PAWS of Franklin County TX

04/09/2026

http://www.easttexasgivingday.org/organization/pawsfctx

11/01/2025

07/08/2025

Update from the President of PAWS of Franklin County Texas…
PAWS has set aside a sum of money that we are using to pay for spays and neuters for animals to be adopted. PAWS will pay for these surgeries for as long as that money lasts. Anyone who wishes to can make a donation exclusively to the PAWS Spay/Neuter Fund at our website pawsfctx.org - click on Donate and under Designate your gift, select Spay/Neuter Fund. THANKS!

We would like to welcome the newest member of our shelter team! Meet Tina Jaggers the new shelter manager for the Mount Vernon Animal Shelter. Tina has worked in the building since Dr. Reed was there, so we are happy to be able to keep her!

Tina Jaggers, PAWS shelter manager
Tina has a passion for animals and their care. For the past 10 years, she has been the owner and groomer of Must Love Dogs Grooming, a local dog grooming salon located right here at the PAWS building. She also worked as a vet tech for the Mt. Vernon Veterinary Clinic and has over 30 years of experience as a public school teacher. Tina has lived in Franklin County here entire life. She and her husband, Terry, have three grown children, and four grandchildren. Tina’s personal pets include Pistol, a shih tzu mix, Nora, a rescue from FM 37, and Catten, a tabby cat. Tina also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and crafting. Tina’s goals in operating the Mt.Vernon Animal Shelter include providing a clean safe building to house Franklin County’s strays, abandoned, and unwanted dogs and cats, while matching the perfect pet to the right loving family. She believes that sterilization is the key to manage the over population problem in our area. She will work to provide inexpensive options for the pet owners of Franklin County. If you are looking to adopt the perfect pet, would like to volunteer your time, or just donate to the cause, please give Tina a call at 903 588 3030.

06/24/2025

Update from the President of PAWS of Franklin County Texas…

The city crew has completed putting drain covers on the linear drains and is ready to start reconstructing all of the runs. I am anxiously waiting to tell you that the shelter is fully open, but not yet!

The fee for surrendering an animal to the shelter from the city or county will be $100. Some people will say that it’s a lot of money or they cannot pay that, but I encourage everyone to consider what that money is used for. These dogs and cats will get all their vaccinations (including rabies), will be wormed and tested for heartworms, microchipped, and will be spayed or neutered. As a retired veterinarian I can assure you that the cost of all of this is far more than the surrender fee. In our area an average cost to have a veterinarian spay a female dog is $150, and to castrate a male dog is $120. Add in all of the vaccinations, worming and microchipping, and the cost for a female dog is over $200, and for a male dog over $170. A $100 surrender fee is comparable to what other shelters are charging.

Once the shelter is open for drop-offs, I will make an announcement on this page and on our website at https://www.pawsfctx.org. For now Jennifer, the shelter’s animal control officer, requests that people with drop-offs call and get their name added to the list we’ve already started. If you can foster the animal until we are ready to take it in, or need help fostering it, let us know.

PAWS of Franklin County Texas - Working together to provide a shelter for our homeless pets. Providing pets With Shelter and Homes is our goal!

05/30/2025

What’s new at the shelter!
As of Wednesday, May 28th, we have 19 dogs and 24 cats at the shelter (yes, 24 cats!) We need more volunteers! So far Jennifer Goodson, our animal control officer, has two–so if you can, we’d love to include you as a volunteer as well!

The form to sign up as a shelter volunteer is available on the PAWS website (link below.) If desired you can also pick up a hardcopy form at the PAWS shelter, or at City Hall.

As of today, the concrete in the new kennel is cured and contractors have started to pressure wash it. After cleaning, coloring, and sealing it, the floor should be finished by next week. Then the task of putting all of the runs back together can start.

It has been a long, frustrating process to get the shelter fully opened, but it takes time to get things done the right way. I am looking forward to a big open house once everything is complete. I will keep you posted!

Mac Glaess, President PAWS

ANIMAL FOCUSED COMING SOON Animal focused volunteer activities include walking and playing with animals, assisting with dog playgroups, reading to animals, photo/video of animals, bathing and grooming, fostering, and more. COMMUNITY FOCUSED COMING SOON PAWS of Franklin County is here for pets and th...

05/16/2025

Looking to adopt a furry friend? Check out the available pets at the Mt. Vernon Texas Animal shelter: https://www.facebook.com/comvtxac

The Mount Vernon Animal Shelter is happy to match available pets with loving families.

12/20/2024

Thank you Cristi and Kevin for the awesome donations! Catten approves.

12/18/2024

Looking to make the holidays special for your favorite canine companion? Try one of these vet-approved treat recipes this holiday. Just be absolutely sure the peanut butter you get contains no artificial sweetener, particularly xylitol. https://www.dogster.com/dog-nutrition/christmas-dog-treat-recipes

12/17/2024

The parties have started and the baking is in full swing. Be sure you know what NOT to share with your canine family members. Thanks to @ for the nice graphic.

12/17/2024

APL will be here tomorrow from 10 am to 2 pm. with thei mobile unit. No appointment necessary for low-cost pet vaccinations, heartworm treatment and flea meds. They also offer nail trims, microchips, and more. See flyer for details.

12/15/2024

Looking for some holiday pet photo inspo? Try this. Post what you come up with in the comments. https://www.chewy.com/education/how-to-take-picture-perfect-holiday-photos

Planning to send Christmas photos of your pets? Learn how to take the best holiday pet photos with step-by-step tips from a pet photography expert.

12/13/2024

Dear Fellow Animal Lovers,
Recently PAWS of Franklin County Texas (PAWS) has been mentioned in some false allegations and we would like to put an end to that right away.
The PAWS team has worked tirelessly to build a resource for people needing help with animal issues and a shelter to keep animals safe while they await a new home.
Every penny raised by PAWS, and the countless personal funds and time devoted to this effort is and will always be used for the purposes intended and accounted for following non-profit best practices, current laws, and nationally recognized standards. We have been and remain committed to the goal of opening a shelter and resource in Franklin County as a 501c3 non-profit.
The Board of Directors of PAWS decided to delay the opening of the shelter earlier this year to create an opportunity for Franklin County and the City of Mt Vernon to partner with us in accomplishing this task. Creating a collaboration between the three entities (PAWS, County, City) provides the opportunity to help many more animals and the people who care for them. As you can imagine, negotiating and implementing this kind of collaboration and defining the roles and responsibilities takes time. We apologize for not being more forthcoming about this potential partnership and the actions we are taking, but we did not want to put this collaboration in jeopardy. This was a decision we made as a board to do what we thought was best for the community.
We are exceptionally grateful to Jody Jones, our national animal sheltering expert for her professional expertise, our board, donors and volunteers. Without everyone’s commitment to PAWS and to the community, we would not be ready to open a facility that will help animals.
We look forward to working with our community to ensure that Franklin County becomes a more humane place.


Jan Switzer, John Richmond, Mac Glass, and Debbie Harbin

PAWS of Franklin County Board of Directors