Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, Inc.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
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
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.
Where we work
Photos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
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.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
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.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 11/17/2023
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
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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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
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
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Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
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Disability
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