Colorado Animal Rescue Facilities
Colorado Animal Rescue Shelter is situated on land owned by Colorado Mountain College. It is located approximately 3 miles north of Highway 82, on County Road 114.
Since opening over six years ago, over 5,130 animals have been housed in the CARE shelter facilities. Small renovations have taken place over time to better care for the animals, and additional kennel spaces for the cats have been purchased, to better serve the thousands of animals in need.
Included on the shelter’s Wish List is an outdoor enclosure for the cats, and more modern kennel spaces for the dogs.
Besides being a beautiful site with incredible views, CARE’s location allows for a win-win situation with students and animals alike. In addition to enabling the CMC Veterinary Technology students to volunteer at the shelter, and gain hands-on experience in the field of animal welfare, the animals also get extra love and attention from all of the college students who are missing their animal companions back home!
Physical Layout
The shelter itself consists of kennel areas for cats and dogs, outdoor spaces for dogs, laundry and kitchen facilities, two small offices, and isolation and holding areas for dogs and cats that are new arrivals or show signs of illness. There is a small surgery room and preparation areas which are equipped for routine spay and neuter surgeries on the shelter’s adoptable animals.
Cat Kennels
Currently, the shelter has 18 semi-permanent cat kennel spaces. In the front of the shelter, there is a large room known as the "Cat Room," in which several social cats are housed together. This room includes an enclosed outdoor space that the cats are free to access when weather permits. All told, there are appropriate spaces to house approximately 60-70 cats.
At any given time, the actual number in the shelter reaches upwards of 80 or more, with additional cats and kittens in foster care homes, as well.
Dog Kennels
The dog kennels consist of four areas: an isolation wing; a holding area for stray dogs; a section for dogs that are not yet adoptable; and our new, refurbished, adoptable dog area. This new section consists of eight "real life rooms" which are designed to decrease stress levels in shelter dogs and help maintain housebreaking. These colorful rooms are fully enclosed with glass windows and doors facing the viewer's hallway. The home-like environment, equipped with dog beds, chairs for visitors and even televisions, encourages an easier transition from shelter to home.
Outdoor enclosures consist of four small permanent chain link fenced areas. A large fenced field in the back serves as a place for play and exercise, as well as an environment for visitors to meet and interact with adoptable dogs. Currently, three temporary enclosures and one semi-permanent covered kennel are set up on the front side of the shelter, to provide an adequate number of outdoor enclosures and ensure each dog gets a chance for fresh air and exercise, three times each day.
Other Facilities
The recently constructed second level at C.A.R.E. consists of five visitation rooms where visitors, volunteers, and staff can take animals to spend "one-on-one" time. For adopters this is a great opportunity to get to know their potential new family member.
We have also added a training room upstairs where C.A.R.E. staff conduct obedience classes, hold workshops and train shelter dogs in an off-leash environment. The training area is bright and spacious and contains donated agility equipment from the American Humane Association- Meachum Foundation Memorium. Please call 970-947-9173 for more information on CARE’s classes.
When the occasional parrot, gerbil, snake, lizard, or ferret arrives, the shelter makes use of species-appropriate cages that have been donated over the years.
