The goal of the Furry Godparent Program is to help secure new homes for cats and dogs whose senior owner is no longer able to care for them, whether due to a serious illness or other incapacity. Caregiver PAWS Connection in partnership with Friends of Strays, a no-kill animal shelter, work together to find a new permanent home for the senior’s beloved pet.
Caregiver PAWS Connection can also coordinate a unique option of providing a lifelike, robotic cat or dog for seniors who cannot care for live companion pets, allowing them to have a continued pet presence in their lives. (To see these amazing robotic cats or dogs, visit this link to Joy For All.)
The Furry Godparent Program is offered to Pinellas County, Florida, seniors through participating senior communities and religious organizations. There is a placement fee per pet, but there is no cost for senior retirement communities or religious organizations to become supporting partners. The organization simply provides a designated volunteer coordinator as the contact between the organization and Caregiver PAWS Connection.
PARTICIPANTS
If you know of a retirement community or religious organization in Pinellas County that would like to participate in the Furry Godparent Program and help to give seniors the peace of mind of knowing their beloved cat or dog can be re-homed satisfactorily and easily should the need arise, please contact us at info@Caregiverpaws.org or call us at (727) 371-1741.
Currently Participating Retirement Communities
- Westminster Palms
- Westminster Shores
- Westminster Suncoast
Currently Participating Religious Organizations
- Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church
Laurel is a sweet cat who was living a sweet life with her loving owner in an independent living retirement community. Laurel’s world changed, however, when her owner, due to dementia, could no longer adequately care for Laurel. Laurel suddenly found herself in need of a new home.
Luckily, Laurel was surrounded by caring “godmothers” who were determined to find a suitable new home for her. Laurel did find a wonderful new home, and she also became the inspiration for Caregiver PAWS Connection, Inc.’s Furry Godparent Program.