Paws Inn The Falls looks to offer better options for pets, vets

Russell J. Salvatore makes large donation to support cause

By Benjamin Joe

Called an “animal complex” rather than “animal shelter” – or “dog pound” – Paws Inn the Falls is about staying positive in its role of housing stray animals and finding them good homes.

Now that approach seems to have paid off, as it is receiving funding to build surgical rooms to spay, neuter and vaccinate cats and dogs that come to its doors.

On May 24, Russell J. Salvatore, owner of Russell’s Steak, Chops & More, announced he’d be footing the bill, and donated a check for $100,000 at the facility’s grand opening – where he also helped cut the ribbon.

Nicole Dyer, founder of the private animal complex, said she met Salvatore at an event in Williamsville and was unaware of who he was at the time. After speaking to him for some time and showing off one of the complex’s animals, she was invited to meet him again to talk about Paws Inn the Falls and how he might be able to help.

Dyer said there are very few places that offer these surgical procedures at a reasonable price in the area.

“We will have our own doctor. We will have our own vet tech staff. We’ll be doing some vaccination. Everything will be low-cost for our community and especially for those we hold contracts with,” she said.

Currently, Paws Inn The Falls holds contracts with the City of Lockport, the Town of Wilson and Town of Tonawanda/Kenmore. The complex can hold 50 dogs and 75 cats at any given time.

Dyer said the surgical space will need oxygen pumped in, water lines, negative/positive air pressure flow, an X-ray table, a nonsterile preparation area and finally a sterile surgical area.

Dyer came into this field after years as a medical doctor for humans. She said it is a tough business and is in the top five highest suicide rates of any profession. Possible reasons include school debt and “not being to help the animals.”

“Pet owners can be very demeaning; they can be very nasty. So, if you average 30 patients a day and 15 of them berate you and beat you down, every day, it does take a toll on you,” Dyer said. “Not only that, but control drugs very accessible.”

Dyer said Paws Inn The Falls will not be a “corporate” and will continue to work with its employees and volunteers for a work/life balance. There will be no upselling of customers or overwhelming hours.

In exchange for the generous donation, Dyer said Salvatore’s name and likeness are now on all of the organization’s pamphlets, as well on T-shirts.

In a video posted on the Paws Inn The Falls Facebook page, where Salvatore cut the ribbon for the grand-opening, Dyer praised Salvatore for his generosity.

“This day couldn’t have come at a better time,” she said. “We couldn’t have done it without all of our volunteers. The community. Everybody’s commitment and passion to our vision is just amazing. I want to say a special thank you to Russell. … Your understanding of our mission is very important to us and I could not be more thankful. This partnership is not just a partnership. You come in. You play with the animals. You truly have a passion and a heart for those who need help. And also, Russell has talked about giving us a low-cost spay and neuter clinic … that is all thanks to Russell.”

Russell Salvatore announced he was donating to Paws Inn The Falls to cover the cost of a surgical clinic to spay and neuter cats and dogs. (Contributed photo)