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Colorado

Ark-Valley Humane Society

David Adams

June 25, 2024

Dog Rescues & Shelters

Ark-Valley Humane Society

#100 in United States, #10 in Colorado

http://ark-valley.org

info@ark-valley.org

Service areas:

Salida, Chaffee County

Since 1991 our organization has helped tens of thousands of animals. AVHS embraces Socially Conscious Sheltering. Our programs and services helped 1,833 animals in 2022. In 2022 Ark-Valley Humane Society had a 98% Live-Release Rate. As the year drew to a close, we saw the length of time it took for an animal to find a home stay low (commonly referred to as Length of Stay), another indicator of our progress. Our community assistance spay/neuter programs provided over 230 animals in Chaffee County with free or low cost spay/neuter surgeries. Creating a foundation that supports ongoing growth, organizational maturation and provides the tools to face the challenges of tomorrow was and remains critically important to us. We are progressing to our goal of being a model animal welfare organization with a top-notch facility that offers progressive humane programs, which is a notable transformation in animal welfare from where AVHS began in 1991… In the early 1990s Buena Vista, Colorado had only The Shed, which was overseen by law enforcement. It consisted of unheated, short-stay kennels for stray dogs. Dogs sweltered in the heat of summer and water bowls froze in winter. No services were available for cats. A group of concerned citizens decided it was time for a change. In 1991, founding members established Ark-Valley Humane Society (AVHS) as a nonprofit organization to humanely care for stray and unwanted pets in northern Chaffee County. By 1995, the AVHS shelter had opened its doors in Buena Vista. Soon, hundreds of dogs and cats each year were cared for by staff and volunteers until loving homes were found for them. Over the years, AVHS has steadily increased its capacity to serve the people of Chaffee County and animals in need. In 2003, AVHS built an isolation area for incoming animals. Doing so helped to prevent the spread of disease among animals, while expanding kennel capacity overall. As a result, an increase in financial support was needed. In 2006, a mill levy campaign, driven by community members, saved the shelter from closing its doors, and coupled with donations and grants, helped to secure its financial future. In the years that followed AVHS launched a Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) program for feral cats, and began accepting unclaimed strays from Mountain Shadows Animal Hospital from the neighboring city of Salida. Yet there were still needs unmet. The shelter was commonly turning away animals at its doors for lack of space. A temporary trailer was purchased in 2009 to provide much needed office space and additional kennels. In 2010, a capital campaign was launched to build a second facility in Poncha Springs to better serve the Salida area and the rest of southern Chaffee County. In 2011, the Sunshine Shelter was completed and opened its doors. AVHS’s overall intake increased by 34% over the previous year. In doing so, AVHS was able to continue its promise to provide top-notch animal sheltering, while no longer having to turn away in-county animals for lack of space. Today, AVHS serves all of Chaffee County with stray intake, animal relinquishment, reclaim, and adoption services at its facility in Buena Vista. To combat pet overpopulation, AVHS provides humane education. Importantly, it spays or neuters all dogs and cats prior to adoption and provides community assistance programs to help with the cost of spaying and neutering at-risk animals. Our policies are working to change the face of animal sheltering to be both more animal-friendly and people-friendly. An open-adoption policy puts trust in adopters and facilitates adoptions. This policy ensures that all needy Chaffee County pets are accommodated by AVHS. We ensure that no animal is euthanized for reasons of time or space, with 95% or more of shelter animals saved each year.

Mission and Vision

Ensuring the welfare of companion animals through compassion and care.

Adoption Policy

The Adoption Process (must be 18 years of age or older) 1. View our available animals and identify the pet you are interested in meeting. o Read the animal’s profile and consider all information and recommendations provided. Only submit a survey for an animal if you think you can meet all recommendations. 2. Complete and submit an adoption application, including the name of the specific pet you are interested in. Applications must be fully completed to be considered. * We cannot retain adoption applications to be used for your interest in other animals * o Follow the instructions on the pet’s adoption profile to submit your adoption application. o Most available pets will receive multiple adoption applications. Submitting an application is not a guarantee that you will be able to meet or adopt that pet. 3. Applications will be viewed as they are received, and we will contact potential adopters to discuss the pet. At this time, staff will discuss with you the pet’s behavioral and medical needs. o Many shelter pets will receive multiple adoption applications, so staff may not be able to contact every interested adopter. If you do not receive notification from us within 48 hours, please check the website to see if the pet is still available.  If it is available, please email or call us to request an update.  If it is not available, please check out other pets available for adoption. o If you and staff believe that the pet may be a good fit and the adoption process should continue, we will ask you to use our payment link to place a $10 non-refundable hold on the animal in order to schedule an appointment for you to meet the pet. Holds are good for 24 hours and do not guarantee adoption. If you adopt the animal, your hold fee becomes an initial payment toward the full adoption fee. 4. Meet the pet! o Arrangements will be made for you to meet the pet. Appointments are highly encouraged and in some cases will be required, as many of our animals are in foster care and not housed in the shelter building. Walk-ins during shelter open hours will be accommodated as staffing and time allows and after steps 1-3 have been completed. However, visitors with pre-scheduled appointments will be given priority and walk-ins may be asked to schedule an appointment and come back at a later time to meet the pet. At your appointment staff review with you the pet’s behavioral and medical needs. o Meeting a pet is not a guarantee that you will be able to adopt. 5. Adopt! o When the adoption is ready to go, a staff member will contact you to process the adoption and take full payment. Adoptions can be processed by phone or in-person. After the adoption is completed, you may take your pet home or we will arrange a time for you to pick up your pet. o When you adopt:  You will provide your government-issued ID number and date of birth.  We will process the adoption and provide you with copies of all available medical records (and behavioral/medical disclosures if applicable).  We will register your new pet’s microchip with 24PetWatch.  You will sign our adoption contract and pay adoption fees  In-Shelter Pets: Most pets can go home with you the same day. There are occasions where the pet will need to stay for additional veterinary care or spay/neuter surgery, in which case our staff will advise you when your pet will be ready for pick up.  Foster Pets: Once the adoption is completed and staff has received your signed adoption contract, you and the foster parent will set a mutually agreeable time to transfer the pet to you. In some cases, the pet may not be able to go home until additional veterinary care or spay/neuter surgery is completed. 6. Celebrate! o We love to hear Happy Tails stories! Please email us any follow up information and photos and let us know if you consent to us sharing your adoption story and photos on our Facebook page. o Please email or call us if you have any questions or concerns about your adopted pet. We are here to support you.

https://www.ark-valley.org/adopt/dogs/

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David Adams

June 25, 2024

Dog Rescues & Shelters

David Adams

About the author

David Adams is a man of many passions, but his love for dogs stands above all. He is not only a dog lover, but also the founder of an innovative platform called Sniffspot. This unique platform connects dog owners with private property owners who are willing to rent out their space for off-leash playtime. While the idea of Sniffspot was initially conceived by his wife, Rebecca, David has been the driving force behind its remarkable success, tirelessly overseeing its growth and development. David's dedication to providing safe and enjoyable spaces for dogs to play, explore, and socialize is evident in his unwavering commitment to Sniffspot. He strongly believes that dogs need ample space and opportunities to stretch their legs and have fun. As a result, he has worked tirelessly to build a network of private property owners across the country who share his vision and are willing to offer their space for the benefit of dogs and their owners. Despite his busy schedule, David always finds time to indulge in his passion for the great outdoors. He loves nothing more than exploring new hiking trails and embarking on thrilling outdoor adventures. Whenever he is not working on Sniffspot, he can often be found hiking or visiting multi-acre fenced sniffspots with his two beloved dogs, Soba and Toshii. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the fresh air, breathtaking scenery, and the sense of freedom that comes with being in nature. David is based in Salem, MA.

About Sniffspot

Sniffspot is a community marketplace that enables anyone to rent land by-the-hour as a safe and private dog park.

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Sniffspot provides the best experiences and fun for you and your dog. Our dog parks are designed for the ultimate dog exercise. Our private spaces help you minimize distractions or triggers and maximize time with your dog. We provide off leash enrichment - exploration and activities you can't get anywhere else; wear your dog out for days. We make it easy to have playdates. Socialize your pup in a controlled, private spot - it's great exercise and it's fun for you and your dog.

Ark-Valley Humane Society

Mission and Vision

Adoption Policy

Testimonials

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