Researchers have been analyzing the impact that COVID-19 has had on animal shelter adoptions across the country. When people were isolated at home during the height of the pandemic animal shelters were emptied and adoptions outpaced the number of animals entering shelters. When people returned to the workplace and the economy took a downturn people could no longer care for their pets. The rising cost of food and medical supplies forced families to abandon pets to shelters in great numbers. In 2022 and 2023 shelters were at capacity and overflowing.

While research studies have identified the impacts of Covid (down turning economy and escalating costs) we realize statistics must not intimidate us from our duties. Animals need love, stability, care, shelter, food and medical attention. We must rise to meet those important needs. If it takes reimagining how we find success and funding, we are committed and welcome new ideas. 

In 2019 our communities came together and built a beautiful new facility. Work has been done to benefit hundreds of abandoned and lost animals. Park County Animal Shelter is a no-kill shelter, and our mission is to be a soft, safe space for animals brought into our care. We find loving homes for our animals that are spayed, neutered and microchipped.

We have a beautiful facility on 3.5 acres with aspirations of completing projects to develop our property into a sustainable environment where our animals will thrive is our utmost goal. We have been inspired by our constituents and our board leadership to brainstorm new opportunities for the PCAS. Some projects were scaled back or delayed to balance building budgets in 2019, yet we are committed to find funding to finalize these needs.

• The Park County Animal Shelter board of directors is seeking partners to fund the K9 Turf project for our outdoor kennels. Turf will keep our dogs clean and prevent disease outbreaks like coccidia. The health and cleanliness of animals in our care is of utmost importance. The estimated cost of the project is $75,000.

• We also need to complete a chain link fence around our property and develop additional areas where our dogs can receive training and exercise.

• We need volunteers to walk, brush, and interact with our dogs and cats. Volunteers are needed to work in the shelter helping with laundry, cleaning kennels, and support ongoing activities and fundraising efforts. Some of these activities include birthday party coordinators/hosts overseeing activities held in our community room, photographers for pet shows, bakers for bake sales etc. If you have talents, we have opportunities for you to share.

• We need corporate sponsors to sustain our monthly outreach and continuing education programs. We want to partner with businesses to promote their business while building awareness of the needs at the shelter. These partnerships may include hosting adoption events, training classes, spay and neutering clinics and more.

The costs at the PCAS have increased just like they have in local businesses and homes. We look to our friends and community to find new ideas and solutions to tomorrow’s challenges. As the new executive director of PCAS I am committed to building the most successful animal shelter in the region with your support. The future looks bright. We just need to RISK more than others think is safe. CARE more than others think is practical. DREAM more than others think is wise. EXPECT more than others think is possible.

(Jona Harris is the executive director for the Park County Animal Shelter based in Cody.)