October 14 PAWtoberfest Benefits PAWs of Grays Harbor

PAWtoberfest
At PAWtoberfest, you will have the opportunity to meet adoptable dogs and raise money to help even more. Photo credit: PAWS of Grays Harbor
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PAWS of Grays Harbor (PAWS) is the largest no-kill animal shelter in Grays Harbor. Every year, they adopt out approximately 350 to 450 dogs a year and even more cats. With a goal of increasing adoptions to 500 a year, PAWS has been doing major renovations for the last year and a half, including the vital addition of outdoor dog runs.

PAWS of Grays Harbor
While the competed renovations have made a huge difference, the completion of the dog runs will be a game change for the shelter. Photo credit: PAWS of Grays Harbor

With their primary concern being to help homeless pets find loving, forever homes, PAWS is doing everything they can to boost these numbers. A recent move to social media has helped them – someone from Bend, Oregon recently adopted a dog they saw online. The renovations will allow them to save money, provide more services and make PAWS a more inviting place to adopt.

“Someone may have a hole in their life right now,” explains Molle Bouch, sales at Harbor Pacific and board president for PAWS. “A lot of times an animal, with a little bit of love, can make a huge difference in someone’s life. It’s not just about the animals, it’s about the people and finding the right companion for that person.”

In addition to adoption, the shelter provides several essential services to the over 70,000 people in the Grays Harbor community. They hold rabies clinics, where all vaccines are just $10. They also have a spay/neuter program where residents can visit their office during business hours to purchase vouchers for drastically reduced spay or neuter services – $65 for cats and $75 for dogs. Procedures are performed at Brady Veterinary Hospital in Montesano.

As part of their remodel, PAWS purchased the adjacent house to add more services for the community. The upstairs is an apartment for a live-in veterinarian who they hope to hire by the end of 2018. The downstairs includes an office, surgery room and recovery room. In addition, a pet bathing room will be open to the public where people can come in and, for a donation to PAWS, bathe their dog using provided supplies.

PAWtoberfest
The PAWS volunteers are dedicated and passionate about the care of the animals. Photo credit: PAWS of Grays Harbor

Despite the progress, there is still more to do. “We are in desperate need to finish these last renovations of the outdoor dog runs,” Molle shares. The dog runs are essential as they allow PAWS to keep dogs on the property 24/7. Currently, all dogs are housed elsewhere – either in foster care, at Blue Cross Veterinary, or Patty’s Place in South Side – and are transported on the days PAWS is open.

“It costs us roughly $3-4,000 a month to house these dogs off property,” Molle adds. “Once we have the kennels, we can not only keep them on-site, but we can expand our hours once again – adding another day that will have late evening hours so people can come adopt a pet after work.”

About $25,000 is still needed to finish the kennels, which includes a fire-proof-roof, walls made of removable steel partitions offering flexible spaces, and fencing. “We are designing and using high-end materials so that this space will last us a long time,” explains Molle. The Seabrook Community Foundation donated $4,000 toward the fence so far, but there is still a long way to go.

Have a Pint for Pups at Pawtoberfest  

To raise those desperately needed funds, PAWS is hosting PAWtoberfest On October 14 at the Quinault Beach Resort & Casino for beer, wine, live music and a silent auction.

PAWS of Grays Harbor
PAWS of Grays Harbor relies heavily on volunteers, with only one full-time and two part-time paid staff members. Photo credit: PAWS of Grays Harbor

“I helped out with the first Hoptoberfest when I was on the board of East Grays Harbor Rotary,” says Molle. “That fundraiser went back to the schools of East County, but it wasn’t going to happen this year, so they asked me if I would like to take it over as a fundraiser for PAWS.”

Since their beginning in 1973, PAWS has run solely on donations from the community and anything extra from adoption fees. “We are lucky if we break even on a dog after all the veterinary costs, food and housing. Usually, our adoption fees do not cover all our expenses, so they are not a source of income for the shelter,” she explains. “We are lucky to have a very supportive community that donates generously to keep us going.” PAWtoberfest will be their first-ever fundraiser.

“Quinault Beach Resort and Casino donated the space for the event and is offering reduced room rates for people who want to stay Saturday night, Molle adds. “Their generosity has really helped. Since we don’t have a huge overhead bill, more of the money can go to the shelter where it will do good.” In addition, QBRC donated 400 custom mugs for the event.

You are sure to have fun at PAWtoberfest. For starters, there will be a few dogs for meet and greets at the beginning of the event, just in case you are looking for a new best friend.

dicks beer
Dick’s Brewing Company will be one of many local breweries with their beers pouring on tap at PAWtoberfest on October 14.

Twenty-eight beers will be on tap including local favorites Dick’s Brewing Company, O-Town Brewing, and Steam Donkey. Love cider? Tart Hard Cider will be on hand to wet your whistle. And Westport Winery will also be attending with their delicious, local wines. A silent auction with a variety of gift baskets and items from the beverage vendors rounds out the amazing evening.

You can purchase tickets in advanced at Quinault Beach Resort and Casino, PAWS of Grays Harbor, Harbor Pacific, Waughs in Aberdeen and Aberdeen Office Equipment. Tickets will also be available at the door. Tickets are $30 for a couple in advance or $20 per person at the door.

For more information about the shelter and their programs, visit the PAWS of Grays Harbor website.

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