster families. For additional info about fostering a rescued cat, please click here.