Pet Partner is a unique partnership between our agency and SafeCenter
who serves victims/survivors of domestic/sexual violence
in Clinton and Shiawassee Counties in mid-Michigan.
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We do NOT assist with rehoming/rescuing animals.

Currently, we are only able to accept referrals from SafeCenter.

​We anticipate expanding the program into other counties and potentially partnerships with other community agencies in the future.
 
    Apply to be a Volunteer Foster Home with Giving Paws Pet Partner Program!
1.  Volunteer Applicaiton
2. Foster Program Volunteer Information
Forms may be submitted online or downloaded below.
Order your Pet Food at Chewy.com and Giving Paws will earn donations!
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​Volunteer Application and Foster Program Volunteer Information Forms are also both available to download below!
giving_paws_volunteer_application_1-2025.pdf
File Size: 109 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
pet_partner_foster_information_1-2025.pdf
File Size: 132 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
                     Pet Partner Update, April 2025
  • Applications are being accepted for Volunteer Pet Foster Homes.  We need your help!!  The application and foster home survey is available above.
  • Our pilot program with The SafeCenter is to provide temporary pet foster homes for their clients who are in need of shelter due to domestic and/or sexual assault.
  • We are NOT accepting referrals from any other programs at this time. We are hopeful that will change in the future.
​                   Pet Partner Update, February 16, 2025
  • Applications are being accepted for Volunteer Pet Foster Homes. Temporary pet foster homes are needed in Clinton and Shiawassee Counties. Application and survey are above.
  • For clarification, we are NOT accepting animals who need to be rescued or rehomed. Our pilot program with The SafeCenter is to provide temporary pet foster homes for their clients who are in need of shelter due to domestic and/or sexual assault.
  • Financial support is needed. We will be providing assistance for families and pets (borrowed term) as a temporary safety net during difficult times. Help us foster the love https://www.givinghappypaws.org/financial-gift.html
  • We have big dreams for this program. We appreciate the GREAT asks from many entities who are interested in partnering with us to serve families. As we fine tune throughout this year's launch we anticipate many great things as this demonstrates to be a sustainable model of service.
                 Program Update, January 14, 2025
Today we had a good conversation with SafeCenter staff. We received feedback on processes, policies and how to ensure the best experience for Pet Parents (their clients) and their pets
Next and Ongoings Steps
  • Our volunteer application is on our website as we begin recruiting Temporary Volunteer Foster Homes (in both Clinton and Shiawassee Counties).
  • Final agreement with our insurance company (ensuring our existing liability policies provide what is needed).
  • Preparing both spaces in Clinton County and Shiawassee County. Pictures below are of our Shiawassee County space including needs for the space.
  • Finalization of forms
  • Volunteer Foster Family Orientations
  • Continue to secure grant funding for all service expenses

We appreciate ALL who have supported our efforts, donated items from our wish list and provided support as we prepare to launch this service!! If all falls in place, we hope to be serving families by March 1st!
Pictured above is our space at SafeCenter!!  We need your help in furnishing; please contact us for more information.
                 Program Update, November 17, 2024
Our paws have been busy and we realize it has been a minute since we updated on where things are with our Pet Partner Program!

Late October we participated in SafeCenter's 30th Anniversary Open House. We enjoyed sharing program information and our vision of what our Shiawassee County space will look like. PAWsitive conversations including launching our Dog/Human Teams to share dog joy in Shiawassee County...stay tuned!!

Our Clinton County Headquarters is currently planning for a move for the beginning of December. We are SO excited for the new space which will even better support our program.

We remain on track to launch Pet Partners in 2025. As you can imagine, there are many pieces that need to be in place to ensure the best experience for the pets, pet parents, volunteer foster homes and our agencies.

During the upcoming season of giving, we hope you will support our Paws on the Ground!!
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                  Program Update, September 17, 2024
​Pet Partner Update We are PAWsitively excited to have our updated Volunteer Handbook hot off the presses thanks to our friends at Jackson National Our next steps are to finalize Program Procedures--the steps of how we will support Pet Parents who need temporary foster homes while they are being supported by The SafeCenter and support our Volunteer Foster Homes.

We anticipate opening applications for Volunteer Foster Homes this fall. Thank YOU for supporting our Paws on the Ground!
                          Program Update, June 18, 2024
Our Leaders of the Pack (Board of Directors) planning for this unique fostering program continues. Conversation included implementing best practices in all aspects including Pet Experiences, Pet Parents and Pet Foster Homes. We have the best LOP which includes expertise in veterinary care, dog training, community partners, private business, domestic and sexual violence, victim services and volunteer viewpoints.

Throughout the summer, we will continue to gather information, use the expertise available to us and finalize all aspects of the Pet Partner polices.
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​Part of our planning steps include consideration for statewide and potentially national service. Our Dog Path (strategic plan) has never been a straight line and this planning reinforces how amazing exploring possibilities can be to enhance services!
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​                              Program Update, June 7, 2024
​We knew The SafeCenter would be a PAWtastic first agency to PAWtner with for the launch of our unique pet fostering pilot program! We LOVE the opportunity of their shared space with us! This is an amazing gift to the pets and humans we will serve!

One of Pet Partner Fostering Program needs as we plan is space--space for Pet Owners to hang out with their pets while the pets are being fostered, space for veterinary care, establishing a Pet Pantry for their clients, Volunteer Training and who knows what else we will dream up!
                           

​                              Program Update, May 31, 2024
Giving Paws and  SafeCenter are proud to announce their collaboration on a pilot program to serve the pets of victim/survivors of domestic and sexual violence. 

The Giving Paws Pet Partners Fostering Program is a unique fostering program which will support screened, trained and supported volunteer foster homes. The foster homes are for temporary placement of pets when their humans are facing difficult times.

"Giving Paws has been considering a pet fostering program for quite some time; however, we wanted to be purposeful in this service. I can think of no better human services agency than SafeCenter to partner with for the launch of this pilot program," shares Kelly Schafer, Executive Handler of Giving Paws. 

"This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for victims/survivors entering Emergency Shelter who are in need of a safe place for their pets. SafCenter is proud to partner with Giving Paws on this Pilot Project. Great things are on the horizon!" from SafeCenter's Executive Director Hannah Gottschalk.

Our agencies are PAWsitively excited to add this support to our communities. We look forward to sharing further details throughout the summer months as we first ensure best policy practices are in place for Giving Paws Volunteer Foster Homes and SafeCenter Victim/Survivors.
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