Coaldale and Regional PAWS is a wellness society for animals, currently raising funds for a building to facilitate its services.
“Rescues are busting at the seams. However, we’re not going to be a rescue. We’re starting off with dogs because that’s the easiest thing for us to do. Cats are a little complicated,” says Social Media and Marketing Coordinator Holly Bandelow.
According to Bandelow, PAWS has been around for close to three years in the community.
Bandelow notes the dogs PAWS helps out usually end up finding a home or are transferred to another facility until the owner is located.
PAWS Pantry is one of the programs the society offers. “We were looking for a wellness companion making sure everybody comes for more than just spaying, neutering and fostering. We wanted to be able to help the community. The abandonment is high for animals, and we’re hoping with the PAWS Pantry we can reduce the risk of people having to make decisions they may not want to.”
Community members can request assistance from the PAWS Pantry service confidentially.
“We arrange to have dog food delivered to them at their location because most people don’t have a vehicle or a means to get to us. We would bring them the dog food, no questions asked. We try to make it very inclusive for people to come and get the food. We from time-to-time get cat stuff, and when we do we post that or share it with our other rescues that are sister rescues,” Bandelow explains.
PAWS services Coaldale and area, Bandelow adds. “The only reason is because Lethbridge has their own pantry. We don’t want to double up services. We’re trying to cover the area they don’t cover.”
Currently, the Coaldale Fire Hall provides space to store pantry items, Bandelow says. “Community members do have to come through us. They don’t show up at the Fire Hall, they come through us and we get the dog food from the facility and deliver it to them.”
Twice a year, Coaldale and Regional PAWS puts on a plant fundraiser, with the spring edition coming up March 31. “People can order up to April 22, in time for Mother’s Day, so they’ll have beautiful flowers.”
Funds raised from the plant sale will go toward building a facility for the society. There will also be a silent auction at the same time as the plant fundraiser.
Bandelow says the society loves to help the community, and community members can donate dog food too. “Reach out to us if you know anybody in-need. We’re more than happy to help.”
For more information, visit online at coaldaleregionalpaws.com.
