All doghouses winners in PAWS Pet House Challenge

MOREHEAD CITY — The dust has settled and results from the Pet Adoption and Welfare Society (PAWS) Pet House Challenge, held March 2-3 at the Crystal Coast Civic Center, show that all three dog houses entered by county high schools are winners.

Proceeds from the sale of the houses will be used to purchase equipment for a future no-kill animal shelter operated by PAWS.

This year's challengers in the competition, sponsored by PAWS and The Neal Foundation, included carpentry students from East Carteret, West Carteret and Croatan high schools.

There was a mixed bag of results on the houses, which competed in three categories: People's Choice, where people placed dollars in a container; Buyer's Choice, the house bringing the most money in the silent auction; and Builder's Choice, where a contractor judged based on design, creativity, workmanship and materials.

Results were: People's Choice, first place, Croatan High School; Builders Choice, first place, West Carteret High School; and Buyers Choice, first place, East Carteret High School.

PAWS vice president Donna Youraine thanked all those who participated in this year's event.

"Thank you everyone that participated and volunteered," she said. "It was so great to see new faces learning the ropes of this wonderful event."

The event raised $2,416. Proceeds will help equip a nearly $3 million no-kill animal shelter that will house 60 animals at the PAWS Adoption Center at 5042 Mattie St.

The 9,750-square-foot shelter was nearing completion when Hurricane Florence hit in September 2018, causing an estimated $345,000 to $375,000 in damages.

Youraine said it's been a challenging ordeal to get repairs done on the facility, including a legal battle with an insurance company. While PAWS settled with the company, Youraine said they did not receive nearly enough to make repairs to the building.

Youraine said the roof has been replaced and three separate stages of mold remedia-tion have been completed along with light fixtures, insulation and ceiling tiles.

"We still have approximately $65,000 to go," she said. "We still have electrical, doors, windows, some flooring, interior paint, and exterior repairs to go. Kent (Kent Neal, president of the Neal Foundation) and I hope to have repairs completed during 2024."

As for the facility, it will be outfitted with an income-producing hydrotherapy unit, used to rehabilitate animals with joint injuries. A small surgical unit is also included and will service all animals in residence.

In addition, there will be a kitten room, feline play room, free roaming cat rooms, a ca-nine visitation room for those considering adoption, dog kennels, restrooms and more.

Competition prizes were donated by area businesses and awarded to first place finishers.

Contact Cheryl Burke at 252-726-7081, ext. 255; email [email protected]; or follow on Twitter @cherylccnt.