Background Statement
NAAWA started as a foster-based program in 1998 by a group of concerned citizens seeking proper and humane animal care in the Trinidad area. As a result of the efforts of this pioneer group, NAAWA took over the day-to-day operations of the City of Trinidad Animal Shelter in 2001. Our shelter consists of 13 permanent indoor dog kennels and 23 cat cages. In 2014, we had over 1100 dogs and 550 cats come through our doors. Funding for our operations is through a city contract, fees for services and adoptions, and donations. Grants are also used to fund our numerous programs, the biggest being for privately owned animal spay/neuters and our transfer program. To provide additional financial support for shelter operations, in 2013 Noah's Ark launched "The Noah's Ark Thrift Store" - an upscale thrift store benefiting the shelter, which makes up a significant portion of our annual budget.
In comparison to the high numbers of pets that come through our doors, our shelter facility is considerably small and we never euthanize for space. We persistently work and proactively advocate toward loving forever homes for adoptable pets that find their way to us as surrenders, strays, or through the transfer program from another shelter. Our transfer program and network is one that we are very proud of and allows us to be a vital cog in the efforts of saving more lives.