Knox PAWS

Knox PAWS (Placing Animals With Seniors) matches eligible seniors with adoptable pets. Research indicates that pets improve seniors’ physical, emotional, and mental health. The Knox PAWS program works with area animal shelters to match senior pets with senior citizens. Office on Aging’s staff match income-eligible seniors with adoptable older pets. Program participants must be 60 years of age or o

lder, residents of Knox County, income-eligible, and live independently in a pet-friendly environment. Pets adopted by Knox PAWS participants are provided with continued veterinary exams, vaccinations, heartworm/flea prevention, and other pet supplies or services as needed. The Feed-A-Pet program is for seniors that already own pets, but struggle to buy food. The program is a partnership between the Office on Aging and The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.