About PAWS

Our Vision

To significantly reduce the burden on Vermont animal shelters, refuges and humane societies by supplementing their needs, allowing them to provide a cleaner, happier and healthier environment for homeless animals.

Our Mission

PAWS fundraises throughout the year as well as works with community business partners that provide donation sites during the holiday season, where the public can contribute items such as cleaning supplies, toys, treats and food, to benefit area shelters, refuges, and humane societies for homeless animals. PAWS then distributes them to the organizations at the end of the season.

“All of us here at NCAL are so appreciative of the generosity and effort that PAWS brings out from our communities, which is such a strong testament to the holiday spirit. The transition period while our dogs and cats wait to find homes can be stressful for them so the fact that the team recognizes the need to make them feel comfortable and cared for during this time, makes a big difference. Thank you for everything… your contribution has made ours that much easier!” —North Country Animal League

Bios

Starr Jewell

Founder/President: Starr has always been a huge animal advocate since at a very young age when she would find strays, and non-strays, and bring them home. She has been on the board of Therapy Dogs of Vermont and also did evaluations for the incoming dogs. She has a vast experience in the animal behavior world. She lives with her husband in South Burlington and they have 2 Bernese Mountain Dogs and three kitties.

Tabatha Small

Vice President: Tabatha is an energetic soul who loves animals of all types. She is like a magnet when it comes to dog and kitties. Having grown up without animals, due to family allergies, she’s now doing a lot of catching up. She loves frolicking with everyone’s dog that she meets. She is a great asset to PAWS as she has a deep understanding of animal love.

Kathy Davis

Treasurer: Kathy is happy to use her myriad of experience in the non-profit world to help provide for animals waiting in shelters. Kathy and her family were the proud owners for 15 years of a special needs Chow Chow named Killy. During this pause from pet ownership, helping other pets in need feels like the perfect resolution.

Ann Kaiser

Secretary: Strays have always found a way into Ann’s heart. They also found a way to her parent’s farm so it was only natural for every cat to come to her through a rescue. While currently only having one spoiled kitty, she always finds time to stop and pet any dog or cat along the way.

Susie McNamara

Although Susie earns her living in the business world, her heart has always been drawn to animals of all kinds with a special interest in dogs and dolphins. Since infancy, Susie has been loved, protected and befriended by a Siberian Husky/German Shepherd mix named Corrie (who lived to be 19 ½) and three purebred German Shepherds – Princess, Samantha, and presently, the craziest and cutest of all, Lexi. Susie is lucky enough to be surrounded by a wide variety of dogs who stop by throughout the day to share a little love and request a pet or two (or ten), at her daytime job at North Star Leasing. She is honored to donate her valuable time to connect community and business donors with shelters to provide the food, supplies, toys, and other items our furry friends so desperately need.