History
We started helping the pets of people living on the streets on streetcorners in downtown Portland. The Portland Animal Welfare Team (PAW Team) grew rapidly as demand grew, first with quarterly clinics and then to regular monthly clinics. We became a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt charity in 2003. Currently we are located in the NW Industrial section of town on NW Front Avenue and serve the pets of the homeless at regular clinics, usually held the first Sunday of the month. During the week we provide supplies, medications, and work to pre-qualify clients. We serve between 125 and 140 pets at each clinic. In addition to our Front Avenue clinics, we also have Outreach Clinics where we take our services to where the homeless and those in dire poverty live. We are the only organization in the area that provides these services. We help people and pets stay together during the most difficult times of their lives through free vet care.
Specialties
PAW Team provides free veterinary care to the pets of people that are homeless, in transition from homelessness or living in extreme poverty. We are a volunteer-based organization. We provide spay/neuter, basic exams, parasite control, vaccinations, licensing in four counties, supplies, food, prescriptions and limited surgeries. Clients must prove financial need; all pets in the household must be spayed and neutered. Clients can now pre-qualify to save time on clinic day. Clinics are first-come first-served and are usually the first Sunday of the month.