Animal rescue I Paw’d It Forward in Battle Ground expects 2024 to be a year of growth as the rescue expands its capabilities and reach with new volunteers.
Founder and director Keri-Lyn Jakubs said the rescue is receiving an outpouring of aid from volunteers, who have helped the non-profit organization complete various projects this year.
Jakubs opened the 24/7 rescue I Paw’d It Forward in 2012 and purchased the land for its current facilities in 2022. The rescue provides many community services in Clark County, including lost and feral animal trapping, animal rehabilitation and reconnecting lost pets with their owners.
I Paw’d It Forward also works with local police and fire departments to capture animals that pose a public safety concern or need rescue.
This year, Jakubs hopes to expand its operations. Volunteers have already bolstered the rescue’s capabilities by caring for the animals onsite. If more join this year, she plans to increase I Paw’d It Forward’s social media presence, bring more pets to adoption events in Clark County and respond to more rescue calls.
“I’m trying to delegate, so some of our other volunteers can take the reins,” Jakubs said. “I’m so thankful for our volunteers. I am ready for this entity to be more than me doing everything. I would really like for the folks who are responsible for everything that we do, not just me, to be seen for what they do.”
Jakubs has struggled with the increasing volume of rescue calls over the past years and, at first, hesitated to accept volunteers due to the risk of working with stressed and aggressive animals.
“This is definitely a full-time job, and I work a full-time job,” Jakubs said. “I am so stretched thin so often, I’m constantly getting called out.”
Things began to change when volunteers Dianna Lomagro and Julia Wengeler joined the rescue team eight months ago. While visiting the Sniff Spot, the rescue’s dog park, they were inspired to volunteer.
“Those two are absolutely incredible. They said they wouldn’t let me say no, and that they would help me,” Jakubs said. “They come at 10 p.m. and take everybody out for their last potty. Then they come on Sundays to deep clean the kennel building for us.”
After accepting Lomagro’s aid, the “floodgates” opened for additional volunteers, Jakubs said. Individuals and local businesses began donating more time and resources to the rescue.
I Paw’d It Forward now has a rotating shift of volunteers who feed the animals, walk the dogs, clean the kennels and provide enrichment daily. With their assistance, Jakubs has more time to trap and rescue animals.
I Paw’d It Forward also has periodic workdays, where volunteers visit to tackle large projects on the property. On the most recent workday on Sunday, March 17, volunteers created an agility course within the dog park using hundreds of volunteer-donated tires.
Rescue volunteers sometimes surprise Jakubs, too. Lomagro and Wengeler recently finished the interior of the rescue’s administration building. To Jakubs’ surprise, they deep cleaned and decorated the office space, giving her a cozier space to work alongside the rescue’s cats. She now spends most of her time doing rescue work from the administration building.
Local pet supply stores, like Natural Pet Northwest, All Natural Pet Supply, Costco, Wilco and Tractor Supply also lend aid. They provide food, treats, toys and other items to the rescue, Jakubs said.
Local pet groomers have also helped I Paw’d It Forward. Self-service dog wash Muddy Paws does not charge the rescue for cleanings. Doggone Clean, in Hazel Dell, professionally grooms the rescue dogs.
“They don’t charge us anything, and they also give the adoptables here three free grooms on adoption,” Jakubs said.
To join the volunteers helping the rescue or learn more about I Paw’d It Forward, visit ipawditforward.org. For emergency assistance, call 360-606-1860, or email PetHelp@IPawdItForward.org.
To learn about the adoption process and view latest adoptable dogs, visit ipawditforward.org/adoptable-pets. Call the rescue to learn about cats, chickens and other birds available for adoption.
