Bama PAWS

Lonely nights sleeping on cold cement floors, hours in cramped cages, limited attention and affection, and the possibility of being put to sleep; this is the lonesome life of an animal at Metro Animal Shelter. Everyday in Tuscaloosa, sick, injured, or abandoned pets are brought to this shelter and await adoption. In recent years, over-crowding of the shelter has severely inhibited this haven’s ability to help numerous animals. Luckily, for many of these potential pets, T-town PAWS is able to make a difference. By providing a no-kill shelter, proper medical attention, and volunteering opportunities to aid animals, T-town PAWS, and their University of Alabama club, Bama PAWS, is both an asset to local animals and to those who chose to participate in the organization (2).

T-town PAWS, Bama PAWS’ parent organization, was founded in 1997 by a small group of loving Tuscaloosa residents who wanted to give abandoned animals a second chance (1, 2). Bama PAWS operates on the University of Alabama campus with the support of countless student members. These students donate their time and money to rehabilitating and adopting local homeless animals. Members are required to attend monthly meetings and pay a one-time fee of $5 to join the organization, a small price to pay for such a generous service (3). There are several volunteering options to choose from at Bama PAWS: T-town PAWS, Metro Animal Shelter, mini adopt-a-thons, and even large-scale adopt-a-thons are all ways to give back to Tuscaloosa’s needy animals (3). In addition to cleaning cages, walking dogs, and giving baths, T-town PAWS also allows Bama PAWS members to “rent” a dog for the day. This means students can rent a dog or cat from their local shelter for the day and give them the love they need. As fun as it is for the participant, the animal is the real winner, receiving some quality tender-loving care. Students and club members who are not living in a dorm this year are always welcomed to foster animals in their home through T-town PAWS. When animals are too sick, emotionally scarred, or too young to survive in adoptive homes, foster parents are asked to take them in and provide a little bit of extra care required to get them back to health.

Bama PAWS is not just a great place for animal lovers; it’s an easy, enjoyable way to fulfill any required community service hours. Many fraternities and sororities, as well as some classes and clubs, require a certain number of community service hours to maintain membership, so why not spend them playing with dogs? When many students have just moved away from home, it can be difficult for them to leave their family pets behind. Participating in Bama PAWS gives many of these students an opportunity to cuddle with a lonely cat or play fetch with a friendly dog. Bama PAWS also gives students feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction for helping a deserving animal find the perfect home.

Out of the countless clubs and service groups on campus, Bama PAWS is unique; it is a hands-on way to give abused, sick, or hurt animals a new lease on life, while also providing Alabama animal lovers with a place to belong. Hosting adopt-a-thons, working charity events, and volunteering at T-town PAWS are among the ways this club helps local needy animals (3). At the end of the day, one student at the University of Alabama can make a huge difference in the lives of countless homeless animals. It’s obvious that at Bama PAWS, if you give love to an animal, you’ll get it back tenfold.

Resources:
1. http://www.ttownpaws.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=27
2. http://bama.ua.edu/~bamapaws/
3. Bama Paws Flyer
4. Picture found at: https://www.jcarrenterprises.com/paws/templates/apple/images/logo.jpg