Saturday marks the wrap up of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week in 2022 with the work of Paws and More Animal Shelter in Washington marking the local observance. Paws and More Animal Shelter has been serving the community for nearly 45 years. The organization began serving around 400 animals per year and has recently seen their reach grow to eclipse more than 1,000 annually.

Amber Talbot serves as the Executive Director and has been with Paws and More since 2004. She shares that the staff is made up of around 20 individuals, both paid and volunteer. With paid staff numbering 10-12, three of which are in the building daily to handle shelter operations and work with the animals. Volunteer staff vary in amount of time donated, measuring in both hours and days per month, but all are integral to the shelter’s operation.

Paws and More serves domestic animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, birds and even a chinchilla recently, but do have a network to provide help to wildlife, exotic or livestock animals when needed. Services rendered include a pet food and supplies program, services to keep pets with families including free emergency housing for pets of families in crisis, microchipping that includes registration for a $35 fee, a low-cost spay and neuter program that works with around 40-50 pets per month and dog day adventures which allows the public to spend time with a potential pet outside of the shelter to give the animal a break.

Talbot explains that Paws and More is a non-profit, private organization. While they are contracted with city and county officials to help serve as animal control and pickup and house pets without owners, the majority of their operations budget comes from fundraising and donations. Talbot talked with KCII News about the feeling when they are able to find a pet a forever home. “One of the biggest things we hear at Paws and More is ‘I couldn’t do your job’ or ‘It makes me sad’ or ‘I’d want to take them all home’. We are so fortunate to have such support. People really value our passion and our level of care that we provide. We pride ourselves that our pets are typically in our shelter for less time than other shelters. It is the most rewarding feeling. It is what keeps us going, knowing that this really is a short term stop for them. We are here to get them healthy, happy and ready to go on to their forever home. We have an adoption every day on average. That really fills our hearts.”

If you would like to help the mission at Paws and More Animal Shelter in Washington through donation, adoption or otherwise, contact the shelter at 319-653-6713 or visit pawsandmorewashington.org.