About Us

Pet Assistance Foundation (PAF) welcomes you to our caring family. 

PAF was founded in 1955 by a group of women who realized that pet overpopulation is the root cause of companion animal suffering. Our founders knew there had to be at least ONE organization dedicated to addressing the problem. We are, indeed, true pioneers for spay/neuter advocacy. Our funds go directly to helping the animals.

PAF is 100% grassroots. While we first set roots in Central and Northern parts of Los Angeles, additional branches have sprung up throughout Southern California. Caring volunteers saw the need in their respective communities and could not help but be struck by the relentless “fallout” of pet overpopulation—the “free puppy and kitten” signs and ads, abandonment, strays in the streets, animals passed from one bad home to another, and the high euthanasia rates in the shelters. These volunteers devoted themselves to running a PAF Branch to principally operate a local spay/neuter hotline; however many plunged headlong into rescue, humane education, volunteering in local shelters and promoting humane legislation as a result of what they witnessed in their communities, as well as their experiences on the Branch hotline.

I have served as PAF a volunteer since 1969 when, as a young teacher in an inner city Los Angeles School, I became involved in rescuing the many strays on our campus. Initiated into the fold by our school secretary, a PAF Board member, I felt a sense of relief that at least there was an organization addressing my almost daily encounter with suffering animals. I have since dedicated my life to spay/neuter advocacy, humane education, rescue and adoption, and legislative reform.

We invite you to become involved in our effort as a donor or a volunteer. By making a tax-deductible financial contribution or volunteering, you are part of PAF’s long tradition of being “a compassionate presence in the community. “

For the Animals,
Wendy Aragon, President

One morning in 1955, a small group of women sat sipping coffee and lamenting the plight of cats and dogs in their communities. The stories they shared had much in common. All featured dependent creatures with no one to depend on, surplus animals whose perceived lack of value put them in dire straits.

Existing humane societies helped as many as they could, but the tide of unwanted cats and dogs was unrelenting. The women realized that for things to change, there needed to be at least one organization dedicated to addressing the root cause of companion animal suffering: pet overpopulation. So they scraped together $250, walked down to the bank, and formed Pet Assistance Foundation, a society of true pioneers of spay/neuter advocacy and compassionate outreach.