Poquoson Animal Welfare Sanctuary, Inc.

Poquoson Animal Welfare Sanctuary, Inc. P.A.W.S. is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to cat rescue near Poquoson, VA. Sanctuary & 2nd Chances. These are cats that would not make it in our shelter system!

Poquoson Animal Welfare Sanctuary, or P.A.W.S., came to be in 2013 when lovely rescuer Barbara Holloway deeded her property to a handful of like minded rescuers upon her death. Barbara trapped, neutered and returned many ferals in our community and was their constant caregiver, although she was battling cancer. She kept wonderful records of all of the injured and abandoned friendly cats she rehabi

litated and found homes for many of them. Poquoson gave P.A.W.S., a 501(c)3 organization, a conditional use permit to house 100 cats on the 3 acre property with house and cat condos. Our cats are "adopted" by wonderful people who wish to allow them to live their lives at the sanctuary. We have ferals, semi ferals, friendly cats with behavior issues and medical special needs. We have fixed over 1500 cats in our area to stop the overpopulation and suffering. Citizens contact us about lost and found cats and we are often able to help get them back home to appreciative owners. We do loan humane traps and give advice on ways to catch a lost cat. Our rescue is run strictly by volunteers who give their time and compassion to ensure the kitties are healthy, happy and loved! We spay/neuter and get veterinary care for many cats and provide food for colony caregivers throughout the city. Our adoptable cats and kittens are cared for and adopted out through our foster care families. We are very thankful for Barbara's generosity and mission as we continue to carry it forward in her memory! Thank you for your support for the kitties as we are only able to help them with your thoughtful donations! We are available to meet visitors by appointment by calling 757 868-1379. Come along and join us if you can!

❤️😻
08/17/2025

❤️😻

😻🩷Hide n Seek with Fifi!
08/16/2025

😻🩷Hide n Seek with Fifi!

😻🩷Hunny Bunny… I hear cans opening!!!
08/16/2025

😻🩷Hunny Bunny… I hear cans opening!!!

😻❤️The treats were meowvelous!~Big Mac
08/16/2025

😻❤️The treats were meowvelous!~Big Mac

😻Rosemary😻🌹
08/16/2025

😻Rosemary😻🌹

😻💙Bugsy in Ms. Barbara’s chair!
08/16/2025

😻💙Bugsy in Ms. Barbara’s chair!

😻Trapping humanely has been the best way to get cats into our care safely!
08/16/2025

😻Trapping humanely has been the best way to get cats into our care safely!

From the moment the cat is trapped until you release, the trap needs to remain covered ‼️

It's crucial to cover the trap immediately after a cat is caught. Covering the trap completely with a towel, blanket, or a trap-specific cover helps calm the cat and prevents injury from thrashing. This practice is a key part of the TNR process to ensure the cat's safety and well-being.

🐈‍⬛ Reduces Stress 🐈‍⬛
Cats can become very stressed when trapped. Covering the trap creates a sense of security and can significantly reduce their panic.

🐈‍⬛ Prevents Injury 🐈‍⬛
A panicked cat might thrash around inside the trap, potentially injuring themselves. Covering the trap minimizes this risk.

🐈‍⬛ Aids in Transport 🐈‍⬛
A covered trap makes it easier and safer to transport the cat to the clinic for surgery.

🐈‍⬛ Improves Success 🐈‍⬛
Some cats are more likely to enter a covered trap than an uncovered one.

🐈‍⬛ Maintains Calm 🐈‍⬛
Keeping the trap covered throughout the TNR process, including during transport and at the clinic, helps maintain the cat's calm.

✅ Keep a large towel, blanket, or a trap-specific cover readily available.
✅ As soon as the cat is trapped, completely cover the trap.
✅ The cover should be loose enough to allow for airflow but opaque enough to block visibility.

Thank you for spaying and neutering!

🐾🍋 Times are tough… even for the kitties! 🍋🐾We know everyone is feeling the squeeze right now — and so are we. But shhh…...
08/12/2025

🐾🍋 Times are tough… even for the kitties! 🍋🐾
We know everyone is feeling the squeeze right now — and so are we. But shhh… don’t tell the cats. They might get a little hissy if their favorite treats go missing!

😿 Our pantry costs about $1,600 a month just to keep bellies full.
That’s a lot of tuna and Temptations.

💛 If you’re able, please consider donating to help us restock and continue providing the love, food, and care our furry friends deserve.

Poquoson Animal Welfare Sanctuary, Inc. (P.A.W.S.) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to rescuing abandoned, abused, and neglected cats in and around Poquoson, VA.

From spay/neuter efforts to adoption opportunities, we’re here to give every kitty a second chance. With your help, we can keep the purrs coming. 🐱

~Fancy Feast kitten pate
~Purina Cat Chow
~Friskies Pate
~Purina Kitten Chow
~Pro Plan Kitten Pate
~Fancy Feast Appetizers

📍 Drop-off Locations:
🩺 Poquoson Vet
483 Wythe Creek Road
Poquoson, VA 23662

🍺 Earlybird’s Bottle Shop
494 Wythe Creek Road
Poquoson, VA 23662

💛 Other ways to help:
🔗 PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/1993599)
💸 Venmo: -Poquoson
✉️ Mail checks: P.O. Box 2204, Poquoson, VA 23662

📦 Chewy
https://www.chewy.com/g/poquoson-animal-welfare-sanctuary_b81603870 -list&wishlistsortby=DEFAULT

📦 Amazon shipments can be sent to:
Precision Machine Service
117-B Greene Drive
Yorktown, VA 23692

😻Great trapping tip!
08/12/2025

😻Great trapping tip!

😻Misfit💙
08/12/2025

😻Misfit💙

😻Rosemary❤️
08/12/2025

😻Rosemary❤️

With kids getting ready to go back to school, I bet new sneakers are on their list. So if your kids (or adults) decide ...
08/09/2025

With kids getting ready to go back to school, I bet new sneakers are on their list. So if your kids (or adults) decide they no longer need or want their old sneakers, please consider donating them to help with veterinary eye care for a blind rescue beagle, named Buddy. The sneakers will be turned into gotsneakers.com for cash. Buddy is completely blind due to human neglect and he deserves the best care I can possibly give him so I do fundraisers to help pay his vet bills. So if you have any sneakers, any size, any condition, please pm me for pickup or you can drop them off at 115 Shirley Dr, Yorktown (Tabb area). We appreciate you being part of Team Buddy.

Address

181 Messick Road
Poquoson, VA
23662

Telephone

7578681379

Website

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Our Story

Poquoson Animal Welfare Sanctuary, or P.A.W.S., came to be in 2013 when lovely lady Barbara Holloway deeded her property to a handful of like minded rescuers upon her death. Barbara trapped, neutered and returned many ferals in our community and was their constant caregiver, although she was battling cancer. She kept wonderful records of all of the injured and abandoned friendly cats she rehabilitated and she found loving homes for many of them. Poquoson gave P.A.W.S., a 501(c)3 organization, a conditional use permit to care for 100 cats on the 3 acre property with a house and cat condos. Our cats are "adopted" by wonderful people who wish to allow them to live their lives at the sanctuary. We have ferals, semi ferals, cats with behavior issues and medical special needs. These are cats that would not make it in our shelter system! We have fixed over 1200 cats in our area to stop the overpopulation and suffering. Our rescue is run strictly by volunteers who donate their time and talents with compassion to ensure the kitties are healthy, happy and loved! We spay/neuter and get veterinary care for many cats and provide food for colony caregivers throughout the city. Our adoptable cats and kittens are cared for and adopted out through our foster care families in their homes. We are very thankful for Barbara's generosity and mission as we continue to carry it forward in her memory. Thank you for your support for the kitties as we are only able to continue to help them with your thoughtful and much appreciated donations. Come along and join us if you can!