Over 9,000 Animals Euthanized: PAWS Saves Unwanted Pets

Concho Valley PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) is on a mission to educate the populace of San Angelo.

“Over 9,000 cats and dogs were euthanized [in San Angelo] last year,” said Jenie Wilson, Executive Director of PAWS.

She explained that those numbers are comparable to high population centers like Houston, “You see why this number is disturbing,” she added.

Wilson also mentioned the correlation between dogs for sale on craigslist or the classifieds, and the dogs she sees in the shelter.

The pets section on craigslist just in the past week has been filled primarily with pit-bull puppies and Chihuahuas.

Likewise, the adoptable pets from the shelter directly reflect this, with 14 chihuahuas and 11 pit bulls available for adoption, highly outnumbering any other breed.

It’s not a coincidence that the animals being sold are the ones being terminated.

To help slow the shelter kills, PAWS offers vouchers for cheaper spay and neuter procedures for owned pets in the community, as well as catch and release spay and neuter procedures for feral cats in order to reduce the population without killing.

PAWS adopted out 500 cats and dogs last year, a small number compared to the 9,000 euthanized.

“It’s a drop in the bucket,” said Wilson.

Right now PAWS has 70 dogs in foster homes, and can hold 50 cats in their cat apartments in the Sunset Mall location.

They are always looking for more foster homes and for individuals who want to adopt, so that they might expand their efforts to save more animals.

For more information call 325-656-PETS (7387) or visit the PAWS website www.conchovalleypaws.org

“We don’t care who you adopt from, just adopt” says Wilson.

The City of San Angelo Animal Services out at 3142 Hwy 67 North also  has cats and dogs available for adoption.

For more information about the Animal Services call (325) 657-4224.