To the Editor:

PAWS extends a very sincere THANK YOU to the Fayette Area Common Fund for giving us $2,500!

The Fayette Area Common Fund is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for food security, family supports, senior services, and even animal welfare, right here in Howard County. In 2025, they raised $42,400! Those funds are then granted to several local organizations such as the Food Pantry, the Benevolent Fund, the Senior Center, PAWS, and other very worthy organizations that make our community a nurturing place to live.

PAWS stands for Pet Adoption and Welfare Service. We help animals by networking to find homes for stray dogs and cats, providing funds to pet owners to pay for veterinary care and pet food, and paying for spays and neuters of feral cats.

One might ask, “How does helping animals help people?” As a volunteer for PAWS, I have seen the joy in people’s faces when their pets are made healthy or their pets are fed through financial assistance from PAWS. By helping their furry babies, we’re enriching the pet owners’ lives.

Thank you, Fayette Area Common Fund, and thank you, Howard Countians, who continue to support both the Fayette Area Common Fund and PAWS.

Sincerely,

Kim Thompson

P.S. If you or someone you know needs help to access veterinary care or to receive pet food, call PAWS at 660-248-2739. We’re here to help!