HIV & pets — the bond that helps you heal.

In the darkest years of the AIDS crisis, a small group of volunteers in San Francisco realized that people with AIDS were being forced to surrender their pets — because they couldn't lift a bag of dog food, couldn't afford the vet, or were too sick to walk their dog. The volunteers said no, this is not going to happen, and Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) was born.1

Nearly four decades later, PAWS organizations still exist in cities across the country, still serving people living with HIV alongside seniors and people with disabilities. They deliver pet food, cover vet bills, walk dogs, foster pets during hospitalizations, and — more than anything — protect the bond that keeps a lot of people going.

The story of PAWS

PAWS/SF was founded in 1987 in the middle of the San Francisco AIDS epidemic. The volunteers understood something the medical system missed: for someone facing a terminal diagnosis, a beloved dog or cat isn't a luxury. It's often the single reliable source of unconditional love, physical touch, and reason to get out of bed.2

The model spread. PAWS/LA was founded in 1989.3 Independent PAWS chapters and PAWS-inspired programs opened in New York, Chicago, DC, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, Portland, and dozens of smaller cities.

In 2015, PAWS/SF merged into Shanti Project, and today PAWS operates as a program of Shanti. Its client base has expanded to include low-income seniors, but people living with HIV are still central to its mission.1

Where to find PAWS help today

Other cities have independent PAWS chapters or PAWS-model programs run out of AIDS service organizations. If your city isn't listed:

• Ask your case manager whether the local Ryan White program contracts with any pet assistance provider.
• Call 2-1-1 — they often know about pet food banks and low-cost vet networks.
• Check with your local ASO — many AIDS service orgs run a pet food shelf even if they don't advertise it.

Safe pet guidelines

People living with HIV can and do live safely with pets. For those with advanced HIV disease or low CD4 counts, a few extra precautions reduce the small risk of zoonotic infections (illnesses transmitted between animals and humans). The CDC's guidance for people who are immunocompromised is the most authoritative source.5

• Wash your hands after handling pet waste, bedding, or bowls.
• Keep your pets healthy — routine vet care, vaccinations, and parasite prevention protect both of you.
• Someone else scoops the litter box if possible, especially with a low CD4 count (toxoplasmosis risk). If you have to do it yourself, wear gloves and wash your hands after.
• Skip reptiles, amphibians, and baby chicks — Salmonella risk is higher and not always worth it if your immune system is compromised.
• Cook meat thoroughly — feed commercial pet food rather than raw diets to reduce cross-contamination risk in the home.

The health value of the human-animal bond

The evidence base for the human-animal bond is real and growing. Companion animals are associated with reduced depression, lower blood pressure, increased physical activity, and reduced social isolation.6 For people living with HIV, where depression and isolation are among the most common comorbidities, a pet is often the closest thing to daily mental health care available.7