Building a System of Care: The PAW Team Approach with Nicole Perkins

2025-10-26

In this episode of Tails of Resilience, we talk with Nicole Perkins, Director of the Portland Animal Welfare (PAW) Team — a grassroots nonprofit providing veterinary care, supplies, and support to more than 3,000 Portland-area families and their pets each year. Nicole shares openly about the emotional realities of rescue work and what it takes to sustain compassion in the face of overwhelming need. From navigating burnout and setting boundaries to finding joy in small moments, Nicole offers honest reflections on what it means t...

In this episode of Tails of Resilience, we talk with Nicole Perkins, Director of the Portland Animal Welfare (PAW) Team — a grassroots nonprofit providing veterinary care, supplies, and support to more than 3,000 Portland-area families and their pets each year.

Nicole shares openly about the emotional realities of rescue work and what it takes to sustain compassion in the face of overwhelming need. From navigating burnout and setting boundaries to finding joy in small moments, Nicole offers honest reflections on what it means to lead during hard times.

We explore her journey from the arts world to animal welfare, her lessons in courage and conflict, and her belief that animals, people, and the environment are all part of one interconnected system of care.

This conversation is both grounding and inspiring — a reminder that resilience isn’t about doing it all, but about knowing when to pause, breathe, and put the oxygen mask on first. 🐾💜

#TailsOfResilience #PAWTeam #AnimalWelfare #RescueLeadership #BurnoutRecovery #CompassionFatigue #AnimalRescuePodcast #PortlandPets

⚠️ Trigger Warning:
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide and mental health challenges related to trauma and high-stress caregiving roles, as well as references to animal suffering and death. Listener discretion is advised.

🔗 Featured Rescue:

Portland Animal Welfare Team (PAW Team)

Website: https://www.pawteam.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/portlandanimalwelfareteam

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/paw_teampdx

🌟 Links + Resources: