Prairie Paws Animal Shelter

Prairie Paws Animal Shelter

Our Mission

At Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, our mission is to provide compassionate care and meaningful placement for animals in need. We are dedicated to supporting the human-animal bond and giving every pet a second chance at a happy life.

Our History

Our journey began in 1946 when Beatrice Martin Peck founded the Franklin County Humane Society to provide a voice for homeless animals. Today, we honor that legacy as a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has grown into three shelters working together in Ottawa, Manhattan, and Emporia to continue this life-saving work.

How We Care

We believe in transparency and providing high-quality care for every animal that comes through our doors. Our facilities are designed to be safe, rehabilitative environments where our staff and volunteers focus on health, socialization, and finding the perfect match for each resident. By focusing on high-efficiency initiatives and accessible services like low-cost spay/neuter clinics, we work to create a safer community for both pets and their people.

Your Role in Our Journey

Adoption is the heart of our mission, turning a second chance into a lifetime of companionship. We focus on connecting pets with adopters who are ready to provide loving, forever homes, ensuring that each transition is as seamless and joyful as possible. When you adopt from us, you aren't just finding a pet; you are becoming an essential part of an animal's journey toward happiness.

Join Us

Are you ready to find your new best friend? We invite you to browse our current adoptable pets online or visit one of our three Kansas locations to meet the animals waiting to meet you. Together, we can continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of pets across our community.

Trust Assessment
GoldRated Sep 22, 2026
NonprofitVerifiedPhysical FacilityOperating 50+ years
Finances
Online Review Highlights
  • Friendly and helpful staff
  • Clean and well-maintained facility
  • Inconsistent intake policies
Vetted byPETCO LOVE
How we assess
Recent Videos

10/8 - Meet Kim, Yogi, Ricki, and Natasha! These 4 have been through a lot in their lives already, and deserve so much more than being alone in a concrete kennel. They are very scared, overwhelmed, brave, smart, and in desperate need of a second chance at life. Their path to “normal dog life” may not be simple, but it will be incredibly rewarding. For more information on these dogs, visit https://www.prairiepaws.org/emporiapets or call, email, or visit in person with our staff to meet them! We relied on our community for help last month when we met these dogs, and now we’re asking for it again. Please share this post and spread the word!!

Watch on Facebook

9/20 - It's National Dog Week everyone! This week, we plan to showcase some of our favorite adoptable dogs, and there's no one we're more excited to celebrate with than DALLAS!! If you have a 1 minute and 15 seconds (we know you do, don't keep scrolling!), check out this video about Dallas and share it with your loved ones who may be interested. If you only have 20 seconds and are a quick reader, here are the facts about our boy: 🤠 7 months old male heeler mix. He doesn't just look the part, he acts it, too! 🚽 Potty trained! While we expect him to have a couple accidents during his transition to his new home, we are very proud of how clean Dallas keeps his space and does his best to only use the bathroom outside. Very impressive for a puppy! 🐕 Dog friendly! Bigger, older dogs who are very excitable can be intimidating for him, but with patience, he grows more confident and can definitely make friends! Smaller, younger, or other shy dogs on the other hand, he welcomes quickly and warmly. 🧠 Dallas is VERY smart. He knows a couple of tricks already, and is very familiar with the fundamentals of training. He is easily redirected from misbehaviors and is very food motivated, he just needs the consistency of a home to round out his manners. 🧸He loves to play! We expect that, unless adopted to a working home, play will likely be a huge part of Dallas' fulfillment in a home. He loves toys, is a master of tug, and is smart enough for any puzzle you throw his way. Dallas has waited long enough for a home, and we think it's about time that his people come find him already! Please join us in sharing Dallas and his cute face with the world so that he can swap his kennel for a couch 💜🐾

Watch on Facebook
Visit Us At

3173 K-68 Hwy, Ottawa, KS 66067

info@prairiepaws.org
785-242-2967
Filters