Eagle Valley Humane Society

Background Statement

Celebrating 50 years of Saving Animals

The Eagle Valley Humane Society, EVHS, was established in 1974 to address the needs of homeless animals in Eagle County, Colorado; and the limited animal control services available at that time. Today EVHS retains its highly visible and respected role as the primary leader in public outreach programs that affect both people and animals. Each year we expand and improve our programs to help animals.

The Eagle Valley Humane Society has an extensive Foster Care Network to care for our homeless animals while they are being prepared for adoption. Some need medical care and/or socializing and some just need time to grow up. Of course all are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. Our current community programs help about 1,000 animals each year.

Lifelong Behavior and Training Classes

Our weekly training classes are offered free of charge to anyone who has ever adopted a dog, whether from us or any other shelter or rescue across the country. This program is vital to keeping adopted dogs in their forever homes. Thanks to the generosity of our volunteer trainers, and the leadership of our CPDT-certified director, these classes have become a cornerstone of our support for pet owners in the community.

Dog and Cat Adoptions

Finding the right family for each homeless animal in our care is our most important goal. Every animal has its own unique personality, and we take great care to match them with the perfect person or family. As a result, animals are rarely returned to us after adoption. Our Loper Adoption Center provides a spacious, comfortable environment for adult cats and older kittens, where they can roam freely and relax while awaiting adoption. Meanwhile, our dogs, puppies, and kittens are placed in foster homes, offering a nurturing alternative to the stressful kennel environments typically found in shelters.

Spay and Neuter Assistance

We’ve seen an increase in requests for spay and neuter assistance since the pandemic, driven by the rising costs of veterinary care. Although our area does not face significant overpopulation, this is largely due to our proactive spay/neuter assistance program, which helps low-income families. We are committed to addressing the root causes of pet overpopulation by making these services accessible.

Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) Collaboration

In collaboration with our county shelter, we continue to address areas with feral cat populations through TNR efforts. Every spring, we reassess the spay/neuter needs to maintain these successes and continue improving feral cat management.

Animal Cruelty Investigations

Our Director, Char Gonsenica, has been a commissioned Bureau of Animal Protection Cruelty Agent for the State of Colorado since 2006. She works closely with law enforcement to ensure that cases of animal abuse are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, protecting animals and ensuring justice for those mistreated.

Colorado Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps-West (COVMRC-West)

EVHS oversees COVMRC-West, collaborating with agencies across the western slope of Colorado to respond to animal disasters. With several trailers and caches of animal disaster equipment, our unit of 45 trained and credentialed volunteers is prepared to respond to natural and man-made disasters. Each year, we provide at least two animal disaster training classes for both large and small animals, aimed at recruiting new volunteers and offering continued education for current team members.

These accomplishments reflect our ongoing commitment to the animals and people of our community, and we remain dedicated to enhancing our programs for years to come.