Scaling with heart: How Muddy Paws Rescue built a stronger team behind their mission

How It Began

Since 2016, Muddy Paws Rescue has been transforming lives in New York City through its foster-based rescue model. Their mission is clear: build and support a thriving community of dog-loving humans dedicated to ending unnecessary euthanasia of companion dogs. Every part of their work, from lifesaving to community-building to education, is rooted in values like positivity, responsiveness, and innovation. – Muddy Paws(opens in a new tab).

The early days were fueled by passion and urgency. With no staff and limited resources, Muddy Paws set an ambitious goal of saving 300 dogs. By the end of that first year in 2016, they had already surpassed expectations by rescuing 764 dogs. Today, they have grown into a tightly-run nonprofit, but growth brought new challenges. Administrative burdens increased. Payroll became more complex. And HR issues, which were not at the forefront in the beginning of their mission, now required time, energy, and expertise. 

Rachael Ziering, Founding Executive Director of Muddy Paws, realized that running a mission-driven nonprofit also meant running a business.

I wasn’t really thinking about the people management, all of the HR admin, as I was concerned with the individual dogs. I wanted to keep getting better and make it sustainable

That shift in perspective prompted the team to reevaluate their internal systems and ultimately search for a better solution.

One Less Thing to Worry About

With limited staff and resources, every tool and process must support the core mission without pulling focus. For Muddy Paws, that mission is lifesaving. They needed an HR solution that could operate quietly in the background, taking tasks off their plate, not adding to them.

With Justworks, the team found that relief. Payroll runs smoothly. PTO is managed centrally. Employee documents are easy to access. For Rachael and her team, the biggest benefit has been the simplicity and automation that Justworks brings to the table.

How little I have to think about it, that’s the biggest win. It just happens. It’s definitely taken a big admin burden off of me.

With HR handled, the Muddy Paws team can redirect their time and attention to what they do best, supporting their fosters, adopters, and the dogs who depend on them.

A Modern Platform That Actually Works

Before switching to Justworks, Muddy Paws tried two different PEOs. While both promised modern HR support, the experience left much to be desired. The systems felt outdated, pricing was confusing, and basic functions like pulling reports or managing time off were unnecessarily complicated.

As a nonprofit, Muddy Paws needed a platform that would streamline operations and support their team without adding extra layers of complexity. In 2023, they made the switch to Justworks.

The results were immediate. PTO could be tracked in one place. Payroll synced with QuickBooks. The employee handbook and holiday calendar were easy to access and update. Justworks offered the structure they needed to keep everything organized and the flexibility to make changes quickly as the team evolved.

The systems we used before felt stuck in the 80s. Justworks feels modern, easy, and actually works.

For a fast-moving rescue organization, that kind of operational clarity and time-saving is invaluable with limited resources.

Support That Shows Up

Even with the right tools, HR questions and challenges come up. That is where Justworks has continued to deliver. For Muddy Paws, knowing they have responsive, knowledgeable support makes all the difference, especially in moments that carry emotional weight.

Recently, a team member needed guidance on disability and paid family leave. It was a situation that required both empathy and compliance precision. Justworks was quick to step in and offer guidance, ensuring that everything was handled correctly from both a legal and human standpoint.

Justworks was super responsive and helpful when an employee needed to navigate disability and paid family leave.

That level of care is especially important for a small nonprofit like Muddy Paws, where every team member plays a critical role. With Justworks, Muddy Paws doesn’t feel like they’re managing HR alone, as they have a partner who’s invested in their team's success and mission.

Streamline Your Mission-Driven Work With Confidence

Muddy Paws Rescue is proof that a small, focused team can drive massive impact with the right support behind them. By partnering with Justworks, they gained a reliable foundation for payroll, compliance, and HR, all without pulling focus from the dogs and communities they serve.

Justworks offers modern solutions built for growing nonprofits and small businesses. Whether you're scaling your team, streamlining operations, or just need one less thing to worry about, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence. Ready to simplify operations and focus on what matters most? Get Started with Justworks.