Puppies and kitties and roosters — oh my! Bunnies and reptiles and ducks sometimes, aye!
Serving as Rutherford County's animal control, animal shelter and pet community resource, the staff and volunteers at Pet Adoption And Welfare Service (PAWS) in Murfreesboro fuel multiple initiatives to connect people and pets for happy, healthy lives together.
Even a 35-year-old African tortoise named Squirtle was assisted by this compassionate team last year when he was found alone at a local body of water. After a stay at PAWS, Squirtle is living his best life at an area farm.
PAWS offers free spay/neuter services for Rutherford County residents, handles stray drop-offs, runs an animal foster care for newborn puppies and kittens and administers an animal adoption program, explains Sebastian Jordan, PAWS public relations and media specialist.
"People might be surprised by the volume of phone calls we get regarding strays and animal welfare checks. We handle abandoned animals or cases of breed restrictions as well. When we're fully staffed, we only have 10 animal control officers, and our officers responded to more than 14,000 calls in 2025, including strays, welfare checks, injured pets, as well as potentially dangerous animals," Sebastian says.
Additionally, two inhouse veterinarians handle complimentary spays and neuters for county residents, although those are typically scheduled two to three months in advance.
Among other beneficial services provided by PAWS, according to Sebastian, is low-cost microchipping for pet identification and a pet pantry that provides free cat or dog food, kitty litter or leftover but unexpired pet medications.
Sebastian says when animal is found and taken into their care, there's a three-day hold. "If we have evidence of a potential owner, that hold is extended to five days to give them enough time to locate and retrieve the animal from us."
He says the facility even has weekend open hours and a microchip scanner to help with reclaiming a lost animal.
Note that PAWS does not handle nuisance or wild animals, such as deer, opossums, raccoons, eastern cottontail rabbits, groundhogs, owls, hawks, wild turkeys, great blue herons and Canada geese.
Sebastian says the adoption floor, or kennel area, can accommodate about 30 dogs, with perhaps 30 more in a back area. There's a backyard area where guests can take a dog outside to get to know them. "You'll often see volunteers giving dogs some outdoor and fun play time there," he adds.
He says volunteers can assist animals in a variety of ways, such as providing them direct interaction or simple cuddles, cleaning up the shelter environment, assembling goodie bags, sorting pet-pantry donations or playing outside games in yard areas.
He says a popular activity is youths reading to dogs in the shelter.
In conjunction with the natonwide campaign of The Rescue Effect of ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) funded program, the local PAWS staff plans to hold two, free adoption periods this month at their facility located at 285 John R. Rice Blvd. Both adoption sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The first is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15 and the second will be held Saturday, Aug. 29.
PAWS hours for front desk, pet adoptions, reclaims and animal viewing are Monday through Friday 12-1:30 p.m. and 2-6 p.m. The facility is closed 1:30-2 p.m. for staff lunch & pet rest period. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday hours 12-4 p.m.
615.898.7740
Pet Help Desk: 615.907.DOGS (3647)
RutherfordCountyTN.gov/PAWS
“Shelters like PAWS are collaborating with ASPCA because when we work together, we save more lives,” says Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president/CEO. "Choosing pet adoption makes lifesaving impacts that benefit more than one animal.”