
About Us
Mission of Take Paws Rescue
The mission of Take Paws Rescue is to meet the moral obligation to protect and save the lives of pets in need of rescue in Louisiana. Take Paws Rescue enacts this mission by pulling pets from shelters and preparing them for transport to fosters, adopters, rescue organizations, and other shelters around the U.S. in need of adoptable pets.
The Rescue
Take Paws Rescue is a volunteer, foster-based, non-profit rescue group based out of New Orleans, LA. Our rescued animals live with loving foster families until a forever home is found. We have volunteers all over South East Louisiana. Our new Stray Café in New Orleans also helps a few dogs at a time transition from homelessness to loving forever homes through training, socialization, and love.
History
Monique Bonnaffons, the founder of Take Paws Resuce, experienced a situation which would change the course of her life and bring her to her calling.
In 2015, after rescuing a dog named Clarence from a life or death situation, Monique followed her heart and, with the endless support of her husband and five children, started Take Paws Rescue. Always having a love for animals and pulling for the underdog, there was no going back. With Monique’s constant nurturing of the rescue, it’s grown from 40 dogs a month to its current size of nearly 200 dogs monthly. She has surrounded herself with hundreds of amazing volunteers that continue to grow the rescue operation across the state of Louisiana and beyond. Through this calling, Monique has proven to be a tireless advocate for animal rights and is determined that Take Paws will make a difference in the lives of countless rescues and fosters on their journey to their forever homes.

Mary Ann Cardinale
Board Member
Also a Board Member of NOLA City Bark, which has aided in outreach and connections with dog people of all walks of life, and every corner of
the state. When not spending as much time as possible rescuing, she is a busy wife, mom, grandma, insurance agent, partner in a house remodeling business, and co-owner of Muddy Mutts in Lakeview!
Jessica Clements
Board Member
Among the many hats Jessica wears as part of the Take Paws team, she coordinates with the vets, making sure appointments are made for dogs in the rescue. Her dedication to helping animals is outstanding and continues to make an impact on the lives of the many pets in the Take Paws Rescue.