About BRAWA
The Barren River Animal Welfare Association (BRAWA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing shelter and care for homeless and unwanted animals.
Our mission is to reduce the number of homeless animals in our community while ensuring the health and safety of both people and pets. We believe that every animal deserves a second chance and we work tirelessly to ensure that they get it.
Care, Enrichment & Adoption
We work to truly know each animal in our care—providing enrichment, playtime, and attention to support both physical and mental well-being.
There is no set time limit for adoptable animals. Pets remain in our care as long as their health, behavior, and space allow, giving them the best opportunity to find the right home—not just the fastest one.
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OUR STORY
The Barren River Animal Welfare Association (BRAWA) was formed in 1991 by a group of local citizens who were concerned about the welfare of animals in Barren County. In 1994, BRAWA signed a contract with the City of Glasgow and Barren County Fiscal Court to begin operating the local animal shelter.
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In July of 1996, thanks to the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of individuals, businesses, and local government, that vision became a reality with the completion of the original shelter building.
Fifteen years later, in 2011, the facility expanded significantly—tripling in size to better serve the community. This expansion included:
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A new adoption wing for dogs and puppies
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Spacious cat condos
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An on-site surgery suite
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A multipurpose space for humane education, obedience classes, and meetings
The surgical suite was later dedicated in memory of Gayle Wilkinson, a loyal and dedicated member of the BRAWA team from 2007 to 2023.
Her words continue to reflect the heart of this work:
“When you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.”
Our goal is simple: to be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves, ensuring every animal in our care is treated with dignity and love.
Our approach to care:
We follow High-Quality High-Volume Spay/Neuter (HQHVSN) standards, a high-efficiency surgical technique that allows us to provide more surgeries while maintaining the highest levels of patient safety and care. This approach is an essential tool in reducing pet overpopulation and ensuring that every animal we serve gets the best possible medical outcome.
- Standard HQHVSN spay/neuter protocols
- Comprehensive intake medical exams
- Daily behavioral enrichment programs
- Fear-free handling techniques
- Strict disease prevention and sanitation standards
Our care philosophy focuses on the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare, ensuring every pet in our care is free from hunger, discomfort, pain, fear, and distress, with the freedom to express natural behaviors. We specialize in fear-free handling and enrichment-based sheltering to keep our residents physically and mentally healthy until they find their forever homes.
Our Role in the Community
BRAWA is not an animal control facility. We do not have the authority to respond to complaints about loose or aggressive dogs, barking issues, or neglect. Those responsibilities fall within the jurisdiction of Barren County Animal Control. However, once an animal is brought to our shelter, we take over their care, providing a safe haven and all necessary medical attention until they can be adopted into a loving home.
Glasgow-Barren County Animal Control
: 270-629-2645
How We’re Funded
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, BRAWA relies on the generosity of our community to sustain our operations. We do not receive state or federal funding; instead, we are supported by a diverse mix of revenue streams that allow us to provide care for over 2,500 animals annually.
- Individual and Corporate Donations
- Fundraising Events and Campaigns
- Adoption Fees and Service Program Revenue
- Grants from Private Foundations
We hold a service contract with the City of Glasgow and Barren County to provide designated animal control housing and care. However, this contract covers only a portion of our total expenses, making public and private support essential to our survival.
Meet Blossom: Our Resident Specialist
Meet Blossom, our resident feline expert and tiny supervisor. She plays a vital role in our integration process, helping new intakes settle in and testing our dogs to see exactly how well they play with cats. With Blossom on the team, we ensure every match is made with feline approval!
