North Florida PAWS: Stopping the suffering before it starts

Hailey Waldo editor@riverbendnews.org In rural North Florida, pet overpopulation is not a future concern; it’s a daily reality. Unplanned litters, outdoor animals and limited access to affordable veterinary care have created a cycle that overwhelms shelters and animal control agencies year after year. For nearly 26 years, one all-volunteer organization has worked to stop that cycle at its source. North Florida PAWS, Inc. (North Florida People for Animal Welfare Society) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is simple and direct: preventing suffering by preventing birth. Through its signature “Prevent-a- Litter” program, the organization pays for spay and neuter surgeries for dogs a