About PAWS
We are your hub for animal welfare services with 8 community programs to help pets and their people.
MISSION
PAWS of Jackson Hole’s mission is to serve as a community resource to prevent pet homelessness, to protect pets from harm and suffering, and to promote responsible ownership.
We provide our services in Teton County, WY, Teton Valley, ID, and Star Valley, WY. Our strategy is to advance comprehensive community solutions that meet the needs of companion animals throughout their lives. We focus first on activities which prevent pet overpopulation, support pets in shelters, and help pet families in need.
VISION
Pets in our communities have better lives because of our services.
Since 1999, we’ve been solving pet-related issues in our local communities through pet and people programs. PAWS provides spay and neuter vouchers across greater Jackson, reducing the number of animals that end up in shelters.
We deliver funding to local shelters – including Jackson/Teton County Animal Shelter and Teton Valley Community Animal Shelter – for equipment, repairs, and renovations beyond their budgets. Through our MedFund, we provide financial assistance to residents who face unexpected or emergency vet bills.
Our communities share open space, pathways, and trails so we have programs that reward good dogs and owners. And our mutt mitt stations keep shared spaces clean. With your support, we distribute 150,000 mutt mitts annually. We also partner on a temporary winter dog park to give our community a place to play in town during the snowy months!
We have SafePAWS – A powerful programs for pets of victims of domestic violence as well as emergency shelter for pets in case of a disaster (our DART trailer). Check out our Programs to learn more.
Thanks for your support. You provide a wonderful, pet-loving community!
GET TO KNOW OUR BOARD
Rachel Keller Michael Coles Paul Mower Reece Jenkins Amy Vignaroli Richard (Dick) Beck Lori BantekasOUR AWESOME PARTNERS
R Park Community Safety Network Friends of Pathways Spring Creek Animal Hospital Graham, Faupel, Mendenhall DogJax Lost Pets USA Bissell (Partners for Pets) Community Foundation of Jackson Hole PetSmart Charities Teton Valley Community Animal Shelter Animal Adoption Center Jackson/Teton Animal ShelterStaff
David Watson
Development Director
david@pawsofjh.org
In 1999, David Watson realized a lifelong dream of living out West as he and his family moved to Jackson. Over the last 21 years he has become a successful fundraiser, leader, and permanent fixture in the nonprofit community. He spent 15 years at Teton Science Schools and over 4 years at Teton Raptor Center. His love for animals, people, and this amazing community make him a great match to be PAWS Development Director. David and his wife Rhonda have two sons, a daughter, and a son-in-law. They all enjoy giving back to the community through numerous service organizations and projects! David continues to volunteer for Boy Scouts of America (15th year), coordinate the Blair Community Garden, and is an accomplished artist (www.cabinfeverartcreations.weebly.com). He also enjoys spending time in the outdoors, camping, fishing, kayaking, hiking, canoeing, and swimming. David’s favorite activity is spending time with his family and traveling to far off places. In the last few years he has traveled with his family to United Arab Emirates, Mexico and Costa Rica … and he’s looking forward to the days when everyone can travel safely. Hot on his travel list is Belize, Spain and Morocco.
Nancy Van Buskirk
Office and Volunteer Coordinator
Nancy@PAWSofJH.org
Nancy joins the PAWS team with many years of experience in animal care and welfare. Passionate about animal welfare and advocacy, Nancy has dedicated her life to helping animals in need. She formerly worked for Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, UT, as a caregiver and an Adoption Specialist for dogs. Upon moving to Teton Valley 3 years ago, Nancy worked as the Assistant Manager of Teton Valley Community Animal Shelter and continues to help out with events and projects. She also volunteered with the animal rescue efforts after Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey. Nancy shares her home with her husband, 2 dogs and 2 cats.
Jess Farr
Program Director
Jess@PAWSofJH.org
Jess Farr, our Program Director, brings loads of energy and passion for animals to PAWS. Prior, Jess worked for the Animal Adoption Center, as an Adoption Counselor, caring for animals and helping them find their forever homes. On a trip to Nicaragua, her travel companion asked what she would do if income was not an issue. Jess responded that she would champion spay and neuter for all the animals to reduce suffering and unwanted pets. Seven years later, the companion, Dave, is now her husband and she’s doing work to realize a better, kinder world for pets. She translates her experience in rescue to impactful projects here and in our surrounding communities. Jess is the mama to a young spaniel, Revvy, and a cat named Lil Dave. Both Revvy and Lil Dave are local rescues who share a common interest in the art of butterfly chasing.
Amy Moore
Executive Director
Amy@PAWSofJH.org
Amy moved to Jackson in 2004 from Boston, MA where she spent 13 years in corporate marketing. She joined PAWS of Jackson Hole as Executive Director in 2006 because of her passion for animals and her desire to make a positive impact on animal welfare issues facing our communities. Since joining the organization, she has forged strong relationships with federal, municipal and non-profit organizations across the valley to broaden program offerings and expand PAWS’ reach to neighboring communities. She shares her home with two adopted furry friends, Derby and Milo. Amy continues to be actively engaged in growing our non-profit and finding innovative methods of advancing animal welfare causes and providing support services to members of our communities.
Board
Rachel Keller
Rachel Kay Keller is a new and active resident of Jackson, WY. Rachel has worked for the Mary Kay Foundation in Dallas, Texas doing fundraising, seminars, speaking, and grant selection since 2005. In 2014, Rachel joined the Board of Family Directors for the Golden Rule Family Foundation where she aids in grant proposing and selection. After moving to Jackson, Rachel expanded her work in non-profit by serving as a Director of St. John’s Health Foundation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Concordia University in Behavioral Science and continued her studies at Southern Methodist University’s Master Liberal Arts program focusing on human rights. Rachel is a full-time mom with two young sons who enjoys skiing and being outdoors.
She has always held a special place in her heart for pets & animals. Getting to be an advocate & voice for them is why she is excited to join PAWs and make a true difference. Rachel has a spunky Brussels Griffin named Elton who even has his own Instagram @SirEltonBrussel! Show More
Michael Coles
Michael Coles is a transformational leader, accomplished entrepreneur, author, education advocate, and motivational speaker. Michael co-founded the Great American Cookie Company and was Chairman, CEO and President of Caribou Coffee Company. He has been heavily involved in the business world and has been actively engaged on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards. Along with these skills, Michael shares a strong passion for pets and community. Michael and his wife, Donna currently share their home with an 8-year-old miniature schnauzer named Journee... Although she is Donna’s dog, Michael wouldn’t trade her for anything. She is not a big barker but if you come to their door she turns into a Rottweiler.
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Paul Mower
Paul Mower’s caring for animals started at a young age dairy farming in the UK, studying agriculture, he initially pursued a career in livestock husbandry with responsibility for quality assurance and animal welfare standards. A change of career path saw Paul move to a role in private wealth management. Following time working at financial institutions in the Channel Island, Switzerland and New York, Paul eventually moved to Jackson Hole to set up and run a multi-family office. Paul, with his wife Amy, three children and dog Penny have called the valley home for the past three years. Paul’s passion for helping animals follows his desire to give back to the community he loves.
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Reece Jenkins
Reece lives in East Jackson with his German Shepherd/Border Collie mix Nika, who came from the Wind River Reservation. Reece is a Mountain Host at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. In a former life, he enjoyed a 25-year career with Ernst & Young, working internationally in developing markets. Before talking sports, it’s important to know that Reece is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, so you need to be on your game. He has degrees in economics and history (B.A.), accounting (M.S.) and taxation (M.S.) from Colgate, Northeastern, and Bentley, respectively.
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Amy Vignaroli
Amy hails from Michigan and has called Jackson home for over 20 years. She and her husband Bob have a daughter and a menagerie of critters (3 dogs, a cat and six fish to be exact). She can be found running the trails with their chocolate lab Copper, coaching her daughter’s soccer team, and coddling their two geriatric dogs- rescue Pete the pug (complete with a tracheotomy & no teeth) & Hatch, a well fed-and loved black lab. Amy owns and operates Teton Tails and is celebrating 15+ years in business. She enjoys providing dog and cat owners the right foods and products to help improve their pet’s quality of life. An advocate of animal adoption and spay/neutering, Amy joined the PAWS board to give back to the animalShow More
Richard (Dick) Beck
Richard P. (Dick) Beck is presently retired and a private investor. He was senior vice president and chief financial officer of Advanced Energy Industries Inc. from 1992 to 2001 and a member of the board of directors from 1995 to 2015, non-executive chairman of the board from 2014 to 2015, chairman of its nominating and corporate governance committee, and a member of its audit and finance committee. He has served as a member of the board of directors of seven publicly held technology companies, chaired nominating and governance and audit committees, and was non-executive chairman of two of those companies. Since 1999 he has served as a member of the board of directors and treasurer of Polar Bears International, a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of and education about polar bears. Since 2016 Dick has been a member of the Board of Trustees of The National Museum of Wildlife Art. Dick and his wife, Val, have lived full time in Jackson since 2003 and have two young and energetic English Springer Spaniels, Abbey and Windsor. He has a B.S. degree in accounting and finance as well as an MBA in finance from Babson College.Show More
Lori Bantekas
Lori moved to the valley in 1991 as a CPA. While she is an accounting enthusiast, her passion is in helping and caring for animals. Lori first got involved with PAWS as a volunteer at adoption and fundraising events. Nicknamed, “the puppy pusher” Lori feels strongly that everyone should experience the love of a furry friend and that a home is not complete without at least one four-legged member. Today Lori shares her life with her partner of 10-years, Chris Lundberg and two dogs, both adopted from the Animal Adoption Center: Sophie, an 85-pound wiener dog and Bertie a Black Mouth Cur/Pittie mix.Show More
Partners
R Park
PAWS provides Mutt Mitt service to the park.
Community Safety Network
Collaborates with PAWS on SafePAWS.
Friends of Pathways
Collaborates with PAWS on Trail Ambassadors.
Spring Creek Animal Hospital
Sponsors weekly televised Pet of the Week advertising.
Graham, Faupel, Mendenhall
Sponsors weekly televised Pet of the Week advertising.
DogJax
Collaborates with PAWS on Sean’s Club – Teens Train.
Lost Pets USA
BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Cathy Bissell and her sister, Janie Jenkins, co-founded LostPetUSA.net, an online and mobile service that features a national database of lost and found pets. Thousands of pets have found their way home through LostPetUSA.net.
PetSmart Charities
Each year, an estimated 7 million pets enter U.S. shelters, but only 4 million find homes. The goal of PetSmart Charities is to find a loving home for every pet. We get closer every day with adoption events and centers, pet rescue programs, and support for spay/neuter efforts.
Teton Valley Community Animal Shelter
TVCAS is a local nonprofit animal shelter located in Driggs, Idaho. They are funded through grants, private donations, and contribution from our local municipalities.
Animal Adoption Center
Founded in 2004, the AAC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in downtown Jackson Hole. Our highly visible location promotes excellent community interaction with our animals and programs. Since its inception, the AAC has rescued thousands of animals and placed them in loving forever homes.
Jackson/Teton Animal Shelter
The Animal Shelter is a municipal facility which provides humane care to, and homes for lost and abandoned companion animals; educates the public regarding responsible animal ownership; and enforces animal regulations.