Paws Along the River Humane Society is proud to have an Open Admission Policy. 

Our Open Admission Policy, more commonly known as "Open Access" is practiced by other area shelters as well.  This philosophy has been with us for over 80 years in Warren, Pa and it ensures that no animal has to suffer needlessly on the streets.  We love animals, so we accept them into our care and never impose a time limit on how long they can stay with us.  Unfortunately, the sheer volume of the animals coming to us outweighs the supplies we have available.  One can imagine how this puts a tremendous strain on our finite resources.  Despite these challenges, Paws is here for the animals every day. 

Our Humane Society does not reject an animal in need.  We first try to help owners who are experiencing hardships keep their pets by providing education and other alternatives to relinquishment.  Failing that, we offer the animal a place with us.  We do have to euthanize animals, but only for reasons pertaining to health or temperament, and always with unwavering compassion.  We do not impose a time limit on an animal's stay here with us, and always strive to find new ways to accommodate animals with medical or behavioral problems, as well as enrich the pets in our shelter.  For example, some animals who come to us with special challenges can be taken to foster in a home for a time, which helps us evaluate them better as well as provide them with a nurturing environment.  Paws Along the River Humane Society strives to find homes for all adoptable animals. Our adoption rate is well above the national average due to the unique program our Shelter offers to adopters.  Before an adoption is finalized, the pet is sent for a visit to their potential new home.  This "Home Evaluation" better known as "Pet Visit" has been widely received and accepted as the best way to give the new owners insight into how the pet may be in their home environment.  We keep all healthy and friendly animals until they are adopted into new homes.  Visit our amazing animals at our Shelter today! 

While an open-admission shelter like ours provides refuge to all animals at any time, many limited-admission animal groups pick and choose which pets they will admit. Some may refer to themselves as “limited-admission” because they do not accept pets that may need to be euthanized. Many open-admission shelters accept animals who have been refused by other shelters or rescue groups. And in every community, there are a number of pets who are not candidates for adoption due to medical issues or aggression.

Sadly, some of these animals are severely ill or injured, or have a temperament which makes them at risk of biting someone. We, like other open-admission shelters, have a duty to the animals who are suffering to not prolong their pain. Paws euthanasia rate has steadily declined over the past decade, and we continue to strive to reduce the number of animals that must be humanely euthanized.

To help prevent pet surrenders, we offer our Pet Helpline and give pet owners a resource option. Our trained experienced staff will take the time to discuss the problems the pet is having and give suggestions and resources to help keep them in the home. We offer literature, access to our trainers, and do whatever we can to help pet owners solve their issues.

Paws Pet Helpline
(814) 726-1961.