About Paws Dart

Protecting Animals Without Shelter – Disaster Animal Response Team

Our story began with a family’s commitment to animals. For more than 10 years, we have been involved with a local animal shelter through fostering, animal transports, shelter repairs and serving on the board of directors. Through this work, we have seen firsthand how care and community support can change lives.

Watching Hurricane Katrina devastate the New Orleans area, and later seeing Hurricane Milton impact the Tampa area, moved us to look for ways to help pets and families facing disasters. We began collecting supplies for the areas in greatest need—first food, then kennels and medical supplies.

A local house fire brought that mission closer to home. When a family and their pets were displaced, our team stepped in with direct support. Seeing the immediate difference that help made showed us that we could have a meaningful impact, one family at a time.

Over the past three years, we have helped families affected by fires, flooding and tornadoes. Today, PAWS DART brings together volunteers from diverse backgrounds to provide essential supplies, Pet Rescue Kits and compassionate support when disaster strikes.

We also help families and youth groups prepare before an emergency. Through education, community partnerships and practical resources, we work to keep pets and the people who love them safe, sheltered and cared for.

Our Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) supports emergency response. Our Welfare, Inventory, and Navigation Group (WING) helps organize supplies and delivery.

Driven by Compassion – United in Rescue.