Four Paws celebrating anniversary

COSHOCTON – Four Paws Thrift Store and Pet Adoption Center is celebrating its fifth anniversary and the volunteers who run it are very thankful for the public’s support.

“Our main goal and mission is to save animals from being euthanized and to promote getting your pets spayed and neutered to prevent future abandoned or stray animals,” said Mike Taylor, who is president of the organization. “One of the things we do before we adopt out any animals is to get them spayed or neutered. They don’t go until that’s completed and we find ourselves relying on funds to do that from sales at the thrift store and donations from the public.”

In addition to shopping at the thrift store at 504 Main St., the community also can support Four Paws by becoming a member of the organization.

“It’s $20 or $25 a year to join,” Taylor said. “You get put on a mailing list and receive our newsletter. A lot of folks though are starting to also remember us in their wills and estates. One gentleman, who didn’t want his name to be public, I believe gave us $65,000. That was huge, because a lot of the animals we come across or that are brought in are in need of immediate medical care. Some are injured, some dehydrated and some malnourished. We spend quite a bit on veterinarian bills, but all of the vets are very accommodating and work with us.”

He also said that Four Paws adopts out six to 12 dogs a month on average and around 80 to 100 a year. Cats, however, are a little bit harder to place in a home.

“I’d say there are only about three adoptions every month for cats,” Taylor said. “Sometimes they are hard to move. Kittens have a lot better chance of being adopted and finding a good home.”

Many of the animals that come to Four Paws have sad stories, but the organization does its best to help them get a fresh start.

“I adopted my dog Sadie from here and we think she was part of an Amish puppy mill,” Taylor said. “She turned out to be a mixed breed that they couldn’t make any money off of so they concocted a homemade remedy and tried to put her down. It didn’t work so they found Four Paws and dropped her off. She was really ill for days, but was nursed back to health. So many of them have stories of abuse. It’s really sad the way they end up at our facility. Some also come in with issues that make it so we can’t save them and we unfortunately have to make the decision to put them down.”

Knowing the past of these animals, the Four Paws’ volunteers love to hear from people who adopted the dogs and cats and find out how wonderful they are doing.

“Getting pictures and letters is the fun part,” Taylor said. “The joy of getting them in a good home makes it all worthwhile.”

Anyone who is interested in adopting a pet from Four Paws must go through an application process.

“We try to do the best job we can to place them in a home,” Taylor said. “We want this to be there last stop, their forever home where they can flourish.”

The public can learn more about Four Paws at this month’s First Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 6.

“We are going to have a bake sale and be open late,” Taylor said. “We are also going to try to give out some literature.”

Four Paws also always appreciates donations of gently used items for the thrift store and of dog and cat food, leashes, clean blankets, cleaning supplies and dog toys.

“The people that volunteer here really do care about the animals and we try our best and do everything in our ability to take care of them and keep them healthy,” Taylor said.

josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com

Category: Clubs & Organizations