PAW Fort Madison Animal Shelter

06/10/2026

912 days. Nine hundred and twelve. Two and a half years living in a shelter waiting for the day someone notices them, two years without a family. Two years of constant stress. That's the story of over 30 of our cats here at PAW- don't let Tulip and Wisteria meet the same fate. Celebrate Adopt A Shelter Cat Month by saving these two gorgeous girls from spending their kittenhood in a kennel. PAW is open 1-4 every day of the week, we hope to see you soon 🩷🐾

06/10/2026

Meet Kai- an absolutely gorgeous Blue Heeler. At less than a year old this boy has had a rather sad life. Kai is a bit timid but wants so badly to be brave. With time live and patience- he will soon become the amazing dog he was meant to be.

06/10/2026

THIS is one of the many reasons PAW Animal Shelter needs to be here. For as little as $5 a month ($1.25 a week) or more - you can help PAW Animal Shelter continue to help animals in need. Please visit our website at pawfortmadison.com and clinic on the donate button to become a sustainable monthly Partner with PAW.

You pulled over like you were going to check the tires.

I knew before you opened the door.

The way your hands shook when you scratched behind my ears one last time. The way you wouldn’t meet my eyes when you whispered, “Be good.”

Then the click of the seatbelt release. The shove. The door slamming like a gunshot.

And just like that—I was nothing in your rearview mirror.

Funny thing about roads: They’re cold. They don’t smell like home. They stretch in both directions, and neither one leads back to you.

I ran after your car. Of course I did. (You knew I would.) My paws bled. My lungs burned. I thought if I could just catch up, you’d remember:
The time I chewed your favorite sandals and you laughed instead of yelling.
The way I always curled into your knees during thunderstorms.

But you didn’t stop.

Humans tell themselves stories: “I had no choice.” “They’ll find her a better home.”
But here’s the truth—you chose the coward’s way out.

You left me where the monsters are real:
Tires that don’t swerve.
Men who don’t care if a collar means someone loved me once.

I survived. Not for you. For me—the me who still wags at squirrels, who licks kids’ faces, who somehow, stupidly, would’ve forgiven you if you’d come back that first night.

But listen close, human:

The road didn’t break me. You did. And yet—

I’m still here.
With a new name.
A new hand to hold.
And a heart that’s almost done waiting for you.

💔 For every soul left by the roadside: May your journey lead you to softer hands.

06/10/2026

It is wonderful to see so many people comment on our “Gotcha” pictures. It’s always an exciting day when the animals in our care are adopted. But without PAW Animal Shelter these animals would have never had the chance of being adopted. So many would still be lost, some running and dying of hunger, getting hit by a car, some shot... A few might find a home with the families whose yard they wandered into. But most will die, hungry, alone, injured and scared. Without PAW Animal Shelter to care for them and actively seek to find them a home these animals will have no one. It is a tough time for PAW Animal Shelter - Which is why we NEED YOU! So please consider - one less Starbucks coffee, one less beer on the night out with the guys, one less Coke at the gas station … $5 ($1.25 a week) or more a week can save the lives of so many animals. Please become a monthly sustainable Partner with PAW Animal Shelter by visiting our website at pawfortmadison.com - click on the donate button at the top of the page and follow the directions. Please Help Us to continue to Help Them.

06/09/2026

Our beautiful Tuxie found her forever home🥳! Thank you so much to her adopters for opening up their home, their hearts, and inevitably, their kitchen countertops 😸 🐾. Have fun chasing toys and cuddling with your new humans, sweet girl. To anyone else looking to celebrate Adopt A Shelter Cat Month, stop in between 1-4 any day of the week!

06/09/2026

Late last week “It Takes A Village Animal” Rescue and Resources in Muscatine Iowa announced they will be closing due to lack of funding. Sadly, They are not the first and more devastating is - the state of pthey will not be the last. The need for Animal Shelters right now is greater than it has been in a very long time- sadly the more we are needed the more expenses we have. When a Shelter/Rescue closes- those still struggling to stay open are left struggling even more.
This is why PAW Animal Shelter is asking YOU to become a monthly sustainable Partner with PAW. PAW Animal Shelter has over 38,000 followers - if each follower would commit to just $5 a month- ($1.25 a week) PAW can focus on doing what we do best - helping the homeless animals throughout our community. Please consider becoming a monthly Partner with PAW - your monthly gift of $5 or more will help insure that PAW Animal Shelter is here for a very very long time.
Please visit our website at pawfortmadison.com- click on the orange donate button at the top of the page and follow the steps. TOGETHER- We Can Do GREAT Things!if you have already become a monthly Partner with PAW THANK YOU!

06/08/2026

Rosy has left the building! So much love and a new playmate awaits her in her new home! Happy “Gotcha” Day sweet girl!

06/08/2026

Mia and Jazzy went HOME today! These sweet girls are 14 years old and they deserve to be loved to the very end! Their new family has promised us if it is for 1 day, 1 week, 1 month or 1 year (or longer) these girls will be loved beyond words! We LOVE Happy Endings! Happy “Gotcha” Day sweet ladies!

06/06/2026

ADOPTED- Say Hello to Rosy!
A Happy Girl
Aussie/Doodle
4 years old
22 pounds
Good with most dogs
Good with most cats
Good with well behaved children over 6
A bit shy
Kennel trained
Will need reminded about potty training
In Need of a Loving Home

06/06/2026

Sweet Cookie and her adorable style of walking!