Paws Crossed Animal Shelter & Adoption Centre

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Paws Crossed Animal Shelter & Adoption Centre

A privately run not-for-profit animal shelter & adoption centre serving Brandon, Manitoba. Thank you again.

Paws Crossed Animal Shelter and Adoption Center a 100% volunteer run and donation funded animal shelter just outside of Brandon Manitoba- servicing all of the Westman area. We are a registered not for profit awaiting our charity designation; operations are overseen by a board of directors including our on site manager, animal loving community members, and a licensed veterinarian to ensure we are not just meeting but exceeding provincial standards for operation. We like to say we are animal focused and community driven, with not a single paid position every dollar we receive via donation goes directly to animal care and shelter costs. We have a small dedicated group of volunteers who donate their time to keeping our facility running smoothly including our shelter manager who lives onsite. We take many types of animals- in the last year we have had dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, budgies, quail, and even a pet chicken. Animals come into our care through a variety of avenues with a large portion coming in via animal control from rural municipalities without pound facilities. Having introduced ourselves to the community in September of 2021 we are still the new kids on the block, but are committed to making a difference in the lives of animals in Westman and beyond! Thank you for all your support to date, as we look to the year ahead and the challenges we are all facing in Manitoba. If you are interesting in making a donation to support our work we accept e-transfers at [email protected], in person at the shelter (please message ahead as we are sometimes away on vet runs etc.) and at Rosser Medical Clinic 841 Rosser Ave Brandon who are an official drop off location for the shelter. Our most needed items at this time are:
Clumping cat litter
Friskies or fancy feast wet
Supreme, cat chow, kitten chow kibbles
Training Treats! Toys (especially chews like kongs, topples, etc) NO RAW HIDE PLEASE
catnip
Brooms
Bleach
Detol
Rags & buckets
Dawn dish soap
We couldn't do the work we do without the support of our wonderful community of Paws Crossed Supporters! We also have compiled an amazon wish list to give an idea of types of items we are always in need of or are looking for to provide enrichment activities to our guests. Find it here: https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/2BGPYLZ9TGG4F?ref_=wl_share

10/30/2026

We can’t believe little Baby Jay is not adopted. He is a sweet playful boy who loves people and all the cats he has met. He hasn’t met any dogs yet but I am sure with a slow introduction he would do great.

10/26/2026

Sometimes 'happily ever' after takes a whole lot of patience, a few baby gates, and approximately a million treats.

Last spring, when one of our dog volunteers mentioned her family was considering adding JUST ONE cat to their home, our team knew exactly who she needed to meet.

Nacho Momma had been with us nearly two years. A snuggly favourite among volunteers and visitors, her one non-negotiable requirement was being the ONLY cat in her future home.

Ashlie and Noah fell for her immediately.

The problem? Their dog Nyla had some VERY strong opinions about cats. And by strong opinions, we mean fixating, growling, lunging, and generally wanting absolutely nothing to do with them.

But we knew Ashlie, and if anyone could make this work, it was her.

So we armed them with our team's collective knowledge, supplies, and plenty of encouragement, and sent Nacho off on a foster-with-intent-to-fail adventure.

By the first night, Ashlie was already messaging us wondering what she'd gotten herself into [but still far from giving up]!

What followed was nearly three months of baby gates, house leashes, rotating animals, supervised introductions, treats, tears, and a few conversations about whether Nacho would need to come back [a last resort].

Until one day, Nacho decided she'd had enough of the baby gate and hopped right over it.

And Nyla? Nothing. No growling, no lunging.

And a year and a half later, this is the result of all the hard work and dedication:

Nacho Momma snuggled up on her human's chest, with Nyla — the very dog who once couldn't stand the sight of a cat — curled up right beside her.

And apparently, Nacho has decided she LOVES dogs of all sizes!
Cats, however, are still strictly forbidden. Including her own reflection in the mirror.

This is why we do what we do.

Because in many rural pounds, Nacho wouldn't have had nearly two years to wait for her second chance. And because finding the right home is sometimes only half the battle.

We're incredibly proud of Ashlie and Noah for putting in the work, and equally proud that our team could be there to support them through the tough parts.

Sometimes happily ever after doesn't happen overnight. But with the right people, a little guidance, and a whole lot of determination, it's absolutely worth the wait.

10/23/2026

Have you ever wanted a cat with a death wish?

Yours or hers, we're not entirely sure. But Hathor seems pretty determined that SOMEONE is going down, and she's not particularly picky about who. 😆

At just over a year old, Hathor has perfected the art of being EXACTLY where your feet need to go. Walking across the room? She's there. Trying to turn around? SURPRISE. Going down the stairs? GOOD LUCK, MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOUR. 🫡

And when she's not actively plotting a workplace safety incident, she's busy being AGGRESSIVELY affectionate.

Personal space? Never heard of her.

Trying to get something done? That's adorable. Have you considered petting Hathor instead?

And apparently, curling herself around your neck like a furry little scarf earns bonus affection points. According to Hathor, anyway.

But underneath all that affection, chaos, and attempted manslaughter is a little girl who's had a pretty rough go of things.

Since kittenhood, Hathor has struggled with recurring upper respiratory infections, chronic diarrhea, and some dental concerns. (Although the jury is still out on whether her refusal to eat dry kibble without water added is medically necessary or simply because she's a demanding little gremlin.)

After her latest round of digestive drama at the shelter, our Assistant Manager brought Hathor home for some extra TLC, closer monitoring, and a little one-on-one nursing care.

Which, for a while, included outfitting her in adorable EXTRA SMALL pet diapers.

Yes. Diapers. On a cat.

And somehow, that wasn't even the most ridiculous part of living with Hathor.

Now, here's where things get a little more serious.

Hathor isn't going to be a cheap cat. Or an easy cat. Her ongoing health issues mean she'll need an adopter who's prepared for extra care, veterinary expenses, and potentially further diagnostics to better understand what's going on with her little body.

In fact, when she first went into foster care, the plan was for her to stay there permanently. As a small, volunteer-run shelter with limited resources and plenty of animals depending on us, we've had to be realistic about how far we can pursue extensive diagnostic testing. Hathor's day-to-day medical needs are being managed, and we wanted to make sure that, whatever her future held, she got to experience life in a home.

Except apparently nobody told Hathor she was supposed to be the fragile one.

Because this little menace is THRIVING.

She still has digestive issues. She still demands her kibble be served as soup. But she's loving life, terrorizing ankles, demanding affection, and showing absolutely ZERO interest in slowing down.

So we figured, what the hell, let's throw out a Hail Mary-

Somewhere out there might just be a person who's willing to take on a medically complicated, aggressively affectionate, stairway-sabotaging little gremlin and give her the forever home she deserves.

Hathor may come with some extra expenses, extra responsibilities, and a few extra grey hairs.

But we can pretty much guarantee she won't come with a dull moment.

Life insurance for the humans in the household is not required, but strongly recommended. 😆

Interested in taking a chance on our favourite little health-and-safety violation?

Apply here: https://www.shelterluv.com/matchme/adopt/PAWX/Cat

10/22/2026

These two little boys are still looking for their forever home. Wilhelm is friendly, adventurous and playful. Baby Jay, the little guy, is cuddly, sweet and playful. Both would make great additions to any family.

10/22/2026

Have you met New Jake yet?

And yes, his full name really is "New Jake".

When this handsome mastiff mix arrived at Paws Crossed, he'd already been given three names in his not-quite-two years of life. And since we'd already had a long-term canine Jake at the shelter, we didn't want to reuse the name.

But we figured the poor guy had been through enough name changes for one lifetime, so New Jake was just different enough without making him get used to yet another new name to answer to.

One of the things we're incredibly fortunate to have at Paws Crossed is a team of volunteers who go above and beyond for our animals.

Some take our dogs on adventures around town, giving them a chance to stretch their legs, explore new places, and enjoy a little break from shelter life.

And others, like Clay here, take things one step further by inviting our dogs home for an afternoon or evening mini foster fling.

According to Clay, New Jake is turning into quite the gentleman on his little home adventures-

He's a big fan of sidling right up beside you for some affection, has become quite the little fetch enthusiast (and even brings the ball back!), and has made some fantastic progress with his leash manners. He's also been doing wonderfully at keeping his cool when passing other dogs on walks.

Not too shabby for a big goofy mastiff mix who's still figuring out this whole being-a-good-boy business!

New Jake is approximately 2 years old, and he's ready to find a home where the next chapter of his life can finally begin.

A home where he won't need another new name, another fresh start, or another temporary place to belong.

Just a family to call his own.

And a huge thank you to Clay, and all our incredible volunteers who make these little adventures possible. You're giving our dogs so much more than a few hours outside the shelter. You're helping them learn, grow, and show the world just how wonderful they can be. 🧡

10/19/2026

Baby “Scarface” Jay had a rough time before coming to the shelter, he came in with a nasty scrap on his face.After a vet check and a little time he has healed nicely. He is such a sweet cuddly boy, how is now ready for his forever family.

10/19/2026

🐾 SECOND CHANCE SUNDAY: COLONEL (NOW ANAKIN!) 🐾

While we were busy celebrating getting Marty home in time for Thanksgiving this year, another very special Paws Crossed alumni was getting ready to celebrate his SECOND Thanksgiving with his forever family.

For almost a year and a half, Colonel called Paws Crossed home.

And we'd be lying if we said there wasn't times we wondered if he'd ever find a family of his own-

Colonel had two things working against him in the adoption department. A VERY high prey drive... and the fact that he was a husky.

Anyone who's spent more than five minutes with a husky knows that they're a special kind of insane. And it takes an equally special kind of human (with a whole lot of patience, energy, and probably a questionable sense of self-preservation) to willingly invite that level of chaos into their home.

But then, one day, the right family saw his photo.

And they fell in love.

Not just with his handsome face, but with his personality, his energy, and every last ounce of his particular brand of husky crazy.

So last year, we worked a little magic to make sure Colonel (now Anakin!) made it home in time for Thanksgiving.

And we're sure a few people thought some of that husky crazy had rubbed off on US when they learned we were sending him home to a house with a small, unfenced yard.

But here's the thing-

A great home for a dog isn't defined by a checklist.

It's not about having the biggest yard, the tallest fence, or the most picture-perfect setup.

It's about understanding the dog you're bringing home, being willing to meet THEIR needs, and making the commitment to do exactly that.

And that's exactly what Anakin's family did.

They adapted their lives to make sure he gets the physical exercise, mental stimulation, and enrichment that a dog like him needs to thrive.

And the results? Well, even his extended family can't help but comment on what an incredibly well-behaved, happy, and all-around amazing dog he's become.

The same dog we once worried might never find his people is now living his absolute best life with a family who wouldn't have him any other way. 🥹

Sometimes the perfect home doesn't look the way people expect it to. And sometimes, that's exactly what makes it perfect.

Happy (belated) second Thanksgiving in your forever home, Anakin! We're so glad your family saw past the husky chaos and recognized the incredible dog underneath it all. 🧡

10/18/2026

You know Marty's story. Now it's time you got to know Brain's.

With Marty settling into his forever home in Alberta, the title of Current Longest-Staying K9 Resident at Paws Crossed has officially been passed down to Brain.

And while we're thrilled that Marty has retired from shelter life, we'd really love it if Brain didn't get too comfortable wearing that crown.

Brain arrived at Paws Crossed just a couple months after Marty did, and he's been with us now for 590 days.

590 days of watching other dogs arrive, find their families, and head off to their happily ever afters.

590 days of putting his best paw forward, greeting familiar faces, making new friends, and hoping that maybe, just maybe, one of those visitors is finally there for him.

590 days of being a very good boy, without ever getting to hear the words he's been waiting for:

"Brain, you're going home."

🧠Brain at a Glance:
•Approximately 2½ years old
•Staffy/Husky/Mega-Mix (a little bit of this, a little bit of that, and a whole lot of personality!)
• Sweet, affectionate, and always happy to soak up some attention.
•Has done well with other dogs with proper introductions.
•Cats? That's gonna be a no from Brain.
•Previously lived with children and has done well with kids he's met while in our care.
• Brain has been working through a pretty big fear of riding in vehicles, and he's made some wonderful progress!

Brain isn't looking for perfection in his future family. But he IS looking for someone with a little patience, because building his confidence and trust will take a little time (and he may need to meet his future humans a couple times before he's comfortable enough to hop into their vehicles to head home).

And we know that might sound like a lot to ask.

But we're talking about a dog who has spent 590 days waiting for someone to choose him.

A dog who has watched countless kennel doors open for someone else's happy ending, only to find himself still on the other side of his own.

A dog who has absolutely no idea that somewhere out there, his entire world could change because one person decides he's worth the extra effort.

Marty waited nearly 2 years for his people to find him.
We'd really, really love for Brain's story to have a much shorter ending. ❤️

Adoption applications: https://www.shelterluv.com/matchme/adopt/PAWX/Dog
Foster applications: https://www.shelterluv.com/matchme/foster/PAWX/Dog

10/16/2026

Baby Jay is settling into his foster home.

10/14/2026

A little Muppet update!

When Muppet first arrived at Paws Crossed, she was absolutely terrified of people. Our team worked with her as much as we could, and while she made progress, we knew that what this girl really needed to truly blossom was something we couldn't give her in a shelter environment — a home.

Unfortunately, finding a foster willing to take on the challenge of teaching a terrified dog how to trust humans again wasn't proving easy.

So, a few weeks ago, our Assistant Manager did a little redecorating (and a whole lot of rearranging) to make room for one more furry houseguest herself-

And we're happy to report that Muppet is making progress!

It's been slow, but for a dog who spent over a year surviving in a dump, we knew rehabilitation wasn't going to happen overnight.

These days, when her foster mom gets home from work, Muppet comes right up to her gate, tail wagging and whining with excitement! Of course, the moment foster mom approaches, she retreats straight back to her kennel — because she's still convinced that pets are best enjoyed from the safety of her own little fortress.

She's even started spending time relaxing on the couch beside her foster mom, has been getting acquainted with the resident dogs and cats, and is slowly discovering that the world outside her kennel can actually be a pretty comfortable place.

These might seem like little things, but for Muppet, they're HUGE.

There's still a long road ahead before she's ready for her forever home, although we absolutely welcome applications from experienced homes willing to meet her where she's at and continue helping her learn to trust.

But after seeing how far she's come in just a few weeks of foster care, we're more confident than ever that our little Muppet is going to get there. 🧡

One wagging tail, one couch snuggle, and one tiny act of bravery at a time. 🐾

Address

Brandon, MB
R7A

Website

http://pawscrossed.ca/

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