Mission
Alabama Paws Animal Rescue and Sanctuary is dedicated to saving the lives of shelter animals facing euthanasia by pairing them with seniors and other caregivers in need of companionship.
“Our mission is to create a compassionate network where both animals and humans benefit, providing a second chance for pets and enhancing the quality of life for their caretakers.
We strive to:
Rescue animals from shelters and place them in loving homes with seniors and other suitable caregivers.
Fully support these placements by covering all pet-related expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and medications.
Ensure continuity of care for both pets and caregivers by providing temporary boarding and visitation services when needed.
Retain ownership of the animals to guarantee their long-term welfare and prevent unnecessary euthanasia.
Foster a community of volunteers and workers dedicated to supporting this unique pet placement program.
Through our innovative approach, Alabama Paws aims to reduce euthanasia rates in shelters, provide companionship to seniors, and create lasting bonds between humans and animals in need.” This mission statement encapsulates the core concept of your organization, highlighting the unique aspects of your approach such as pairing shelter animals with seniors, covering all expenses, and retaining ownership to ensure the animals’ long-term welfare. It also addresses the challenges you’ve faced, such as liability concerns, by emphasizing the organization’s commitment to supporting both the animals and their caretakers throughout the relationship.
Challenge
The challenge and need for new legislation for Alabama Paws stem from the potential liability issues associated with placing animals with seniors. Under current Alabama law, liability from any harm or damage caused by an animal generally lies with the dog’s owner or the person in control of the animal at the time of the incident leaving Alabama Paws and the potential caregiver of the pet open to litigation . This means that Alabama Paws, its affiliates, and any caretakers could be held liable if an animal placed through the program causes harm, even if the animal and the caregiver has received medical approval from a health provider to be place with the senior or caregiver. A new law would be required to provide a form of immunity to the Alabama Paws program. This would protect the organization, caregivers and its affiliates from legal repercussions in the event of an incident involving one of the placed animals. The concept is similar to the protections offered under the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act, which provides legal tools and support for domestic violence survivors with pets. However, in this case, the new law would need to specifically address the unique circumstances of placing shelter animals with seniors and other caregivers. Such legislation would need to:
Provide Immunity: Grant Alabama Paws and its affiliates immunity from liability for any harm caused by animals placed through the program, provided that all reasonable care and medical approvals are obtained.
Establish Standards: Set clear standards for the health and behavior assessments of animals before placement to ensure they are suitable for living with seniors.
Outline Responsibilities: Clearly define the responsibilities of Alabama Paws, caregivers, and any affiliated services to ensure all parties understand their roles and obligations.
Facilitate Oversight: Include provisions for regular monitoring and oversight of the program to ensure compliance with the established standards and to address any issues promptly.
Without such legal protections, the risk of liability could hinder the ability of Alabama Paws to effectively carry out its mission and expand its innovative approach to animal rescue and senior care.