GOLD2023

Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, Inc.

Ottawa, KS   |  www.prairiepaws.org

Mission

Prairie Paws Animal Shelter Mission Statement is to provide compassionate care and placement for animals in need.  Prairie Paws Animal Shelter is a private 501c3 non-profit shelter serving over 1,300 pets annually. Through the tireless efforts of our staff and volunteers, Prairie Paws Animal Shelter is dedicated to our mission:Give aid and comfort to animals, educate the community in responsible pet ownership, help reunite pets with owners,provide pet adoptions and create a safer community.

Ruling year info

1962

Executive Director

Ms. Vanessa Cowie

Main address

3173 Highway K68

Ottawa, KS 66067 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

48-0529856

NTEE code info

Animal Protection and Welfare (includes Humane Societies and SPCAs) (D20)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Prairie Paws Animal Shelter provides critical medical care, housing and food to over 1,300 homeless animals in our community annually. We provide critical assistance is provided to animals in Franklin, Johnson, Miami, Douglas, Osage, Lyon, Anderson, Allen, Linn, Coffey and surrounding counties in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Many of these animals have been victims of abuse, neglect or other hardships due to family disruption. PPAS helps these animals have a voice by ensuring they receive the amazing care they deserve until a forever family is found.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Adoption

In 2018 we were able to place 1,347 homeless pets into loving adoptive families. Our dedicated trained staff work one on one to make sure the temperament and requirements of the pet fit the expectations and lifestyle of the new adopters. A majority of the animals in our shelter are cats and dogs, but we sometimes have rabbits, birds and other small mammals. Prairie Paws Animal Shelter is happy to report a 97.6% live release rate for all animals that enter our shelter. PPAS also manages the lost pet population and are the licensing tag agent for the City of Ottawa. We work very hard to return lost pets with their families. In addition to our Adoption program PPAS also offers microchip services and a community food bank program. At PPAS we truly value our partnerships with corporations, organizations and other nonprofit groups. A great example of these partnerships is our relationship with COF Training Services Inc and LakeMary Center. Their clients with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their care takers visit our shelter weekly to interact and socialize with the shelter pets. We currently have a after-school program that comes once a week to interact with the animals and learn about responsible pet care.  New this year was a very successful Critter Camp, where the campers learned all about different animals and the care they need.

Population(s) Served
Adults

Where we work

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

PPAS provides a wide range of programs and services for our community, each of which embraces a positive approach to pet ownership especially focusing on the strengths of the bond between an animal and education. PPAS services include the following programs:
PPAS’ Pet Adoption Program believes pet adoption should be a joyful experience with open and transparent conversations. From the time potential adopters walk in the door to the time they leave PPAS strives to make each family or individual feel like a hero for making the choice to adopt. Our goal is to find a lifelong, loving home for every pet.
The Community Outreach/Education program has sought to create a more humane world for animals through community-based education and by providing resources for pet owners in communities that historically have not engaged with animal welfare organizations.
One of the most rewarding services provided by the PPAS is the successful reunion of lost pets with their owners through our Lost Pet Reunions program. Our staff reunites more than 1,000 lost animals and their families each year. We offer low cost microchipping and are also the licensing agent for the city of Ottawa.
The TNR (trap, neuter, return) program is a humane program designed to protect and improve the lives of free roaming /feral (not belonging to particular humans) cats. Communities all over the country have adopted TNR as a humane way to stabilize free roaming /feral cat populations. Cats are humanely trapped, sterilized, vaccinated and returned to the outdoor locations where they are found.
Volunteer/Foster Program provides additional resources to be able to house more significant medical or behavior cases of animals who may not make a good transition to the shelter environment. Fosters help rehabilitate these animals so that they may find their loving homes. Volunteers provide critical help such as walking dogs, socializing cats, washing dishes, laundry and many more lifesaving tasks.
PPAS Retail and Cremation programs help to provide funds which subsidize the adoption program. Our Retail Program allows the community the option to buy essential pet items all while supporting the homeless animals in our community. Through our Pet Cremation Program we assist the public in their delicate time and help them by offering special services to them and their pet that will give them the proper memories that they will need of their loving family member.


PPAS has collaborative relationships with a number of agencies including Willow Domestic Violence Center, Sexual Abuse and Trauma Center, Franklin County Cancer Foundation, LakeMary, COF, Communities in Schools, Ottawa Retirement Village, Ottawa University, Vintage Park Assisted Living, Baker University, and local school districts. In addition, PPAS has collaborated with the Kansas State University Shelter Medicine program to provide shelter experience for 4th year vet students. This important partnership provides the students a two week shelter rotation where they learn about the challenges that shelters face. These students provide consultation and spay/neuter services saving the organization over $60,000 annually. PPAS is a member of five local Chambers and Rotary clubs including Ottawa, Gardner/Edgerton and Paola Chamber. PPAS also has close relationships with many local government officials, businesses and community leaders that have endorsed the work PPAS is doing for animals in our community.

Financials

Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, Inc.
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, Inc.

Board of directors
as of 11/17/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Kelly Radel

US Bank

Term: 2017 - 2024

Vicki Selzer

Kindred Biosciences

Mary Dougan

Sprint

Carrie Stevens

Ottawa University

Timothy Miller

American Family Insurance

Lyndsey Sylvester

Ottawa Coop

Sayanti Ganguly-Puckett

Johnson County Community College

Chris Nicholson

MidAmerica Bank

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 11/17/2023

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data