Humane education is one of four major programs sponsored by Pecos People for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

For over four years, the all volunteer organization has been searching for land on which to build a humane education center in Pecos. In 2007, their hard work paid off with the donation of a half acre of land at the corner of Route 50 and Route 63 in the heart of Pecos Village. Tim McElvain, his wife and sister donated the property as part of the sale of the adjoining building and land. The McElvains are long time animal lovers and wanted to give back to the community. Their generosity will be forever appreciated by the animals, the community and PAWS.

The Humane Education Center is envisioned as a 1200 square foot “one room schoolhouse” which will serve as the anchor education center. The Board of Directors of PAWS believes that “the mind, once expanded to the dimensions of larger ideas, never returns to its original size”, aptly said by Oliver Wendell Holmes. As programs and participation grow, the building will have the capability of being expanded to accommodate the growth. The need for a place with humane education as a focus is compelling for the healing and restoration of a healthy human-animal bond.

For a multitude of reasons, some people see dogs and cats as disposable animals without feelings. As a result, pets are used for target practice, tied on chains as watchdogs with little or no human contact, left outside in extreme weather to fend for themselves, or beaten and tortured by their owners or neighbors. One of the most recent examples of this extreme animal cruelty is the Labrador mix puppy that was shot 3 times and left to die. We believe that Humane Education can change the actions of people like the person who shot this innocent puppy by changing their beliefs through knowledge acquisition and the sparking of imagination.

Many of the programs will be directed toward kindergarten through the ninth grade in the beginning. Children will be taught about compassionate care of pets by hands-on experiences such as: building low cost dog/cat houses and bird houses; helping people with dogs and cats build sturdy fences: establishing a lending library of books and DVD’s; the production of puppet shows and art projects by the children and teens. Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots Program will also be incorporated by focusing on the care of the environment as well as animals. The Pecos Independent School District, the Santa Fe Forest and Pecos River make the location an ideal setting for the Roots and Shoots Program.

PAWS was recently designated an official chapter of Roots and Shoots. We are currently recruiting for the “PAWS YOUTH LEADERSHIP AMBASSADORS”, the name of the Pecos chapter. The program is for committed youth ages 13-17 who have a love for animals, their community , the environment and are interested in building their leadership skills. For more information on Roots and Shoots go to the web site at www.rootsandshoots.org.

The Pecos Independent School District has indicated an interest in partnering with the PAWS Humane Education programs. In June,2008 Jane Carson, President of PAWS and Tom Alexander, Director of Humane Education for PAWS met with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of the Pecos Independent School District( Roy Herrera and Darlene Ulibarri). Discussion centered on the best ways to tailor humane education programs to the school’s curriculum. Efforts will be made to integrate the program in the school year activities.

As of 12 February, 2009, PAWS has raised $55,100 of the $89,555 needed for the building and electrical, water and sewer hookups. Included in the funds raised is a $25,000 donation that needs to be matched. An additional $4,000 is required for books, materials and seed money to write a grant to develop a humane education program tailored to the culture of Pecos and surrounding areas. Some furniture has already been donated for project tables and chairs.

For more information, call Jane Carson at 466-1525. A blessing of the land and groundbreaking will be planned for the early spring of 2010. Everyone is invited so stay tuned for the announcement!