PAS racks up hefty winter heating bill

PONDERAY — Efforts to keep the dogs and cats comfortable in their kennels have not come cheaply for the Panhandle Animal Shelter in the winter months.

Shelter officials reported that the December heating bill tallied up to an intimidating $5,500 — an increase of 15 percent over the previous year. In the subsequent months, bills have remained consistently high.

“The size of the facility plays a pretty big role in increasing the heating costs,” PAS executive director Mandy Evans said.

The spate of harsh winter weather on Wednesday didn’t help matters, either. Snowstorms covered the shelter and its parking lot in drifts so extensive that shelter workers couldn’t open their doorways.

 “It’s a fairly new building, so we’ve had some maintenance issues,” Evans said. “We don’t have a snow plow, either, so that made this week’s situation somewhat difficult.”

Fortunately, PAS officials worked out a payment plan with Avista to take the high costs one step at a time. However, they’re still taking measures to keep the bills from getting out of control.

“It’s below-zero weather, but we’re still taking all the right steps,” Evans said. “We’ve been lowering the thermostats and telling everyone to wear sweaters to work.”

Evans hopes that the upcoming slew of community events will help cover the utility costs. An organization with no government or tax support, PAS relies on the Panhandle Animal Shelter Thrift Store for 60 percent of its income. To support the store, PAS is sending a truck out on April 22 to pick up previously arranged large or heavy donations. Individuals who would like to have a donation picked up can call the thrift store at 263-0706 for more information. Officials will also host another donation drive at Petal Talk flower shop on April 23.

The shelter will also host a “yappy hour” special at the Laughing Dog Brewery from 4-7 p.m. on April 28. Evans said that the event offers plenty of good times in addition to helping the shelter.

According to Evans, PAS is also in frequent need of volunteers. To acquaint newcomers with the organization, officials hold an volunteer orientation every last Friday of the month at noon.

“We had 20 new volunteers show up today,” she said. “So that was encouraging.”

Despite the daunting expenses associated with the last throes of winter, Evans said that the shelter’s work makes it all worthwhile.

“We are lucky to have our new facility provided by The Wild Rose Foundation,” she said via press release. “Now all the animals have a room indoors instead of the two-thirds that previously lived outside and often experienced bitterly cold weather.  The new facility is both a privilege and a responsibility.”