Know the facts about PAS, shelter volunteers

Before discontinuing any donations to the Panhandle Animal Shelter, there are some facts the public should know.

Patty Earnst and Dave Ross claim to have volunteered 550 hours at PAS over a three-month period - more than any other volunteer. My husband and I have been volunteers for PAS for the past four years and have 4,560 documented volunteer hours. While I cannot speak for other long-time volunteers of the shelter, I know many of them have been volunteering for years and have clocked many thousands of hours MORE than Ms. Earnst and Mr. Ross. Patty and Dave need to check their facts.

You should know they were asked to discontinue volunteering at the shelter because of disruptive, rude, and abrasive behavior toward other volunteers and staff. Never, in four years as volunteers for PAS, have any staff members criticized us, made us feel unwelcome, or not cared for the shelter animals. The accusations leveled at them for being “paid for doing next to nothing,” being unable to “put away their pettiness long enough to assist the pets (sic),” treating “the shelter as a social club” and gossiping “about those willing to help” are ludicrous. Had they stuck around long enough, they would have witnessed, as I have on many occasions, everyone working their tails off (no pun intended) for the care, comfort, and safety of the animals.

Not everything they said in their letter is incorrect. Indeed, it would be fantastic if PAS had its own on-site veterinarian. A behavior modification specialist would be a dream come true. A full-time night staff would be an amazing improvement. However, Ms. Earnst and Mr. Ross fail to mention, or even consider, the cost of such additions. Everyone in North Idaho, Eastern Washington, and Western Montana (the geographic area the shelter serves) needs to know Panhandle Animal Shelter is a private, non-profit, no-kill animal shelter that does not receive one penny in local, state, or national tax dollars. The shelter, just like every other business, non-profit organization, and individual in this country, has been adversely impacted by the recession and has had to work harder to make every penny count.

The statements made by Ms. Earnst and Mr. Ross are, at best, misleading and full of false information. At worst, they hurt the efforts of the wonderful people who have spent hours and hours trying to make a difference in the lives of lost, abandoned, and mistreated cats and dogs.

It is beyond my comprehension why someone, who claims to have been a selfless and tireless volunteer for the shelter, would suggest that people quit donating to PAS. Their call to stop donating to the shelter based on misinformation, lack of realistic knowledge of financial issues, and conceit is unforgivable, if not criminal. Their failure to rein in their egos and their inability to work with others hurts, NOT HELPS, the dogs and cats. Shame on them!

So, before you decide to discontinue your support of the Panhandle Animal Shelter, please take the time and make the effort to find out the truth about the shelter. Adoption rates are up. The time animals spend in the shelter is down. Grants are up. Sales at the thrift store are improving. Lots of plans are in the works for adding a behavior specialist, programs to help both the community and the shelter, landscaping improvements and much more. Come to a Yappy Hour. Ask me any question you have. I will do my very best to get the truthful answer for you.

Connie Taylor

Sandpoint