As the founder of Advocates Working for Pet and Animal Welfare (AWPAW), Sherrie Harris leads a small but mighty effort in Owensboro to serve the pets of people she said society often overlooks: the unhoused, low-income, and those in crisis.
“I believe everyone deserves the love of an animal,” Harris said. “When you’re down there among the people, every story is different. These pets aren’t just animals. They’re their children, they’re comfort, they’re purpose.”
Originally from the Owensboro area, Harris spent most of her adult life in Nashville, where she volunteered at Nashville Humane and became involved in a range of nonprofit work, including advocacy for children, music education, and LGBTQ causes. But animal welfare, especially in underserved communities, remained a constant passion.
After returning to Owensboro, she volunteered with local organizations such as Owensboro Health Foundation, CASA, and Newley Healing Reins. But it was during this time that she noticed a gap in services for those with pets who were also experiencing housing insecurity or financial hardship.
“Other nonprofits do wonderful work, but very few focus on this intersection — helping people in crisis who have pets,” Harris said. “It’s not always pretty, and it’s not always easy, but it’s incredibly needed.”
AWPAW was created to meet that need. The organization provides free pet food, veterinary care, spay and neuter services, and basic supplies — all without judgment or red tape.
“We don’t ask for IDs. We don’t require proof of income. We don’t ask people to spay or neuter their pets before we help,” Harris said. “We give freely because the community trusts us, and they know we’re here for the right reasons.”
In a single month recently, AWPAW provided veterinary care for approximately 30 animals from low-income or unhoused families. Many of the pets had never seen a vet.
“Some of them have never had a shot or been fixed,” Harris said. “They’re often living off scraps, eating what their owners eat — if anything at all.”
The organization also runs a pet food pantry stocked with donations, much of which comes from outside Kentucky.
“Right now, I’ve got about 11,000 pounds of food stored in a climate-controlled barn,” she said. “But it goes fast.”
Though AWPAW occasionally helps rehome animals, such as kittens born to unfixed pets, they aren’t a traditional rescue.
“We don’t focus on adoptions,” Harris said. “We’re focused on keeping pets with their people, especially in crisis situations.”
Harris said what sets AWPAW apart is its nimble, crisis-response approach. She frequently coordinates emergency boarding, vet appointments, and supply drop-offs with little notice — all while operating on 100% donations and volunteer support.
“There’s no paid staff. No overhead,” she emphasized. “Every single dollar or donation goes straight to the people and pets who need it.”
Harris hopes to see more collaboration between local nonprofits, animal-focused and otherwise.
“I’m doing something I don’t think anyone else is right now, but I’d love to partner with others, whether it’s on events, awareness, or just building better support systems,” she said. “This community deserves it.”
