The Closter Animal Welfare Society (CLAWS) is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to helping animals, and those who help animals, in the Bergen County, NJ area. Founded more than 50 years ago, we are not a shelter, but a network of foster homes that finds forever homes for over 200 homeless animals each year. We also encourage the public to spay and neuter their pets to reduce the number of unwanted animals in our area. CLAWS is run entirely by volunteers, receives no funds from the state, and exists solely on money raised through fundraisers, adoption fees, and private donations. With no paid employees, every dollar we raise goes directly to our efforts to help animals.
For more information on us and the animals we serve, please visit us at
clawsadopt.org →