With the transition to a new animal shelter, one volunteer-based organization has also made changes and focused their attention on just caring for animals.

People for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Greene County President Ann Wenthold tells Raccoon Valley Radio PAWS and the animal shelter board have different functions. She says the animal shelter board is responsible for the facility, its employees and volunteers at the shelter, the PAWS Board are primarily caring for the animals, including the intake, to the vetting and adoption processes.

Wenthold notes that PAWS was responsible for just about everything at the former facility, which has since been demolished due to the wastewater treatment plant improvements taking place. She is confident that both boards will continue to make progress.

“We’re both working to benefit the city, the county, the animals, (and) any volunteers. People need to know that there are truly two different boards functioning towards the same thing but doing totally separate duties.”  

Wenthold talks about how much PAWS likes the new shelter.

“It’s been wonderful. We have waited so long for this. You know I can’t describe how nice it is. A few of us have even had conversations, we enjoy just going out there, maybe on our noon lunch hour or on a weekend, if we don’t have anything to do, just to sit and spend time with the animals. It’s a lot quieter and calmer. It’s just been a huge, huge benefit.”       

Wenthold also serves on the animal shelter board, which she says they are working on establishing a fee schedule for animals that are brought to them and that owners need to follow to get their pet back. She adds that volunteers and donations are still needed and you can contact the animal shelter board at 515-386-2340.