To the Editor:
For the past six years, I’ve been a resident of the Creston Valley, a wonderful place to live. The people here are friendly, caring, talented and environmentally aware, the weather is great (usually), and the scenery is incredibly beautiful. However, like other communities, the Creston Valley is home to too many unwanted, abandoned, and neglected animals.
Fortunately, Creston is also home to an amazing organization, the Pet Adoption and Welfare Society (PAWS), which is committed to finding safe, loving, forever homes for abandoned and unwanted animals. It relies completely on volunteers. It has no paid employees.
A few months ago, I became a volunteer at the PAWS shelter, Claudia’s Place. It’s a “feel-good” place. It feels good to know that I am helping animals in need. It also feels good to work side by side with people who share my love and concern for animals. Everyone who works there is motivated by a strong desire to do what is best for the animals.
So I was very surprised recently when a friend told me a story she had heard from someone else, who in turn had heard it from someone else. The story painted PAWS in a bad light. When I contacted the shelter about it, I was told a very different version of the story. I don’t know if someone was deliberately trying to damage PAWS’ reputation, or if the facts were accidentally misconstrued over the various retellings of the story.
My purpose in writing this letter is not to discuss the details of the incident itself, but to raise awareness of the damage that can be done when misinformation is passed on as fact. PAWS’ operating budget relies completely on financial support from residents of this valley, through fundraising activities, donations and grants. If its reputation is damaged, funding will be affected, thus reducing the number of animals that can be helped.
So, please, if you ever have questions or concerns about PAWS, call the office (250-428-PAWS). Better still, drop by and check it out yourself. Take a look at the facility, built and maintained by volunteers, with donated funds, materials and equipment. Take a look at the vet bills, paid for by donations and fundraising. Take a look at the animals who have been given a second chance for a happy life. Talk to the volunteers who donate their time because they care. Judge for yourself.
Better still, become a volunteer. The animals and your fellow volunteers will thank you.
Joan Halvorsen
West Creston