About Creston PAWS
Nearly three decades of compassionate animal rescue, powered entirely by volunteers and the generous hearts of our community.
Our Story & Mission
Creston Pet Adoption and Welfare Society (PAWS) is a registered charity established in 1996, committed to finding safe, loving homes for abused, abandoned, and unwanted animals in RDCK Districts A, B, and C of southern British Columbia.
PAWS operates as a No Kill No Suffering Shelter, meaning no unnecessary euthanasia — every healthy or treatable animal gets a chance at life. Pets that don't find their forever homes live out their lives, loved and cared for at the shelter or fostered by volunteers.
We are not affiliated with or funded by the BC SPCA or any government. Our funding comes strictly from donations, fundraising, and grants, with one on-site caretaker as our only paid position.
No Unnecessary Euthanasia
Every healthy or treatable animal gets a chance at life
Community-Driven
Neighbours helping animals in need
Education First
Teaching kindness and responsibility
The Topaz Creek Rescue
June 2002
Our defining moment
Our Founding Story
In the late nineties, a group of local residents came together to help an injured mountain man care for his dogs. This compassionate act sparked the founding of PAWS, registered as a charity in 1996 with Claudia Grimstead as President.
In 2001, Claudia and her beloved dog Lily died in a tragic accident. Her dream was to build a no-kill animal shelter for the Creston area. Her death galvanized PAWS members and the community to make her dream a reality.
The Topaz Creek Dogs
In June 2002, PAWS faced the extraordinary challenge of rescuing the horrifically neglected Topaz Creek Dogs, earning national recognition for this life-saving effort. The response brought three major private-sector grants and community donations, enabling PAWS to purchase land and build a permanent shelter.
Thanks to dedicated volunteers who donated construction labour, PAWS opened Claudia's Place Animal Care and Rehabilitation Centre in 2010. The permanent location helped grow our volunteer base from 5 to over 80 today.
Board of Directors
PAWS is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of dedicated community members who oversee our operations and ensure we meet our mission. Board elections are held annually by our membership.
Brock Wallace
President
Cheryl Moody
Vice President
Vivian Raddis
Secretary
Frankie Duciaume
Treasurer
Gordon Gray
Director-at-Large
David Fowler
Director-at-Large
Janice Giesdbrecht
Director-at-Large (Fundraising)
Judy McCrea
Director-at-Large (Office & Administration)
Shelley Voigt
Director-at-Large (Marketing & PR)
Richard Murray
Director-at-Large (Volunteer Advocate)
Marshall Thompson
Director-at-Large (Maintenance)
Our Facility
Located at 2805 Lower Wynndel Rd., our shelter has dedicated areas for cats, dogs, and small critters. Thanks to community donations, our renovated "Cat Pad" offers enriched play spaces.
Volunteers walk dogs multiple times daily, and we use foster homes for animals needing special care or a break from shelter life.
Our Philosophy
PAWS believes every pet deserves a chance. We champion spay/neuter, educate for empathy, and collaborate to create a more humane community.
Every decision is driven by the best interest of the animals, made possible by our volunteers and supporters.
PAWS truly is people-powered.