Local nonprofit Help Every Little Paw shuts down after 15 years

Help Every Little Paw announced Jan 8 that it had ceased operations, closing a Coeur d’Alene-based safety net that for 15 years provided emergency medical assistance, spaying and neutering, emergency food and rehoming services to thousands of companion pets across Idaho’s five northern counties.

The closure removes a long-standing community resource that helped low-income pet owners avoid costly veterinary bills and reduced pressure on local shelters. Organizers transferred the nonprofit’s cash assets to Shoshone Pet Rescue, and the Bartenders Ball fundraiser that historically supported HELP will continue, now set to benefit a local charity.

"This was a difficult decision, but ultimately, we are very proud of the impact HELP has had on our community for 15 years," said Karen Hansen, co-founder and board member for 15 years.

For Kootenai County residents, the immediate effect will be practical and financial. HELP’s emergency medical assistance and temporary food programs functioned as a stopgap for households facing sudden vet bills or short-term hardship. Without that help, more owners may delay care or surrender animals to municipal shelters, increasing intake and operational costs at those facilities. Local veterinarians and rescue groups could also see a rise in uncompensated care and requests for assistance.

The spay-and-neuter services offered by HELP had long-term population control benefits. Preventative programs lower shelter populations and associated public expenses over time. The loss of that local capacity could slow progress on reducing unwanted litters and add strain to the volunteer- and donation-funded organizations that shelter and rehome animals.

Shoshone Pet Rescue’s receipt of HELP’s cash assets may soften the transition, but the geographic split between northern Idaho counties means gaps in service could persist until other providers expand capacity. The decision to keep the Bartenders Ball as a charity fundraiser preserves a community channel for donor support and may help plug funding shortfalls for front-line animal services in the short term.

Households that relied on HELP should begin seeking alternatives now: contact regional shelters and rescue groups, check with local veterinary clinics about sliding-scale or emergency assistance programs, and watch community fundraisers for new support options. City and county animal control agencies will play a larger coordination role if demand for rehoming and emergency care increases.

Our two cents? If you love a pet here in Kootenai County, plan for emergencies and support local spay-and-neuter and rescue efforts—small, steady donations and timely preventive care are the best ways to keep animals healthy and reduce pressure on the community.