Suffolk's Paws Of War Partnering With Corporate Sponsors

NESCONSET, NY — Paws of War, a Nesconset-based nonprofit, is aiming to partner with corporate companies willing to sponsor it, according to a news release.

Paws of War aims to help military members coming home from deployment with service pets, getting food for themselves or their pets, putting up a fence on their property, and relocating pets to the U.S. that soldiers had rescued while overseas.

"Companies that want to give back can do so by partnering with Paws of War, which helps veterans meet a variety of their needs," Paws of War wrote in a news release.

Troops returning home are facing challenges in finding housing, buying cars, and adjusting to mask mandates and lockdowns, Paws of War stated.

Paws of War aims to provide soldiers with support by offering a wide range of services.

"We work with numerous corporate partners as they help give back to those who have given so much," Robert Misseri, co-founder of Paws of War, said via news release. "We are grateful for every corporate sponsor we have because they help to make our programs possible."

Companies looking to sponsor Paws of War may check out the website.

Increasingly, consumers are looking beyond just logos to decide who to do business with, Paws of War wrote. According to the Harvard Business School, corporate social responsibility has become a more important issue. They report that 70 percent of Americans believe it’s important for companies to make the world a better place, and 77 percent of people are motivated to buy from a company that does help make the world a better place.

"By partnering with Paws of War, corporations can take pride in knowing that they are helping to keep the country stronger and that they are caring for those who have served," Paws of War stated. "The partnership helps cover the cost of such programs as rescuing soldiers’ dogs from overseas, providing mobile veterinary care for veterans’ pets, providing free trained service dogs, and providing dog obedience and care support for veterans’ pets."

While charities gain financial assistance from corporate sponsors, it’s really a win-win relationship, said Paws of War. Here are some of the things that companies gain in return, according to the nonprofit:

• The satisfaction of knowing they are helping an organization with its mission. Those who partner with Paws of War feel a sense of pride in helping the country’s veterans.
• Their image is strengthened by showing people they care about the issues they are putting their partnership behind.
• Increased visibility for their company, because the partnership is shared through the organization's marketing and public relations efforts.
• They can widen their audience and potentially reach new customers. Sponsorships give the company a way to introduce themselves to people, doing so through an organization they already trust.
• A place where the company’s employees can get involved, giving back to the community.

Paws of War has successful partnerships with numerous companies, including Express Scripts, Subaru, D’Arrigo New York, Mac Abstract, and the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. It has also partnered with sports teams, such as the Buffalo Bills, New York Yankees, New York Giants, and New York Red Bulls.

Corporate sponsors can help give back to veterans, but they will also get cross-promotional marketing opportunities, Paws of War stated. They can provide sponsorship of the organization, one program within it, a specific event, etc. They can also opt for employee engagement.

"Our corporate sponsors are able to help support our mission in a variety of ways," Misseri said. “We are happy to work with them. Their partnership enriches the community. We help at both ends of the leash.”

Paws of War has helped veterans with numerous issues, including suicide, service and support dogs, companion cats and dogs, food insecurity, veterinary care, and animal rescue for deployed military. As the demand for Paws of War’s services was growing, traditional fundraisers like galas and golf outings were sidelined, putting a crimp in the needed funding to keep these services going.