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Helping Paws

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Helping Paws

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Helping Paws keeps military families united with their pets by providing low and no cost veterinary care for troops and veterans in need.

Helping Paws helps keeps military families united with their pets by providing low and no-cost veterinary care for troops and veterans in need. Without our 501(c)(3), a lot of veterans would face the heartbreaking decision of premature relinquishment, or worse yet, economic euthanasia.

10/09/2026

Mafdet is only one year old. Her story shouldn’t end here.

This tiny 8-pound cat has a life-threatening intestinal obstruction and needs surgery to survive. Her family has exhausted the financial resources available to them, so they turned to Helping Paws Foundation for help.

Mafdet should have years of sunny windowsills, midnight zoomies, and cuddles ahead of her.

Please help give her that chance.

Right now, every donation to Helping Paws Foundation is being matched dollar-for-dollar by Dr. Craig Mohnacky.

Donate today via the link in our bio and help save pets like Mafdet.

10/06/2026

Happy National Taco Day!! And yes, this is absolutely a holiday we are celebrating!

Let's be honest, tacos bring people together. They're delicious, they're fun, they're endlessly customizable, and they make every Tuesday (or in this case, Tuesday the 6th!) infinitely better.

At Helping Paws Foundation we like to think we have something in common with a really great taco; we bring together all the best ingredients.

The shell — the strong foundation of donor support that holds everything together
The filling — the Veterans, active duty military, and military families we are so honored to serve
The cheese — our incredible partner hospitals at Mohnacky Animal Hospitals who provide the care
The salsa — the passion and heart that drives every single thing we do

Together? Pure perfection. Just like a really great taco.

Now, a very important PSA from your friends at HPF: Please do NOT share your tacos with your fur babies today. Onions, garlic, spicy seasonings and rich sauces are a big no-no for dogs and cats! They'll give you the most heartbreaking puppy eyes imaginable but stay strong.

They can have the love. You get the tacos.

Support the pets of those who serve:
www.helpingpawssandiego.org

10/01/2026

Happy October 1st and what a day it is!

Today we are celebrating not one, not two, but THREE holidays near and dear to our hearts and we are bringing ALL the fall vibes!

National Pumpkin Spice Day
It's officially fall, people. The pumpkin spice has been unleashed upon the world and we are HERE for it. 😄 And apparently, so are our dogs because yes, there IS such a thing as a puppy pumpkin spice latte and they are THRILLED about it.

(Plain pumpkin is actually great for dogs; just hold the actual spice, sugar, and caffeine!)

National Fire Pup Day
Today we honor one of the most iconic and beloved mascots in American history; the Dalmatian! These spotted beauties have served alongside firefighters for centuries, and their loyalty, courage, and dedication make them a perfect symbol of service.

At Helping Paws Foundation, we have deep respect for ALL who serve including our four-legged heroes.

National Black Dog Day
Did you know that black dogs are among the least adopted animals in shelters? It's a real phenomenon, sometimes called Black Dog Syndrome. Today we want to shout from the rooftops: BLACK DOGS ARE ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT.

Sleek, stunning, soulful and so often overlooked; today we celebrate them with our WHOLE hearts. If you've been thinking about adopting, a beautiful black dog might just be waiting for you right now.

At Helping Paws Foundation, the color of a dog's coat never matters only the love they give and receive. And we are committed to making sure every Veteran, active duty service member, and military family can afford to care for whatever wonderful dog has chosen them.

Ready to support our mission?
www.helpingpawssandiego.org

09/29/2026

Happy National Veterans of Foreign Wars Day, Tuesday, September 29th

Today we honor the men and women who answered the call and left their homes, their families, and their comfort zones to serve the United States of America in conflicts abroad. Their courage, their sacrifice, and their service define the very best of what this nation stands for. 🇺🇸

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the VFW, has stood beside these heroes since 1899, advocating for their rights, their benefits, and their dignity for over 125 years. Today we stand with them in that commitment.

At Helping Paws Foundation, Veterans of Foreign Wars hold a very special place in our hearts and in our mission. We know that coming home is just the beginning of a long journey and we know that the pets waiting at home play an extraordinary role in that healing.

The unconditional love of a dog or cat doesn't ask about rank or deployment history. It doesn't know about PTSD or traumatic brain injuries. It just knows its person and it shows up for them every single day without fail.

We are honored to serve those who have served us all. Today and every day.

To every Veteran of a Foreign War — thank you. From the bottom of our hearts.

We are here for our Veterans and military families:
www.helpingpawssandiego.org

09/19/2026

Ahoy, mateys! September 19th is Talk Like a Pirate Day — but we've got bigger fish to fry today! ️ (We couldn't resist.)

Today also happens to be Responsible Dog Ownership Day AND Puppy Mill Awareness Day — two causes near and dear to our hearts at Helping Paws Foundation. So shiver me timbers, let's talk about both!

Responsible Dog Ownership Day

Being a responsible dog owner means so much more than food and bely rubs. It means regular veterinary care, proper training, exercise, socialization, and above all unconditional love and commitment for the LIFE of your pet.

At Helping Paws Foundation, we believe every dog owner WANTS to be a responsible one. Sometimes they just need a little support to get there. That's exactly why we provide low- to no-cost veterinary care to Veterans and active duty military families here in San Diego County. Because responsible dog ownership shouldn't be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it.

Puppy Mill Awareness Day

This one is serious, and it matters. Puppy mills are large scale commercial breeding operations that prioritize profit over the health and wellbeing of animals. Dogs in puppy mills often live in heartbreaking conditions — overcrowded, underfed, and without proper veterinary care.

What can YOU do?
✅ Adopt, don't shop — visit your local shelter first
✅ Research before you buy — if purchasing from a breeder, visit in person and ask questions
✅ Spread the word — awareness saves lives
✅ Support organizations like Helping Paws Foundation that provide care for animals in need

Every dog deserves a life filled with love, safety, and proper care. Today we raise our voices and our pirate flags for them.

Support our mission to care for pets in need:
www.helpingpawssandiego.org

09/13/2026

National Pet Memorial Day & National Hug Your Hound Day — Sunday, September 13th

Today holds two very different kinds of love and we're honoring both.

National Pet Memorial Day

To everyone who has lost a beloved pet, today is for you. The grief of losing an animal companion is real, profound, and deeply personal. They were not "just a pet." They were family. They were comfort. They were home.

We carry them with us always, in the quiet moments, in the empty spots on the couch, in the way we still reach for them without thinking. Today we honor every precious life that has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Their paw prints never fade from our hearts.

National Hug Your Hound Day

And for those whose hounds are still gloriously, wonderfully HERE, today is your permission slip to squeeze them extra tight!

At Helping Paws Foundation we know that hug means everything. It means your dog is healthy. It means you had the support you needed when it mattered most. And making sure Veterans, active duty military, and military families always have access to that support; that is our mission, every single day.

So hug your hound today. For yourself. For the families we serve. And for the ones who can only be hugged in memory now.

Help us keep families and their hounds together:
www.helpingpawssandiego.org

09/11/2026

September 11th — Patriot Day & National Day of Service and Remembrance

Twenty-four years ago, our world changed forever.

Today we pause. We remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11, 2001. We honor the first responders who ran toward danger without hesitation. We grieve with the families who have carried that loss every single day since. And we stand in awe of the resilience of a nation that chose to rise.

September 11th is also a National Day of Service — a day to honor those we lost by giving back to the communities they loved. At Helping Paws Foundation, service is not just what we do on one day;it is our daily commitment to the Veterans, active duty military, and military families who have already given so much to this country.

Today we serve. Today we remember. Today we stand together.

Never forget.

📋 Honor a Veteran today by supporting their pet's care:
www.helpingpawssandiego.org

09/07/2026

Happy National Grateful Patient Day! Monday, September 7th

Today is National Grateful Patient Day, a day to pause and say thank you to the healthcare providers, caregivers, and organizations that showed up when it mattered most.

At Helping Paws Foundation, we are humbled every single day by the gratitude we receive from the Veterans and active duty military families we serve. A simple "thank you" from a family who couldn't have afforded their pet's care otherwise; that is everything. That is our why.

But today, we want to flip the script.

WE are the grateful ones.

Grateful for every donor who believes in our mission. Grateful for every volunteer who gives their time. Grateful for our incredible partner hospitals - Mohnacky Animal Hospitals in Carlsbad, Escondido, and Vista who make the care possible. And most of all, grateful for every Veteran and military family who has trusted us with the pet they love.

That trust is something we never take for granted. Not for a single day.

Learn more about how we serve our community:
www.helpingpawssandiego.org

09/04/2026

Happy National Wildlife Day! Friday, September 5th

Every creature on this earth from the mightiest eagle soaring overhead to the scruffiest rescue dog waiting for his forever home deserves to be protected, cherished, and cared for.

National Wildlife Day reminds us that ALL animals have an irreplaceable role in our world. And while our work at Helping Paws Foundation is focused on the beloved domestic pets of Veterans and active duty military families right here in San Diego County; our love and respect for ALL living creatures runs deep.

Today, take a moment to appreciate the incredible animal kingdom we share this planet with. And then maybe give your own fur baby an extra squeeze because they're pretty wild and wonderful too.

Want to support the animals closest to your heart?

www.helpingpawssandiego.org

09/01/2026

Gunther is only 3 years old. He’s energetic, loyal, and exactly what you’d expect from a Belgian Malinois until suddenly, he wasn’t.

When Gunther became lethargic and couldn’t keep food or water down, his owner knew something was seriously wrong. Veterinarians discovered that Gunther had swallowed a rubber toy that had become lodged in his intestines, creating a dangerous obstruction that required emergency surgery.

The cost to save him: $6,975.57.

For Gunther’s owner, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who recently lost his job and has been driving for Uber while working to get back on his feet, a nearly $7,000 emergency veterinary bill was simply more than he could manage alone. That’s where Helping Paws Foundation stepped in.

And right now, your support can help us be there for the next veteran and pet who need us. We’ve raised $11,966 toward our $20,000 matching gift goal, and Dr. Craig Mohnacky is personally matching every donation dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000. That means $25 becomes $50. $50 becomes $100. $100 becomes $200.

Gunther’s owner served our country. When he and his best friend needed someone in their corner, Helping Paws Foundation was able to be there. Please help us close the gap and continue helping veterans keep the animals they love by their side.

Address

969 Vale Terrace Drive, Suite D
Vista, CA
92084

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Website

https://www.helpingpawssandiego.org/

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