PAWS & More hopes for new building

WASHINGTON — Representatives from the PAWS & More animal shelter in Washington told county supervisors to expect a big monetary ask from the organization in the near future, as the shelter finds itself in need of a new building.

“We learned in February of this year from two different contractors that the foundation on our building has so much water damage … the cost to repair that foundation exceeds the value of the building,” PAWS Board President Ann Valentine said. “We’ve done our very best to take care of it and cobble together our ability to meet our legal requirements, but that building has probably come close to the end of its effective lifetime.”

Organization leaders say rebuilding at the current location is out of the question, but relocation won’t come cheap either: the shelter needs around 3 acres of space, proximity to the city, concrete flooring and a sophisticated HVAC system, to name a few expenses.

“These requirements to protect human health approach those of a hospital,” Valentine said. “It’s one of the most expensive types of construction projects out there.”

Still, the board president said it would be worth every penny.

“We’re very fiscally responsible, we do a lot with a little,” she said. “I know very well, from my life, that every tax dollar means some kid didn’t get a new box of crayons this year. So we’re careful with our dollars, and what we want to do is make a long-term, careful investment in our future.”

The shelter staff asked county supervisors to partner with them over the next several years, as a new building is sought out. It’s not a small request, with total costs estimated around $2.9 million, but Valentine said it was the county’s best option.

"If we implement all of these things with a focus on durability, safety and efficiency, (it’s) a long-term return on investment,“ she said. ”We think all of this amounts to an exemplar collaborative relationship between a 501(c)(3) and the various political jurisdictions that have a legal responsibility for our kinds of services. It really does reduce bloat in government.“

Shelter Director Amber Talbot said the need would not go away for a shelter and source of spaying and neutering. She cited futile efforts of other communities to negate the need, rather than provide a solution.

“If we just remove any and all of them, it does not end the cycle,” she said. “Within two to three weeks, more cats are going to be there because the food source never leaves … it’s so much bigger than the concerned citizen putting food out for the cats, it’s the resources everywhere. Our dumpsters, our trash cans. They are attracted to areas where humans are.”

Talbot said she hoped to double the shelter’s size in its next iteration, but emphasized that it would keep its revolving door philosophy.

"We have one of the lowest lengths of stays in our state … this is a short term stop for them,“ she said. ”We are not in the business of warehousing animals, I am very proud of that … it’s not to take a bunch of animals from everywhere else, it’s to have adequate space for isolation and separation and storage and safety.“

Supervisors said they would revisit the topic when budget discussions begin.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com