The kid who started it
Krystian
Krystian was 8 when he wrote his first letter for a shelter dog. He gets his love for animals from both of us, and now he wants every kid to know they can help too.
OUR STORY
It started with our family’s love for animals.
Krystian was 8 when we started Kids for Paws. He wanted to help animals waiting in shelters, and we wanted to find something he could actually do.
But our story with animals started long before that—with Gido, Mochi, Pancake, and the animals we met along the way.
Kids helping Paws. Paws helping kids.
Chapter 1
First came Gido and Mochi
Before we had Krystian, we had Gido and Mochi, our two Shiba Inus. They were our family, and wherever we moved, they came with us.
While we were living in Dubai, we volunteered with animal rescues and fostered a puppy named Pancake.
Pancake was supposed to be temporary. That didn't last.
Chapter 2
Helping animals became part of our everyday life.
Wherever we lived, we ended up helping animals.
In Afghanistan, Lando found a dog hiding under a firetruck and coaxed him out with a ham sandwich. That was Pedro. Lando wanted to make sure Pedro was safe before he left, and with help from rescuers, Pedro and other dogs made it out of Afghanistan.
In Doha, Qatar, stray cats kept finding their way to our home. The Army base would call us when a stray dog wandered onto the grounds. We fed them, cared for them, and helped many find homes, some all the way in the United States. Krystian grew up right in the middle of it.
Then the pandemic hit. We had three days to leave Qatar and 11 animals to bring with us, including Gido, Mochi, and Pancake. Our rescue friends helped us get everyone safely to the United States.
We couldn't have done it alone.
Chapter 3
We missed Gido and Mochi. We still do.
We came back to the D.C. area and settled in Northern Virginia, and we kept helping animals in need here too.
Those years were also some of our hardest. We lost people we love in our families, and caring for Gido and Mochi as they grew older became our focus.
Then we lost Gido and Mochi. They had been with us through everything, and losing them was hard on all of us, especially Krystian. He had never known life without his brothers.
We had so much love and nowhere to put it. So we put it into helping more animals. Krystian wanted to help too, but what can a kid do for an animal waiting in a shelter?
We started with a letter. Krystian drew a shelter dog and wrote to its future family as if he were the dog, so people could see the animal behind the photo.
That became Pen Pals for Paws™, and the beginning of Kids for Paws.
Gido's paw print is in our logo. He's still part of this.
Chapter 4
Kids want to help. Let’s give them a way.
Kids care about animals. They just don't always know where to start.
With Kids for Paws, they can write a letter, draw a portrait, record a short voice story, or collect supplies a shelter needs. A grown-up helps choose the animal, checks the facts, and shares what they make.
Kids can do a mission at home, with a class, or with a Scout group. It starts with one animal.
You don't have to be a grown-up to help.
THE FAMILY BEHIND IT
Meet our family
Dad
Lando
Lando has never walked past an animal who needed help. If there's a dog in trouble, he's already on his way.
Mom
Gina
Gina has always had room in her heart for one more animal. She's the one who helps turn Krystian's big ideas into missions other kids can do.
Always our pack
Gido, Mochi, and Pancake
Gido and Mochi were our hearts, and we miss them every day. Pancake, the foster who never left, is still by our side. All three will always be our pack.
WHAT GUIDES US
Every kid can help a Paw.
Our mission
Help kids take part in helping shelter and rescue animals through letters, art, short voice recordings, and service projects—with a grown-up guiding them.
Our hope
More kids knowing they can help, and more shelter animals getting the attention and support they need.
- Started
- 2025
- Based in
- Northern Virginia
- Helping
- Shelter and rescue animals
- How it works
- Kids create. Grown-ups guide.
How we share animal stories
We use information from the shelter or rescue caring for each animal. Whenever a listing is available, we link back to it so families can learn more directly from that organization.
An animal’s availability can change. Please check the latest update and confirm their status with the shelter or rescue.
We celebrate adoption updates, but we don’t claim that a Kids for Paws letter or video caused an adoption. Featuring an animal also doesn’t mean we have a formal partnership with their shelter.
Grown-ups manage participation and submissions. If you have a question, an animal update, or a correction, email hello@kidsforpaws.com.
There’s a way for you to help too.
You don’t have to adopt an animal to help one.
Start with a letter, a drawing, a short recording, or a supply drive. Do it at home, with your class, or with your group. A grown-up can help you take the first step.
Meet your first Paw →Mahalo for being here and helping animals with us.
