Shilo and Region Service Club presented Paws X with a $500 donation toward food and warmth to assist furever friends in finding the purrfect home. (Photo: supplied)

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag

Pets looking for their furever homes will be kept warm with full tummies this winter at Paws Crossed Animal Shelter (Paws X) thanks to financial contribution by Shilo and Region Service Club (SRSC) on Feb. 25.

Paws X has more than 60 animals being cared for by volunteers. It is a privately run shelter funded by donations and located three kilometres outside of Brandon.

The shelter has been at capacity since opening in 2021 and serves as an Animal Control holding facility, creating a no-kill pound system for seven rural municipalities.

Rosalind LeBel of SRSC said the club receives many requests for donations every year, which are discussed with the service club membership. After a tour of the animal facility to determine how best to serve the non-profit shelter, a $500 financial contribution was made.

The care costs for lost, abandoned and abused animals run into the tens of thousands of dollars each year.

“Once pets come into [our facility], they receive vetting, daily care and rehabilitation before finding their forever homes,” Brittany Bergwall, Paws X’s assistant manager, said.

The Paws X motto is “animal-focused, community-driven.”

The not-for-profit has been working with RMs in Westman to develop policies to combat the animal welfare and overpopulation crisis. Some community outreach includes visiting retirement residences, kitten yoga at Inspire Yoga Studio and a service cat pilot program.

Adoption fees for cats are $150 and $400 for dogs, including spay/neuter for those of age and rebate amount upon completion for those not. If you are interested in adopting, they can be contacted through Facebook or by email at info@pawscrossed.ca.