Knox PAWS matches eligible seniors with adoptable pets. Research indicates that pets improve seniors’ physical, emotional, and mental health. The Knox PAWS program started in late 2004 when the Office on Aging partnered with the Young-Williams Animal Center to match senior pets with senior citizens.

Office on Aging’s Project LIVE staff match income-eligible seniors with adoptable older pets identified by animal center staff. The Dorothy Kidd Memorial Fund finances this project, along with donations from the community.

Program participants must be 60 years of age or older, a resident of Knox County, income-eligible, and live independently in a pet-friendly environment. If participants cannot afford pet food, it is provided through the Feed A Pet Project (a partnership of the UT College of Veterinary Medicine and RSVP). Pets adopted by Knox PAWS participants are given an initial medical exam, vaccinated, given a microchip, are spayed or neutered and are provided with six months of heartworm and flea prevention medication.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please visit their website http://www.knoxseniors.org/paws.html