PAWS fundraising to buy mobile adoption trailer

The Promoting Animal Welfare for the Wayne County Dog Shelter organization kicked off a summer of fundraising events recently with Sip N Sniff at Bent Ladder in Doylestown in its effort to raise funds to purchase a mobile adoption vehicle for the shelter.

The mobile units are fully equipped, climate-controlled vehicles that transport dogs to venues such as fairs, festivals and local markets. Once parked, they serve as temporary shelters, allowing the public to meet more dogs at events. The trailer also would serve as a suite for spay and neuter procedures.

“A mobile adoption trailer could significantly increase the number of shelter dogs placed in forever homes,” PAWS Vice President and Treasurer Sheila Fike said. “We could take more dogs to events that are further away. Instead of waiting for people to come to the shelter, we can take the dogs to where the people are. This trailer will make a huge difference in how many dogs we can get in front of potential adopters.”

PAWS seeks to raise between $60,000 and $270,000 to purchase and outfit the vehicle. The event raised $4,278.40.

The Wayne County Dog Shelter can accommodate 50 dogs at a time. It is currently over capacity, and owner surrenders are on hold. The addition of a mobile unit would alleviate overcrowding by increasing visibility and access to adoptable animals.

Data supports the effort

According to figures from the Ohio Department of Agriculture and national advocacy groups such as Best Friends Animal Society, government-run shelters in Ohio experienced an increase in dog adoptions between December 2023 and November 2024, partly due to the use of mobile adoption units.

Connecting dogs with families countywide

The vehicle also would enable the shelter to attend large events such as the Wayne County Fair, where dogs could stay on-site and meet prospective adopters throughout the week.

“It will be climate-controlled,” Fike said. “When dogs are at an event, they can go into the trailer and relax, de-stress and cool down or warm up if it is a winter event. One of our goals is to create meaningful connections, and the dogs do better when they aren’t stressed out.”

Wayne County residents can currently view adoptable dogs on the shelter’s website at www.waynedogshelter.org. The list frequently includes dozens of dogs of varying sizes and breeds. The adoption fee is $98, which includes spay or neuter services, vaccinations and licensing.

The community can help with funding

PAWS is accepting donations toward the adoption trailer fund through its website at www.pawsforwcds.org. The organization also welcomes volunteers to assist with fundraising events or care for dogs in the shelter.

In addition to monetary donations, supporters can sponsor adoption fees and share pet profiles on social media.

“Every dog that finds a home is a success story,” Dog Warden and Shelter Director Katelyn Lehman said. “This trailer will help us write a lot more of those stories. By contributing to this fund, donors play a vital role in helping homeless animals find loving families faster. The adoption trailer will increase visibility for pets in need and make the adoption process more accessible to people who might not be able to visit the shelter in person.”

For more information or to donate, visit www.pawsforwcds.org.

Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for Wayne County.