McPaw's updates council on shelter services, adoption and mitigation efforts

Courtney Bayhugh, executive director of McPaw's, briefed the council May 14 on the nonprofit's animal services and mitigation programs.

Bayhugh said McPaw's provides sheltering through stray intake and owner surrenders and seeks to keep pets with people by offering a food pantry (more than 6,000 pounds of pet food distributed in 2025) and Gracie's Fund (roughly $9,000 distributed to help about 20 pets access veterinary care). The organization runs a return-to-field (TNR/RTF) program for community cats (trap, spay/neuter, vaccinate and return) and a home-to-home rehoming partnership when immediate shelter intake is not appropriate. McPaw's also operates emergency sheltering for pets during evacuations; Bayhugh said the organization supported seven emergency shelter events for McCall addresses in the last year, more than double prior years.

Council members thanked Bayhugh for the report and had no follow-up motions. Bayhugh said McPaw's continues to track stray pickup locations (Lake/Marina area, Davis Avenue, Ponderosa Park) to inform outreach and resources.

What happens next: None recorded; Bayhugh said staff would continue services and provide updates as needed.