PAWS – Rutherford County Pet Adoption & Welfare Services

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Lindsay Frierson, Public Relations Specialist, and Baileigh Back Foster, Foster and Volunteer Coordinator, with Rutherford County Pet Adoption & Welfare Services (PAWS), who highlight their efforts in the community to create a safe, healthy and caring environment for the citizens and animals, through education, adoption and courteous enforcement of the TN codes and County regulations pertaining to animals. During the interview, they talk about their programs and services, including Pet Adoption and their “Free Fur All Friday,” their Free Spay and Neuter Program, Rabies and Microchips, their Pet Resource Desk, Trap Neuter Release (TNR), and more. They also discuss their Foster Volunteer Program and how the community can help.

What PAWS Does/Our Mission: PAWS works with the community to create a safe, healthy and caring environment for the citizens and animals, through education, adoption and courteous enforcement of TN codes and County regulations pertaining to animals. Rutherford County Pet Adoption & Welfare Services (PAWS) serves as animal and rabies control for Rutherford County, TN, investigating concerns of animal cruelty and abuse and responding to calls of domestic, stray animals running at large. The shelter is also open 7 days a week (outside of most holidays) for pet adoptions and for owners to search and receive guidance for lost pets.

Programs and services PAWS offers: 

• • Pet Adoption – Any adult, 18 years of age or older, is welcome to apply to adopt a pet. You do not have to live in Rutherford County to apply. We generally have cats and dogs available for adoption, but have found homes for other animals, i.e., bunnies, lizards, birds, livestock, etc. Some of the most unique adoptions have been, sugar gliders (“flying squirrels”) and a tank of fish!
    • “Free Fur All Friday” – Supported by Petco Foundation, adoption fees of available pets are waived each Friday to approved applicants.
  • Free Spay & Neuter Program – Thanks to grants and funding, PAWS offers a FREE Spay & Neuter service to all Rutherford County, TN residents. We are one of very few, known shelters or organizations to offer this service. This program has made a major impact on reducing the number of unwanted litters and pets, as well as overpopulation of pets in the community.
  • Rabies & Microchips – PAWS offers the 1-year rabies vaccine and microchips to the public, $15 each, per cat or dog. We would love to see more pet owners take advantage of microchips, to ensure more pets are reunited with their owners.
  • Pet Resource Desk – The shelter takes in stray, domestic pets found in Rutherford County, every day of the year. Outside of emergencies, animals are accepted to the shelter by appointment, in addition to animal control officers picking up strays from residents who request this service. There are unfortunate times when pet owners are no longer able to care for their pets, and request to surrender them to the shelter. The Pet Resource Desk offers guidance in making the best decision for themselves and their pet, including the delicate decision to request euthanasia service. The Pet Resource Desk sets up appointments for residents who wish to move forward with surrendering their pet to the shelter.
  • Trap Neuter Release (TNR), Barn & Community Cat Programs – The “TNR”, Barn & Community Cat Programs allow feral, wild or community cats to continue to live and thrive outdoors, while stabilizing the cat population. Outdoor cats are spayed or neutered, given a rabies vaccine and released to a familiar area. PAWS also receives cats who would be wonderful as barn or “working” cats, and accepts sign ups for those looking to adopt an outdoor, barn cat.

How to Help: The community can support the animals of the shelter by donating monetarily, purchasing a Kuranda dog bed, donating items from the PAWS wish list or becoming a Foster Volunteer!

• • Foster Volunteer Program: One of the best ways to support the shelter at this time is becoming a Foster Volunteer for neonate kittens and puppies. Fosters allow young kittens and puppies to receive care outside the shelter, reducing their chances of coming in contact with illnesses or diseases, until they are at a healthy state and age to come back to the shelter to be spayed or neutered and placed up for adoption. No experience is necessary and all items are provided to ensure fosters and their foster kittens or puppies are successful. Apply to be a Foster Volunteer by visiting the shelter during business hours or visiting: Paws.rutherfordcountytn.gov/volunteer.html(quick link: www.bit.ly/RCPAWSVolunteer).

Learn more:
Facebook:             www.Facebook.com/rutherfordcountypaws  (@rutherfordcountypaws)
Website:                www.Paws.rutherfordcountytn.gov
Instagram:             www.Instagram.com/rutherfordcountypaws  (@rutherfordcountypaws)
Email:                    paws@rutherfordcountytn.gov

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