Nila Randall, shelter manager at PAWS, 1535 W. U.S 36, said the agency is still paying off debt from a mortgage and daily bills, but donations are down while the shelter is already at full capacity —32 dogs, 50 cats.
“The donations aren’t there and we’re still having lots of animals coming in,” Randall said.
The agency is not necessarily on the verge of closing, but the shelter has been living “day-to-day and week-to-week” at times,” Randall said.
In some cases, the shelter’s board members have had to step in and cover bills from their own pockets to keep the agency afloat.
The shelter has only two paid staff, she said, and often uses volunteers to keep costs down. But with expenses from a mortgage, insurance, and daily operating costs such as electricity and supplies, the shelter’s bills are still often difficult to cover, she said.
“We still financially have a big burden out here, but it’s something we’re trying to work through,” Randall said.
The agency is trying some new tactics to help raise funds, including setting up a concession stand at this year’s county fair, and reducing adoption fees for dogs and cats to make it easier for residents to adopt the pets.
Other area businesses are trying to help out as well. Later this year, The Ole’ Book Nook, 1637 E. U.S. 36, is planning a book signing in which a portion of the proceeds will go to help the shelter. The Rock N’ Robin Diner, 1010 Scioto St., is also planning a dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22. Half of the proceeds will be used to assist PAWS, said Alice Chadwell, who owns the diner.
Vicki Brown, who owns the bookstore, said the fundraiser made sense since the bookstore is also celebrating an upcoming anniversary, and it was a way for her business to help out.
”Everyone that works for me is not only a book lover, they’re an animal lover,” she said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355 or msanctis@coxohio.com.
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