Heavenly Paws

April8, 2025 - Joann Fritz and Louise Keiter, dedicated volunteers with Heavenly Paws Animal Shelter, recently spoke to the York East Rotary Club about the organization’s heartfelt mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome stray and abandoned cats in York County. Founded in 2004 by Angeline Behrendt, a trained Veterinary Technician, Heavenly Paws has grown from her personal home rescue efforts into a network of caring foster homes committed to giving felines a second chance at life. Heavenly Paws is not a traditional brick-and-mortar shelter. Instead, it operates through a foster-based model, where volunteers open their homes to care for cats until permanent, loving families can be found. This model allows each animal to receive individualized care and attention, including veterinary treatment, socialization, and recovery from sometimes traumatic situations. Fritz and Louise shared stories of challenging rescues, including animals suffering from distemper, serious injuries, and extreme cases of neglect. Despite the difficulties, their message to the Rotary Club was one of hope and dedication. The shelter receives no government funding and relies entirely on private and corporate donations to continue its work. Every dollar goes directly toward the care of the animals—providing food, shelter, medication, and veterinary services. No one at Heavenly Paws receives a salary; the work is done purely out of love for animals. In addition to rescue and adoption services, Heavenly Paws emphasizes the importance of spaying and neutering pets as a vital step in controlling the pet population and preventing future suffering. The Rotary Club expressed admiration for the dedication and compassion shown by Heavenly Paws and its volunteers. Their visit served as a reminder of the power of community involvement in addressing local needs—both human and animal.