Connecting young people with rescue animals through safe, meaningful relationships.

Our Story

Paws & Connect began with a quiet moment on a lounge-room floor.

For eight evenings, our founder spent time quietly on the floor with a frightened rescue kitten named Maisie, allowing her to approach at her own pace.

Maisie would stay beneath the couch, watching and listening. When the house was quiet and everyone had gone to bed, she would cautiously emerge to eat and explore before returning to the safety of her hiding place.

Sometimes Maisie would take a few tentative steps forward, only to retreat beneath the couch again, occasionally giving a little hiss as if to remind us that she still needed space.

And the space she needed was respected.

We didn’t know how long it would take, and we didn’t believe it was ours to decide when Maisie should be ready. We could only listen to what she was telling us, respect her boundaries, and remain there consistently and patiently.

Slowly, something began to change.

Maisie started venturing out while people were still in the room. At first, only briefly. Then for a little longer. One small step at a time, she began to discover that she was safe.

On the eighth night, she finally, cautiously, emerged. Ever so slowly, she approached, took a small bite of a treat from a steady hand, and began to purr. And that was beautiful.

Watching that trust unfold was powerful and profound.

Here was a frightened, vulnerable little animal choosing, in her own time, to move towards connection with our founder.

It raised a bigger question:

If a safe, trusting relationship could help change the life of a frightened rescue animal, what might carefully supported relationships with companion animals mean for young people who have experienced adversity, isolation or disconnection?

That question became the beginning of Paws & Connect.

We believe that meaningful relationships can foster trust, belonging, confidence and hope. We also believe that providing care can be as meaningful as receiving it — that being trusted to care for another living being can help a young person discover that they are capable, needed and valued.

But we don’t believe that healing comes simply from owning a pet.

It grows through relationships built with patience, trust, consistency, mutual care and respect — relationships in which both the young person and the animal are valued for who they are.

That is why Paws & Connect is about more than matching a young person with an animal. It is about creating the conditions for a safe relationship to develop, supporting that relationship over time, and respecting the needs and wellbeing of everyone involved.

Every young person deserves the opportunity to experience trust, belonging and hope.

Every rescue animal deserves the opportunity to experience safety, love and connection.

Sometimes, those journeys begin together.

Our Approach

Paws & Connect creates opportunities for young people and rescue animals to form safe, supportive relationships — with thoughtful matching, ongoing support and the wellbeing of both at the centre. At the heart of our approach is relationship matching — bringing together the right young person, the right animal and the right support environment.

We consider the young person’s needs, interests and readiness, the animal’s temperament and history, the family’s circumstances, and the practical realities of everyday life.

We take a careful, collaborative approach, working with families, rescue organisations and relevant professionals to create connections that are safe, realistic and mutually beneficial.

Our support continues beyond the initial match. We work alongside families and rescue partners to help relationships develop safely, respond to challenges early, and support the wellbeing of both the young person and the animal.

Why rescue animals?

Rescue animals can offer something uniquely meaningful: the opportunity to build a relationship based on patience, trust and mutual care. For some young people, connecting with an animal who is also learning to trust can create a powerful sense of purpose, belonging and connection. Paws & Connect believes these relationships can benefit both the young person and the animal.

How it works

1. Getting to know you

With time, patience and support, young people and animals are given the opportunity to develop trust and a meaningful connection.

2. Finding the right match

Working with families and rescue partners to identify an animal whose temperament, needs and circumstances are a good fit.

3. Building the relationship

The relationship is given time to develop naturally, with patience, consistency and respect for both the young person and the animal.

4. Supporting the journey

We remain alongside families and rescue partners, helping address challenges early and supporting the wellbeing of both the young person and the animal.

Who we work with

Paws & Connect works alongside young people and their families, animal rescue organisations, and relevant professionals. Each plays an important role in creating safe, supportive and sustainable relationships between young people and rescue animals.

Young people and families

Paws & Connect works with young people and their families to understand their needs, interests, readiness and circumstances. Families provide the safe and supportive environment in which relationships can develop, with guidance and ongoing support from Paws & Connect.

Rescue organisations

Rescue organisations bring valuable knowledge of each animal’s history, temperament, needs and circumstances. Paws & Connect works closely with rescue partners to identify suitable animals, support the matching process and help ensure that the animal’s welfare remains central throughout the relationship.

Relevant professionals

Where appropriate, Paws & Connect works alongside relevant professionals involved in a young person’s support. This collaboration helps ensure that participation is appropriate, well supported and consistent with the young person’s existing needs and circumstances.

The difference a connection can make

A safe, meaningful relationship can create benefits for both the young person and the animal, while also having positive effects beyond the relationship itself. It can contribute to confidence, belonging, responsibility and wellbeing for young people, while giving rescue animals opportunities for stability, enrichment and loving homes. Over time, these positive experiences can also strengthen families, promote understanding of animal welfare and contribute to more connected communities.

Want to be part of the connection?

Whether you’re a young person, family, rescue organisation, professional or supporter, there are many ways to be part of what we’re building. Together, we can create opportunities for safe, meaningful connections that benefit both young people and rescue animals.