.png)
Nick Tucker
This month, we’re shining our non-profit spotlight on an organization that has been tirelessly working to improve the lives of companion animals in our community for over a decade: Pawsitive Outreach Spay Neuter Advocates, or POSNA. While officially incorporated in 2011, POSNA’s vital work began even earlier, holding their first spay/neuter clinics in 2008.
POSNA’s mission is clear and impactful: to assure that affordable spay/neuter options are ALWAYS available. Their ultimate goal is to create a sustainable companion animal population where every animal born has a forever home and the care they deserve. It’s a grand vision, but one they tackle with unwavering dedication.
This incredible all-volunteer organization provides a lifeline for countless animals and their owners. They offer affordable spay/ neuter services for low-income pet owners, as well as for stray and feral animals, directly addressing the root cause of pet overpopulation. Beyond that, POSNA runs a no-kill shelter, providing a safe haven and loving care for animals until they find their forever families. And for families facing hard times, their pet food bank ensures beloved companions can stay right where they belong - in their homes.
POSNA’s reach extends across Pend Oreille, Bonner, north Spokane, and Stevens Counties. They truly fill a crucial need, performing over 1,000 spay/neuter surgeries each year. In Pend Oreille County, they are the only provider of affordable spay/neuter services, a testament to their indispensable role in the region.
Cindy Knudsen, the founder of POSNA, recognized the overwhelming need for affordable animal welfare services. Witnessing abandoned and suffering animals, she understood that the solution was simple: provide accessible spay/neuter options. This led to arrangements with high-volume spay/neuter providers, and thus, POSNA was born. Since then, clinics have been held at least monthly, resulting in thousands of animals being altered, including an incredible 103 cats at their last big clinic in Usk!
As an all-volunteer organization, 100% of every donation goes directly to their programs. This means your contributions directly fund spay/neuter clinics, care for rescued animals, and help keep food in the bowls of pets in need.
You truly can’t get a better bang for your buck!
While POSNA has made immense strides, they face perennial challenges. Financial stability is always a concern, as is finding enough dedicated volunteers. The cost of caring for rescued animals, many of whom arrive in heartbreaking condition, is substantial.
And despite their tireless efforts, the sad reality remains that animals are still abandoned. As Knudsen eloquently puts it, “One unaltered cat or dog can quickly turn into many dozens, so our battle is never ending.”
But you can help turn the tide!
POSNA is always in need of more volunteers to help care for rescued animals and make their spay/neuter clinics possible. Spending quality time with the animals not only makes their stay more enjoyable but also increases their adoptability. POSNA is also currently and urgently in need of kitten foster homes. Knudsen says, “One of our limiting factors is places where our rescues can receive the love and good care they need while waiting for their forever homes. The more foster homes we have, the more we can save!”. If you need community service hours or simply want to make a difference, give them a call.
To volunteer or donate, you can reach POSNA by phone at (509)671-1427, email atposna@ifiber, on Facebook at facebook.com/ posna99/, or visit their website at pawsitiveoutreach.org/. Donations can be made through PayPal on their website or by mail to: POSNA, PO Box 1241, Newport WA 99156.
POSNA and the animals who depend on them are incredibly grateful for your support. Together, we can help them continue their vital work towards a future where every animal has a loving home.
Sponsored by:
