Yelp for volunteers as PAWS seeks ‘foster families’ too

MIRI: More volunteers and ‘foster families’ are needed to help the Piasau Animal Welfare Support (PAWS), Miri.

A volunteer, Natascha Caldenhove, explained that foster families were crucial as PAWS could not afford to board the cats and dogs in the veterinary clinics.

“We are always looking for more volunteers and foster families. This is because it is so much better for the animals to live with a family and get socialised before they get adopted,” she elaborated when asked on the matter recently.

Natascha is a dedicated volunteer with the Piasau Animal Welfare Support in Piasau Camp, formed in Nov, 2008.

It all began with two ladies who took in sick and abandoned animals. With the help of the Angel Animal Clinic, they managed to help 103 animals in just 14 months.

In the next couple of years, PAWS grew larger with the help of about 25 volunteers, including locals and expatriates. All four veterinary clinics in Miri also became involved and offered continuing support.

As the non-profit organisation is entirely run with donations and sponsorship, PAWS is very proud to announce that it had helped improve the lives of over 1,200 animals since its inception in 2008.

Natascha said their primary goal was to decrease the number of stray animals and eventually have a stray-free Miri by rehoming (adopting) the animals in their care. Stray animals are a result of puppies or kittens being abandoned when not yet spayed or neutered or when they are left to roam the streets while in heat.

“These animals will try to find friends and mate, thus producing litters which grow up on the streets,” according to Natascha.

Those who wish to be volunteers, call 013- 8065066 or email: pawsmiri@ gmail.com