Van Buren shelter waiving animal adoption fees

    VAN BUREN – Precious Paws Rescue and Adoption (www.mypreciouspaws.org) will be waiving adoption fees on all cats aged 6 months or older until further notice; donations will be accepted in lieu of the normal charge. This cost reduction is part of an effort to increase adoption rates to responsible pet owners in light of the struggling economy.     Precious Paws Rescue has been functioning without paid staff since its inception and operates solely on donations and grant funding. Although the future is unclear for this exclusive no-kill shelter in the community that caters to homeless cats and kittens due to financial hardship, President and Founder Linda Ouellette maintains that she will not go down without a fight.
    During a recent board meeting, Ouellette expressed her strong desire to come to the aid of cats and kittens regardless of the shelters financial situation. “I understand that now is perhaps not the best time for the shelter to waive fees because of a lack of funds, but ultimately I founded PPR to place homeless animals with loving homes. That will always remain my priority and I don’t want an adoption fee to be a barrier.”
    Board members are hopeful that the public will come forth and take advantage of this unique opportunity. The rescue offers a variety of healthy, happy cats and kittens ready and eager to move into their ‘forever home.’ Cats live in a cage-free environment and are carefully monitored, de-fleaed, de-wormed, disease tested, vaccinated and are spayed/neutered by a local veterinarian prior to adoption.
    The group is adamant that healthy cats be adopted out to reduce costs; but of greater importance, the board is trying to remain optimistic that the public will recognize Precious Paws Rescue and Adoption Inc. as an essential element of the community and be  inclined to visit and make donations.
    Ouellette remains passionate and committed to her cause of giving needy cats and kittens a second chance and ultimately providing them a home with a responsible pet owner. She is hopeful to provide an open house to the community within the next year to celebrate the shelter’s five-year anniversary.
    For additional information, go to www.mypreciouspaws.org or contact Ouellette at 868-2828, 15 Main St. Van Buren, Maine 04785 or e-mail at linda@mypreciouspaws.org.