EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Uncertainty remains over whether the County will move forward with an agreement with the nonprofit Law N Paws to help the rescue relocate from its old facility to a new site in Far East El Paso.
Commissioners were supposed to vote on the item, but the meeting ended without a word on what comes next.
Vanessa Acosta, founder and president of Law N Paws, said she opposes the memorandum of understanding the county proposed.
“I’m speaking my thoughts as far as with the MOU. I’m totally against the MOU that the county’s proposing to us,” Acosta said.
Law N Paws was founded in 2017 by Acosta, a detective with the El Paso Police Department.
Vanessa Acosta, Law N Paws founder and owner and EPPD detective. (CREDIT: KFOX14/CBS4)
The nonprofit has helped rescue more than 600 animal victims of abuse, abandonment and neglect.
County leaders were set to vote on a memorandum of understanding to assist Law N Paws with a move to a new facility in Far East El Paso from its current facility.
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The move comes as the county’s new linear park is being constructed near the old shelter.
Acosta said the park project affects access to the property.
Acosta said the project places a six-foot wall near the shelter’s only entrance, which she described as a serious fire safety issue.
Emily Schmalz reports on Law N Paws. Credit: KFOX14/CBS4
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The proposed agreement between the county and the rescue includes veterinary services, volunteer assistance and help applying for state grants, with services provided by the county in exchange for the shelter taking in county dogs.
Acosta said the shelter is currently at capacity and could not handle an influx of dogs.
That discussion was moved behind closed doors.
Acosta said Law N Paws relies on donations and grants, and that costs associated with the move and operations could total thousands of dollars.
“It takes about $20,000 a month to keep these two rescues going and sometimes it exceeds it with the medical care because of the torture and the cases that they come from,” Acosta said.
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Acosta also asked for help with the transition.
“We’re still looking for anybody who wants to help us donate like a contract or anything to help us build,” Acosta said.
In a statement, the county said the linear park project has been a priority in the parks master plan since 2016, and that communications with Law N Paws have been occurring since April 2025.
The county said Law N Paws’ main entrance was an unauthorized access point and would be blocked off for the safety of parkgoers.
“The MOU was shared as an initial draft and Laws N Paws was invited to provide edits and engage in discussion. The County made multiple efforts over several months to initiate collaborative dialogue and refine the agreement; however, to date, the County has not received substantive feedback on the proposed MOU.
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