Pawsitive Rescuers of El Paso
About Pawsitive Rescuers of El Paso
Pawsitive Rescuers of El Paso steps in for the animals people often find at their most vulnerable, abandoned, stray, neglected, injured, or abused. Instead of a shelter model, it relies on foster homes, medical support, and adoption placement to help animals move toward safer, steadier lives. It also scans found pets for microchips, which means lost animals have a real chance of getting back to the people looking for them.
What sets this rescue apart is how much of the work happens in private homes, not a shelter building. Foster families open their doors, while the organization handles vetting, food, microchip scanning, and the hands-on support these animals need. Its focus is especially grounded in the animals found in deserts, arroyos, and other outdoor areas around El Paso.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Animal rescue
Rescues abandoned, stray, neglected, injured, and abused animals in El Paso and surrounding counties.
Foster placement
Places rescued animals with foster homes that volunteer to care for them in their own homes.
Adoption placement
Helps rescued animals move into adoptive homes and fur-ever homes.
Spay/neuter, vaccination, and rehabilitation
Provides medical care that includes spay/neuter, vaccination, and rehabilitation for rescued animals.
Microchip scanning for found animals
Scans found stray or lost animals for a microchip and helps identify owner information.
Temporary boarding and kennel support
Uses boarding or kennel space for rescue animals when fosters are not available.
Basic obedience training
Provides basic obedience training through the PAWS Program.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Pawsitive Rescuers of El Paso rescues abandoned, stray, neglected, injured, and abused animals, provides foster care, medical support, and adoption placement, and helps reunite found pets with their families.
Who they serve
Abandoned, stray, neglected, injured, and abused domesticated animals, especially dogs in El Paso and surrounding counties.
How your donation helps
- Day-to-day operations
- Veterinary care
- Food for rescued animals and foster animals
- Emergency care when animals need intensive veterinary treatment
- Temporary boarding or kenneling
- Rescue supplies such as towels, potty pads, dog food, and old kennels
Our story
Karen Washington has been rescuing animals in the El Paso area for more than 20 years. She started close to home, securing loose and stray animals in her neighborhood, scanning them for microchips with Animal Services of El Paso and local veterinarians, and reuniting pets with their families. That work grew into Pawsitive Rescuers of El Paso, which became a 501(c)(3) in February 2019.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Pawsitive Rescuers of El Paso’s services.
If you find a stray or lost animal, Pawsitive Rescuers can scan it for a microchip. Inside city limits, call 311 if the animal cannot be secured, and in county areas call 915-546-2280. The animal can be taken to a veterinary office or fire station for a microchip scan, and a Found Pet report can be filed with El Paso Animal Services.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
"Who rescued Who."
"This is why we do what we do."
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Pawsitive Rescuers of El Paso has shared.
Current needs
- More foster homes
- Towels
- Potty pads
- Dog food
- Old kennels
- Temporary boarding space when foster homes are not available
Volunteer opportunities
- Foster a rescued animal in your home
- Volunteer time to care for foster animals
- Serve on the board of directors
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What kinds of animals does Pawsitive Rescuers of El Paso take in?
It focuses on abandoned, stray, neglected, injured, and abused domesticated animals, especially dogs.
How does the organization house rescued animals if it does not have a shelter?
The animals go into foster homes. If foster space is full, the organization may use emergency space at other rescue shelters or short-term boarding.
What happens when a foster family takes in an animal?
The organization pays for vetting and food for the fostered animal.
How can someone get help with a found or lost dog?
Call 915-240-8358, take the dog to a veterinary office or fire station for a microchip scan, and file a Found Pet report with El Paso Animal Services.
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