For the past year and a half, PAWS of Grays Harbor (PAWS) has been going through major renovations to drive up adoptions. As the largest no-kill animal shelter in Grays Harbor, they adopt out between 350-450 dogs annually. This is a number they hope to increase to 500 through renovations, an updated facility and their new social media campaign. Someone from Bend, Oregon recently adopted a dog they saw online! Currently they are raising money for outdoor dog runs that the shelter desperately needs.
“We are in desperate need to finish these last renovations of the outdoor dog runs,” shares Molle Bouch, who oversees sales at Harbor Pacific and also serves as board president for PAWS shares. The dog runs are essential as they allow PAWS to keep dogs on the property 24/7. Currently, all dogs are housed elsewhere – either in foster care, at Blue Cross Veterinary or Patty’s Place in South Side – and are transported on the days PAWS is open.
The renovations will allow PAWS to save money, provide more services and make PAWS a more inviting place to adopt. “It costs us roughly $3,000 – $4,000 a month to house these dogs off property,” Molle explains. “Once we have the kennels, we can not only keep them on-site, but we can expand our hours once again – adding another day that will have late evening hours so people can come adopt a pet after work.”
This will enable more people to come in, see the facility, ask questions and find a companion that fits them, which is what Molle says it’s all about at the end of the day. “It’s amazing the difference a pet can make to someone who may have a hole in their life right now,” explains Molle. “A lot of times an animal, with a little bit of love, can make a huge difference in someone’s life. It’s not just about the animals, it’s about the people and finding the right companion for that person.”
Not Just Adoption
Although adoption is their primary focus, PAWS also provides services that are essential to the over 70,000 people in the Grays Harbor community. These services include:
- Rabies clinics with $10 vaccines
- A spay/neuter program where residents can visit their office during business hours to purchase vouchers for drastically reduced spay or neuter services – $65 for cats and $75 for dogs. Procedures are performed at Brady Veterinary Hospital in Montesano.
PAWS is working toward adding even more services with the purchase of the house adjacent to them. The upstairs is an apartment for a live-in veterinarian who they hope to hire by the end of 2018. The downstairs includes an office, surgery room and recovery room. The building will also have a pet bathing room will be open to the public where people can come in and, for a donation to PAWS, bathe their dog using provided supplies.
Despite the progress, there is still more to do. About $25,000 is still needed to finish the kennels, which will include a fire-proof-roof, walls made of removable steel partitions offering flexible spaces and fencing. “We are designing and using high-end materials so that this space will last us a long time,” explains Molle. The Seabrook Community Foundation donated $4,000 toward the fence so far but there is still a long way to go.
Have a Pint for Pups at Pawtoberfest
To finish those vital outdoor dog kennels, PAWS is hosting PAWtoberfest on October 14 at the Quinault Beach Resort & Casino. Stop by for beer, wine, live music and a silent auction to raise money for their new outdoor dog runs. This event will really make a difference in their renovation budget. “We are lucky if we break even on a dog after all the veterinary costs, food and housing,” Molle explains. “Usually, our adoption fees do not cover all our expenses, so they are not a source of income for the shelter. We are lucky to have a very supportive community that donates generously to keep us going.” PAWtoberfest will be their first-ever fundraiser.
Quinault Beach Resort & Casino donated the space for the event and is offering reduced room rates for people who want to stay Saturday night. QBRC also donated 400 custom mugs for the event.
Molle adds, “Their generosity has really helped. Since we don’t have a huge overhead bill, more of the money can go to the shelter where it will do good.”
This will be PAWS first fundraiser. Since 1973, they have run solely on community donations and adoption fees. “I helped out with the first Hoptoberfest when I was on the board of East Grays Harbor Rotary,” says Molle. “That fundraiser went back to the schools of East County but it wasn’t going to happen this year, so they asked me if I would like to take it over as a fundraiser for PAWS.”
There will be plenty for everyone at PAWtoberfest. PAWS is kicking the event off very appropriately with a meet and greet of adoptable dogs in case you are looking for a new best friend.
Twenty-eight beers will be available, including local favorites O-Town Brewing, Dick’s Brewing Company and Steam Donkey. Westport Winery will also be attending with their delicious, local wines. More of a cider fan? Tart Hard Cider will be there as well. Live music will be going and there will be a silent auction with a variety of gift baskets and items from the beverage vendors.
Tickets are $30 for a couple in advance or $20 per person at the door. You can purchase tickets in advanced at Quinault Beach Resort & Casino, PAWS of Grays Harbor, Harbor Pacific, Waughs in Aberdeen and Aberdeen Office Equipment. Tickets will also be available at the door.
For more information about the shelter and their programs, visit the PAWS of Grays Harbor website.
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