OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND

PAWS has kept more than1,400 animals – and counting – off the streets of Teton Valley over the last 4 years. But just because you don’t see the problem every day, doesn’t mean this crisis is solved.

Running an animal shelter is tireless and often thankless work. Every day is a struggle to cover our basic operating expenses.

PAWS is a nonprofit doing work that, in many places, a county or city government would manage. We don’t have the luxury of choosing who comes through our doors. The dogs and cats in our care were once greeting card-worthy puppies and kittens, but through no fault of their own, they ended up in our shelter.

In the spirit of transparency and education, we urgently remind you:

We are not government funded. We get less than 5% of our budget from our local government. The rest—salaries, animal care, utilities, veterinary expenses, everything—relies on donations.

PAWS has been operating this shelter with a deficit budget for years. Without sustained local support, we will have to make difficult choices that affect our operations—and our entire community.

Local donations solve local issues. PAWS is the only open-intake facility in Teton Valley you can call when you find a lost or stray animal or if you need to rehome a pet. We tackle the animal welfare challenges that affect this community—our streets, our families, and our neighbors. Every dollar raised here goes directly to our shelter and local support services — filling critical gaps in services for local pets and families. When it comes to pets in crisis in Teton Valley, PAWS is the first to be called and the only nonprofit organization you can call.

Financial assistance from PAWS works. Because of donations, PAWS provides low-cost spay/neuter vouchers, funds TNR for feral cats, and offers emergency veterinary financial assistance—all of which keep pets in homes and reduce shelter intake. These programs have prevented thousands more animals from ending up homeless in Teton Valley.

Your dollars reflect your values. How you choose to invest your hard-earned money reflects what is important to you. What kind of impact do you want to have on Teton Valley today—and for years to come? What legacy will you leave in the place you call home?

The bottom line: We have chosen to run the Teton Valley shelter for the people and pets of our county. We don’t operate a shelter anywhere else—we’re not affiliated with shelters in Jackson or beyond.

So why do we keep going, even when it’s hard?

• Because we’re willing to choose hard over easy.

• Because we act on community need versus what’s convenient.

• Because we believe in leaving a legacy worth fighting for.

Because we care about this community, and about the animals who may be out of sight—until we remind them, and you, that they are worthy of being top of mind.

As always, our door is open for questions and conversation.