Colorado wildfire pet support

As most of you probably know, there are a number of very serious wild fires throughout the state of Colorado. Across the state, shelters and humane societies are working to help the animals who have been displaced by these terrible circumstances. Below is information about what to do with your pets if you have to evacuate your home and how to help those who have been affected by the fires.

If you have to evacuate your home:

• Be prepared: 
• create a "buddy plan" with relatives or neighbors in case you aren't home when you have to evacuate. Exchange written permission for your "buddy" to take care of your pet in case of emergency. If you don't have a buddy system in place or are unable to use your buddy system, contact animal control or a local humane society for assistance. 
• Keep copies of your pets' medical records, vet information and digital and paper photos of you with your pet in a safe location.
• Microchip your pets and make sure that their information is up to date with your current address.
• If you have to evacuate, keep pets on a leash or in a crate, be sure to bring three days' worth of food and water, and keep your pet's identification on at all times. 

• Local humane societies and shelters are helping to house pets who have been displaced by the fires. Here is contact information for shelters in some of the affected areas:
• Larimer Humane Society  970-226-3647 ext. 7 http://www.larimerhumane.org
• They are offering assistance with rescuing pets, one time water supply for pets still on the property, and sheltering displaced pets. 
• If you have been separated from your pet, visit their lost and found page: http://www.larimerhumane.org/animals/lost-and-found

• Humane Society of Boulder Valley 303-442-4030 http://www.boulderhumane.org
• They are offering shelter for displaced pets. 

• Humane Society of Pikes Peak Region 719.473.1741 http://www.hsppr.org/waldocanyon
• They are offering shelter for displaced pets at their location and a second location at Freedom Financial Event Center. A list of other businesses that are helping to house evacuated pets is on their website. 
• There are additional services for displaced pets at Cheyenne Mountain High School (contact: 719-385-5256, jmsmith@springsgov.com for more information) and Douglas County Fairgrounds (contact 303-663-7743 for more information)

If you want to help:

• Donations are needed at all the shelters to help with their expenses. Click on one of the links below to donate.
• Larimer Humane
• Humane Society of Boulder Valley
• Humane Society of the Pike Peak Region
• Volunteers are still needed at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, the Larimer Humane Society and the Teller County Regional Animal Shelter. Click one of the links to find out more.
• The Humane Society of Pikes Peak is offering free cat adoptions to make room for the animals displaced from the fire, adopt a cat to help make room for those in need! See who is up for adoption here.
• If you want to donate supplies, contact Lauren at Pawsitively Pooches for a list of what shelters need what supplies: Lauren@pawsitivelypooches.com
• Help Colorado Now has an excellent list of how to help those affected by the wildfires, both two and four legged.
• And, as always, don't hesitate to contact a member of the Cru Vin Dogs staff for more information.