As many of you know, I have been a board member for the past 3 years. With my growing family, I've decided this will be my last term. I will of course still volunteer, donate, and foster. My goal and parting gift is to absolutely BLOW this fundraiser out of the park... as we are having a friendly competition amongst the board and staff. Help me get there :)

In loving memory of Theo Nash Nicastro <3

Dorchester Paws is a private 501c3 not-for-profit organization. Dorchester County supplies 17% of the shelters approximate operating budget of $1.2 million. That means the rest of our funding (83%) must come from grantors and donors, like you.

We are proud to say that here at Dorchester Paws, we are able to provide critical services that go well beyond the usual scope of services offered by a county owned and operated shelter. As an open admission private shelter, 3,600 animals to date, have entered Dorchester Paws in 2021. Of those 70% have been spayed/neutered (on campus) and 170 have needed life-saving heartworm treatment which Dorchester Paws administered and paid for (vs. putting on the adopters since it's very costly). All animals before they leave Dorchester Paws are spayed or neutered, put on monthly preventatives, tested for heartworm (and treated), vaccinated, and microchipped.

Dorchester Paws does not euthanize for space nor do we turn away any medical treatment needed to save a life. We do our best everyday to care for the animals, while providing medical resources (on and off campus), behavior support, and other elements needed to get these animals thriving again.

While we do our best to stick to the budget, we can never predict what may come through our doors as an open admission shelter. 2021, has been another taxing year, with intense medical cases, owner surrenders, and stray intakes. The shelter operated at max capacity multiple times this year, and saw daily intake numbers range between 10-20 animals a day. As a result, we are operating at a deficit.

Our Board of Directors & the staff of Dorchester Paws are teaming up this holiday season, to ask for help, so our animals don't have to. Our current and future residents entrust us daily with their lives and are depending on Dorchester Paws to give them their second chance at life.

Please contribute to our deficit, and partner with Dorchester Paws so we all can be the voice for the voiceless, in Dorchester County.

Will you help?!