Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Pahrump pets need new home as shelter’s funding dries up

Tails End Shelter in Pahrump Closes

L.E. Baskow

Last of the dogs available for adoption at the Tails End Shelter in Pahrump on their final day of operation both will end up with new homes on Tuesday, June 30, 2015.

Tails End Shelter in Pahrump Closes

One of the four cats available for adoption at the Tails End Shelter in Pahrump on their final day of operation and all will hopefully be placed on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. Launch slideshow »

Dozens of dogs, cats and other pets are seeking new owners after Pahrump's only animal shelter, Tails End, closes Tuesday.

Tails End, an animal welfare organization, opened 15 months ago under the supervision of Nye County and with $140,000 in funding. Susan Cronin, director, and her team of mostly volunteer staff worked to keep the shelter going, bringing their own supplies and working six days a week.

But this year they found out they would receive no more funding for the shelter, and Cronin resigned June 1.

Over the course of 15 months, the shelter welcomed over 3,000 animals through its doors. Dogs, cats, peacocks, horses and "whatever animals you can imagine" were welcome at Tails End, Cronin said.

"We bought pools for them, had snack time," Cronin said. "It breaks my heart. I love all of them."

As of Monday, 51 dogs were in Nye County animal control’s custody. Most were taken from their owners on animal cruelty charges.

Aside from the lack of funding, the shelter was in need of major renovations. The shelter facility opened in the 1970s and has about 30 spots for dogs, and a small room for cats. The staff also added on a small quiet room for distressed pets. The maximum occupancy was 31 pets, but that was quickly exceeded.

In February, Animal Control dropped off 67 dogs and two cats after finding they were being abused in a home in Tonopah.

Aside from the lack of space, the heat in Pahrump and little supplies forced Tails End to turn to the community for help.

Pahrump residents donated food, laundry detergent, beds and towels. Volunteers often helped at the shelter, and Tails End supplied lessons on animal care and more. Cronin says much of the success of the shelter and adoption came from community outreach and social media.

"It was a happy place, no matter how hard the conditions were," Susan said.

Members of the community have taken to Facebook to expressing their concerns for the animals left behind and hoping that Tails End will make a comeback.

As of Monday afternoon, seven cats, three kittens and three dogs were still up for adoption.

The shelter's closure will not affect Animal Control, which will still pick up strays or missing animals. Strays and abandoned animals will be taken care of at the shelter for three days by volunteers and then be sent to other facilities for care and adoption, according to a statement from Nye County Emergency Management. The shelter will be, in effect, a holding area that is not open to the public.

A contingency care plan will be put into place for the pets under court custody. Vance Payne, director of Nye County Emergency Management, says that there is no funding for a shelter, and in the meantime he is worried about having the materials to take care of the space and pets.

A new shelter could open Aug. 1, as Payne says there are some business vendors who would make a good fit.

If you are looking for the purrfect addition to your family, or would like to donate to keep Tails End in the community, call the shelter at 775-751-7020, or visit the shelter at 1511 E. Siri Lane in Pahrump.

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