Community Assistance

Pets, People The Community

A Helping Paw Humane Society is proud of the work they do working with not only the pets but the people in the community.

After all, when it comes to saving lives,  no one person or neighbor can do it alone. It is critical that everyone does their part to save the lives of these innocent animals.

Whether you feed strays, offer to help a needy neighbors alter their pets, or rescue a litter of kittens, each and everything we do benefits the pets. Working together will create wonderful opportunities.

A Helping Paw offers the following community services:

Feed The Pets

This year two "Fill-A-Truck" fundraisers were held especialy to collect pet food and supplies for not only the animal care hugely but also to help less fortunate pet owners. We've all been there, struggling to keep up with bills. Winter is always the most difficult time and A Helping paw feels it is important to help our less fortunate decedents. After all, you never know when you may need help. At a drop of a hat, you could lose your job and wouldn't it be nice if help was there for you too?

A Helping Paw offers FREE cat and dog food to low-income pet owners during the months Nov. - March. The 'Feed The Pets" program is sponsored in part by our dedicated volunteers, the Sandwich Stop & Shop and  fact Wal-Mart.

To apply, simply call 508-759-2887 or visit us at 3166 Cranberry Hwy., E.

FREE/ Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Certificates.

Sponsored by our dedicated veterinarians, volunteers and in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Animal Coalition's Pet Friendly License Plate Program. These people and organizations have worked endlessly to be able to offer this program, please thank them for their dedication. It is certificates their work that we have been able to continue this program and prevent the deaths of thousands of unwanted pets.

Get the PLATE! Show you support pets.

www.mass.gov/rmv/express/mac.htm

FREE certificates / financial aid:

We would like to help you, but in turn please read the following:

Feral cats are hugley misunderstood. People fear them, call them feral and want them destroyed. A Helping Paw has a great deal of respect for these animals, not as pets but as the wild beings that they are. After all, it is society that has caused the problem. Just because they aren't considered pets, doesn't give us any excuse to destroy them by the thousands. They too have feelings, thoughts and show emotion. Sadly when complaints are filed with animal control, their only option is to destroy all the cats in the colony including the kittens. Many times people trying to help these cats wrongly assume animal control will save them. Most shelters will euthanize them. A Helping Paw is one of few organizations  in Massachusetts that works with feral cats.

So what is a feral cat? Basically it is a cat that has either been born to the wild or has been forced to adapt to the wild. Most of the time these cats have been thrown out by uncaring care givers or are decendents of these cats. The cat is forced to learn fear as it's only protection for a life on the streets. Kittens are taught young to avoid humans and to always be on the look out for a predator. They are the wild form of our domesticated pet cats. And infact, we can learn a lot about our domesticated cats by watching their feral cousins who maintain more of their natural instincts. Did you know that often times the males will protect a litter? Something our domesticated cats want no part of. Feral cats have no intention of hurting humans. And infact, will go to great lenghts to avoid human contact all together. The only time they become dangerous is when humans force them into a corner. If a stranger appraoches me and forces me into a corner, let me tell you, I'll become a bit dangerous myself. I've worked with feral cats for over seven years now. They  are gorgeous animals who deserve respect for what they are. To learn more about some of the ferals we have worked with visit our sancutary page.

What else can we do besides destroy them? First off, many people wrongly add human emotions to the problem. The cats will freeze, the cats aren't happy living like that, they would be better off dead. Why is it a fox, raccoon or opposum is happy with living, but we automatically assume the feral cat isn't? These cats are wild animals just like them. They too deserve to live.

Studies have proven that killing is not the answer. You can kill all the feral cats you want, but they will be quickly replaced by others. By killing them all we are doing is making food available for others to move into their territory making for healthier feral cats that will produce more litters. The best thing we can do is have a little tolerance, learn to coexhist with them, just like we do all wild animals.

The most effective way to control feral cats is through a spay/neuter program. Unfortunately way too many people feed ferals but don't take the responsibility to care for them properly. We get calls all the time, "I started feeding two cats because I felt bad for them, now I have over 30!", what do I do? I can't afford to feed them anymore". Sadly, this is when animal control steps in and all the cats are destroyed. Had that person spayed/neutered the two cats, there wouldn't have been 28 cats to kill. If you are going to feed, then it is your responsibility to have these animals altered! If you claim they aren't your cats and you shouldn't have to alter them, then DON'T FEED THEM! Another mistake people often make that directly harms the cats is watching a litter of kittens grow up. Oh, they are so fun to watch as they pounce and play, but get help for them now! Don't wait until they are 3 months old and each day that goes buy their chances of being socialized is reduced. Kittens under three months can easily be socialized and should be in order to get them off the streets and into good homes. By keeping them, and allowing them to grow up, not only are you being selfish, but you are directly at fault for them not being able to get a home. Kittens over 4 months can be extremely difficult to socialize and most shelters won't even consider adopting them. They too will be killed!

So how can we help you help ferals?

A Helping Paw offers FREE spay/neuter certifciates for people willing to continue care of these wonderful animals. All we ask is that you pay a $10 fee towards vaccinations. (We have been able to reduce the fee thanks to grant funding made by Petco). By vaccinating the cats, you are substantially reducing the spread of rabies and distemper, which can be spread to our domesticated friends. Did you know that less than 5% of the feral cats in the population have Felv/Fiv? Please also ask about our discounted vaccinations if you have more than five ferals to care for. We also offer trap rentals, which is the safest way to transport cats to the vet.

Technically if you have been feeding stray/feral cats for more than 30 days, the cats belong to you. Isn't it time you do the right thing and protect them by having them spayed/neutered and ear tipped?

*Services provided as funds become available. If you would like to help keep this program, please make a generous donation to the feral fund at: A Helping Paw, Box 387, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532.

Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Certificates

*Available as long as funds are available.

The only way to end the killing of sweet, innocent pets is by encouraging EVERYONE to jump on board with us and get all pets spayed/neutered before the age of 6 months. And did you know that by having your female spayed at 4-6 months, prior to her first heat you are almost 100% preventing her from getting breast cancer? We know for some facing fianancial difficulty, this can be something that simply keeps getting brushed off. Before you realize it doggy or kitty are due to have a litter. Did you know that by allowing your pet to have just one litter, you are directly causing 5-8 other pets to be killed? We want to help you do the right thing before it's too late. Please call about our spay/neuter program that offers low-cost spay/neuter services. I'm sure we can fit you into an affordable program. Currently our vets who have made it possible to offer this program are in Bourne. If you can't make it to the Bourne area please try:

Pet Partners, Fall River - www.petpartnersne.org

Standish Humane Society, Duxbury MA - www.standishhumanesociety.com/html/fixed.html

See How Spay/Neuter Benefits Your Pet:

By having your femal spayed prior to her first heat, you almost eradicate the chances of her developing breast cancer. Every year that she is not altered increases her chances of developing breast cancer and dying from a tumor.

Females won't suffer from uncomfortable heat cycles.

Males will be less likely to run away  in search of a mate. Did you know males will travel miles to find a mate? This can lead to death by being hit by a car, someone assuming it is a stray and eaither taking it in, or bringing it to a shelter were it may be destroyed, they also come in contact with various other animals which can lead to injuries and infections.

Having your male dog or cat altered before 6 months will drastically reduce marking behaviours and associated odors.

Neutering your male dog will also drastically reduce the chances of it becoming a biter.

Spayed/neutered pets are happier, healthier companions.