The Arkansas Department of Correction has made a commitment to pull dogs exclusively from Jefferson County for its Paws in Prison program at Randall Williams Correctional Facility – and the public will have the opportunity to meet those dogs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Pet Sense, 5514 S. Olive St.
ADC is partnering with the Jefferson County Humane Society, the city of White Hall and other advocates to provide dogs for the program at the local prison, said Shea Wilson, ADC communications administrator.
“This commitment is important to our director, Ray Hobbs, because ADC is headquartered here in Pine Bluff,” Wilson said. “We have strong community ties in Jefferson County and this is another way to build on that relationship.”
The “Meet and Greet” at Pet Sense will give the public the opportunity to meet Buster, Shy, Tina and Tripp, dogs currently being trained at the Randall Williams unit, 7602 W. Seventh Ave.
“We appreciate Pet Sense and manager Linda Bankston and her staff for their support in providing Paws dogs a location to meet the public,” Wilson said.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
These animals, unless they make it into foster care, land in shelters or pounds.
“Paws in Prison can help by partnering these dogs with inmate trainers who teach the dogs basic obedience skills and properly socialize the animals, which makes them more adoptable,” Wilson said.
These dogs will soon graduate from Paws and Prison and need homes. The adoption process begins on ADC’s website: adc.arkansas.gov, Wilson said. Interested participants may follow the Paws in Prison links and click the “adopt” link under the dog in the available dogs section.