PAWS Humane Society

My wife and I adopted a kitten through PAWS. We initially submitted an application for a different cat, but the staff helped us find a perfect fit for our family. Based on some comments here, it seems that some people have the expectation that they can walk in, find any pet they like and take them home with little to no regard for the needs of the pet. We appreciated that the staff is protective of their animals and the effort they put in to help families make the right choice. The staff here were all very kind, helpful, and patient. Most importantly they take amazing care of their pets with clean and spacious enclosures. We couldn’t be happier with our decision and would adopt here again. We strongly encourage anyone to visit PAWS who is looking to add a member to their family!

We have adopted two cats from the shelter and have raised money for the Shelter By doing a coffee and donut stand and cookie/bracelet/lemonade stands. It’s a very clean environment and the ladies care very much for these animals and their well-being. I love that you bring your dog in to make sure it’s a match allowed time to hold them in a secured area.
I also have recommended family and friends that have also adopted from the shelter.

I got one of my cats from here. My father also got one cat from here when I was a teenager. He had always declawed his cat (this was during the time the issues weren't well known). The person in charge was firm, but I wouldn't say rude. She did inform him and me about why declawing bad. She was wary with him but believed him when he said he wouldn't (and he didn't do it because of her firmness).
Fast forward to my adoption. It was after my father had passed and I felt the need to take care of a cat. I went in not expecting anything but fell in love with an orange tabby. The staff was friendly, and I filled the application on the spot. Everything went smoothly and now I have a wonderful addition to my family.
One issue is that I wish they sold my orange tabby and his brother together. My cat developed some abandonment issues after his brother was adopted (he did improve once he developed an attachment a street thug kitten I took in). That is really it in the complaint compartment for me.
I agree that some come backs from the company in the negative reviews were rude, but overall they all absolutely love their jobs.
I loved their passion so much I joined volunteering briefly while I was in between jobs. Each cat gets petting and love time from the staff. They all seem to adore the cats and pay close attention to the cleanliness of the cats environment and the cats wellbeing. Each cat's personality is monitored in order to find them good fitting homes. Overall I think this place is run by people who adore their animals and want to ensure the best for them.

In both pictures, my adopted cat is on the right. The left is the street cat I had taken in.

Wonderful people and shelter! Do not believe the bad reviews, people! I was so nervous by the horrible things that some people wrote, but went ahead with everything anyway and could not be more pleased! I filled out an application and received an email a few hours later stating that I could come in with my children and meet the adoptable cats the next day. We were greeted by three very friendly employees/volunteers who went over the list of cats that we were interested in and let us visit with each one. I prepared my children to leave empty handed, but found several cats that would have been perfect for our family. We found a sweet girl who made herself right at home. We are absolutely in love with our new baby and PAWS. We will be donating, promoting, and hopefully one day, volunteering at this wonderful rescue. I cannot thank all the employees, volunteers and foster homes enough for the incredible love, compassion, and care they provide these animals!

Great organization, easy process. I applied online and received an approval and appointment options within a few hours. We set a time and drove over--Paws is right by the Cherryvale mall. They are closed except for appointments, but they let us in the moment we arrived. They asked us what we were looking for since we hadn't specified, and they took us right to our new kitties. Fred and George, a couple of orange tabby brothers. We looked at the other cats and kittens, and there were some cute ones, but Fred and George were the ones. Highly recommend. You can tell all the cats were well cared for, and the paperwork and chipping process was smooth and fast. Took about 15 to 20 minutes once we decided which cats we were going to get. (Make sure you bring a pet carrier and a form of payment)

Update...nearly a year later and we are fully obsessed wirh our gorgeous sweet boys. Thanks, PAWS!

I have been a volunteer at Paws for 3 years. The care at this facility that is given to the animals is awesome. They provide a safe zone for animals as they transition to go into a forever home. Paws goes above and beyond with a application process to assure that any animal that is adopted from there will have a safe long lasting environment. As a volunteer, I know what goes into the cleanliness of this facility. Two shifts of volunteers twice daily feed and clean and sanitize the enclosures. As I have read some of the reviews as of late. I see there has been some negativity. Some people believe that they know better than the shelter or seem to be very impatient. I can assure you that the staff at Paws is only in concern of the animals. And I myself is a volunteer have faith and 100% support for the tough decisions that the management has to make.

I adopted my babies from here and I couldn't have been happier with my experience. They take great care of their animals and were knowledgeable and responsive. There were no cages at the Cherryvale center and every enclosure had a nice tree in addition to the basic amenities. They let me and my family stay for ages to decide on the right pair and were understanding when I started sobbing like a crazy person because I couldn't take all of them. I also love that they're committed to keeping bonded pairs together. If/when I'm ready to adopt another cat, they'll be my first call!

I adopted a Tortie cat from PAWs was told she was very shy. I was like she will be our basement cat and we shall respect her space. At first she would hid in the basement but slowly started coming upstairs. Now she is the absolute sweetest cat, asks for pets and even sleeps in the bed with us. She even bonded with a kitten we found off the street and they are best buddies. Best cat and perfect fit for our home.

They are in the business to find forever homes for their animals, not of selling animals. Clean facility, where the volunteers care about the animals.

Nice roomy cages for the cats. Dogs are in fosters homes instead of cages at the shelter so call ahead if you want to meet a dog.

Our cat child yara has been the absolute sweetest cat ever!! Couldn't thank paws enough for her! Ladies were sweet and helpful!

I had such a great experience at PAWS that I don't think I will ever want to adopt from anywhere else! The ladies working were so great and informative when I adopted "Donny". BRAVO!

I adopted my best friend at paws. They use foster families to raise kittens and puppies, it makes a world of a difference for these animals. Adopt don’t shop.

I have volunteered for many years at this cat shelter. They take their adopter vetting very seriously to avoid having cats returned or worse yet, let loose outside simply because they are no longer wanted. This can result in some potential adopter rejections, but it’s never done for the wrong reasons. It always done in the best interests of the cats We love every one of our PAWS cats and only want the very best forever homes for them.

Absolutely love this place. Everyone is very courteous. And they are all so eager to help these animals, very loving and caring to give their utmost best care for the animals they aquire. The facility is very well kept up and clean. Stress free to the fur babies with large housings that include glass windows. It is all very roomy for the pets to stay healthy and active. I just wish all facilities were as nice as this everywhere. Non-kill shelter that puts forth every bit of time and effort finding these animals a good loving home.

My family and I adopted our dog Rooney from Paws a couple months ago, and she is the perfect addition to our family. The staff were amazing and courteous to us and our needs. If we ever look at getting another dog/cat, I know where we are going first.

Best rescue in Rockford. Adopted two of our cats from here. Reccomend to everyone. Caring&devoted volunteers, they do so much for animals in the community. #Adoptdon'tshop #RescuesAreTheBestBreeds

I have gotten several pets at PAWS over the years and have been thrilled with the health condition and temperaments of all of them! The volunteers here take top tier care of their animals and are protective of their safety. Yes, this means they don't adopt out in less than ideal circumstances. This includes not adopting to homes with very young children, to homes with a history of indoor/outdoor cat ownership, or (sometimes) to homes with dogs. If you are in one of these situations and swear that *your* darling child won't play too roughly when you aren't paying attention, or that you won't let *this* specific cat outside, they have no way to tell whether that is the truth and will likely deny your application to ensure each cat or dog is placed in an appropriate and loving home with optimal conditions. There are shelters in the area that will fit your needs if you fall into one of these groups and there's no sense in leaving entitled one-star reviews because you got told off for wanting to adopt against policy.

I adopted a bonded pair of sister Ragdoll cats through PAWS Humane Society on Thursday, December 20, 2018. They are absolutely beautiful. Michael who supervises this location across from Cherryvale Mall was more than knowledgeable about this facility and about the adoption process. If you find a cat or dog on Petfinder, you can show your interest as I did through that site, and if they respond, you need to file an adoption application either on the internet or go to their location or their other site at Petco. They have their dogs in Foster Homes so that the dogs have more socialization. The adoption process includes an application and submission. I was called shortly afterward by Michael that I was accepted to adopt the cats that I described above.
I was so excited to adopt the 2 sister Ragdoll cats. They are beautiful and very sweet and nice.
Sonal Puri supports PAWS Humane Society at the location on Mall Drive across from the Northside of Cherryvale Mall. This location is huge with tall closet-like booths with glass/plastic clear doors so that you can see the cats I was able to go in and sit with the 2 cats I was about to adopt.
I'm so happy with my new roommates.

I have been a volunteer at PAWS for several years. The love and care that is given to the animals is the reason I stay. I have read alot of negative reviews and everyone has a right to their opinion. We are not a store we are a shelter. The animals deserve a life better than most of them started with. If an application is denied, there is always a good reason. The staff truly do what is best for each and every dog and cat that comes through the door. Remember there is always another side to every story. Don't listen to the negative. If you are looking to adopt, give the animals at PAWS a chance for a new life.

We got a beautiful kitten from PAWS and the whole process was pretty smooth. We filled out the application online and they messaged us back almost immediately. They even held her for an extra day until we could get there because we live 3 hours away. The facility was clean and very nice, obviously well kept. It was extremely obvious that the women who work at PAWS care a great deal for these animals. The kitten we got is also one of the most sociable, well behaved kittens I have ever had. I would 100% recommend PAWS to anyone.

We have adopted two family members from Paws and they were wonderful with helping select they best match when we were looking for a cat to get along with dogs. Then we adopted a dog. Our dog had the best Foster Family who named him, and we consider them family and friends.