CFWT Grant Story: Operation Pawprints

Operation Pawprints used their grant from the Community Foundation of West Texas for their Spay/Neuter & Education Project. The organization wanted to reach people in the community that needed help but were least likely to receive it from other places. The nonprofit said they “decided to reach out to Lubbock Meals on Wheels to get referrals” for their program. The project proved to be more work than they were expecting but “gave us an opportunity to meet with several really special people,” Operation Pawprints added.

The nonprofit believes “the most significant part of this has been the unique ability to be actively engaged with the community.” This project provided Operation Pawprints with the chance to educate the public about animal welfare and create relationships they otherwise would not have. The organization speaks of one client that it assisted who owned four stray cats that she had taken in.

The clinic she called said they no longer could take in animals, and she did not know where to turn. “With no other options,” the organization writes, “Ms. Virginia made an appointment for 8 weeks later and brought the cats back home.” Soon the woman had a litter of kittens and two other pregnant cats. No longer able to drive, Ms. Virginia turned to Operation Pawprints for help as part of their program includes pet transport to and from vet appointments. An OP member reported that they are “going to continue working with this precious lady and get all of these animals ‘fixed’ so that the colony will stop growing and we will help to place any kittens needing homes.”

The organization pointed out that “the overpopulation of pets in our community is completely out of control.” To address this problem, the nonprofit sterilized many animals from an overlooked area in the city that would always be at risk for producing accidental litters. An Operation Pawprints member stated, “one spayed or neutered animal can prevent thousands of homeless pets.” They also stress the importance of microchipping pets as the city has issues with lost and stolen animals.

With a portion of their grant money, the nonprofit was “able to purchase 100 extra microchips and got another microchip company to donate another 20 microchips free.” Operation Pawprints microchipped 170 pets in the community through this project. A Pawprints member wrote, “This means there are 170 pets in the community that have a safety net to protect them and help them get home safely.”

The organization closed their report with, “Being able to give back to our community has been a huge blessing for all of us and we have probably learned more about the community and ways we can do more to help.” To donate to the Community Foundation of West Texas and help other nonprofits like Operation Pawprints, click the link provided: https://www.cfwtx.org/give-now.