We have such exciting news to share with you all! In the early spring of this year, PAWS was invited to enter into negotiations with the City of Coronado to assume the management and operation of the Coronado Animal Care Facility (CACF).
The negotiations were kept confidential to allow both sides the ability to freely discuss if such a step would be in the best interests of the City, PAWS, the Coronado residents and of course our relinquished and abandoned cats and dogs.
Those negotiations concluded this week with a proposed contract and budget being worked out which was agreeable to both sides. But now is the big hurdle…the concept, contract and budget must be approved by the City Council. That review and consideration by Council is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at 4:00.
Under the proposal, PAWS would take responsibility for our animals from intake through adoption at the CACF making sure they are well cared for and finding them forever homes. The Coronado Police Department would remain responsible for all animal law enforcement, and delivering stray cats and dogs to PAWS at the CACF.
All of the cost of the management and operation of the Animal Care Facility would be paid for by the City of Coronado. NOT ONE CENT DONATED TO PAWS BY OUR LOYAL SUPPORTERS WOULD BE USED TO PAY FOR SALARIES, RENT, SUPPLIES, INSURANCE, COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS OR ANY OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE OVERHEAD EXPENSE of the CACF. All of those costs would be paid for by the City.
PAWS’ funds would continue to be used for direct medical care, socialization, training, special needs, the Guardian Angel Program, hospice cases and fostering/adoption costs as well as the continuation of our spay/neuter program, educational outreach, and community service.
A strong PAWS presence is needed at the Council meeting. And that is where you come in. Council must be shown how important this next step is for our community and our animals. Please come to the City Council meeting and wear your yellow PAWS shirts if you have one. If you don’t have a PAWS shirt, come and wear anything yellow, even a hair or wrist band!
We encourage you to forward this letter on to friends and family and invite them to attend as well. We want the Council to SEE that we are united behind our animals.
PAWS at the helm of the CACF is truly a dream come true for Louise who you can bet is smiling down and cheering us on every step of the way.
Please come out and share her dream for PAWS and all of Coronado’s dogs and cats.
Sharon Sherman,
On behalf of the Board of Directors
PAWS of Coronado
