SJ Orgs: PetPALS

PetPALS recognizes the value and importance of pets in people’s lives to offer love and companionship. The organization provides services to chronically or terminally ill pet owners or those that have financial hardships in the Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties. The companionship of pets during this time is important to lift spirits emotionally and psychologically. PetPALS offers home pet care and exercise, free or low-cost veterinary care, supplies and food, short-term foster care, and adoption. PetPALS also educates the public on animal adoption/fostering and responsible pet owning.

The group was founded in Audubon by people that wanted to provide services to the ill as well as increase awareness of pet issues. The organization was modeled after PhillyPAWS in Philadelphia and formed a liaison with the AIDS Coalition of Southern New Jersey, who provided office space and furniture. The organization offers inexpensive veterinary services and short-term foster care or adoption if the owner is completely unable to care for their pet.

PetPALS offers the following services for residents in need:

The In-home Pet Care program sends PetPALS volunteers to the house, to walk the dog, clean up litter boxes or fish tanks, feed pets or help purchase pet food and supplies. Volunteers can also provide transportation for pets to the vet or the groomer.

The foster care program provides temporary foster care if the owner is hospitalized. Pets will be put up for adoption if the human can no longer maintain the pet due to special circumstances.

PetPALS educates the public on providing a safe haven to their pet through seminars and long-term planning consultations to offer resources and referrals for wills.

Volunteering for PetPALS is a rewarding experience, creating happiness for the pet and their owner. There are several ways to help PetPALS, even if you don’t have time to volunteer. By becoming a PetPALS ‘workplace friend,’ you can designate PetPALS to receive a payroll deduction contribution through the United Way campaign. Also, promoting PetPALS in your work or community by displaying brochures, posters or other printed material will be beneficial in gaining exposure for the organization. You can support the organization monetarily by sending a check to cover vet costs or food/supply costs.

If you have spare time for volunteering, PetPALS needs volunteers to make calls and coordinate projects in the office. Office volunteers are also needed to serve ad substitute telephone coordinators. If you’re interested in office work, please contact (856) 931-4399 ext. 1.

If you’d like to get more hands on with the pets, PetPALS needs regular, emergency or fill-in dog walkers and in-home care workers.

PetPALS also needs volunteers to help educate the community. If you would like to help with orientation or training programs, call them at (856) 931-4399.

PetPALS of Southern New Jersey is located on 100 Essex Avenue, Suite 100 in Bellmawr. For more information, contact (856) 931-4399 or visit www.geocities.com/snjpetpals.

For more on local Organizations, visit our South Jersey Organizations page.

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Author: Melissa Samuelson