For nearly 60 years, the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has been a cornerstone of compassion in Okaloosa County, providing shelter, rescue, and lifesaving medical care for thousands of animals. Now, PAWS is facing its greatest challenge yet. Without immediate funding, the shelter could be forced to close its doors in early 2026—leaving thousands of homeless animals with nowhere to go.
A Shelter at Capacity
The crisis stems from an overwhelming intake of animals and a building that simply wasn’t built to meet today’s needs. PAWS has just 56 kennels for dogs, yet those spaces must serve every situation: strays, surrenders, cruelty cases, dangerous dogs and bite quarantines. Built in 1990, the facility no longer matches the size of the community it serves.
Unlike some shelters, PAWS does not euthanize for space. But that means the kennels are full nearly every day. This isn’t just a local problem—shelters nationwide are at capacity—but PAWS is determined to continue its mission right here at home.
The Role of Animal Control
Few realize the scope of what PAWS does. As one of only two shelters in the state that also serves as municipal animal control, PAWS is both a shelter and a first responder service. Officers handle hundreds of calls each month, rescuing strays, investigating cruelty cases, quarantining bite animals and removing dangerous dogs from neighborhoods.
Each animal brought in receives a medical assessment, vaccinations and often emergency treatment ranging from antibiotics to amputations. These are not optional costs; they are acts of compassion that every animal deserves.
The Financial Reality
So far this fiscal year—since October 2024—PAWS has taken in 2,240 animals. At an average cost of $500 per intake, the shelter has already spent more than $1.1 million on basic needs: food, shelter, utilities, vaccines and medical care. That total doesn’t include staff salaries, insurance, or vehicle expenses. Yet contracts with local governments provide just $900,000 a year to cover these services. “This model is unsustainable,” said Executive Director Tracey Kinsley. “We simply cannot continue on this path without additional support.”
Clearing Up Misconceptions
A frequent misconception is that PAWS is part of the county or city government, funded by tax dollars. It is not. PAWS is a nonprofit that negotiates voluntary contracts with local jurisdictions to provide animal control and sheltering services. Some contracts are based on per capita rates—meaning a city pays a flat fee per resident for animal services.
But these rates have not kept up with rising costs, leaving PAWS underfunded year after year. Staff salaries, adoption programs, foster care and emergency medical treatments are not covered by tax dollars. They are sustained almost entirely by donations, sponsorships, and fundraising events.
Why It Matters
The difference between PAWS and nearby counties is stark. For example, Walton County budgets $1.7 million for animal services, Escambia $1.4 million, and Santa Rosa $1.2 million. Each of those departments is government-operated and does not include the full cost of animal intake or medical care. By contrast, PAWS—serving a population of 221,000 in Okaloosa County—receives just $900,000 to cover everything from enforcement to lifesaving surgeries.
Without PAWS, lost pets would have no place to be safely housed until owners reclaim them. Stray and dangerous animals would remain in neighborhoods. Injured or abused animals would have nowhere to receive treatment or shelter.
A Call to Action
PAWS is negotiating for fairer agreements with local governments, but that won’t be enough to solve the crisis. Immediate community support is critical to prevent closure. Donations from individuals, businesses and animal lovers are urgently needed to bridge the funding gap. “This is not a threat; it’s our unfortunate reality,” Kinsley said. “If we cannot raise the funds, PAWS may be forced to close. And the animals in our community will have no place to go.”
Standing by the Animals
For nearly six decades, PAWS has stood by Okaloosa County through growth, challenges, and change—always there for the animals and the families who love them. Now, PAWS is asking the community to stand by them.
Donations can be made at www.paws-shelter.org, or by contacting Executive Director Tracey Kinsley at traceyk@paws-shelter.org or (850) 243-1525.
The need is urgent, and the future of thousands of animals depends on the community’s response.
