Dogs and cats are the most common pets found at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, but there are a wide variety of other animals, such as hamsters and guinea pigs to large mammals such as horses, goats, and our feathered and finned friends as well. Birds, snakes, iguanas, fish, turtles, rabbits and other animals are often available for adoption.

 

Most animals that come to the shelter are either pets relinquishesd by their owners, or stray pets found wandering loose.  Animal Welfare Officers are on duty to pick up strays during regular business hours, and many Good Samaritans bring lost pets to the shelter as well. Our Animal Control program provides numerous services to the Pikes Peak community, though services may vary by area.

Municipal ordinances require that all stray animals be held for a period of 5 days to give their owners a chance to claim them. After 5 days the pet may be available for adoption . During the holding period, a stray pet may be reserved for you through our choice program, which allows you to have first choice on the pet if the owner does not claim it.

Our shelter is designed to place as many animals on display as possible so that customers may view animals available for adoption or look for a lost pet. The animals are separated from the people by store-front glass. This separation reduces the spread of disease, and is less stressful for the animals.

 

Adoption fees help offset the cost of evaluation, housing, feeding and medical care for the 23,000-plus animals we shelter each year. Because we are a nonprofit, donations subsidize the gap between the cost for care and the adoption fee. It is through the generosity of our donors that we have the resources to help so many animals and hold them until we can find them homes. Since the public does not have direct access to the animals, we have a number of "get acquainted" rooms to allow potential adopters and pets to spend some time together as part of the adoption process.

 

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region offers many other services for both pets and people. These include a dog park, cremation, euthanasia, humane training information and behavioral help, educational resources for teachers and students, giving programs, and more. There are also many ways to volunteer at the shelter; you can walk dogs, bathe and groom pets, help our mobile adoption and education program, cuddle critters, train special-needs dogs, or enjoy many other volunteer opportunities.