Minn-Kota PAAWS

Minn-Kota PAAWS (People Advocating Animal Welfare Services) is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of animals and the people who love them. We serve the greater Fargo-Moorhead region and surrounding communities by providing affordable spay/neuter services, pet wellness care, and community support via our free pet food pantry.

Through our GOODS Program and Pet Food Pantry, we distribute pet food and essential supplies to families in need, shelters, and rescue partners — helping keep pets in their homes and reducing the number of animals surrendered to shelters.

We’re raising $180,000 to build a secure, climate-controlled garage that will protect the pet food, supplies, and donations that thousands of animals and families depend on. The Minn-Kota PAAWS Giving Garage will serve pets, families, rescues, and shelters in our region.

Currently, Minn-Kota PAAWS operates with limited storage space that is vulnerable to weather, pests, and temperature extremes. These challenges restrict our ability to:

• Safely store large quantities of donated pet food and supplies.

• Protect materials from spoilage or damage due to heat, cold, or rodents.

• Accept large shipments that require covered unloading or pallet storage.

• Maintain consistent distribution operations during harsh winter months.

As a result, our donation acceptance and distribution slow down considerably during the colder seasons, directly affecting our capacity to serve local families and partner rescues.

The Minn-Kota PAAWS Giving Garage will directly address these limitations by providing secure, weather-protected storage keeping supplies and donations safe from weather and pests. A climate-controlled environment will allow us to preserve our donations ensuring they remain fresh and reducing the incidences of spoilage. With a dedicated garage space we’ll have ample space to be able to accept donations on short notice as well as larger donations. Currently, our forklift resides outside and a garage would allow us to store her inside and keep her operational as long as possible (she’s used and an older model—we try to treat her with care : ). In the winter we slow down on donation acceptance as we unload outside . With a garage, we could accept donations year-round and unload in a climate-controlled environment. We don’t have a large number of volunteers that are willing to unload in a blizzard, but a garage would keep us out of the elements and entice more folks to help us.

The Minn-Kota PAAWS Giving Garage will have a measurable and lasting impact on our programs and community:

• Increase in Donations Accepted: With expanded and protected space, we can accept more donations annually.

• Improved Food Security for Pets: Consistent year-round distribution means fewer families face the heartbreak of choosing between feeding themselves or their pets.

• Reduced Waste: Proper storage will prevent spoilage and pest damage, maximizing every donated resource.

• Enhanced Volunteer and Staff Efficiency: A dedicated sorting and staging space will streamline logistics and improve safety.

• Sustained Program Growth: The facility will strengthen both the GOODS Program and the Pet Food Pantry for years to come.

Once constructed, the garage will require minimal ongoing expenses. Basic utilities and maintenance will be covered through Minn-Kota PAAWS’ operating budget and ongoing community support. The building’s long-term use and low overhead make it a sustainable investment that will continue to serve.

The Minn-Kota PAAWS Giving Garage will allow us to better fulfill our mission — helping pets and people in our community by ensuring that food and supplies are always available, protected, and ready to distribute.