From Idea to Reality
Lessons We Learned in Building a Non-Profit for Hard-to-Place Animals
We believe that every dog and cat – no matter their age, special need, or behavioral challenge – deserves a loving forever home. Core Paws was founded to share the stories of hard-to-place animals through our website, social media, blog, and email. We provided a free service to animal shelters and rescues across the nation to showcase their hardest-to-adopt cases on one central website. Core Paws helped over 600 homeless animals across 28 states in 116 rescues and shelters find forever homes.
Here are a few of our favorite memories.
ODIE
Odie was adoptable for over 11 years due to his aggression towards other animals. After we met Odie, we made him a promise to help find his forever family. Core Paws raised funds to pay for him to see a leading veterinary behaviorist, and Odie found the most loving home ever! We created Odie’s Fund in his honor, and this fund has financially supported hard-to-place animals on their journey to find a wonderful home.
MINERVA
At 4 weeks old, Minerva was found on the side of the road paralyzed due to human abuse. She was cared for by a local veterinary hospital who called us for help. We found a wonderful foster mom for her and she was taken in by one of our partners. After learning about autologous stem cell therapy and how it could help her, we raised money to help the rescue pay for her treatment. Long story short, Minerva was adopted by the vet tech who worked with her on this treatment!
LEXUS
Lexus, a deaf pitbull, is from a rural community that is a 2 hour drive to the closest metropolitan city. She was fostered by the Richoux family, who fell in love with her. Core Paws did too! We awarded Lexus our Odie’s Fund to pay for deaf dog training with private lessons as well as a 4 week boarded training program. Because of this, she was adopted by the Richoux family! Read all about her story here.
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
People who have adopted hard-to-place animals share their heart-warming experiences.
And our partnered shelters and rescues across the country talk about what Core Paws means to them.
“I love Core Paws and its mission. It is not only a worthy cause, they also create results. I work with a local rescue and Core Paws helped us increase visibility for our hard-to-place pets and cheered us on in our quest to get them adopted. I am so grateful!”
- Ute Luppertz, Co-Founder, Delicious Mickey Grrrl Rescue
“Thank you so much for helping me adopt Odie. We also thank you for starting Odie's Fund for Hard-To-Place Animals. I hope everyone will open their hearts and homes to a hard-to-place dog, their reward will be great! ”
- Sharon, Adopted Odie, who had waited 11 years in a shelter
“The people of Core Paws are the real deal! They are caring, compassionate and truly devoted to the cause. We are so grateful to have found them and are honored to work with them.”
- Avarie Shevin, Director of Operations, Stray Cat Alliance
“First and foremost, these animals just want love. They are most grateful and willing to please. You need to have patience upon first meeting them. If they are shy or fearful, they may not be friendly at first. You adopt these dogs because you want to provide a home for them they’ve never had before.”
- Kristi, Adopted Donna & Delia, who had waited 7 years in a rescue
“Animal rescue is tough and the service Core Paws provides is invaluable. Thank you for being so passionate, enthusiastic and dedicated to helping these sweet animals that need extra help finding their forever homes.”
- Tanya Phillips, Cat Rescue Adoption Network
“Core Paws is amazing in helping to get the word out about hard to place animals. Without their help, it would be much harder to find forever homes for our animals.”
- Laura Dash, Founder, Adopt Me Rescue
“We needed help finding homes for our special kitties. We became partners with Core Paws and cannot begin to say thank you enough for helping our babies have a chance at a life of love. Thank you Core Paws for your huge part in our successful home hunts!”
- Marilyn Hall, Co-Founder, Cat's Cradle Rescue