Woman's mission is to help pet owners avoid painful decisions

Erwin resident Angela Bennett and her canine companion Raya are on a mission to help other pets in Unicoi County. "I've been an Erwin resident all my life," Bennett said. That's given her time to make plenty of observations. Bennett, who works as a veterinary assistant at Unicoi Animal Hospital, has seen the love people have for their pets, and how tough times can lead people toward heartrending decisions. "Before the hurricane, people were struggling, and many still are," Bennett said. "So I formed Raya's Mission for Paws," she said. "That's something that's been on my heart and mind for awhile." Bennett added some information about Raya, the enthusiastic pup lending her name to the effort. "Raya is our third puppy from German Shepherd Rescue in Greeneville. She does not know a stranger." She explained that she has always tried to work for fundraisers and drives for the Unicoi County Animal Shelter. "I used to work as staff there," she said. "I still try to help." The core belief behind Raya's Mission for Paws is that pets are family. "I don't want people to face the decision of whether to get their medications or get dog food," she explained. To help people struggling to feed their pets during life's unexpected downturns, Raya's Mission for PAWS is there to help. "I don't want someone to have to give their cat or dog up because they can't afford them," Bennett said. In addition, Raya's Mission for Paws works to provide pet food and other supplies to both the Paws and Pals Community Help Center as well as the Unicoi County Animal Shelter. She's all the more determined to make a difference because of recent incidents of neglect. "You can't get on TV or Facebook without seeing neglect cases in the news," she said. "That's my drive, my push is to try to help." "Every penny goes straight into helping people in need keep their pets," Bennett said. She noted that she has Apple Cash and Venmo set up to help streamline the donation process. "A lot of people don't carry cash," she said. Raya's Mission for PAWS also has some donation collection containers set up locally. "We have them at Unicoi Animal Hospital, Erwin Town Hall and Basil Wood Fired Pizza," she said. The mission, Bennett said, is an ongoing effort. "Raya's Mission for PAWS is brand new," Bennett said. "We're just in our second month. We've had a better response than I expected. We've gotten donations from Greeneville and other places far outside our county." At this time, both the local animal shelter and the Paws and Pals Community Help Center have plenty of cat food. "So we are focusing on cat litter and cleaning supplies," Bennett said. People are welcome to donate litter and other supplies. People can arrange drop-offs by texting Bennett at (423) 388-9174. Of course, Raya, the namesake for Raya's Mission for Paws, is happy to lend her name to such a worthy cause. "She's our third adoption from German Shepherd Rescue in Greeneville," Bennett said. The noted that the rescue's owner has also donated to help Raya's Mission for PAWS and the Paws and Pals Community Help Center. "Everybody who comes to the house gets to play with Raya," Bennett said. "She's met all the officials at the courthouse and was a hit there." Bennett added, "She's a good one to take out in the community. She's still a puppy and is enthusiastic. I love that about her." Raya, who was adopted by Bennett in January, will be a year old in November. Visit www.idgsr.org for more information on the German Shepherd Rescue. Information on Raya's Mission for Paws is available at (423) 388-9174 or by sending an email message to angelabennett654@gmail.com. Follow on Facebook at Raya's Mission for Paws.