Meet Michelle Pierre of Project Love 4Paws Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Pierre.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt a deep, quiet pull toward animals—a need not just to be near them, but to care for them. My heart has always understood their unspoken language, and over the years, that compassion has only grown stronger.

I didn’t set out to start a nonprofit. It began with a simple act of kindness: feeding the stray cats in my neighborhood. One bowl of food turned into two, then three, and soon I knew them all by name—or at least by heart. Each hungry gaze and grateful purr stirred something in me that I couldn’t ignore: a sense of purpose.

At home, I found unconditional love in my two dogs, Chase and Ella. They ground me and remind me every day of the healing power animals have—how they comfort without words and love without limits. They, too, played a quiet but powerful role in shaping what would become my life’s mission.

As I looked around my Cherokee County community, I realized I wasn’t alone in trying to help. Other kind souls were doing what they could—feeding community cats, trying to get them spayed or neutered, stretching their own budgets to buy pet food. But it wasn’t enough. The need was growing, and so was my resolve.

That’s when I founded Project Love 4Paws Inc.—not just as a nonprofit, but as a support system. A lifeline for those who have the heart to help but not always the means. Through Project Love 4Paws, I help cover the cost of spay and neuter surgeries, provide food and supplies, and step in for families going through hard times who want nothing more than to keep their beloved pets.

The mission is simple, yet powerful: to promote responsible pet ownership, reduce the number of animals in shelters, and most importantly, keep pets where they belong—in the homes and arms of the people who love them.

I know that behind every animal in need, there is often a person in pain. Project Love 4Paws exists to meet both those needs—with compassion, with dignity, and with the belief that no one should have to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pet.

Every donation, every bag of kibble, every spay or neuter voucher goes toward building a community where love—not circumstance—determines an animal’s future.

Because for me, this isn’t just charity. It’s who I am.
And love—for four paws and all—is what I will always choose.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like most things rooted in passion, it’s come with its fair share of challenges. In the beginning, one of the biggest struggles was simply not having enough resources—trying to meet overwhelming needs with very limited funding. There were moments when the requests for help far outweighed what I could realistically provide, and that was emotionally hard to carry.

Another challenge was learning how to build and run a nonprofit while still being deeply hands-on. Balancing paperwork, fundraising, and logistics with the emotional side of rescue work isn’t easy. You see a lot of suffering—both from animals and from the people who love them—and it can be exhausting if you don’t learn how to pace yourself.

There were also moments of self-doubt, wondering if I was doing enough or if I could sustain it long-term. But every time I questioned it, something—or someone—would remind me why I started. A family able to keep their pet. A cat finally spayed and safe. A dog getting a full bowl of food.

Those moments made the struggles worth it. They still do.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Project Love 4Paws Inc.?
Project Love 4Paws Inc. is a community-based nonprofit rooted in one simple belief: pets are family, and families should not have to fall apart because of financial hardship. What we do goes beyond animal rescue—we focus on prevention, support, and keeping pets in loving homes where they already belong.

We specialize in helping families and individuals who are doing their best but need a little support. That includes covering spay and neuter surgeries, providing pet food and essential supplies, and assisting people who are facing temporary hardships so they don’t have to surrender their pets. We also support community caregivers who care for stray and feral cats by helping with food and access to spay and neuter services. Through these efforts, Project Love 4Paws helps feed and support over 150 cats and dogs.

What sets us apart is our heart for both ends of the leash. We recognize that behind every animal in need, there is often a person struggling too. We lead with compassion, not judgment, and we meet people where they are. Our goal isn’t to “save” animals by removing them from their homes—it’s to strengthen the bond between people and their pets and prevent animals from ever entering shelters in the first place.

Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the trust we’ve built within the community. People know that when they reach out to Project Love 4Paws, they’ll be heard, respected, and supported. Every dollar donated goes directly back into the community, and we stay hands-on, transparent, and deeply connected to the people and animals we serve.

What I want readers to know most is that Project Love 4Paws is about love in action. It’s about stepping in before crisis becomes heartbreak, about choosing compassion over convenience, and about building a future where no one has to choose between caring for themselves and caring for their pet. This isn’t just a nonprofit—it’s a promise to our community and to the animals who depend on us.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is love—real, tangible love in action. Love that shows up when it’s inconvenient, when it’s hard, and when it’s needed most. That’s because I’ve seen firsthand how a small act of compassion can change everything—for an animal and for the person who loves them.

Animals matter to me because they give without conditions or expectations. They trust us completely, and with that trust comes responsibility. But people matter just as much. I care deeply about the families who are trying their best, who love their pets but are struggling, and who shouldn’t have to face the heartbreak of giving them up because of circumstances beyond their control.

Why it matters is simple: keeping pets and people together preserves dignity, stability, and hope. When we protect that bond, we’re not just helping animals—we’re strengthening families and communities. That belief is at the core of everything I do, and it’s what continues to drive me forward every single day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.projectlove4pawsinc.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectLove4Paws
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@projectlove4paws