The year 2025 proved to be a most successful year if not for all the dedicated and considerate sponsors and community participation. Pictured above are but a few of the many events and festivities held monthly throughout the year. It all ended with the celebration of Mon Valley Paws giving back. As the evening unfolded with a whirlwind of special moments, let’s not miss a single opportunity to celebrate the pets who fill our lives with joy. This is what Mon Valley Paws strives to do. This is the best way to show our love for pets and their families. All the hard work and planning of events have come to an end. Mon Valley Paws celebrates their mission; by awarding their partnered shelter/rescues, dedicated sponsors and devoted volunteers with the recognition they all deserve. As the gathering took place at the Foster House ll, the attendees were anxious to hear what the end results would reveal. Introductions were made by MVPaws Director, Randall Marino, Vice Director, Elmer Spiker, Treasurer, Phil Sparacella, Tino’s Toys chairperson, Ashley Wagstaff, Membership Coordinator, Walter Bennett and Cathy Taylor with food collection and distribution to name a few. Despite the weather, many of the Mon Valley Paws volunteers were present to celebrate the occasion.
After the introductions, the meals were served and the room was buzzing with the anticipation of presenting the shelter/rescues with their award. Throughout the year Mon Valley Paws has accomplished the unbelievable task by raising an outstanding $62,000.00!! Each shelter/rescue was called front and center to be photographed with their larger than life check in the amount $9720.00 each! The shelters granted were Bridge To Home, Hound Haven and All But Furgotten. The Make a Difference Awards were presented by Michael’s Ovation, Heather Schaffer. The recipients were: Grandview Cemetery Association, Steel City Tattoo Shop, SPHS Monessen Family Center, Joseph’s Nursery and Garden Center and the sponsor of the year, West Newton Crawl for a Cause. We thank them for their generosity and continued support of Mon Valley Paws. Additional monies were awarded in grants for veterinary care all through the year in the amount of $16,300 and $8900.00in rescue and stray grants. Mon Valley Paws is looking forward to our favorite events and some new and exciting activities for 2026. Follow us online or Facebook and consider joining our yappy family, signing up for the newsletter, or offering any suggestions to aid us in our journey to succeed again next year. Thanks to all involved for making this a very special year!
Over $9,700 donated to our partnered shelter and rescues with an additional $600 donated to each rescue in the form of Pet Supplies Plus by Michael’s Ovation
2025 MAD (Make A Difference) Award Winners
Steel City Tattoo Shop – Their Ink for Paws flash tattoo fundraiser raised $1800 and this was in addition to them being a Gold Paw sponsor.
Joseph’s Nursery – provide photo backdrop at Paws in the Park every year. They also welcome MVP to their Fall Festival every year and are a donation site for Tino’s Toys.
Monessen Family Center – Were the first community partner which helps MVP distribute pet food to needy families.
Grandview Cemetery who received a MAD award for providing the registration tent for Paws in the Park every year.
West Newton Crawl For a Cause was named our Sponsor of the Year. Their St. Patrick Day bar crawl fundraiser raised over $3000 for MVP.
Mon Valley Paws 