Potomac — Montgomery County Partners for Animal Well-Being (MCPAW) was selected as the Potomac “Charity of the Year” by the Potomac Chamber of Commerce. The organization was recognized for their dedication to providing needed funds for the new Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center.

“It is an honor to have been chosen as Potomac’s Charity of the Year,” said MCPAW Chairman of the Board Allan Cohen. “We appreciate the support that Potomac has given us since we started MCPAW. We are excited that the new center will be completed next fall, 2013. Now we are trying to gain major donors and corporate sponsorships”

Although the Animal Services and Adoption Center is funded mostly by Montgomery County, they need additional revenue to create a facility to house and care for the county’s homeless or stray animals while they await new homes, as well as to provide animal care services needed in the community. MCPAW is working to raise these funds.

Board Member Kenny Kelley said, “A few short years ago, it was considered a farfetched dream that the current 30-year old, dilapidated Montgomery County Animal Shelter would ever be replaced. An even larger dream that it would be replaced by a state of the art building, one allowing fresh continuous air to circulate, an allotted quarantine area to keep the sick animals away from the other adoptees, a medical clinic staffed by a veterinarian ensuring that animals will be healthy and spayed/neutered before adoption, a barn for livestock, and with radiant heated floors so the animals will no longer shiver and feel desolate on the cold winter nights.”

He continued: “Fortunately, thanks to the tireless efforts and commitment of County Executive Ike Leggett, County Council member Phil Andrews, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, the entire council, including President Roger Berlinger, all working in partnership with MCPAW, we broke ground on the new Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center on Jan. 28, 2012. Today we can stand here exuberant that this is no longer a dream but a well organized state of the art temporary home for all animals big and small. Whether they come from abusive or abandoned homes, suffer neglected, curable illnesses or are just confused strays, our community can go to sleep at night knowing the animals are being taken care of in the best way possible.”

One of MCPAW’s primary fund-raising events is the sale of brick pavers that will be displayed within the entrance plaza of the new adoption center. These pavers can be engraved with a tribute to a beloved pet, a friend, or with a corporate logo and name.

MCPAW will honor and recognize individuals who make significant contributions to the new center by providing naming opportunities for wings, clinics or other areas of the center. One can also memorialize a loved one or pet by placing a name or graphic on an outdoor bench or on the Patron Wall.

MCPAW encourages Montgomery County residents to learn more about the new facility, to consider contributing and get involved. For more information, contact: www.mcpaw.org or Allan Cohen at 240-462-5000.