On Friday, the County Council and FOTAS held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new PAWS Building (Primary learning, Adoption, Wellness, and Socialization) at the County Shelter. It’s been a long-time coming, and I’m not referring to the scourge of all construction projects over the past years—COVID-related delays like labor shortages and supply-chain issues—of which there have been many.
No, I’m referring to a dream-delayed, a grand vision postponed since 2014, when the new shelter opened to critical acclaim. The County and FOTAS had expended their money and resources (and then some) to build a proper, humane animal shelter to care for and rehome the County’s abandoned, abused, and neglected animals. But the Shelter and FOTAS dreamed of something more: a place where an animal and prospective adopter could meet in a quiet, private place to get acquainted; a place to hold training sessions for the animals; a place for humane education for the Junior FOTAS program. In short, an important resource where it would be possible to 1) increase our odds of making the animals more adoptable (and appealing) to prospective adopters, and 2) educate folks about humane animal care so that an animal doesn’t have to come to the shelter in the first place.
Now that dream is reality. The PAWS building includes two, quiet, home-like rooms where an animal and a potential adopter can get to know each other in peace. For all of us who have had the joy of adopting a beloved family pet from the shelter, you know what it’s like. You select a prospect in the adoption pod from among the barking animals anxious for your attention. A staff member takes Rover out into the play yard for you to meet, but Rover is so excited about being out and distracted by all the smells and activities around the yard, it’s impossible to connect with him in a meaningful way. In the end, you pass on Rover because that “spark” is missing. So sad because Rover could have been that once-in-a-lifetime dog. The two new meet-and-greet rooms will change all that.
The PAWS building also includes a large, open room for dog training sessions, obedience classes, and Junior FOTAS events where children can learn about heartworm prevention, the importance of spay-neuter, and humane care. It provides a safe place to hold play groups for the dogs when the weather is bad. The room is also a place where a potential adopter can introduce the new dog to their resident dog to make sure they’ll get along. And last but least, PAWS includes a free-cat roaming adoption room and outside catio.
“The PAWS Building is an important tool in our dual mission to save every adoptable animal and to ultimately make the shelter a resource and not a destination,” says Jennifer Miller, President of FOTAS. We are so grateful for our legacy gifts, current donors, and the County for making this dream a reality. With this resource, we can potentially reduce the discouraging intake numbers and help every homeless animal become a loving and responsible family member.”
Amen to that. Sometimes wonderful things are worth waiting for. Please support our mission by volunteering, fostering, and donating your time and money.
Their lives our in our hands.
Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice-President
