PAWS Shelter of Central Texas is excited to announce the launch of the Adoption Ambassador Program to increase adoptions of long stay dogs at the Dripping Springs & Kyle campuses. The volunteer inspired program pairs volunteers with dogs that have been at the shelters for many months to advocate for them in the adoption process. The program includes behavior training, overnight home stays to gather more information on dog personalities, promotion of the dogs on social media and participation in meetings with potential adopters. 

In addition, the Biffer Fund for Long Stay Dogs was created to support the program with professional training. The fund was seeded with a generous donation by a volunteer who was close to Biffer, a dog who spent most of his life in the shelter. Throughout the years he spent with us, Biffer's initial fear of strangers began to escalate to more dangerous behaviors. It became increasingly impossible to place him because of his behavior degradation, which is all too common among long stay dogs, and led to one of the most difficult choices we've ever made. With many training attempts, failed behavior modification tactics, and weeks of deliberation and severe heartbreak, it was ultimately decided the safest and most humane thing for Biffer was euthanasia. Afterwards, a group of passionate volunteers organized to form the Adoption Ambassador program and teamed with PAWS staff to promote adoption of all long stay dogs with the goal of helping get these dogs into loving homes before they can deteriorate in the shelter environment and do their utmost to steer them in the right direction while they wait. 

Donations to the Biffer Fund can be made by clicking here and indicating The Biffer Fund in the memo.