The PAWS & More Animal Shelter in Washington reported more intakes for the county to the Washington County Board of Supervisors last week. 

PAWS & More Shelter Director Amber Talbot gave the report and an update on the process of the new shelter construction, “To review our year-end, we had a busy 2025. We ended up helping over 80 more animals than the previous year. So, we kept busy, but it was super positive. We were pretty proud, we sent over 300 animals to foster in ‘25 as well, which is higher than normal. So if anybody can’t adopt, you can always sign-up to be a foster. That’s beneficial to even get animals out of the shelter short-term or long-term. There’s a lot of reasons that they need foster care. The new building has been pretty exciting. Despite the weather, we are on track. But otherwise the infrastructure, major plumbing, footings, everything has been laid. They have kept everything covered, and they are doing a good job at keeping it prepped to continue through the cold weather.”  

The shelter is looking to the future in Washington as they broke ground on the construction of their new five-acre facility on Buchanan Street in October. Shelter officials are hoping that the shelter will be completed in 10-12 months weather permitting. The new shelter will double their current facility’s size, and include walking paths, all-season gathering places, and inclusive spaces for everyone to interact with the animals.

The shelter also made their annual funding request to the county in the amount of $32,954 which is based on a three year rolling agreement between the shelter and the county. That agreement is up for renewal this year.