Bargains, clean wheels equal happy four-legged friends

  • Published
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Misawa seems to have something to help meet the needs of everyone here including four-legged friends. 

Pets Are Worth Saving is an organization that is dedicated to caring for stray animals found on Misawa until they can find them another good home. This organization is run through the help of volunteers and fund raising. 

PAWS is holding a flea market across the street from the collocated club and car wash across the street from the shoppette Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to raise funds to aid in the quality of life improvements needed for the homeless animal shelter. 

Volunteers are need to help work shifts at both events, sign up for a free table to sell products, goods and services or donate items to the flea market and supplies for the car wash. Monetary donations are also needed. Anyone interested in volunteering, please call Master Sgt. Edward Lilly at 226-4510 or Paul and Kris Lilly at 0176-52-4369 or email petsareworthsaving@hotmail.com or edward.lilly@misawa.af.mil 

The organization's mission is to provide a home to the strays of Misawa Air Base. They also are a safe haven for escaped pets, until their owners are able to retrieve them and, when necessary, a safe haven for pets whose owners take their pets with when they move. 

Volunteers are an important part in making sure the PAWS facility remains open and the animals are clean, fed and shown affection during their stay. 

Volunteers primarily donate their time cleaning during the morning and evening.
Even though the vacancy at PAWS varies, they have the capacity to house about 20 animals at a given time. 

Their facility consists of outdoor kennels, a boarding room for cats and another for dogs.
In addition to caring for pets that have lost their way, PAWS also takes in owned animals on a space available basis. 

This organization's commitment to taking care of Misawa's furry friends isn't a part time job. It's always looking for people to help, even for a couple hours a week, keep their standard of care high and animals off the street and in the loving arms of a volunteer.