Desert Water Agency, PS Animal Shelter Unleash Dog Days Of Summer

From DWA: Desert Water Agency (DWA) and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter (PSAS) have formed a partnership for the second year in a row to promote dog adoptions during the summer months. Desert Water Agency made a donation and also provided a new water dispenser for animal shelter staff and volunteers.

Desert Water Agency is also providing travel water bowls and bandanas to the shelter to send home with every dog adopted during the Dog Days of Summer, June through August. Each week DWA will place a photo of an adoptable senior or long-term dog in their lobby and employee break room. The agency plans to highlight the program in its newsletter and post photos of the adoptable dogs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

“Desert Water Agency and Palm Springs Animal Shelter both provide our community with important services,” said Board President, James Cioffi. “This partnership will increase the visibility of both organizations and hopefully lead to more adoptions.”

Summer months can be hard on four-legged friends, so DWA and the shelter will be sending out reminders to keep pets (and their owners) adequately hydrated. The summer is also a difficult time at the shelter as there are fewer volunteers and adoptions.

Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter is the only public shelter in the Coachella Valley operating under a no-kill philosophy. They continue to work to find homes for all animals through the long, hot summer, while making sure dogs are walked daily and on-going socialization and training takes place as part of their Canine Enrichment Program.

“During the hot summer months, we see a decrease in our adoptions and our volunteer base,” said Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter president Tamara Hedges. “We work hard to find homes and care for lost, stray and homeless pets all summer long. We hope this partnership brings awareness to our needs year round.”

In 2016, the City of Palm Springs participated in DWA’s turf buy back program and converted 39% of the turf area at the city dog park, giving dogs the chance to explore and play amidst the lush desert landscape.

For more information on adopting a pet from the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, please visit www.psanimalshelter.org, or call (760) 416-5719.

About DWA

Desert Water Agency is a public, not-for-profit agency and a State Water Contractor, serving a 325-square-mile area, including parts of Cathedral City, outlying county areas, Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs. An elected five-member board sets policy and represents the ratepayers. For more information, please visit www.dwa.org or contact: DWA Outreach & Conservation Manager Ashley Metzger at (760) 323-4971 ext. 184,Ashley@dwa.org.

About Palm Springs Animal Shelter

Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter (Friends) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization managing and operating the city’s animal shelter. The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is an open admissions municipal shelter serving the city of Palm Springs and is the only municipal shelter in the Coachella Valley operating under a no-kill philosophy. They create a sustainable model though lifesaving programs, training, partnerships and a supportive city and engaged community. Please visit www.palmspringsanimalshelter.org to consider an adoptable pet or come and visit! Contact Director of Development, Charlie Roddy croddy@psanimalshelter.org if you would like to sponsor or learn more about working with the shelter!

Photo courtesy of DWA