Pray for the Strays
Palm Valley Animal Society is a safe home for strays
Have you ever seen a stray dog or a cat, and wondered how you can help the little fellow wandering around in the Rio Grande Valley? If you have seen any strays wandering around, sending them to an animal shelter such as the Palm Valley Animal Society (PVAS) could be the first step you take in finding them a home.
PVAS is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that has two facilities in Edinburg, Texas, one on Trenton Road and the other on North Expressway 281. PVAS takes in about 15,000 animals each year in Hidalgo County. As stated on their website, the main goal of PVAS is to create a safe environment for unprotected animals and save their lives while finding them a home.
The Director of Operations at PVAS’s Trenton Center, Faith Wright, has been in charge of the facility since January 2022. She said she chose to work in Palm Valley because of the consistent need for reliable programming the animals require. “Stray animals are more easily reunited with their families when kept in the area they were found versus being trucked into the shelter many miles away,” Wright said. “PVAS has many programs to assist finders of stray dogs to help reunite them without needing a shelter kennel.”
However, because of the large number of animals the center receives, if they cannot find homes, they will be euthanized because PVAS is not a no-kill shelter. According to Wright, “We strive to find live outcomes for as many animals as possible, but we are not a no-kill shelter. We are at maximum capacity almost daily, and work very hard to find humane housing for all animals as they arrive.”
Leanna Shaw, a biology major at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, provided one of these homes when she adopted her dog from PVAS. According to Shaw, “I chose to adopt at the Palm Valley Animal Shelter because they are very easy to work with and helped me throughout the process. I learned about Palm Valley through their postings on Facebook.”
As a huge animal lover with hopes of getting into veterinary school, Shaw said choosing adoption was the best option to help out “furry friends” before saving their lives. “I want to adopt a dog because I want to give a dog who’s never had a home or been properly loved a chance at a good life,” she added. She said she loves taking her dog out on walks and for her dog to have a new experience in the world. According to Shaw, “I chose to adopt at the Palm Valley Animal Shelter because they are very easy to work with and helped me throughout the process. I learned about Palm Valley through their postings on Facebook.”
According to the official PVAS website, about 75% of animals that are “lost” usually are pets who took a stroll too far from home. However, if you see a loose dog or a cat, there is a clear guide on their website on how you can help the little guys. “We receive about 20 volunteers a week, but could really use many many more,” said Wright.
According to the PVAS website, there are requirements that volunteers must follow to work at the animal shelter. They must first submit a volunteer application and watch an orientation provided online. Then, they must complete mandatory cat/dog care training. Finally, they must be 18 years or older. If you are under 17 years old, you must sign a Volunteer Service Agreement with a legal guardian. If you are 12 years to 15 years old, you must also sign a Volunteer Service Agreement, and a legal guardian must accompany the child on-site at all times. Finally, for children under 12 years old, there are special projects.In essence, to sign up or for more information about volunteering at Palm Valley Animal Society, visit https://www.pvastx.org/volunteer. The site also provides a guide on what to do when you find stray animals. For more information on adopting a dog or cat, contact the PVAS at https://www.pvastx.org/.
