Several changes are on the way for the Emporia Animal Shelter with the new operations contract set to go into effect in just a little less than two weeks.
The contract will begin August 4 and will see Prairie Paws at the helm of the shelter as announced earlier this year following action by Emporia City Commissioners. During KVOE’s Morning Show Monday, Prairie Paws Director Vanessa Cowie spoke to the various changes coming to the center from both a visual and operational perspective.
In terms of visual changes, Cowie says new signage and uniforms will be the most notable change. As for operations, Cowie says the first major change will be an expansion of operation hours to entice more pet adoptions.
Emporia City Commissioners selected Prairie Paws as the new operator of the animal shelter back in May and formally approved a three-year contract with the Ottawa-based agency last week. Prairie Paws will take over for the Humane Society of the Flint Hills which operated the shelter for 10 years.
While speaking with KVOE News Monday, Cowie praised the Humane Society, as well as the City of Emporia and Raise Your Paws for their assistance in the operational transition. Cowie says transitions such as this can sometimes be an ugly affair, however, they have been “blessed” to have the full support of the Humane Society throughout the process.
Per its contract with the city of Emporia, Prairie Paws will need to submit monthly financial and performance updates. The city, meanwhile, will pay $64,500 for the rest of this year, or a rate of just under $13,000 per month.
There is a 2-percent escalator built into the contract, so Prairie Paws will receive just under $158,000 next year and just over $161,000 in 2026. For those amounts, Prairie Paws will operate the shelter and offer “core services” like Emporia Police impounds, bite quarantines, owner surrenders, adoptions and routine animal care.
