CFAY Residents Assist Animal Shelter P.A.W.S. By Fostering Pets
Story and photo by MC3 Mikey Mulcare, Navy Public Affairs Support Element Japan


(Picture On Left) Heather Jackson, president of Pets Are Worth Saving (P.A.W.S.), animal shelter on board CFAY, introduces a two-year-old cat named Skid to a family interested in fostering the animal March 23. P.A.W.S. operated at extended hours to put these animals with new families after a voluntary military assisted departure was authorized.

Service members, Japanese civilians and Department of Defense contractors have been joining together to provide homes for displaced animals at Fleet Activities Yokosuka’s Pets Are Worth Saving (P.A.W.S.) animal shelter.

The majority of the animals have been displaced following a voluntary military assisted departure resulting from a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami that devastated the north eastern region of Japan.

“We just reopened this morning after being closed since the authorization to depart was issued and we’re already having animals being brought in,” said Denise Montoye, P.A.W.S. Yokosuka vice president. “Sadly, we expect to take in more animals in the future, but on a positive note we’re receiving a lot of outreach from the community in terms of help and volunteers.”

P.A.W.S., which originally only had the maximum capacity to shelter three dogs, 10 cats and 10 kittens, is now receiving assistance from volunteers and the Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 11 (NMCB) Seabees to increase their capacity.

“The base, at the moment is giving us some aid, by sending the Seabees over to construct some kennels,” said Montoye. “They are pulling out our old supply cupboards and crafting make-shift kennels to handle the increase of animals.”

The new boost in space will allow P.A.W.S. to take in more animals who are temporarily being sheltered and awaiting foster owners. “A lot of the animals we’re getting are eventually going home to their families, but for the time being they just need a foster family,” said Heather Jackson, P.A.W.S. Yokosuka president. “We’ve had a lot of great people step up to help these animals, but we’re going to need more.”

Even with the increased high tempo in the non-profit shelter, the 10 plus P.A.W.S. volunteers are keeping a positive attitude.

“I think that with this community, our Japanese workers and the people of Yokosuka base, that all of these animals are going to find loving homes and I also think P.A.W.S. will come out of this stronger than we’ve ever been before,” said Jackson.

P.A.W.S. has currently waived their adoption fees and are taking donations of supplies like cat and dog food, litter, garbage bags, as well as money. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the shelter at 243-1702.