Rio Grande Valley · 501(c)(3) since 2022
They can't speak for themselves. So we do.
Paws Fur Help improves the lives of companion animals in the Rio Grande Valley through rescue, fostering, adoption, community education and advocacy alongside local shelters and government agencies.
What makes us different
Most advocates save animals. We also change the laws that hurt them.
Paws Fur Help works at the shelter, city, county and state level and we don't just show up to speak. We show up to win!
Roadside sales ban. We advocated for state law and for the Hidalgo County ordinance banning the roadside sale of animals — and it passed.
Felony cruelty cases. We stand in the gap on every felony animal-cruelty case in Hidalgo County.
Hidalgo County Animal Coalition. Active members, working with agencies that set local animal policy.
Community Champion Award (twice) and the Icon Award from Keller Williams RGV.
Our impact
Numbers, not adjectives
Every figure below must come from the board's own records.
⚠️ Jose — I previously invented "1,200+ animals / 10+ shelters." Those were placeholders and are now removed. Get real numbers from the board, or delete this section. A nonprofit publishing unverifiable stats is a Charity Navigator problem.
Get involved
Three ways you can help today
Foster
Open your home to an animal in need. We cover the costs and the support — you provide the couch and the kindness.
Apply to fosterVolunteer
Transport, events, the foster food pantry, education outreach, photography, admin. There's a job that fits your schedule.
Join the teamDonate
100% volunteer-run means there's no salary between your dollar and an animal. Your gift funds food, vetting and advocacy.
Give today
Paws Fur Help 5K & 1 Mile Run/Walk
How fostering works
You provide the home. We provide everything else!
Apply
A short application about your home, schedule, and any pets you already have.
Get matched
We pair you with an animal that fits your household — never a mismatch.
Foster & care
You give a safe place to land. We handle food, vetting and support.
Adoption day
We help find the forever home — or you fall in love and keep them.
Adopt
Ready to adopt?
We work hand-in-hand with trusted rescues and shelters nation-wide. Tell us what you're looking for and we'll point you to the animals who need a home right now.
See our partner sheltersThis is a pointer, not a catalog — the honest build if PFH routes animals through partners. If the board says PFH holds and adopts out its own animals, this becomes a real adoptable-animal system (custom post type, photos, statuses, someone maintaining it) and must be scoped and priced separately. Don't guess. Ask.
Established partnerships
We don't do this alone
Our anthem
A song for the ones who can't speak
An original Paws Fur Help song is in the works. The moment the board sends the link, it plays right here.
Embed it, never self-host. Never autoplay.
Our board
The people who Paw-er up
From left to right
Gaby Lopez — Community Affairs · Dr. Yarytza Rivera — Medical Advisement · Lisa Salinas — Fundraising · Pete Jaramillo — Treasurer · Dendea Balli — Executive Director · Eddie Tabor — Technology ·Sandra Kemp — Secretary · Donna Garza — Education ·EIN 88-2406554 · IRS recognized 2022
No paid staff. Your donation goes to the animals.
Every gift is deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Serving our community
Fund the fight
Food, medical care and the advocacy that changes county law. No salaries in between.
DonateOpen your home
Fostering is the single most needed thing right now — and we cover the costs.
Foster an animal