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Thanks to an outpouring of community support, the PAWS Shelter of Central Texas has announced that it will no longer be forced to close its Kyle campus.
In the month after the organization announced the closure, which was reportedly due to growing financial and operational challenges, the nonprofit received donations equaling $50,085.60. That also helped them meet the requirements for a $25,000 matching pledge from Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Greg Sabotini, one the members of the PAWS board of directors, said the community response to their request for help with maintenance and repairs for both the Kyle shelter and the Dripping Springs shelter has been great as well.
“There is an ever-increasing number of contractors, vendors, workmen, craftspeople who are willing to donate their time to help us with things that otherwise would be very expensive to handle,” Sabotini said. “I cannot tell you how important that is, being a nonprofit. That’s a big deal.”
The drain system at Kyle shelter was jetted and cleared by Savior Service Plumbing, while the Dripping Springs water system maintenance, filters, pump and filters were repaired by Agritek Rain Water. Presidio Fencing has donated significant fence repair and improvement at both facilities.
The Dripping Springs Lacrosse team volunteered to spread 10 cubic yards of mulch in the dog runs at Dripping Springs. And True Construction has committed to do tree trimming and debris removal from Kyle at a significant discount.
Sabotini said they are still looking for additional funding for foundation work at Kyle, quoted at $9,500; electrical repair at Kyle of approximately $2,000; as well as new cameras for both locations at about $900.
And they continue to explore other fundraising opportunities.
On Dec. 12, there will be a concert fundraiser at Hotel Vegas in Austin with musician Paul Stinson, a PAWS supporter and adopter. The event will feature three bands, including Stinson’s, and will celebrate the 5th birthday of Stinson’s cat, Olive, who is a PAWS alum. Half of the ticket sales will be donated to PAWS.
And of course, they are planning their annual Dinner by the Bite fundraiser in April with Wilson’s AC & Appliances in Dripping Springs.
“They graciously donate their facility, and we do a significant silent auction during that period,” Sabotini said.
At that event, local chefs work in Wilson’s showroom, which features several full-scale kitchens, to prepare small plates and other dishes for attendees.
Board member Jorge Valdespino said they are also hoping to increase the number of people who are willing to make small monthly donations to PAWS. Those recurring contributions can play a big role in providing a steady stream of income that keeps the shelters going, the animals fed and housed, and the employees paid, he said.
Sabotini thanked the PAWS employees for bearing with the organization as it worked to come up with a plan to stay open.
“This was a very difficult time for them,” Sabotini said. “Each and every person who works at PAWS has given extraordinary effort to keep us moving in the right direction.”
Sabotini and Valdespino said PAWS is looking for a couple of new board members as well.
“This is a small board. We want it to be larger, and we are actively soliciting new board members to get us to a total of ten board members,” Sabotini said.
They are searching for candidates who have networking and fundraising experience, and who can commit around 20-30 hours per month to PAWS.
“We’re specifically looking for folks who have some experience in animal welfare,” Sabotini said. “We want folks who really, really feel it and really want to contribute time and effort.”
Sabotini said that getting volunteers who are willing to donate their time at the shelters is also critical.
“If we can get volunteers, that means so much,” Sabotini said. “And we’ve had great results as a result of our pleas for that. I want to thank everyone who has donated their time, their money, their efforts and their consideration.”
For more information, visit www.pawsshelter.org.
