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Your Trusted No-Kill Animal Shelter in Fall River, MA
Forever Paws Animal Shelter is a dedicated no-kill organization committed to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals in need. We serve as the contracted shelter for the City of Fall River and the City of New Bedford, providing comprehensive care for stray, abused, and abandoned animals. Our mission prioritizes ethical rehoming practices that enhance animal well-being and community health. We offer veterinary care, spaying/neutering, behavioral rehabilitation, and long-term housing for treatable animals, ensuring no time limits compromise their quality of life.As a non-profit, we rely entirely on donations, fundraising, and community support to sustain operations, with gratitude to key partners like Mechanics Cooperative Bank for their longstanding sponsorship. Our educational initiatives promote compassionate attitudes toward animals, while partnerships with local shelters and veterinary hospitals enable collaborative solutions for complex cases. Through managed intake and community outreach, we strive to reduce animal homelessness and provide peace of mind for owners facing surrender decisions.
Services
Animal adoption
Rescue operations
Foster programs
Volunteer opportunities
Donation programs
Highlights and features
- We operate under strict no-kill practices with no time limits on animal stays.
- Our partnerships with local shelters and veterinary hospitals enable specialized care for complex cases.
- We prioritize ethical rehoming practices that benefit both animals and the community.
- Our educational programs promote compassionate attitudes toward animal welfare.
- We provide critical support for elderly or ill pet owners facing surrender decisions.
Services
Animal adoption
Forever Paws Animal Shelter offers a rigorous adoption process ensuring safe, ethical placements. Animals receive medical care, behavioral assessments, and rehabilitation before being matched with suitable families. Our team guides adopters through the process, prioritizing long-term compatibility to reduce return rates and enhance animal well-being.
Rescue operations
We respond to cruelty cases and emergencies, rescuing animals from abusive situations, streets, and high-risk environments. Partnering with local authorities and shelters, we provide immediate medical treatment and rehabilitation for animals requiring specialized care, including surgical interventions and chronic condition management.
Foster programs
Our foster network provides temporary homes for animals needing extra care or socialization. Fosters help reduce shelter stress while preparing animals for adoption. Volunteers receive training and support to ensure foster animals thrive physically and emotionally before permanent placement.
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteers assist with daily operations, including animal care, facility maintenance, and community outreach. Training programs equip volunteers to handle medical care, behavioral enrichment, and adoption event coordination, fostering a dedicated community-driven approach to animal welfare.
Donation programs
Community donations fund medical treatments, shelter operations, and emergency rescues. Contributions support critical programs like the annual Celebration of Giving and partnerships with veterinary hospitals. Donors receive transparency about fund allocation to ensure trust and sustained community investment in animal welfare.
Questions
How do I adopt an animal from Forever Paws?
Contact us to pre-approve your application, then schedule an appointment to meet available animals. Our team guides you through matching and adoption requirements.
Can I surrender my pet to Forever Paws?
We accept surrenders by appointment only due to limited space. Call to inquire about availability or join our waitlist for assistance.
What happens to donations made to Forever Paws?
Donations fund medical care, shelter operations, and community programs like our annual Celebration of Giving, ensuring animals receive necessary treatment and support.
Do you offer volunteer opportunities?
Yes! Volunteers assist with animal care, facility maintenance, and events. Training is provided to ensure meaningful contributions to our mission.
How does Forever Paws handle emergency animal rescues?
We respond to urgent cases involving abused, injured, or homeless animals. Contact us at (508) 677-9154 for emergencies requiring immediate intervention.
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Reviews (7)
Michael DAngelo
May 16, 2022
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I have mud on my face.a big misunderstanding on my part! After a phone call from Forever Paw it was resolved. We were able to adopt the cat we originally wanted and are very happy. The staff was extremely helpful, friendly, and informative. It was a turnkey experience. Thank you Forever Paws for everything.
Alexis Ryan
May 16, 2022
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It's a great shelter and a great experience. We got this little guy and he's so nice and chill, the adoption process was quick and easy and I can say he definitely loves his home.
Stephanie White
May 15, 2022
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I was approved and told to come on down for a meet and greet ( I love 40mins away) When I got there they told me we found a better fit for the dog. In the 40 minutes it took me to get there you found a better fit? What a joke. Miss when Erin worked there, she was awesome. The shelter went down hill after she left.
Putloveinyourheart
Mar 25, 2022
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If I could I wouldn't even leave one star, this shelter is inhumane and awful, the way they treat their animals is terrible the same as they treat their staff, by separating bonded animals and euthanizing animals that don't need to be. Lying to their staff saying that an animal has been adopted but was actually euthanized. Someone who adopted a cat from the shelter ran away for only a week after the shelter calls them and tells them that their cat has been adopted by someone else and that there are other cats they can get. I am shocked that the shelter is still open. People truly don't see what is happening on the inside, see four stars but you don't know the truth.
Torhild StLaurent
Mar 24, 2022
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The people where wonderful from the time we entered the door till we walked out. Gave us a gift basket with lots of food, collars and treats. We looked at a few dogs and they where patience with us. Make sure you make an appointment first and when you get there the door bell is to the left of the door, don't pull on the door handles.
Alicia Peloquin
Dec 26, 2021
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I had a great experience here adopting the new addition to my family "Oreo". They were very nice and made sure they did their research to make sure Oreo would have a safe and loving home. We absolutely love him so much and he is so sweet and laid back. I'm glad I had the opportunity to give him the love he deserves.
Shonda Levesque
Nov 30, 2021
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Nolan was great, very helpful he was just doing his job my cat was there from November 11th to November 29th and he was very well taken care of for he was stolen from my neighborhood then dumped on Brayton Ave both collars removed
