Vital Paws

07/19/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us and the incredible Samantha Cotner for our very first Pawcasso Paint & Swap event! 🎨🐾

We had such a fun time watching everyone’s creative side come to life!! The paintings were incredible, the energy was amazing, and it was so special seeing our community come together for a great cause 💛

Because of your support, we were able to raise just over $1,500 for our Vital Paws program; a critical care initiative created by Koda’s Gift of Pawsitivity and EARS to help families facing unexpected vet emergencies.

We’re so grateful for the turnout, the talent, and the kindness you all brought to this event. Thank you for making our very first one so memorable! 💕🐶🐾

Stay tuned…we started a group piece & our awesome class guide is going to be finishing it for us! 😉

05/16/2025

🎨🐾 Join Us for Pawcasso Paint & Swap! 🐾🎨
🗓️ Friday, July 18 | 6:00 PM
📍 Tuscan Hills Winery, Effingham, IL

Let your creativity run wild while supporting animals in critical and intensive care. 🐶🐱💜

🖌️ $50 per person
🍷 Includes all supplies + a glass of wine
🎟️ Only 50 seats available – don’t wait!

You can purchase tickets directly here on the event page by clicking "Get Tickets" https://www.facebook.com/share/1CyhJX3SPp/
OR visit:
https://kodasgiftofpawsitivity.com/event/pawcasso-paint-swap/
Or go straight to our ticketing site:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/pawcasso-paint-and-swap

💡 Heads up! Zeffy allows you to leave a tip during checkout — but it's totally optional. To avoid any extra fees:
Select “Other”
Enter $0

We’re here to paint with purpose and raise vital funds through creativity and connection. 💕
Let’s make this night a masterpiece!

03/27/2025

The Vital Paws 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍:

🐾 We believe no pet should be separated from their family due to financial hardship. This program was created to provide financial assistance for unexpected veterinary costs, ensuring pets receive the care they need while staying with their families who love them.

𝐖𝐇𝐎 is Vital Paws?

🐾 Vital Paws is a collaboration between two local organizations, united by a shared mission of supporting the community and their four-legged family members.

𝐊𝐎𝐃𝐀’𝐒 𝐆𝐈𝐅𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐀𝐖𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐘 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to improving the lives of animals in need through compassionate care and community support. Our mission extends beyond financial aid—we actively contribute to local shelters, advocate for animal welfare, and provide critical care assistance to families facing unexpected veterinary expenses. By ensuring pets receive the medical attention they deserve, we help keep beloved companions where they belong—at home with the families who love them.

𝐄𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐇𝐀𝐌 𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐔𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐘 (𝐄.𝐀.𝐑.𝐒.) is a fully foster-based, donation-based, and volunteer-run 501(c)(3) organization with three areas of focus: Foster & Adopt, Spay & Neuter, and Charitable/Critical Care Assistance. EARS was formed in 2010, and has been devoted to helping animals find loving homes, receive the medical care they need, and aid the community in pet care ever since.
Together these organizations form Vital Paws, an initiative working to ensure that pets and their families receive the support they need to stay together and thrive.

𝐖𝐇𝐎 do we serve?

🐾 Vital Paws serves families facing unforeseen veterinary expenses due to accidents, medical testing, emergency care, and other urgent health needs. We are also committed to supporting shelter animals by providing funding for critical care, including heartworm treatment and other necessary medical interventions. Our aim is to ensure that pets receive the care they deserve, whether they are in a loving home, foster care or waiting for adoption in a shelter, ultimately preventing unnecessary surrenders and promoting the well-being of animals in need.

𝐇𝐎𝐖 does the payment process work?

🐾 To ensure transparency and direct support, Vital Paws will only make payments directly to the veterinary office where the services will be provided. Each individual case can receive up to $500 in assistance. We will call the vet’s office and place funds on the individual account.

***Please note, we do not issue payment to individuals. Payments are made solely to the veterinary practices providing the care.

03/27/2025

If you or someone you know is facing unforeseen veterinary expenses, Vital Paws is here to help.

This program is brought to you by Koda’s Gift of Pawsitivity and E.A.R.S., offering direct support to families by paying veterinary offices for emergency treatment, medical testing, and other urgent health needs.

We’re dedicated to keeping pets at home, where they belong ❤️

Visit kodasgiftofpawsitivity.com/vital-paws to apply.

At Vital Paws, we believe no pet should be separated from their family due to financial hardship. This initiative, formed through the partnership of Koda’s Gift of Pawsitivity and Effingham Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS), is dedicated to providing financial assistance for emergency veterinary care...