From Kibble to Community: Organization Looks Out for Humans and Animals

By R. Gabriel Villalobos

For many low-income residents in Carlsbad, a beloved pet can be a lifeline, offering companionship and comfort in challenging times. But when financial struggles make it difficult to feed those furry family members, a local nonprofit steps in to bridge the gap.

CPAWS, or Carlsbad Progressive Animal Welfare Society, has been a quiet force in the community for over two decades, ensuring that no pet goes hungry due to their owner’s economic hardship. At its helm is Angela Johnson, a woman whose love for animals and a deep empathy for people in need have driven her dedication for nearly 20 years.

Johnson initially moved to Carlsbad in May 2000 for a 30-day work assignment that turned into a 26-year residency. She joined CPAWS around 2005.

“I joined just to help support the cause because of my love for animals and my desire to help people in need, particularly the elderly and small children,” Johnson recalled. When the original president moved away, Johnson reluctantly, then wholeheartedly, took the reins.

The organization was founded in the early 1990s by Victoria Morse and a group of animal lovers. Initially, it had a broader scope, including providing dog houses and veterinary assistance.

However, funding challenges have narrowed its focus. “The funding has gotten so difficult that now we just provide the food,” Johnson explained, adding that they direct clients to a free vet clinic called God’s Treasured Pets for medical needs.

CPAWS primarily serves low-income individuals, including the elderly, those on disability, and families with children. Johnson highlighted the profound bond between many elderly residents and their pets.

“Sometimes their pets are their only family,” she said, noting that many owners would prioritize their pet’s food over their own or their medicine. This observation underscored one of the organization’s biggest needs.

Beyond food, CPAWS’ early efforts also contributed to the writing and passing of local animal welfare ordinances. These included regulations on how long an animal could be chained and on the requirement to provide shelter. While Johnson laments the current enforcement, these ordinances remain a testament to the organization’s historical impact.

In its current iteration, CPAWS serves an average of 65 families or pet owners each month. The process for receiving assistance involves meeting specific requirements, including proof of low-income status, and ensuring pets are spayed or neutered and up to date on rabies vaccinations. If pets aren’t yet spayed/neutered or vaccinated, clients can receive food for the first month but must show proof of an appointment for these services to continue.

One of the significant challenges Johnson faces is securing consistent funding and volunteers. “It’s usually the same small group of people every month,” she noted. Fundraising events like “Bark in the Park,” once a staple, are harder to organize now that most volunteers, including Johnson, work full-time or are retired with less energy for large-scale events.

Despite these hurdles, Johnson is passionate about the future. She plans to retire from her day job at the end of 2026 and dedicate more time to CPAWS, focusing on grant writing and expanding its reach. She envisions a future in which CPAWS has a larger facility and can generate income through a creative business activity, reducing its reliance on monetary donations.

CPAWS also plays a role in the community’s feral cat program, providing food to clients who trap, spay/neuter, vaccinate, and return feral cats to their colonies. “We feed them just enough that they don’t starve,” Johnson clarified, emphasizing that the cats still hunt, helping control rodent populations.

The organization relies on partnerships with local businesses like Tractor Supply, where they purchase food at a discount and receive surplus products. PetSense, an affiliate, also contributes, and they collaborate with Noah’s Ark, another animal welfare group, by exchanging usable donations.

Johnson’s parting message resonates with the core of CPAWS’s mission: “I would like for people to understand how important the service that we provide is... We need to let people know that they’re cared about and that they’re remembered.”

It’s a reminder that helping a pet also means helping a person, fostering a sense of community, and ensuring that no one feels forgotten or abandoned in Carlsbad.