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Teton Valley Community Animal Shelter
TVCAS is a local non-profit animal shelter located in Driggs, Idaho. We are funded through grants, private donations and through contribution from our local municipalities. TVCAS opened its doors in June 2011 in an already existing facility. We have been fortunate enough to have a successful first year of operations under our belt and look forward to many more successful years ahead.
We take in on average about 500 animals a year. This includes animals that are lost and get returned to their owners. We strive to keep our adoption rates high and our animal population at the shelter manageable for staff and comfortable for the animals.
We take in on average about 500 animals a year. This includes animals that are lost and get returned to their owners. We strive to keep our adoption rates high and our animal population at the shelter manageable for staff and comfortable for the animals.
Meet the staff
Aska Shiratori-Langman - Shelter Manager has a BS in Animal Science from the University of Vermont and five years of varied veterinary technician and wildlife management experience. She currently has 2 dogs and 3 cats of her own. She is new to Teton Valley, having moved here in 2011. Her previous experience is with animal rescue and conservation groups, as well as with veterinary clinics.
Crystal Yeaw- Animal Care Provider and Adoption Counselor. Crystal is a recent transplant to the Teton Valley and happy to call it home. She is active in the community through her work with the Family Safety Network and Snowdrift Farms and of course the TVCAS. Her two dogs Syren and Sydney, and Steven the cat have adjusted well to her coming home smelling like other animals. Her two goldfish, Axel and Rose, and her plecostomus called Slash remain oblivious.
Courtney Fagan Animal Care Provider and Adoption Counselor - Usually found with her sidekick, Iggy, Courtney is enjoying all the adventures of this new place she calls home - from summer trails to winter hills. Although she dreams of a house filled with four-legged fun, Iggy has much to say about sharing her home and best friend. As a result, Courtney can be found at the shelter soaking up some purrrfect, fury cat love or rubbing bellies with the “always up for fun” canine rascals. She is proud to be a part of the warm, enthusiastic and professional community found here at TVCAS.
Meet the Board
Melanie Thomas - President has lived in the Valley for 11 years. She has had many animals in her lifetime; dogs, horses, cats, goats, llamas, and cows. She and her husband Brian have 4 horses, 3 dogs and 1 cat. Animals are a very important part of their lives. Melanie is currently owner of Diamond T Realty and has been selling real estate for 8 years.
Kathrine Polzin, CVT - Vice-President has lived in Teton Valley for 10 years and currently has 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 horses. She has been a Certified Veterinary Technician for 12 years and spent three years at the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Teaching Hospital before moving into private practice. Currently works for Circle S Mobile Veterinary Services. Has BS degrees in Biology and Marine Science and previously worked for an environmental consulting firm.
Eric Stevenson - Treasurer has lived in Jackson Hole and Teton Valley since 1997. He has a 15 year old dog that is a precious part of his life. Eric has been a self employed bookkeeper providing accounting services to numerous small businesses throughout both valleys since 1998.
Amy Fradley- Secretary moved to Teton Valley in 1996 to purchase her first home with her husband David and cat Barney. They adopted their beloved Travis in 1998 from the Teton Valley Humane Society, now TVCAS. A lifetime animal lover with a BA in fine arts and Spanish, Amy has been the Art Fair and Events Director at the Art Association of Jackson Hole since 2007. A former board president of TVHS, Amy re- joined the board in December, 2012.
Keith Gnagey- Director has lived in the valley for three years, but has been visiting the valley for over thirty years. He and Christina have two Bernese Mountain dogs, Guinness and Montana, who love the weather, especially the cold and snow. Keith is currently the CEO of Teton Valley Health Care.
Sheriff Tony Liford - Director has lived in Teton Valley for 6 years. Six years ago he rescued his first cat and now has 4. His professional career has been law enforcement since 1976.
TVCAS "no-kill" policy
People often ask us what the parameters are for our no-kill policy. "No-kill" shelters are mostly defined as a facility where all adoptable and treatable animals are saved. However, because we do not euthanize for space, a better way to describe our facility is "limited admissions". We will only take in as many animals as we can safely and humanely hold.
Teton Valley Community Animal Shelter will not utilize euthanasia as a means of population control.
The following conditions are used as criteria for determining that an animal is unadoptable. In these cases we feel it is better to humanely euthanize the animal rather than let it suffer through a terminal illness or be forced to live it's life in a cage:
1. Those animals that despite treatment or training, could pose a health or safety risk to people or other animals in a normal adoptive home.
2. Animals that have manifested signs of disease, injury, or a congenital condition that adversely affects the health of the animal or that is likely to adversely affect the animal's health in the future.
3. Animals with a chronic or terminal infectious disease that pose a risk of spreading illness to the general pet population.
Behavior and medical evaluations are conducted for each animal that comes into the shelter. The Operations Committee, which consists of veterinary and animal training professionals, are responsible for these evaluations.
Teton Valley Community Animal Shelter will not utilize euthanasia as a means of population control.
The following conditions are used as criteria for determining that an animal is unadoptable. In these cases we feel it is better to humanely euthanize the animal rather than let it suffer through a terminal illness or be forced to live it's life in a cage:
1. Those animals that despite treatment or training, could pose a health or safety risk to people or other animals in a normal adoptive home.
2. Animals that have manifested signs of disease, injury, or a congenital condition that adversely affects the health of the animal or that is likely to adversely affect the animal's health in the future.
3. Animals with a chronic or terminal infectious disease that pose a risk of spreading illness to the general pet population.
Behavior and medical evaluations are conducted for each animal that comes into the shelter. The Operations Committee, which consists of veterinary and animal training professionals, are responsible for these evaluations.
