PAWS raising funds for new kennels at animal shelter in Albion
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Patty Coffee, supervisor of PAWS in Albion, stands with some of the items which are being raffled off to raise money for new kennels. Coffee estimates it will cost between $30,000 and $35,000 to build the new kennels needed.
ALBION – Staff and volunteers at PAWS (People for Animal Welfare Society) are preparing to start the New Year in a positive way, by raising money for much-needed new kennels.
Melinda Whiting, a volunteer at PAWS, came up with the idea for a raffle to raise the estimated $30,000 to $35,000 it will cost to build the kennels. The current kennels are 25 years old, said Patty Coffee, supervisor at PAWS.
Whiting donated some of the items and solicited donations from others in the community. Items to be raffled off include a vintage popcorn cart, Jack Eichel autographed hockey stick (donated by the Buffalo Sabres organization), electric power washer, Cuisinart table top gas grill, two outdoor and one indoor security cameras, Orison cordless vacuum, Samsung hand-held camcorder, Canon digital camera, Hamilton Beach roaster oven, Cabela deep fryer, Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush and accessories (donation by Lockport Dental Group) and a grand prize of a 45-quart Yeti cooler.
The drawing will be virtual on PAWS Facebook page at 11 a.m. Jan. 2.
Tickets may be purchased on Paypal by going to paws14411@gmail.com and note “raffle ticket.”
Tickets are also available at numerous businesses in the county, including Lynn’s Salon on West Park Street and ARC’s administration building on Caroline Street, both in Albion. In Lyndonville, tickets are at Signature Styles Salon on Main Street.
In Medina, tickets are at Fringe on East Center Street, Main Street Liquor Store, Cusimano’s Pizzeria on Maple Ridge and West Avenue Extension, Grant Pollard Insurance, Mike Zelazny’s office on Main Street, F&H Metal Finishing on Genesee Street, Park Avenue Liquor, Filomena’s Favorites on East Center Street, Baxter Healthcare on Park Avenue, Cindy’s Pet Nanny Service, Sacred Heart Club, American Legion, Junior Wilson’s and the clubhouse at Shelridge Country Club.
All winners will be notified the day of the drawing.
PAWS was founded by the late Doris Bruski, who lived next door on Gaines Basin Road near the canal and donated the property. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of PAWS. Bruski, a well-known waitress at Tillman’s Village Inn, loved animals and people often dropped off their unwanted pets to her. She thought it would be a fitting thing to have a kennel to take care of them, Coffee said.
A board was developed to run the kennel, which actually was started in the barn at Bruski’s home. She then divided off a section of property and sold it to PAWS for 50 cents.
Current board members include Donna Demunck of Hamlin, president, and Phyllis Tinkous of Albion, treasurer.
Several dogs are currently available for adoption, including a six-year-old boxer mix named Shea, a dog that is good with kids, Coffee said.
Because of Covid, adoptions now are by application online only, or by filling out an application and dropping it in a mailbox outside the shelter. Their website is www.PAWS14411.com.
Patty Coffee shows off Shea, a boxer mix, which is available for adoption from PAWS. Shea obeys the command to sit when volunteer Melinda Whiting (whose arm is visible at right) holds out a treat.
