Noah's Ark Animal Welfare Association

Background Statement

Noah's Ark began in 1996 as a “shelter without walls” when a group of eight women sought humane care for cats and dogs at the city impound facility. In 1998, the city contracted with Noah's Ark to transform “the pound” into a safe and loving place for pets in need, improve the physical facility, and implement adoptions, transfers, and animal care services. Noah's Ark accomplished all of these goals with assistance from many individuals, organizations, and businesses.

Twenty years later, Noah's Ark and the city committed to join forces and financial resources to build a bigger city shelter, which opened in early 2021. Noah's Ark operated the shelter for three years and the city took over on January 1, 2024. Shelter workers became city employees in a smooth transition for them and for the cats and dogs awaiting forever homes.

Now Noah's Ark's mission is to support the City of Trinidad Animal Shelter with donations from a variety of sources, including Colorado Gives and Noah's Art Thrift Store. The upscale store, which opened in 2013, employs several workers, has a volunteer program, and welcomes locals and visitors in Trinidad's historic downtown. Shoppers love that their purchases help cats and dogs!

Noah's Ark also gives the shelter money from its recycling program and “doggie/kitty banks” displayed at several businesses, and processes shelter gifts from donors who want to claim a tax-deduction (the city cannot provide tax-deductions). Noah's Ark also makes donations to spay/neuter, vaccination, and micro-chipping clinics, pet food pantries, and other programs in its on-going mission to partner with the City of Trinidad and advance animal care in the local area.