The Portage Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is turning to unique community events like “cat yoga” and targeted foster programs to meet the growing needs of its local rescue operations.
Chrissy Nesbitt, fundraising coordinator for PAWS, says the organization is looking for creative ways to engage the public while supporting the roughly 14 cats currently housed at their facility.
“We just did cat yoga and we are going to be doing another one at the end of February,” Nesbitt said, noting the $25 classes allow residents to decompress. “We have such crazy lives we’re always so busy these days and it just gives you a moment to enjoy a class with four-legged fur balls that want nothing but to hang out with you.”
The yoga classes are taught by local instructors from the Portage area.
The facility’s feline residents consume more than 2,700 cans of food annually. Nesbitt said the society is currently in “desperate need” of Friskies pate canned food donations to keep up with the demand.
While the cats reside at the shelter, the organization’s dog program operates entirely through a network of foster homes. Dog coordinator Kate Niles said that while 14 dogs were successfully adopted last year, the search for new foster families and specific adopters is ongoing.
One current challenge involves “Blue,” a one-year-old Golden Retriever cross. Niles says Blue is a goofy, “people dog” who needs a farm home with plenty of space — with one specific catch: no chickens.
“He liked the cows, but he just hated the chickens,” Niles said, recalling a previous trial where the dog’s temperament proved ill-suited for live poultry.
Niles is hoping to connect with more rural communities to find the right match for dogs like Blue. “We’re always looking for events to bring dogs to … specifically farming events,” she said.
The volunteer-run non-profit, which is often confused with the municipal pound, relies solely on community donations and volunteers for cat and dog care. Prospective adopters, fosters, or volunteers are encouraged to apply through the PAWS website. Donations can be dropped off at 121 12th Street N.E. You can call (204) 857-7297 for more information. PAWS encourages folks to also follow their social media pages to stay up to date.
