Comment
Print
In an ambitious first year, the Pets Are Worth Saving (P.A.W.S.) companion animal rescue group has successfully completed a number of initiatives that have prevented the unwanted animal population in Rutherford County from expanding by the tens of thousands.
Some of P.A.W.S.’ most notable successes in 2014 include:
•Performed over 500 free or low-cost spay/neuter procedures on county pets, thanks to generous funding from Lulu’s Rescue, a Pennsylvania-based companion animal rescue group and PAWS strategic partner, and additional grants and help from the Community Partnership for Pets, Inc., of Hendersonville, NC.
•Provided free spay /neuter for 133 pits and pit mixes, the most difficult breed to rehome.
•Distributed over 20,000 lbs of pet food to pet-owners in urgent need, through donations by Lulu’s Rescue.
•Inoculated over 200 Rutherford County pets from rabies at no charge to their owners, via full funding by Lulu’s Rescue.
•Expanded outreach efforts to include low-income pet-owners and their children, in another dual initiative with Lulu’s Rescue who collected and donated over 300 warm coats and additional outerware items including sweaters, hoodies, boots, gloves, and hats. The resulting clothing drive distributed hundreds of items of warm winter clothing to adults and children, along with a diaper drive that distributed more than 1,000 diapers for infants in need. Providing these items helped loving pet-owners have more funds in their budgets to care for and feed their pets.
•Located space for Rutherford County’s first low-cost and free spay/neuter “pod” clinic.
“Every P.A.W.S. program ties in to our ‘No Kill’ philosophy of preventing the needless death of perfectly adoptable animals. Free or low-cost spay and neutering, for example, prevents the birth of countless animals that would otherwise end up at the local animal control facility,” said Janice Mitchell, P.A.W.S. founder and volunteer.
To understand how 500 spay or neuter procedures could prevent the future births of tens of thousands of unwanted animals, consider that just one female dog can produce two litters per year, with seven to 10 puppies per litter. By the same token, one female cat can produce three litters in a single year, with four to six kittens per litter. Offspring from these litters can begin procreating in less than a year.
Accordingly, P.A.W.S. offers the lowest-priced spay and neuter services in Rutherford County, just $25 per pet, and free for pits, pit mixes, and pets belonging to people on public assistance.
“We’re also keeping pets out of the animal control facility by helping their owners keep them fed,” Mitchell added.
P.A.W.S. works directly with county social workers to publicize a free pet food pantry, a program that’s been enormously helpful at preventing pet-owners from having to make the wrenching decision of whether to provide for their animals or themselves.
Mitchell pointed out that this kind of outreach has also recruited volunteers from the very communities P.A.W.S. serves.
“One of our most dedicated volunteers first connected with us when she had a number of cats that needed spay and neutering, which we were able to do for her at no charge. Now she goes to every house with pets in her neighborhood to tell people that P.A.W.S. can take care of spay and neutering their pets for free,” Mitchell said.
To increase the number of spay and neuter procedures in Rutherford County, P.A.W.S. and Lulu’s Rescue are working to bring a first-of-its-kind “pod” clinic to Rutherford County, with spay and neuter services provided by local veterinarians. After a months-long search, an ideal location for the pod clinic has been found and is currently undergoing inspections for the necessary permits.
For more information or to schedule an interview with P.A.W.S. and its strategic partners Lulu’s Rescue, the Community Partnership for Pets, Inc., and Humane Alliance, contact Janice Mitchell at 888-422-7303 or email pawsofrc@gmail.com.
About P.A.W.S.: The mission of P.A.W.S. of Rutherford County, North Carolina is to build a no-kill animal shelter in our county and help end the killing of thousands of adoptable dogs and cats through a multifaceted approach combining foster, adoption, rescue, transport, spay/neuter outreach and public education. P.A.W.S. provides a number of low-cost and free services for pet-owners, including spay and neuter procedures, a pet food pantry, and more. Visit us on Facebook or http://pawsrc.org/
About Lulu’s Rescue: Like other national rescue organizations, LULU’S Rescue has taken note of the South’s escalating issue with homeless animals, and is committed to helping P.A.W.S. stop the killing of so many of them in Rutherford County. Based in Pennsylvania, LULU’S Rescue is a 501(c)3 companion animal rescue charity and allows P.A.W.S. to operate as a strategic partner under their non-profit designation. In turn, P.A.W.S. is the boots on the ground in a county with an alarmingly high kill rate of perfectly healthy, adoptable companion animals. For more information, visit http://lulusrescue.com/
