Latest news with #HumaneSocietyofthePikesPeakRegion
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
HSPPR receives $100K grant to address lack of veterinary care in excluded communities
(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) has received a $100,000 grant to address barriers in accessing veterinary care in Pueblo. Many communities have been left out of the veterinary care services altogether due to rising costs combined with geographical, cultural, and other barriers. While many American households include pets, access to basic veterinary services has not kept pace. 'Pets are universally considered important family members and keeping them together requires resources that are often missing,' HSPPR wrote. 'This is particularly felt in many underserved communities where not only cost, but geography and systemic inequities have left veterinary care beyond reach.' In 2023, PetSmart Charities committed $100 million over the next five years toward improving access to veterinary care. The grant focuses on historically excluded communities, according to HSPPR, many of which lack access to community supports, including veterinary services. HSPPR was chosen to receive a grant to address barriers in accessing veterinary care in East Side Pueblo. 'HSPPR is excited to partner with PetSmart Charities and the East Side Pueblo community on this innovative initiative, which will help identify the community's most pressing pet care needs,' said Lisa Johns, HSPPR Director of Veterinary Services. 'HSPPR will work alongside community members and local partners to fill those gaps, with the ultimate goal of bringing additional resources, including affordable access to veterinary care, to the people of East Side Pueblo.' The grant is designed to give veterinary organizations a one-year runway to build relationships with and deepen their understanding of their partner community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rescuer Responds to 'Panicked' Call About Injured Dog and Finds an Abandoned 'Tiger' Instead
The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region recently responded to a call from a concerned citizen who thought they saw an injured dog on the side of the road The Colorado shelter sent an officer from its Animal Law Enforcement division to answer the call At the scene, the officer discovered that the injured dog was actually a stuffed animal mistaken for a pet in needThe Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is open to rescuing animals of every stripe, even stuffed animals. According to a May 25 Facebook post from the Colorado organization, the shelter's Animal Law Enforcement division recently received an urgent call for help. "A panicked Good Samaritan had seen what they were certain was a poor, injured black and white dog lying on the side of the road while they were driving," the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region wrote in its post about the content of the call. In response to the citizen's concern, the shelter sent Officer Jones of Animal Law Enforcement to address the call. "When she got to the scene, she saw the 'dog' in question. Except it… It wasn't a dog," the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region detailed on Facebook. "It wasn't injured. It wasn't... alive. It was a tiger." Thankfully, Officer Jones didn't encounter a dead tiger. Instead of an injured dog, she found "a stuffed tiger, like the kind you win at a carnival if you're good at tossing rings or bribing the teenager in charge." Somehow, someone's discarded tiger toy ended up on the side of the road, where the Good Samaritan mistook it for an injured, living animal. "Not one to leave a civilian (or polyester blend) in danger, Jones did what any hero would do: scooped up the floofy beast and gently placed him in the back of her truck to make sure no one else mistook him for a puppy in peril," the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region wrote of what happended next. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The shelter's Facebook post about the amusing incident also included photos of the rescued "tiger." In the shots, the white stuffed animal with black stripes is shown in the grass where Officer Jones found it and safely packed away in a dog crate. The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region's case of mistaken identity inspired numerous comical comments on Facebook. "I'm interested in adopting. Do I need a special enclosure?" joked one commenter. "That is the world's ugliest stuffed tiger! Lol. Good save tho. That's funny," shared another. Others chimed in with their own humorous mistaken animal identity experiences. "I tried to rescue a toy grenade out of the road thinking it was a turtle. It happens," one commenter shared, while another wrote, "I love this!!! Almost as good as the time I tried to coax an injured, sickly German Shepherd into my VW Beetle late at night only to find out the next morning from my neighbor that it was actually a coyote. Oops!" The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region closed its viral Facebook post about the incident by thanking Officer Jones for "saving our Oscar-worthy tiger and giving us a good chuckle this week!" Read the original article on People


Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Miami Herald
‘Panicked' driver reports injured dog along road — but it wasn't what it seemed
A panicked driver called a humane society to report an injured dog on the side of a road in Colorado, officials said. But it turns out the situation was not as dire as it seemed, the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region said in a May 25 post on Facebook. 'This week at Animal Law Enforcement started like any other: with coffee, clipboards, and someone trying to microwave fish again (whoever you are, stop it),' the organization quipped in the post. 'Then … THE CALL came in. A panicked Good Samaritan had seen what they were certain was a poor, injured black and white dog lying on the side of the road while they were driving.' The shelter took the call seriously. 'Without hesitation, Officer Jones sprang into action. Truck in drive. Sunglasses on. Radio blaring the Mission: Impossible theme (probably),' the organization said. Then when the officer got to the location, 'she saw the 'dog' in question,' officials said. 'Except it … It wasn't a dog. It wasn't injured. It wasn't … alive,' the organization said. 'It was a tiger. A stuffed tiger. Like the kind you win at a carnival if you're good at tossing rings or bribing the teenager in charge.' Photos show the stuffed white tiger lying in some grass on the side of the road. From a glance, it really could look like some kind of funky-colored dog. 'Not one to leave a civilian (or polyester blend) in danger, Jones did what any hero would do: scooped up the floofy beast and gently placed him in the back of her truck to make sure no one else mistook him for a puppy in peril,' officials said. 'Thank you to Officer Jones for saving our Oscar-worthy tiger and giving us a good chuckle this week!' Several people joked in the comments about the silly scenario. 'When will he be available?' someone asked. 'Hope to see him on the adoption floor soon.' 'Thank goodness he's safe,' someone else said under the photo of the stuffed tiger in the dog kennel in the back of Jones' truck. 'I hope he finds a good forever home soon.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Colorado shelters open doors to dogs displaced by Kentucky storm
DENVER (KDVR) — There are some new fur-covered faces in Colorado. Colorado animal shelters opened their doors to a group of dogs that needed a new home after a severe storm in Kentucky during April destroyed portions of the shelter where they were housed. Deadly April rainfall in US South and Midwest was intensified by climate change, scientists say The dogs were previously located at the Hopkins County Humane Society, but the roof of the building was torn off, leaving the dogs at risk of being subject to the elements. To get the animals a roof over their heads quickly while the Kentucky shelter is repaired, several animal shelters in Colorado helped out through a partnership with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to get those dogs moved to Colorado. They are now housed and receiving care at Humane Colorado, formerly known as the Dumb Friends League, and the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. Humane Colorado said that the cross-country rescue underscores the power of partnership in the animal welfare community and the commitment of shelters to support one another in times of crisis. The shelter has taken in eight relocated dogs. 5 things to know ahead of Denver International Airport Memorial Day travel 'When we heard about the devastating damage to the Hopkins County shelter, we knew we had to help as they rebuild and continue to support their community,' said Mary Sarah Fairweather, Vice President of Sheltering at Humane Colorado, in a press release. 'Our mission is to end pet homelessness and animal suffering—and that doesn't stop at state lines. This was a clear opportunity to step up, offer support to a shelter in crisis, and help ensure these dogs continue on their journey to safe, loving homes.' The remaining dogs were sent to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, where they are receiving plenty of love and care. 'At Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, we're honored to support a fellow animal welfare organization during such a difficult time,' said Kelley Likes, President & CEO of Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. 'Natural disasters can have a profound impact on both people and pets, and we're grateful for the opportunity to step in and help however we can.' After the pups are settled in and checked out, they will be available for adoption in the coming weeks. More information about the two shelters can be found on the Humane Colorado and Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region websites. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Couple adds new furry family member on their wedding day
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) said a recent adoption story might take the 'wedding' cake for the most romantic adoption story. HSPPR shared the story of a couple who had been searching for the right dog for a long time. They were looking for not just any dog, but the one who would feel like a missing piece of their home. The couple found a cute little Husky pup on HSPPR's website, and something clicked. The Husky wasn't available for adoption yet, so the couple placed a hold on her, where the adopters agree to pick up their pet the very day they become available, or the chance to adopt opens up to others, in order to give every animal the best shot at finding a home. So the couple placed the hold and started to wait. Fortunately for the couple, soon their lives and hers were about to align. A few days later, HSPPR called the couple and told them the good news: their puppy would be ready for adoption on May 5, there was just one slight problem: the couple's wedding was that day. The couple had a choice: continue with their perfectly planned wedding day or take a small detour to make room for the little life they had already fallen in love with from afar. So, on May 5, in Downtown Colorado Springs, the couple said their vows in the courthouse, celebrated briefly with loved ones at Garden of the Gods, then, still dressed in wedding attire, headed to the shelter to pick up their new family member. HSPPR said the moment the bride held their new puppy, she knew it was meant to be. The puppy, who the couple named Talkeetna, reminded the bride of their beloved senior husky. Talkeetna curled up in her arms and drifted off to sleep, as if she had been waiting for this moment all along. The couple went home with a marriage certificate and a puppy–the bride sharing their story in the hope that it would inspire others to adopt and make room in their hearts and homes. HSPPR said the fact that this couple could pause one of the most meaningful days of their lives to welcome a homeless pup into their family is a beautiful reminder of how much love we're capable of when we simply choose to make a little time and space for it. 'Right now, countless dogs are waiting in shelters, quietly hoping for someone to notice them, to believe they're worth loving, and to give them the life they've been longing for,' wrote HSPPR. 'If this couple could open their hearts on their wedding day, maybe today is the day you open yours. Just a little time. A little space. And a whole lot of love for a dog who needs you more than you know.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.