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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 successfully operated the Shelter since that time 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.
Crystal Ships --
Started as a volunteer at TVCAS in
November of 2012 and is now the Operations Manager. Some of the best parts
of Crystal's job are working with the community on responsible pet ownership, adoption
events at community venues and raising bottle babies during kitten season.
Crystal enjoys being a part of the matchmaking process that brings cats and
dogs together with their forever homes. She has a senior dog, a bearded collie
mix and a cat named Steven.
Adrienne Nagy- Animal Care Provider and Adoption Counselor
Adrienne moved to Teton Valley from Indiana in May 2013 She has a background in working and volunteering in zoos, animal shelters, and wildlife rehab. When asked how she can handle the emotional aspect of working with so many homeless animals she wanted to share this story, and hope it inspires others to volunteer, foster, or adopt:
The Starfish Story
A young man is walking along the ocean and sees a beach on which thousands and thousands of starfish have washed ashore. Further along he sees an old man, walking slowly and stooping often, picking up one starfish after another and tossing each one gently into the ocean. “Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean? Don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it! You can’t possibly save them all, your efforts can't make a difference."The old man listened calmly and then bent down to pick up another starfish and threw it into the sea. "It made a difference to that one."
Adrienne moved to Teton Valley from Indiana in May 2013 She has a background in working and volunteering in zoos, animal shelters, and wildlife rehab. When asked how she can handle the emotional aspect of working with so many homeless animals she wanted to share this story, and hope it inspires others to volunteer, foster, or adopt:
The Starfish Story
A young man is walking along the ocean and sees a beach on which thousands and thousands of starfish have washed ashore. Further along he sees an old man, walking slowly and stooping often, picking up one starfish after another and tossing each one gently into the ocean. “Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean? Don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it! You can’t possibly save them all, your efforts can't make a difference."The old man listened calmly and then bent down to pick up another starfish and threw it into the sea. "It made a difference to that one."
Josh Franco -- Animal Care Provider and Adoption Counselor
Josh has lived near the Tetons for seventeen years. While happy to take care of cats (at least the ones that don't bite him) it is working with the dogs that makes him love his job. Scared or abused dogs that find their way to the Shelter have a patient, gentle friend to help them to adjust to their new surroundings and to help them find a new home. Josh lives in Victor with his girlfriend Jenna, and their three dogs.
Josh has lived near the Tetons for seventeen years. While happy to take care of cats (at least the ones that don't bite him) it is working with the dogs that makes him love his job. Scared or abused dogs that find their way to the Shelter have a patient, gentle friend to help them to adjust to their new surroundings and to help them find a new home. Josh lives in Victor with his girlfriend Jenna, and their three dogs.
Meet the Board
Melanie Thomas - President moved to Teton Valley in 1999. 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 has been selling real estate for 8 years and is currently working at West Group Real Estate.
Kathrine Polzin, CVT - Vice-President moved to Teton Valley in 2002 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. She currently works for Circle S Mobile Veterinary Services. Kathrine 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 had a 16 year old dog that was 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 since 2009, 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 since 2006. 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.
