ABOUT US
Neighbors who refused to look away.
Paws Fur Help is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) in the Rio Grande Valley. We protect and advocate for companion animals — and we’ve been changing how this community treats them since 2022.
HOW IT STARTED
A concerned citizens group, born in 2022.
Paws Fur Help, Inc. was established in March 2022 as a concerned citizens group to provide support and advocate change at the local shelter, city, county and state level.
Paws Fur Help is organized as a volunteer group and exists to promote animal welfare.
OUR MISSION
"To protect and advocate for companion animals in need and build a community where people treat them with kindness and respect."
Advocacy
We push for change at the shelter, city, county and state level — and we show up where decisions get made.
Community
We build a Valley where people value animals — through education, partnerships and showing up for each other.
Kindness
Every animal deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. No animal should suffer, be abused or be discarded.
WHAT WE DO
Advocacy is who we are. This is how we act on it.
Foster program
We place animals in temporary homes and provide the financial, emotional and educational support fosters need.
Volunteer program
Volunteers give the time that saves lives — from events to everyday care.
Transport
We move animals to safety, into vetting and to the homes and partners that can help them.
Foster food pantry
We keep our fosters stocked up so cost is never the reason an animal goes without.
Education
We help the community understand animal welfare, responsible ownership plus their rights and options.
Adoption (via partners)
We work hand-in-hand with trusted RGV shelters and rescues to match animals with loving homes.
WHAT SETS US APART
We don't just help animals. We change the rules that hurt them.
Most of what we’re proud of doesn’t fit on a rescue’s résumé.
2025 – Roadside sales ban. We advocated for state law and the Hidalgo County order banning the roadside sale of animals—and it passed.
OUR BOARD
The people who show up
A volunteer board with diverse backgrounds — united by one belief about how animals should be treated.
From left to right
Gaby Lopez — Community Affairs · Dr. Yarytza Rivera — Medical Advisement · Lisa Salinas — Fundraising · Pete Jaramillo — Treasurer · Dendea Balli — Executive Director · Eddie Tabor — Technology ·Sandra Kemp — Secretary · Donna Garza — Education ·
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
EIN 88-2406554 · IRS recognized 2022
100% Volunteer-Run
No paid staff. Your donation goes to the animals.
Tax-Deductible
Every gift is deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Rio Grande Valley
Serving our community