SAM - Head Vet and President

"When we graduate from vet school we do swear an oath to alleviate suffering of animals and protect them; so being with PAWS seems to be a logical and natural path for me.I was in the small group of animal lovers that created PAWS in 1999, mainly because there was a big gap to be filled in terms of Animal Welfare in Mauritius. The beginning was quite laborious and painstaking because nobody believed in us, many did not understand why we should care for animal welfare, local vets were reluctant to help us and we did not have any funds. Fundraising dinners, auction sales, and our boundless conviction kept us going. After a short time being away from the country, I can say I came back to be very proud of what PAWS is right now, about the difference PAWS is making in the animal welfare aspect in our country. There is still a lot to be done, lots of challenges, tons of obstacles but I would just say “Bring it on!” because when you are fighting with your heart for a good cause you can never lose…"

sam.paws@intnet.mu

ROXANE - Public Relations

"In the 1990s, my friends and I started helping animals in distress, and we tried to find homes for all the puppies and kittens we found by the side of the road.

We started PAWS in 1999 to give all the animal lovers the opportunity to join us, and combine our strengths to help the animals in Mauritius.

I was President of PAWS for the first 4 years. Today I am part of the PAWS Management Team and my main duty is PR/Communications. "

roxane.paws@intnet.mu

SIMONE - Fund Raising

" 'Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.' (Franz von Assissi)

To work for PAWS is an amazing experience. The spirit, the challenges and the success makes my work as Fundraising Manager for PAWS a rewarding journey which I would not like to miss. Henry Rosso summarized in one sentence to the point what Fundraising is all about: it is the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving. If we can inspire people to support our work and make them stand up for those who can’t express themselves, then Mauritius will become a true paradise, for us and animals too."

simonejacke@t-online.de

JOAN BECHARD - Fund Raising Assistant

"Ever since I can remember I have always loved animals and having them around me. Every stray I picked-up has left an indelible impression on me. Every pet I had ended up with me being a slave to the pet. work PAWS is doing touches something in my soul and I am happy to be involved in this organisation."

STELLA - Event Manager

"I am proud to be working with PAWS as I feel that together we will make a difference. When I was a child, my family could not afford to sterilize our animals. So the cat was forever having kittens that were often sickly, and some my dad disposed of. Every time the dog came into season, we had a host of lusty males hanging round, and she got cancer because she was not spayed. I had another dog who died of distemper because she was not vaccinated.

PAWS ensures that all animals can be spayed and neutered, educates their families, and provides affordable vaccination. What a shame they were not around when I was growing up. "

stella.paws@intnet.mu

MARION - PAWS Pioneer

"Since I arrived in Mauritius in 1961 I have tried on my own to help a terribly neglected situation by taking dogs and cats of poor people to private vets to have them sterilized or treated. There was never any service nor was anything ever done to really help and care for the suffering animals of this country until we started PAWS... for the pure and simple love of animals."

GAETAN - Treasurer

"When my wife Marion and a group of her animal loving friends founded PAWS in 1999 I accepted to join the Committee of their new organization to look after its meager finances because of my accounting background.

Against all expectations I am still the Treasurer of PAWS and proud to have been associated from the start with a bunch of then inexperienced volunteers whose dedicated work in animal welfare has been outstanding and who have made this organisation what it is and stands for to-day."

KIM - Web Master

"When I first arrived to settle in Mauritius in 2003, being an animal lover, I was distressed to see the number of strays on the island.

I heard about PAWS and joined as a member.

Professionally, I am a web developer and when PAWS needed assistance with their web site, I was happy to be able to offer my services so as to contribute to their cause of caring for animals in Mauritius."

kim@simplywebs.co.za

MHAIRI - Editor

"I became a PAWS volunteer in 2001, a committee member soon after, and then Vice-President until I left Mauritius in 2007. Now I'm in Scotland but PAWS and the animals in Mauritius are still very dear to me, and I help as much as I can by email, with projects, grant applications, reports etc."

mhairi.rolin@btinternet.com