PAWS in Motion - The Humane Society and Adoption Center at PAWS


	Shelters quite often wait around for the animals and people to come to them. Many, we see only when it is too late to make a difference. We must actively go out and seek the animals and people that need us most. This program will allow willing shelter volunteers, dog trainers and groomers to work together to reach a population that has not been reached before. Paws in Motion will target dogs that are chained up or living in outdoor pens and free roaming cats. The arrival of shelter volunteers with goodies for the pets, free advise and a non-judgmental attitude will allow us to achieve a rapport with the owners, essential if our goal is to educate them. Offers of new collars, runners for chained dogs and on the spot grooming (especially for extreme matting) will replace any initial suspicion and allow us to connect with the community in a whole new way. We are not handing out fines or bothering them about their barking dogs. We are there to help with training advice, behavior modification or just a friendly face from PAWS.
	Why? This program will reach a population that veterinarians and dogs never see. A population shelter worker often sees but usually too late- as they are surrendering a litter, turning in a dog that has been chained for 6 years and barks too much or has been hit by a car. Objective This program is not about changing people or their lifestyles. It is about setting up a liaison in the community and becoming a generous resource for future advice and problem solving. It is about changing the way our community views the shelter and getting people to feel comfortable about calling us early for help. It is about expressing an interest and building a support system for needy pet owners or uneducated pet owners. Benefits Proactive programs, well publicized, will communicate to the public our desire to meet the problems of pets and their owner’s head on. This active role sends a clear message. We are working hard to help people and animals and not seeking financial gain. As a result of this outreach, the shelters more positive public image and higher visibility will reach donors who are not currently familiar with our organization. Cost The only cost to the shelter will be for transportation. All volunteers including local groomers, American KennelClub trainers and shelter staff. All other items, leashes, collars, and doghouses etc. will be donated.