About PAWS
We are your hub for animal welfare services with 9 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 and Sean’s Club – Teens Train (powerful programs for women and teens) 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
Klaus Baer Lori Bantekas Richard (Dick) Beck Kristie Grigg Amy Scott Christine Swain Amy VignaroliOUR AWESOME PARTNERS
R Park Jackson/Teton Animal Shelter Animal Adoption Center Teton Valley Community Animal Shelter PetSmart Charities Community Foundation of Jackson Hole Bissell (Partners for Pets) Lost Pets USA DogJax Graham, Faupel, Mendenhall Spring Creek Animal Hospital Community Safety Network Friends of PathwaysStaff
Amy Moore
Executive Director
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.
Shawn Meisl
Director of Development
Shawn Meisl joined PAWS as Director of Development in 2017, bringing 20 years of fundraising experience to the animal support world. She has raised funding for the arts, environment, parks and open space, and has written grants and strategic documents for many local non-profit organizations as a consultant. In the last few years, Shawn has been responsible for creative programming, strategic brainstorming, and placemaking for Jackson Hole Public Art and raised funding at a premier urban park in Boston, where the park’s sense of community played a pivotal role in the city and in her life. Shawn wants to create a wider community that supports PAWS’ vital programs. She is accompanied by Fred, an 8-year old shepherd mix, whose focus on treats is matched by his extensive vocabulary.
Jess Farr
Program Director
Jess Farr, our Program Director, brings loads of energy and passion for animals to PAWS. Prior, Jess worked for the Animal Adoption Center, 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 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 has supplemented her love of travel through a variety of jobs in Teton County including catering, tennis, airport ramp agent, and work at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Joining Jess in the office is Kingston, a 11-year old spaniel.
Nancy Van Buskirk
Office and Volunteer Coordinator
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.
Board
Klaus Baer
Klaus has channeled his decade-plus experience with managing international production teams for investment banking firms into overseeing all operational and technological aspects of WRJ. He knows that well-run internal operations translate into a seamless experience for everyone who works with WRJ. Klaus earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and then segued from banking by earning an interior design graduate degree from Parsons the New School for Design in New York City. Klaus donates his time and talent to various non-profit organizations in Jackson Hole. He and his partner have three dogs that go to work with them daily – Buddy, Dutchy and Wolfie.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
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
Kristie Grigg
Kristie’s life has been a whirlwind so far. As a sales and marketing consultant to a wide variety of products that encompass events software and venue integration to art, jewelry, clothing and high-end vacation stays, Kristie has a talent for making people feel like part of an inner circle and is an incredible AirBnB host. She has helped create success for PAWS’ annual gala as a committee member and joined the board of directors in 2017. Kristie has a Norwich terrier mix who is ever the gentleman and when he visits our office, we feel like he could handle the phones and pay the bills as well.Show More
Amy Scott
Amy Scott has lived in Jackson for three years, but is originally from North Carolina, where she was known as a breeder of nationally competitive show horses. She is a supporter of causes related to youth sports, health care, the environment, and animals. For the past six years Amy has been involved in the development and expansion of women’s professional softball with National Pro Fastpitch. She is a retired nurse practitioner. These days Amy devotes much of her time to a family ranch south of Jackson, fly fishing, wildlife photography, and her two energetic bird dogs.Show More
Christine Swain
Christine is a native of Nebraska but her love for the outdoors pushed her out West. Upon viewing the Teton mountain range she knew she would call this valley home. She is an avid mountain and road biker and loves to hike and ski. Christine splits her time between being a real estate professional with Christie’s International Real Estate and running Gather, Jackson’s best new restaurant which she co-owns with husband, Graeme. She has two young children along with “Dog”, the Chihuahua mix she adopted from the Animal Adoption Center and a cat, Al she adopted from the Animal Humane Association of Star Valley. Christine has always felt a deep connection to animals and is thrilled to be engaged in an organization whose values so closely align with her own.Show More
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
Partners
R Park
PAWS provides Mutt Mitt service to the park.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
DogJax
Collaborates with PAWS on Sean’s Club – Teens Train.
Graham, Faupel, Mendenhall
Sponsors weekly televised Pet of the Week advertising.
Spring Creek Animal Hospital
Sponsors weekly televised Pet of the Week advertising.
Community Safety Network
Collaborates with PAWS on SafePAWS.
Friends of Pathways
Collaborates with PAWS on Trail Ambassadors.