Celebrating Community Power: Paws 4 Purpose Recognized by NAVC Gives

North Carolina-based group awarded $10,000 for its efforts to reunite lost pets with their owners

The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) named Paws 4 Purpose a 2025 NAVC Gives recipient, recognizing the organization for its innovation and dedication to animal welfare with a $10,000 award.

  Paws 4 Purpose, a North Carolina-based nonprofit organization, strives to improve the care and well-being of animals in the local community. The group provides support, resources, and education to shelters and pet owners in Onslow County. Last year, Paws 4 Purpose launched a program that set up microchip scanning stations across the county, making it easier for lost pets to be reunited with their owners. Having easy access to scan microchipped pets also keeps shelters from becoming over-crowded, which is where many lost pets end up.

  “Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best one. Paws 4 Purpose proved that innovation does not need to be overcomplicated, tackling a widespread problem that will help save pets and inspire others to do the same,” said NAVC CEO Gene O’Neill. “NAVC Gives is proud to recognize this group for their creativity and commitment to the safety of animals in their community.” 

  To date, Paws 4 Purpose has installed 13 scanning stations in Onslow County, four in a neighboring county with 12 more planned in the near future in New Hanover, Craven, and Duplin Counties. The organization also has future plans to expand into Raleigh.

  Demonstrating the power of the grassroots effort, a photo of the scanning station went viral on social media and generated over 100 requests for information from shelters across the country in just 24 hours. Even a year later, these requests continue to come in. By addressing a need in their local community, Paws 4 Purpose was able to relieve the stress of local clinics, successfully reuniting more lost pets with their owners while also inspiring other shelters to do the same.

  “The inspiration for my scanning stations came from seeing lots of loose pets in the area. Our goal was simple — to keep them out of the shelter system,” said Susan Passey, Founder and Director of Paws 4 Purpose. “We want this to become a movement across the country, with the goal of encouraging people to microchip their pets. It’s the best way to ensure they make it home if they’re ever lost.”

  Paws 4 Purpose worked with shelters and non-profits across the country, reaching as far as Anchorage, Alaska. The organization plans to continue installing stations in their local community and launch new programs to assist the local shelter and protect animal welfare.

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About Paws 4 Purpose

Paws 4 Purpose is a nonprofit organization based in Onslow County, North Carolina created to help build a community where animals are treated with respect and kindness. Paws 4 Purpose supports local shelters and provides resources for extra care and medical needs by sponsoring heartworm treatments. They also provide additional support to the local community by offering spay/neuter assistance to prevent unwanted animals from entering the shelter system. In addition to these programs, Paws 4 Purpose educates the public and provide community outreach for animals in the community that have not entered the shelter but live difficult lives outdoors. Their mission is protecting animals through education, advocacy and services. 

About NAVC Gives

Created in 2023, NAVC Gives is a board-directed award program that has been initially funded by a $1 million commitment from the NAVC. Through this program, the NAVC will recognize and support individuals, groups and organizations around the world that have made a significant difference in the lives of veterinary professionals and animals. Unlike most award programs that have a set timetable for accepting nominations, NAVC Gives will recognize accomplishments and notable achievements throughout the year based on the merit and impact of the application. Multiple awards may be given out each year and applications may be submitted throughout the year. Since its first awards were made in January, the NAVC Gives has awarded $55,000 through this program.

NAVC Gives builds upon the NAVC's long-standing commitment to philanthropic pursuits, which amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to members of the international veterinary community through scholarship programs such as the Dr. Earl H. Rippie Veterinary Nurse Leadership Scholarships, the Michael J. Day AFSCAN Scholarship, the Colin F. Burrows International Scholar Program, free education subscriptions and conference registration, and other charitable donations. Learn more about NAVC Gives and submit nominations at https://navc.com/gives/.

About the NAVC

The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing veterinary professionals worldwide. The world’s leading provider of veterinary continuing education, the NAVC delivers essential training, tools and resources for veterinary professionals to stay abreast of advances in animal medicine and provide the best medical care for animals everywhere. Through its commitment to innovation and excellence, the NAVC has developed a diverse portfolio of products and services, including: educational events, headlined by VMX, the world’s largest, most comprehensive continuing education conference and launchpad for new products and innovations within the veterinary industry; a robust digital platform for virtual learning and engagement; the veterinary industry’s largest and award-winning portfolio of trade publications; and an advocacy arm which unites the veterinary community and pet lovers. The NAVC was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Orlando, FL. Since 2017, the NAVC has been recognized annually as one of the Top Workplaces by the Orlando Sentinel. To learn more about the NAVC’s products and brands, visit https://navc.com/. To see our schedule of upcoming events, visit https://navc.com/calendar/.