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> Client Eligibility Policies
Clients
Animals
Annual Certification
Special Note
Client Responsibilities
Client ID Cards
Loss of Status

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PAWS provides comprehensive pet-related services to support to over 700 clients who are maintaining the guardianship and the love of more than 800 companion animals. PAWS serves low-income San Francisco residents with disabling illnesses and seniors 65 and older.

We do not cover animals under the age of 6 months, amphibians or reptiles. We do not help clients get new pets but rather assist them in maintaining the pets they already have.

For more detailed information on PAWS client eligibility policies, please see below.

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Please call our main phone line (415.979.9550) anytime to verify whether or not you are eligible to begin the client intake process. Social Workers, Case Managers, or other representatives may call on behalf of a prospective client. We accept clients throughout the month depending on availability of space. We maintain a waiting list and are able to inform prospective clients of the month that his/her intake process can resume. Once a prospective client is on this waiting list, there is no need to call back. An intake packet will be mailed out as soon as space permits.

All clients must have an intake interview and complete all required paperwork.

For more information please call:
Pat Groves, CASS Case Manager
415.979.9550 ext. 302
Send Pat an e-mail

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PAWS is dedicated to doing whatever we can to help seniors and people with disabling illnesses and their animal companions. However, due to limited resources and the ever-growing need for our services, it is necessary that we follow these policies.

Clients
Any resident of San Francisco who is able to present a letter confirming disabling illness diagnosis or age 65 or older and proof that his/her gross income is no greater than $1850 a month is eligible to be a client of PAWS.

Any clients previously accepted into our program shall remain clients, even if they do not currently fit our eligibility requirements. We can not provide services to existing San Francisco clients if they should move.

Once a client no longer has the animal companions with which he/she registered at the PAWS intake, that person will no longer be considered a PAWS client. If new animals are acquired withink a year he/she may register the new animal without going through the complete intake procedure. If it is more than a year later, he/she, must proceed through the regular intake process to be reactivated as a client.

Animals
Each client will receive assistance for up to two animals only. Ongoing assistance will be provided for these animals for as long as possible.

Except for rare cases in which the animal's health prohibits surgery, all PAWS animals must be spayed or neutered before they can be registered with PAWS. If an animal has not been spayed or neutered at the time of client intake, the client must have his companion animal spayed/neutered within ninety(90) days or they will be required to begin the intake process from the start.

Due to potential health hazards for our clients, and because of our concern for the animals, PAWS will not cover any animals who are under six months of age. Reptiles, wildlife, amphibians, primates, ferrets or other animals who pose significant health risks will also be exempt from coverage.

Annual Certification
If necessary, an annual recertification will take place to ensure that all clients are still eligible to receive services.

Special Note
Although we are concerned about the health and well-being of both human and animal clients, if a human client passes away, his/her animals do not automatically remain PAWS clients. Animals may still receive benefits if their new guardian is eligible to become a client. The new guardian must go through an official intake process and will not receive services without proof of eligibility.

Client Responsibilities
Clients are responsible for notifying PAWS of any changes in phone number, address, animal status, or income within 10 days of the change.

Clients are responsible for securing a home for their companion animal(s) in the event of clients’ inability to continue caring for the animal.

PAWS encourages all clients who cannot find appropriate homes for their animal(s) to become members of the SPCA SIDO Program to ensure a healthy future for their pet(s).

Loss of Status
PAWS clients will lose their status under these conditions:

1. They no longer have the animal(s) whom they had at intake
2. They move out of San Francisco
3. They are abusive to staff, Board or volunteers
4. They are unwilling to comply with PAWS policies and procedures
5. They misrepresent their information about financial and health status