Central Ohio's Programs for Animal Welfare

Central Ohio's Programs for Animal Welfare is a partner of Best Friends, working together to save the lives of dogs and cats in communities like yours across the country

The Best Friends Network is made up of thousands of public and private shelters, rescue groups, spay/neuter organizations, and other animal welfare groups — all working to save the lives of dogs and cats in communities like yours across the country.

From Central Ohio's Programs for Animal Welfare

CO-PAW was founded in response to an overwhelming community need for accessible preventative medicine for animals, as well as education for families who have the best interests of their companions at heart. It is our mission to provide affordable sterilization, vaccines, and behavioral and nutritional counseling to all members of our community, regardless of their financial status. Additionally, CO-PAW operates a foster and adoption program, and is developing a cat cafe with behaviorally appropriate housing for adoptable felines, with the goal of finding permanent, loving homes for as many in-need animals as possible.

Columbus, OH 43207-4003
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How is your community doing when it comes to lifesaving? 

Our partners support each other and inspire their own communities to increase lifesaving of dogs and cats across the country.

Every partner has one common goal: to save the lives of homeless pets.

How Is Your Community Doing?

Animals in Ohio need your help

You can make a world of difference in the lives of cats and dogs in your community when you work with Central Ohio's Programs for Animal Welfare and Best Friends to support homeless pets and save more lives.

woman smiling with a dog

Adopt a pet

When you adopt a homeless dog or cat you’re saving the life of a loving and loyal animal. You’re also making space for other pets to find families of their own.
Adopt a Pet
woman holding two kittens

Foster a pet

Fostering a pet is a short-term commitment with long-term impact. By opening your home to a dog or cat for even a few days, you can save lives.
Foster a Pet

Heartwarming stories from our partners

Just like Central Ohio's Programs for Animal Welfare, shelters and rescue groups around the country are saving the lives of homeless cats and dogs. Read more about their lifesaving work. 
Alex on the floor with Ducky the dog

Life is just ducky for once-shy pup

Find out how Ducky’s dedicated adopters took her from fearful to free.
Now she enjoys adventures
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Bongo the cat after the surgery on his eyes

Cat regains sight thanks to dedicated volunteers

When volunteers discovered Bongo had a dangerous eye condition, they went above and beyond to help this community cat.
His second chance at life
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Four people in front of a Fresh Step branded van with a live trap covered with tie-die material

117 cats spayed or neutered in surgery marathon

After receiving comprehensive vet care, these cats are ready to live their healthiest lives.
Single day event in Northwest Arkansas
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Who we are

Best Friends Animal Society  works alongside thousands of animal shelters, rescue groups, and other animal welfare organizations to save the lives of cats and dogs across the country and to make the entire country no-kill in 2025.

The Best Friends Network is comprised of thousands of animal welfare groups from every single state, all working to save the lives of pets in their own communities.

Ranging from animal shelters and rescue groups to spay/neuter and trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) organizations, they collaborate with Best Friends to save even more lives in every corner of the country.

Best Friends provides marketing help, fundraising events, webinars, grants, and other resources so that, together, we can Save Them All.

Interested in becoming a partner? Visit bestfriends.org/network »