End of an Era: PAWS Closes, But Dr. King’s Mission to Protect Animals Carries Forward

In this file photo, PAWS founder, the late Dr. Bridget King, had stopped by the Four Legged Lodge owned by board member Julie Hoffman who was boarding a PAWS cat that had found a home. Dr. King recognized the cat, happy to see the feline doing well. King passed away in May of 2024. by Trinity Gruenberg

trinity@inhnews.com

PAWS (Pets Abandoned Wanting Support) has disbanded after 27 years. The organization was created in 1998 by an Aldrich veterinarian Dr. Bridget King out of her love for animals. It has helped thousands of animals throughout the years. 

“Specifically—her [King’s] love for unwanted animals. So many people find animals disposable. And she did not. She was a real big advocate for and a voice for the unwanted. She was born to help animals, and she knew it. She showed that every day, and even in her veterinary practice, she was there to be the voice for your animal. And that was always the most important thing to her. She wanted to get people educated enough to understand why animals aren’t disposable, and she really made that her mission,” said Julie Hoffman, PAWS secretary/treasurer.

The organization became a non-profit around 2001 and quickly grew into a full board and a host of volunteers. 

They had several programs, the largest being the feral cat program, where people would bring in a feral cat, they would be spayed and vaccinated, and returned to the farms and areas the cats were collected from. 

They also visited a family fun night at the Verndale School, held rabies clinics, and had a successful neutering day in the fall for several years. 

PAWS had many well-attended fundraisers, including Bingo, Chances for Change tickets for chances to win—businesses donated cash, gift cards, and items—and their annual pet show held at the Verndale Community Center with a silent auction. Tammy and the Bachelor would also put on concerts....

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