PAWS may shut down due to lack of volunteers

If the animal welfare group PAWS fails to recruit more members by the end of the month, it may be forced to dissolve the organization.

In a statement issued yesterday, PAWS president Katie Busenkell said they need more volunteers and members and if they fail to get new ones, they may be unable to prevent PAWS from permanently closing down operations.

In a bid to prevent this, PAWS, the island’s only non-profit animal welfare organization, will be having a no-host meeting at Coffee Care at noon on April 30 to recruit new volunteers.

PAWS is currently a working partner of the United States Humane Society and the World Society for the Protection of Animals, a United Nations partner. With the help of these organizations, PAWS has obtained dog safety and humane education materials for children K-8, dog catching cages, muzzles, leashes, and animal care items.

“Unfortunately, having these items or the money to purchase necessary items is not enough for us to be sustainable,” said Busenkell. “We need volunteers—manpower—to really help the community and the animals of Saipan.”

PAWS is currently reduced to three board members and fewer than 30 general members.

“We cannot continue to operate with so few active volunteers. The demand for help is too much for three people to handle alone. So, the board has decided that if fewer than 15 people attend the meeting on the 30th, we will be forced to dissolve the organization.”

In what Busenkell called a “last ditch attempt” to save the organization, PAWS is meeting for a no-host lunch at Coffee Care on Thursday, April 30 at noon. All those interested in attending should RSVP no later than April 29th to bgrizzard@saipan.com or call 483-9464. Alternatively, you may contact 285-PAWS.

Since the beginning of PAWS, the main focus of the organization has been to help animals in need of homes and medical care. Over the years, the organization has offered the community help with veterinary costs, hosted low-cost spay and neuter clinics, found homes for unwanted animals, organized a humane education committee, hosted dog shows, and worked toward improving the lives of Saipan’s people and animals by lobbying for an anti-cruelty statute and a humane animal shelter. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]