Animal Welfare and Rescue Groups come in all sizes and missions. We are blessed here in Limestone County to have several groups that put their all into saving the lives of cats and dogs.

The North Alabama Animal Warriors is one such group.

NAAW’s main mission is to support the elderly and low-income families in Limestone County who need assistance providing food, shelter, bedding, and flea-and-tick preventatives for their animals. They also provide subsidies to help spay and neuter animals as funds become available. Another important public service that NAAW provides is public education on standard animal welfare and care.

Founded by Mary Powers and Jeffrey Raglan, and assisted by volunteers known as “Belly Rub Ambassadors,” NAAW has dispersed more than 17,900 pounds of dog and cat food to the elderly and impoverished families in 2023. They’ve conducted 3,019 welfare checks and has interacted with more than 8,800 animals.

This powerhouse group also provided 511 flea-and-tick treatments, built and placed over 50 insulated cat huts and 20 dog houses, and furnished 370 bales of straw for animal bedding.

Traveling throughout Limestone County, they are able to interact with residents and advise them on pet care, deliver food and do welfare checks to insure the health and safety of people’s beloved pets.

NAAW has alliances with her sister organization HAWS, Athens Limestone Animal Shelter, Peace Love and Animals and Creating Hope for Paws. NAAWS can be seen at their booth at Hero Days, and will be the feature animal welfare organization at the Canine Expo being held on April 27 at the Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo.

The work of NAAW is supported through donations and volunteers, and in another unique way: The team recycles metal and uses the funds to purchase food and bedding. Nearly 3,700 pounds of scrap metal was harvested in 2023, contributing to the $25,000 spent on pet food.

Cash donations as well as gift cards to Tractor Supply are always welcome. Straw, dog food and scrap metal are also welcomed. NAAW is a registered nonprofit organization, and your donations are tax deductible.

If you are a dog lover, and would like to volunteer, NAAW would love to talk to you about becoming a “Belly Rub Ambassador.”

To learn more about the work of North Alabama Animal Warriors, make a donation or volunteer, visit www.naawcares.org, or naanimalwarriors@gmail.com or call (256)-664-1041.