Concho Valley PAWS Reaches Record Adoption Rate for March

SAN ANGELO, TX — Concho Valley PAWS adopted 123 dogs and cats in the month of March and that’s a record adoption rate according to PAWS Executive Director Jenie Wilson.

Wilson on Wednesday said they also placed and additional 118 to out of state adoptions.  That combined with the 60 that were placed during the "Name Your Price" adoption event and owner redemptions combined for a live release rate of 78 percent which is the highest the shelter has ever seen.

Wilson said, “This is truly incredible when you consider where we started as a community.  Less than ten years ago, the city’s animal shelter was one of the highest kill shelters in the state euthanizing more than 80 percent of the animals that entered the facility.  And this month our live release rate was almost 80 percent.”

Wilson continued, “We are truly excited with how 2019 is starting to shape up.  We have placed 600 pets in loving homes since January.  The numbers show that the public-private partnership between a municipal animal shelter and an animal advocacy group really works.  We can also attribute this success to furthering the education and awareness of our own staff and volunteers.  We are constantly evolving in this process and after exposing our staff to the American Pets Alive model, we are excited about what the future holds.”

Wilson attributes their success to collaborative and innovative efforts in 2018 including:

• An 85 percent increase in the number of animals redeemed by their owners because of HelpMeGetHome.com. a PAWS program.
• Over 2,000 animals were successfully placed in loving homes
• A transport program was implemented saving 700 lives
• Dogs and cats were treated for illnesses such as kennel cough rather than be immediately euthanized
• Injured animals were assessed and treated instead of being euthanized
• Owners were given options and resources to keep their animals

Wilson said, “The San Angelo Animal Shelter takes in many animals and maintaining a successful no-kill initiative is a constant struggle.  We need more fosters to help create space so we can continue to ensure every dog and cat has a chance to find a loving home.”

PAWS is also in the process of building a facility that will help save more animals thanks to a donation from David and Judith Hirschfeld.  “We have already broken ground and we are excited to see our dreams become a reality.  The facility we are planning will allow for office space, an education room for people and pet training, a spay and neuter clinic and kennel space for adoptable pets.  We have a capitol campaign underway and we are looking for community support to help us complete the project.”  Wilson said.

April is National Pets are Great Month and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.