PAWS/LA on Hope Street, Los Angeles (Photo by Cliff Liu)

The cozy interior is unexpected as the building is tucked away on a grey downtown L.A street. Raymundo Baltazar, a volunteer outreach coordinator, warmly greets visitors in the lobby and leads them to his office. 

PAWS/LA serves 2,200 clients a year and employs six people. 

“We take in and care for pets that cannot be cared for by their owners due to life threatening illnesses or senior citizens with low income,” said Baltazar.  

More than 50 percent of the services provided by PAWS/LA are for those going through life threatening illnesses. 

By helping a person’s companion pet, PAWS/LA helps the owner stay healthy. Baltazar says that studies prove that people with life threatening illnesses improve their health and memory by having a pet.   

Baltazar says there has been a decrease in donations due to budget issues from those who provide grants. This has affected how well PAWS/LA can meet the demands of its clients. 

In 2009, PAWS/LA ran on a budget just over $810,000, nearly $110,000 less than the previous year according to the 990 tax-exempt form on Guidestar.org, 

“The budget this year is around $900,000,” said Baltazar.  

Baltazar reveals solutions to combat problems due to tight budgets facing California public service agencies. First, cut wasteful spending. In particular, the costs to print hard copy documents such as brochures, applications, and fliers.

“Non-profits in general should definitely jump into a more digital based setting where they can eliminate a lot of that paper,” said Baltazar. 

For those homeless with a pet, PAWS/LA provides shelter for the owner as well as the companion so that they do not have to live on the street. PAWS/LA and the Petco Foundation worked together to create the PetCo Place, which acts as a shelter within a shelter, holding up to 20 clients at a time. 

PetCo Place allows pet-owning homeless individuals access to emergency shelter without having to part with their pet. 

The most noticeable difference how PAWS/LA operates today compared to previous years is adjusting to the “increasing number of clients interested in receiving aid but unable to qualify,” said Baltazar. 

Those with life threatening illnesses must show documentation from a doctor to qualify. As for seniors, they must be over the age of 65 and earn $1,500 or less per month. 

“If clients do not qualify, that is not to say that PAWS/LA will not help them if they are in dire need. PAWS/LA still does its best and serves those who do not qualify for aid by going ahead and providing them with pet food and supplies on the day of when they ask for assistance,” said Baltazar. 

Volunteer Jim Allen (right) hands dried dog food to a client. (Photo by Cliff Liu)

Baltazar gave an example of one of his clients. PAWS/LA helps a man called John. He lives in West Hollywood and has been a client for over 20 years. John was diagnosed with HIV in his 20s.

Because of his illness, he lost his job and had trouble supporting himself as well as his pets. John currently has a six-year-old Boston terrier called Martie. Baltazar says that with people like John, their companion pet is the closest thing to have to family. 

Another change noted by Baltazar is more and more volunteers who ask for food, vaccines, or veterinary help for their own pets. This surge was most apparent last year according to Baltazar. 

When asked what he thought of this, Baltazar said, “It is wonderful people want to at least offer services to help other people who are in more challenging services. At least it gives you perspective about something to benefit themselves and subsequently others.”

Baltazar emphasizes the need to be cautious when adopting or making the decision to have a pet.

“Consider all the elements of owning a pet,” he says. “ If you need a companion animal, please get one; however, if you’re not ready, please don’t make that move.” 

When asked how people in Los Angeles can help, Baltzar urged the public to share what services PAWS/LA can provide by spreading the word and letting the community know that PAWS/LA is out there. 

“Check out the PAWS/LA Facebook page and “like” us and invite others,” said Baltazar.

 Baltazar believes in micro-volunteerism, meaning that with a few clicks, people are able to determine the lives of animals. 

 “The animals that PAWS/LA deal with are not ‘show animals’ but often animals that were once homeless…Their backs weren’t turned on their current owners, so why should we turn our backs on these owners?” said Baltazar.

Reach reporter Cliff here.