Paws Humane Society

What Paws Humane Society does

Paws Humane Society, legally Paws Humane, Inc., is a 501c3 nonprofit animal welfare organization headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, operating two adjacent facilities on Milgen Road (4900 and 4910 Milgen Rd). Founded in 1969 as the Muscogee County Humane Society and re-formed in 2009 through a merger with PAWS Columbus, the organization is the largest companion animal welfare provider in the Chattahoochee Valley, serving Muscogee County and surrounding areas. Since February 1, 2025, it has operated in a hybrid capacity as both a privately-funded nonprofit adoption center and the official animal care and control services provider for the City of Columbus.

The organization's core offerings span animal sheltering and adoptions (1,747 adoptions completed in 2025 from 3,639 intakes), an on-site veterinary clinic delivering affordable spay/neuter (over 93,000 procedures since 2009) and wellness services, foster care, a training academy, a Community Cat TNVR program, and a Pets for Life door-to-door outreach program targeting underserved zip codes 31901 and 31903. Supporting infrastructure includes ShelterLuv for animal management, PawBoost and Petco Love Lost for lost pet reunification, and integrated booking platforms for clinic and training services.

Revenue is generated across five streams: charitable donations (including monthly Humane Heroes subscriptions and Guardian Legacy Society bequests), adoption and surrender fees ($20-$140 per adoption, $50 surrender fee), corporate sponsorships (Corporate Champion tiers $2,500-$20,000 annually plus Constant Companions room sponsorships at $750-$1,500 monthly), veterinary clinic services priced below market to ensure accessibility, and the municipal contract with the City of Columbus for animal care and control. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors led by President Michele Maestrean, with no venture capital, private equity, or parent company ownership.

Name

Paws Humane Society

Legal name

Paws Humane, Inc.

Website

https://pawshumane.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Paws Humane Society is a 501c3 nonprofit in Columbus, Georgia, operating as the largest companion animal welfare provider in the Chattahoochee Valley. It runs an animal shelter, affordable veterinary clinic, foster program, and, since February 2025, the City of Columbus's full municipal animal care and control services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (541940), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (812910)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spay/Neuter & Population Control Programs (BPAGAIAE), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Foster & Volunteer Network Programs (BPAGAIAF), Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB)

Keywords

• Animal welfare services
• Pet adoption programs
• Affordable veterinary care
• Spay and neuter services
• Municipal animal control

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue stream from individual donors including one-time gifts, monthly Humane Heroes program, memorial and tribute gifts, and major donor contributions. Corporate matching gifts are encouraged. General donations support food, medical treatment, shelter operations, and adoption programs.
2. Adoption and Surrender Fees: Fees collected from pet adoptions ranging from $20-$140 depending on animal type and age. Owner surrender fee of $50 per animal. Revenue supports the care of animals in the shelter system.
3. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate Champion sponsorships at Bronze ($2,500), Silver ($5,500), Gold ($7,500), and Platinum ($20,000) levels. Constant Companions room sponsorship program ($750-$1,500 monthly). Sponsor a Pet program ($250). Sponsors receive logo placement, social media mentions, event invitations, and networking opportunities.
4. Veterinary Clinic Services: Affordable spay/neuter surgeries, wellness exams, vaccinations, and preventive medications. Pricing is already reduced to make services accessible. Established in 2009, the clinic has completed over 93,000 surgical procedures.
5. Municipal Contract: On February 1, 2025, Paws Humane Society accepted responsibility for managing all of Columbus's animal care and control services, making it both a publicly trusted service provider and a privately supported nonprofit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Paws Humane Society delivers animal welfare services including pet adoption, affordable spay/neuter and wellness veterinary care, municipal animal care and control (since February 1, 2025), foster placement, lost pet reunification, training, and community outreach programs. Core activities are delivered through two facilities on Milgen Road in Columbus, Georgia, supported by donations, adoption fees, corporate sponsorships, and a city contract.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Spay It Forward: Low-cost spay/neuter and wellness services program for qualifying pet owners in Muscogee, Harris, Russell, or Chattahoochee County.
• Paws Training Academy
• Ready, Vet, Go!
• Dog's Day Out
• Neighborhood Pet Support
• Pets for Life

Products and services

• Pet Adoption Adoption services for dogs, cats, and small animals with a streamlined 30-minute adoption process and same-day adoptions available. Fees range from $20-$140 depending on species and age, and all adoptions include spay/neuter surgery, current vaccinations, deworming, microchipping, treatments, and complete medical records. The program also features adoptable-at-risk animals for high-risk shelter pets.
• Spay & Neuter Services Affordable spay/neuter veterinary surgery services performed by licensed veterinarians, with male dogs under 50 lbs at $135, male dogs over 50 lbs at $165, female dogs under 50 lbs at $140, female dogs over 50 lbs at $170, male cats at $70, and female cats at $100. Each surgery includes microchip, e-collar, and pain medication. The clinic has completed over 93,000 surgical procedures since opening.
• Wellness Clinic Affordable veterinary wellness services including physical exams ($34-$47), vaccinations (Rabies $53 with exam/$19 during surgery, DAPP/FVRCP $19, Leptospirosis $19, Bordetella $19, FeLV $28), Heartworm Test ($24), FeLV/FIV Test ($28), deworming ($15-$20), microchipping with registration ($20), and technician office visits ($14). Hours are Monday-Thursday 7:30am-6pm, Friday 7:30am-4pm, with appointments required.
• Animal Services Division Municipal animal care and control services for the City of Columbus, including community cat program operations, stray animal reporting, cruelty investigation and reporting, pet support services, and enforcement of city animal welfare ordinances. Operations are based at 4910 Milgen Rd and accessible by phone at 706-225-4512.
• Foster Care Program Temporary home placement program for puppies, kittens, medical recovery cases, and behavioral support animals. The foster network reduces shelter stay duration and improves adoptability by providing individualized care. Managed by Director of Foster Care Sally Gowins and the Foster Coordinator.
• Paws Training Academy Professional dog training program offering group classes ($125.04 for 6 one-hour sessions) and private sessions (3 one-hour sessions). Designed to prevent owner surrenders due to behavioral issues and strengthen the bond between pets and owners. Reservations managed through PawPartner.
• Spay It Forward Program Low-cost spay/neuter and wellness services for qualifying pet owners in Muscogee, Harris, Russell, or Chattahoochee County. Application-based program offering discounted clinic services to extend access to preventive veterinary care for residents in surrounding counties.
• Ready, Vet, Go! Mentorship Program One-day veterinary mentorship program for aspiring veterinary professionals offering hands-on clinical experience, observation of 35+ surgeries, and career guidance. Full-day program (9 AM - 4 PM) priced at $225, including lunch, t-shirt, materials, certificate, and 6 volunteer hours.
• Pet Rehoming Services Neighborhood Pet Support program helping owners rehome pets directly to other owners without entering the shelter system. Includes free listing service, emergency pet food, low-cost veterinary care access, housing assistance, and a playbook for owner-to-owner adoption transitions. Surrender fee is $50 per animal when shelter intake is necessary.
• Community Cat Program Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) services for outdoor cats in Muscogee County, providing free spay/neuter surgery ($35 Snip & Tip), rabies vaccination, and mandatory ear-tipping. Includes humane trap loan program with vouchers distributed at the Paws Humane Adoptions Desk.
• Lost & Found Pets Lost pet reunification services including 5-day stray animal holds, microchip scanning, and integration with PawBoost and Petco Love Lost platforms for community-wide lost and found alerts. Operated through the Animal Services Division.
• Animal Cruelty Reporting Animal cruelty reporting and investigation services with 24-48 hour response for non-emergency cases and immediate response for urgent situations. Functions as part of the municipal Animal Services Division role assumed in February 2025.
• Donations & Giving Charitable giving options including one-time donations, monthly Humane Heroes recurring giving program (with welcome kit, quarterly impact reports, and special newsletter recognition), Guardian Legacy Society bequests, in-kind supply donations, and vehicle donations. Corporate matching gifts are encouraged through the Double the Donation integration.
• Corporate Champion Sponsorships Tiered annual corporate sponsorship program with Bronze ($2,500), Silver ($5,500), Gold ($7,500), and Platinum ($20,000) levels, plus Constant Companions room sponsorship ($750-$1,500/month), and Sponsor a Pet ($250). Sponsors receive logo placement, social media mentions, event invitations, and networking opportunities.
• Comedy Unleashed Stand-up comedy fundraising event featuring professional comedians, food trucks, and drinks at The Yard venue, with all proceeds benefiting Paws Humane Society. Held as an 18+ event.
• Sit + Stay Social Annual gala event with cocktail hour, silent auction, and dinner at The Bibb Mill celebrating community supporters and honorees. Serves as the organization's signature fundraising gala.
• Pets for Life Outreach Program Door-to-door outreach program modeled on the Humane Society of the United States framework, providing free or low-cost spay/neuter, educational events, and pet care resources to underserved communities in zip codes 31901 and 31903 of Columbus, Georgia.
• Pet Registration Annual and 3-year pet registration services for dogs and cats over 4 months old. Pricing is reduced for spayed/neutered pets ($10/year, $30/3-year) and higher for unaltered pets ($40/year, $120/3-year). Hobby Kennel registration is $25/year plus inspection.

Quantifiable outcome

• Shelter intake reduced from 8,000 to 4,000 animals annually - a 50% reduction
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• HSUS (Humane Society of the United States)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaws Humane mirrors the Pets for Life program developed by The Humane Society of the United States, using innovative outreach strategies to extend animal services, resources, and information to underserved communities in zip codes 31901 and 31903.
• Bissell Pet FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting animal welfare initiatives and adoption events.
• ChewymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner providing product support for shelter animals and adoptions.
• Petco LovemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting animal welfare and adoption programs.
• Columbus ClingstonesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Wet Nose Wednesday promotional events at minor league baseball games. Dogs admitted free to Wednesday home games with adoptable pets on site.
• Texas RoadhousemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly Dine to Donate program on the 2nd Monday of each month where a portion of proceeds from dining are donated to Paws Humane.
• PurinamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting shelter animals through product donations.
• PetSmartmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOffsite adoption venue partner hosting regular adoption events at local PetSmart locations.
• Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for Hero For a Day community events where Paws Humane sets up booth with adoptable pets.
• Grounds Hounds CoffeeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting animal welfare through local business partnership.
• Three Dog BakeryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner and event sponsor providing treats for Comedy Unleashed and other events.
• Animal SOSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting animal welfare initiatives.
• State Farm (Rick Hill)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner providing insurance support and community sponsorship.
• Law Offices of Gary BruceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Wet Nose Wednesday with Columbus Clingstones.
• The Yard (Columbus GA)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for Comedy Unleashed fundraising event. Provides Airstream Bar for drinks and space for food trucks. 18+ comedy event with all proceeds benefiting Paws Humane.
• Peachtree MallminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner and retail venue supporter.
• Cat TopiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting feline welfare initiatives.
• Local Church Serve TeamsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with local church to deliver Pets & Prayer community events combining free drive-thru vaccine clinics with optional prayer services for pet owners.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA: National animal welfare organization that runs shelter, spay/neuter, and community programs in NYC and provides national grants. Comparable mission area but operates as a much larger, geographically dispersed broad incumbent rather than a regional shelter operator.
• Best Friends Animal Society: Leading national no-kill advocacy and shelter operator with a network of regional partners. Comparable no-kill outcome mission and shelter programming; broader geographic footprint and budget but the same hybrid shelter+outreach orientation.
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): National animal welfare umbrella organization — direct partner of Paws (Pets for Life program licensing). Operates as policy/grantmaker rather than shelter operator, but is the most directly comparable national reference and counterparty for program replication deals.
• PetSmart Charities: Largest grantmaker funding shelter adoptions and PetSmart-adjacent in-store adoption events. Direct counterpart for offsite adoption venue partnerships and grant funding for spay/neuter access — comparable role in the same value chain.

Others

• Maddie's Fund: Major family foundation funding no-kill initiatives, community cat programs, and shelter data reporting — directly relevant given Paws' no-kill positioning and Shelter Animals Count reporting. Acts as ecosystem funder rather than direct operator.
• Petco Love: Philanthropic arm of Petco that funds adoption, spay/neuter, and lost-pet programs — and an active Paws community partner. Comparable as a fellow stakeholder in the same funding ecosystem and adoption-event infrastructure, but as a grantmaker rather than a shelter operator.

Direct peers

• Arizona Humane Society: Private nonprofit operating both a shelter and a veterinary clinic with a focus on high-volume spay/neuter and community outreach. Closely comparable scale and service mix to Paws, though serving a much larger metro (Phoenix).
• Charleston Animal Society: Regional shelter + low-cost spay/neuter clinic with strong community outreach focus. Operates a very similar integrated adoption/vet/community model and is a frequently cited peer for hybrid nonprofit animal welfare operations in the U.S. Southeast.
• Houston SPCA: Private nonprofit operating shelter, low-cost veterinary care, cruelty investigations, and municipal-style animal welfare services for the Houston region. Comparable hybrid model combining veterinary clinic, shelter, and enforcement-related services.

Regional players

• Atlanta Humane Society: Large nonprofit shelter and vet clinic serving the Atlanta metro area in Georgia. Highly comparable in operating model (shelter + low-cost vet clinic + adoption), but operates in a different Georgia region and does not hold the municipal animal-services contract for a major city in the same way Paws does.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pawshumane1
• Instagraminstagram.com/pawshumane
• TikToktiktok.com/@pawshumane
• Xx.com/pawshumane1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/paws-humane-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Paws Humane Society