Jen D’Aurelio had made up her mind. It was time to bring a new sibling into the family. Her spirited little Border Collie, Jake, needed a canine to hang with.

So she excitedly made the plans for where the new pup would sleep, bought new pet supplies, and prepared her home for the new addition. Jen went on several websites for rescue dogs and filled out applications. Then she waited to hear back. And waited. And waited.

“After a disappointing week of no one getting back to me, I did more searching and found Paws & Prayers, filled out an application, and someone called me right away,” says Jen, who is today the executive director of Paws & Prayers, in Cuyahoga Falls. (And she did finally end up adopting a little sister for Jake, a cutie named Shyla.)

“I was so impressed with the group that I became a volunteer, then a foster to rescued dogs, then it was a natural when the opportunity presented itself for me to work here full time,” she says. That was in 2008, four years and more than 6,000 rescued dogs and cats ago.

Paws and Prayers was founded in 2001 by Marty Harbin with a mission to “rescue, rehabilitate and re-home unwanted dogs and cats, to prevent overpopulation through spay and neuter, and to restore dignity, trust and quality of life for neglected, abused and homeless dogs and cats.”

Jen says what makes the charity unique is that the animals go directly from the pound or shelter to a foster family’s home to get used to being cared for by people again.

“Foster families are contacted by prospective owners through our site,” she says. “Once they have matched the perfect home for the animal, they meet with the adoptive parents at a PetSmart or Pet Supplies Plus store in Chapel Hill, Montrose, Akron, Macedonia, Medina or Green. There are also weekly adoption events at these locations.”

Sheri Swank is a foster mom who has lovingly fostered dogs for Paws & Prayers over the past three years. “Once you go on a rescue to the pound, there is really nothing else like it,” she says smiling. “It feels incredible to save the life of a dog or cat that nobody wanted and then know how wonderful that pet will make its new family’s life.”

Paws & Prayers provides training and all the resources and materials people need to foster an animal. The pets usually stay with a foster family for 2-3 weeks before being adopted. There is an active network of fosters who talk to each other online day and night.

The organization has recently expanded into Medina County by adding locations in Medina and Montrose. “As the number of animals who need rescue rises, so too must the number of foster families,” says Jen, who notes that January and February are busy months at the pound.

The animals’ medical care and the administrative costs of this non-profit 501c3 organization are covered by the fees collected for adoptions and donations, which can be made directly on their site. People can give support to a special case, too, such as the current campaign to raise $1,212 to pay for medical treatment that saved the life of a precious sharpei/great dane named Khadija, who was suffering from exposure and pneumonia.

“We are truly advocates for the animals,” says Jen. “For instance, when we take litters of puppies or kittens, we insist on spaying and neutering mom and dad to stop the cycle.”

Though Jen and Sheri have been through thousands of adoptions, and visit the pound almost every day, the thrill never gets old.

“Tomorrow we’re picking up a pregnant basset hound/beagle and I cannot wait to see her puppies,” says Sheri, with a twinkle in her eye.

For more information, call Paws & Prayers at 330-475-8300, or visit www.pawsandprayers.org. The email address is info@pawsandprayers.org. Donations are graciously accepted at Paws & Prayers, P.O. Box 2864, Akron, OH 44309.