A Brief History of Paws-Ability
Not quite two years ago, Paws-Ability started with a Christmas party idea and has since grown into a respected and significant contributor to local organizations that help stray, injured, abused, and unwanted animals.
During Christmas 2006, Janie and Glenn Withers held a party for friends, and instead of bringing hostess gifts, they asked that everyone bring dog and cat food for the animals housed at the Southport Oak Island Animal Rescue (SOAR) and Paws Place. That’s when and where the seed was planted. Janie, Carolyn Jenks, Joy David, and Ellen Rothenberg, all animal welfare advocates, began brainstorming about what more could be done. “We didn’t want to reinvent the wheel but we wanted to help… somewhere… somehow”. As the Withers Christmas party was ending, the Paws-Ability model was just beginning to form.
The idea carried over to the David’s Mardi Gras party the following February with everyone making a monetary donation to BARK, a non-profit organization that provides cat and dog food to supplement the Meals On Wheels 4 pets program in Brunswick County. Having learned that people receiving meals on wheels were sharing what little food they had with their animal companions, BARK stepped in. They buy and custom package pet food to be distributed along with the meals so that the recipients and their companions can enjoy a full meal together. The Mardi Gras theme was later adopted as a fundraiser and the charitable model began to take shape.
The group never swayed from their original idea and, even though the fledging organization was without a charter and had yet to select a name, animal lovers and advocates began coming on board. October 29, 2007 was the initial meeting. The first order of business was to choose a name, start the paperwork to form a 501 3C non profit organization, and establish the operating guidelines.
Paws-Ability was the name chosen and it perfectly reflects the “possibility” mindset of the founders. As the 501 3C paperwork was being processed with pro bono work provided by attorney Jerry Rothenberg, the organization was already planning Mardi Gras for Paws 2008. This first-time event was an exercise in trial and error, but with a host of dedicated volunteers, resulted in a sold-out attendance and the perfect venue to introduce Paws-Ability and its purpose to the general public. Before the glow of success had worn off, the Brunswick Little Theater called. The producers of the play Sylvia (A.R. Gurney’s play about a man in mid life crisis who brings home a stray dog) thought Paws-Ability to be the perfect benefactor and offered Paws-Ability a share of the profits. In addition to generating funds, this was another chance to increase visibility for the new and growing organization.
Sylvia was followed by an ongoing number of fundraisers that included a $1000 plus yard sale that benefited SOAR and a highly successful microchip clinic held in co-operation with Seaside Animal Care. A suggestion from one of the shelters to design a pet Adoption Board, showing pictures of pets in need of a home was received with great enthusiasm. The adoption board, introduced at the Mardi Gras for Paws event, has become a Paws-Ability hallmark, with its own committee that regularly updates and circulates it throughout the business community. At year end 2008, this adoption board has documented the adoptions of nearly 100 dogs and cats.
Along with generating support for the local animal welfare groups, Paws-Ability is dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership. Current president and one of the founders, Janie Withers is also adamant about the group keeping its members and the public fully informed about pending legislation that addresses animal welfare issues.
In a relatively short period of time, the Paws-Ability founders and volunteers have put together a financial assistance model that is highly respected for its creative fundraising capability and genuine concern for the care and treatment of domestic animals.
By Ron Sorice
