Facebook meme about PAWS pet fostering is real but needs context

December 13, 2023 by EUNILITO

About 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted each year in the United States, according to survey data collected by the ASPCA.

People can adopt pets through shelters, rescue groups and other organizations, and sometimes those places offer programs or financial assistance to eligible people.

CHECK out reader Darlene emailed us saw on Facebook with more than 200,000 shares advertising a pet adoption program aimed specifically at seniors who cannot afford the expenses of a pet.

“PAWS is looking for people over 65 who live independently and want the companionship of a pet, but whose finances do not stretch to pet ownership. A healthy, old dog or cat could join [sic] the home of the elderly as a permanent shelter. PAWS maintains the property and pays for food, litter and vet visits. This arrangement is a ‘win-win’ for cats and dogs who are unlikely to be adopted due to their age and for seniors who want to enjoy the company of a pet,” the Facebook post says.

Darlene asked us if it is a real program, while others in the comments of the post ask for more information and if they could participate in places like Texas and California. Other people asked if the program was only available in the United States

THE QUESTION

Is the pet adoption program for seniors described in the viral Facebook meme real?

THE SOURCES

THE ANSWER

The animal support program for seniors described in the viral meme is real, but it is not a program that is available across the country. PAWS of Bainbridge Island & North Kitsap, located in Washington state, offers this program to local residents.

WHAT WE FOUND

This meme has been shared for years on Facebook as if the program being promoted is available for anyone to participate. But there is no national program for seniors to adopt or “permanently” foster animals for free. The text of the meme actually comes from the website of a local animal shelter – not a national or global organization – and contains information about their own program for seniors.

Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Bainbridge Island & North Kitsap, located in the state of Washington, has a program called Pets & Loving Seniors (PALS).

The PALS page says“A healthy, older dog or cat could join your home as a permanent supporter. PAWS maintains ownership and pays for food, litter, and vet visits. This arrangement is a “win-win” for cats who are not likely to be adopted due to their age and for the elderly who want to enjoy the company of an animal.

This text is almost identical to the text seen on the meme that went viral on Facebook.

What they also failed to mention is that the service area for the program is ONLY Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap County in Washington state, Frances Walker, interim executive director of PAWS of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap told VERIFY.

She said the meme has been a “thorn in her side” for weeks because the meme has not only been shared nationally, but has been shared globally.

“A woman thought we could ship a cat to her in New Jersey! I wish whoever created this meme would have thought better and added the geographic service area – it’s pretty important,” Walker told VERIFY.

Mick Szydlowski, the director of public affairs for a different animal welfare organization in Washington called PAWS (www.paws.org), told VERIFY that they have also asked questions about this meme. They have one Seniors program for seniors open to Washington state residents, but does not cover pet costs as same states.

“[The meme] It is not a message that we have published. There are many organizations that use the PAWS acronym, but are not affiliated with us. I believe this specific message is from PAWS of Bainbridge Island and Kitsap County,” Szydlowski told VERIFY.

“I understand it’s a little confusing,” Szydlowski said.

An animal rescue out of Toms Brook, Virginia called Paws for Seniors also addressed the meme in a press release. posted on their website on the 7th of December.

“The post regarding a permanent adoption program is a screenshot of a runaway program from Washington State has many people contacting us,” the statement on the website said. “We’re sure they’ve had a lot of questions, too. We hope and pray they can provide the services to the many potential pet parents who need companion animals for a healthy and happy life.”

The meme appears to have been circulating on Facebook worldwide for years, VERIFY found.

In December 2021, Paws of Cape Town, an animal shelter in South Africa, shared the meme on his Facebook page with the caption: “Fake News! Incas [sic] you are trying to advocate, this program is NOT US, so please do not contact us for more information.

In February 2022, a shelter named PAWS based in Atlanta, Georgia, posted the meme on Facebook with a red X on the photo. The caption said: “! This is not us! There has been a screenshot floating around from a different non-profit association in Washington about a free and permanent foster care program for the elderly. This is not from PAWS Atlanta!”

In June 2022, a shelter called Paws for Life Animal League based in Riverton, Wyoming, too posted on Facebook saying that they have received calls and visitors asking for the program seen in the meme. They called the same “false information”.

There are shelters throughout the United States that have senior programs that help people over 60 find companionship with an older animal. Pets for the elderly (PFE) helps pay fees at participating animal shelters, including pre-adoption vet exams and spay and neuter. Here is a list of PFE shelters and the services it provides.

You should contact your own local animal shelter or rescue organization in your area for adoption or adoption programs.