Walk The Blog

Purrrrfect time to adopt a cat!

Okay so I realize the "purrrfect" phrase may get a little overused but I couldn't resist given what we have going on here at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley!   Summer is always a busy time for us and this year our cat and kitten adoption center is already overflowing with great companion animals looking for a family to call their own. 

Whether you are looking for a Leader of the Band or a Sidekick, a young cat or a wise old soul, a Himalayan or a tabby, with over 100 cats available we have match for you!  And this Saturday and Sunday we are offering half price adoptions for all of our feline friends...  So if you were thinking about adding one cat, why not two? 

Help give these animals the family they deserve, come spend some time at the shelter this weekend and see who we have waiting to make your family complete! 

Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who participated in our 2009 Puttin' On the Leash event last Saturday!  We raised over $250,000 for the animals we serve which will directly fund programs like behavioral modification and shelter medicine.  The generosity and support of our community gives us the critical funding to save animals and enhance lives. 

So many of the animals featured at the event were adopted this week which just adds to the success of the night! 

Thank you again for your continued support and investment in our mission...  Together we are creating countless new beginnings for homeless pets!

Lisa

Rex...

When I heard the details of Rex's abuse I was angry and sickened.  Thrown upside down, bound with tape and rubber bands...  Can you imagine the fear and pain he felt? The pure terror and confusion as to what was happening to him must have been horrible.  How can someone take their anger out on an animal?  It is a question we hate to have to consider. 

This case is a sad example of the link between violence against people and violence against animals.  So often in domestic abuse cases the animals are victims too.  People stay in dangerous situations, afraid if they leave their animals will be harmed.  Abusers use the victim's animals to instill fear and control. 

At the Humane Society of Boulder Valley we provide a safe haven for animals in harm's way.  We provide free temporary housing for animals whose families are moving out of dangerous situations, giving the human victim of abuse the peace of mind that their animals will be safe too. 

While the cases are few, each year we shelter and care for animals like Rex where we know abuse has left its mark.  Giving these animals the human compassion and care they so deserve is the first step in beginning their lives again. 

And that is what we hope for Rex.  From his past filled with so many moments of fear, pain and distrust of the people around him we hope to teach him that humans are the source of love and care.  We will find a perfect family for him to start a new life.  So his days are filled with companionship, trust, security and love...  Ending the long road of abuse... 

Thank you to everyone who has emailed or called to offer your support for Rex.  As disheartening as this story is, seeing the community's response has given me great comfort.  We will keep you posted on Rex and his progress!

Lisa

Pet Food Share

With the downturn of the economy more and more families and individuals are turning to community assistance programs such as food banks for help with basic necessities.  For people whose families include animals, these basic necessities include pet food. 

The Humane Society of Boulder Valley has free pet food available for individuals in need.  Every day we collect donated food from the community and we store what we can use in the shelter with the rest being available to for our Pet Food Share program.  If you are in need of donated food for your pets please visit our client service desk and one of our staff will see how we can help. 

We want people to be able to provide the nutrition and care their pets need through this program so please call us if you have any questions! 

Wildfire Alert

There are currently two fires affecting portions of Boulder County.  Citizens have been contacted by reverse 911 for evacuations.  Boulder County Emergency Response is handling evacuations of animals and livestock in the affected areas.  If emergency housing is needed for your animal please contact us at 303-442-4030 or bring your animal to the shelter.  Longmont Humane Society is also accepting animals. 

Local radio and television stations are providing up to the minute evacuation and fire status information.  We will update our website if additional information becomes available. 

Need an office assistant? Or just someone to join you on the couch?

Recently with the high number of dogs in our adoption center I have had the privilege of having some guests from the adoption center join me in my office.  Bix was my most recent “assistant” and I must say that while his typing was lousy and he had trouble paying attention during meetings, his attentive nature and constantly wagging tail made up for any shortcomings in office skills. 

 

His goofy play bows made me laugh out loud and having him around absolutely kept my stress level down.  That is just one reason pets can enrich our lives.  And with over 50 dogs and 30 cats and a dozen small mammals looking for new families, no matter what size shape or species of animal might make your family complete, we have a great match. 

 

The holidays are a busy time but they can also translate into more time at home, with time off of work or school.  So bringing a new pet “Home for the Holidays” can be a wonderful thing.  If your family is already full of four legged members then make sure your friends, family and co-workers take a look on our adoption pages this season. 

 

The human animal bond is a powerful relationship and for many of us our pets are a vital part of our family.  This season we just need to find that family for each of the animals in our care! 

Humane Society of Boulder Valley not affiliated with Colorado Humane Society

As you may have seen in the news today, the Colorado Attorney General has filed a civil complaint against administrators of the Colorado Humane Society.  The suit outlines possible misuse of charitable donations and misrepresentation of their euthanasia statistics.

I want you to know that the Humane Society of Boulder Valley is in no way affiliated with Colorado Humane Society.  While many humane societies have similar names or missions, each of us is completely independent.  We are not a chapter of any state or national humane organization.  We are a private non-profit independently funded and managed.

The Humane Society of Boulder Valley's board of directors provides governance and oversight for policies and fiscal and operational accountability.  Our polices protect each and every animal who comethrough our door to ensure they received the shelter and care they need, while utilizing the donations we receive from the community with the intent in which they were given.  This responsibility is one we take very seriously. 

We support the full investigation of any possible abuse of charitable donations and mishandling of animals in need. 

Thanks for Giving...

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year.  And not just because I am a sucker for pumpkin pie.  I love the spirit of the day, a holiday to reflect on what is important and what we are grateful for in our lives. 

I want to thank you, our community, for supporting the thousands of homeless animals we serve each year.  From volunteers who give countless hours of their time, to staff who advocate for every animal in our care, to generous donors who invest in the work we do achieving our mission.  You are all a part of the HSBV family and the animals we serve depend on this vital support.   

I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and many blessings of the season to you and yours... 

Tragic Ending

In the news today was a story about a woman in Greeley who shot her dog because she said she couldn't afford to have the dog euthanized.  Her 14 year old dog had been sick for several days and she felt she had no place to turn for assistance.  This story is certainly an extreme case, her desperation causing her to take cruel action towards a innocent and suffering animal.  In these economic times we know people may not have resources for veterinary care or may make decisions based on their finances. 

 

What we want you, our community, to be aware of is that we are here as a resource for those in need.  We offer subsidized veterinary care to individuals in need and do our best to ensure people can keep their pets.  This story highlights the value of humane societies and animal welfare organizations throughout our region who open their doors to any animal in need.  We become the safety net for the animals of our community we are committed to finding solutions that give care, shelter and attention to animals who need new homes, veterinary care, shelter and attention.  This tragic situation was certainly preventable if only the guardian had known where to turn.  We must look out for our friends, neighbors and family and direct them to organizations like HSBV in their times of need...   

Ike Update

We spoke to our team for the first time today and got some first hand reports on what is going on in Galveston.  The team from Colorado is maintaining a temporary shelter that as of last night had more than 300 animals housed.  They will begin transferring some of these to the Houston SPCA so they have room to take in additional pets.  The staff is working hard, going to bed very tired and it sounds like the team is working very well together to meet the needs of these displaced animals.  They report that the animals have by and large had great temperaments despite their recent ordeals and they already have favorites... 

We hope to have some photos soon and will post those so you can see for yourself our staff in action. 

Lisa