Change is in the air at PAWS of Jacksonville as the organization prepares to expand its physical presence on West Walnut Avenue.
This planned expansion is why Saturday’s annual Dog Gone Fun-raiser was so important. There was live music, food, auctions, a beer tent, a cash raffle, a 50-50 raffle and bounce houses, but helping the shelter was the main draw for attendees.
The annual event helps the shelter defray the cost of year-round operation, but this year’s event was a little more special because of what PAWS founder Lisa Jackson called “exciting news “.
“One of the main things that this day will fund is that the city is giving us a Morton building that they no longer need,” Jackson said. “This is a great opportunity to improve the buildings we have. Even though we’re getting a building for nothing, we have to pay to move it and then hook up things like plumbing and electricity.”
Jackson said the new building will be the new main kennel for PAWS.
“The roof of our current main kennel building has been a challenge. Getting this building will be a huge expense, but it will save us money in the long run. The current main kennel building will become our quarantine building,” he said. Jackson said. .
“If you’re familiar with our setup, all the buildings will move counter-clockwise. The new building will go to the back of the property and we might try to buy a little more land to make sure we have enough room to operate.” Jackson said. “So the purpose of each building will change.”
The main kennel will be in the new building, while the quarantined dogs will go to the current kennel building. Jackson said there is a part of this building with a flat roof, but that part will be removed.
“We need funds because the price of everything is going up, but most of the funds we raise on Saturday will go toward moving the building,” Jackson said. “There’s no timetable for the move because nailing down a contractor is hard to do because they’re so busy.”
Apart from the new building, there is still a real need for donations to help with regular running costs.
“The cost of food has definitely gone up, as have our expenses for paper towels, bleach and other cleaning supplies,” Jackson said. “Unfortunately, it just costs more to operate the shelter.”
Many PAWS supporters are rallying to the cause, as evidenced Saturday by the wide variety of items that were available for auction. But it’s not just special events that attract donors.
“One of our Ameren Illinois bills this summer was outrageously high. But our Facebook followers were phenomenal and helped us out,” Jackson said.
“I’m grateful for everyone’s continued support and everything they do for us,” Jackson said. “This new building will certainly make animal care much easier.”
