Summary
Organization name
PAWS for Life
other names
PAWS for Life
1981
Category
Animal-Related
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
800 N. Pueblo Blvd.Pueblo, CO 81003
Pueblo County, CO, US
PAWS for Life is a no-kill shelter dedicated to taking in stray or unwanted dogs and cats, providing care, and placing them in forever homes. Help support this important cause by making a donation today.
Testimonials
"First We wanted to say thank you for the opportunity that you guys have given us to bring Beethoven into our home. He is such a good boy and so excited to have such a loving home. He has been on so many adventures since he came home with us! On his first day he went on an amazing shopping spree at the Pueblo Petsmart. He made so many friends there with the employees and was quite the celebrity! He sniffed all the pet beds until he found just the right one. He also helped choose a halter since he had a sore neck that you guys had helped him heal. He also chose a double feeding dish that is raised up high so he can reach it easily without straining. After a lot of consideration he also chose a high grade food that has helped him really put on some good weight and some toys. Needless to say he is pretty spoiled. He also has a pretty big heart because he didn't leave without remembering his little four legged friends back at the shelter. He brought them back some toys to play with also. Back at the house he likes to play a lot he has a lot of land he can run and play on. However he is kind of spoiled he is an inside dog he likes to be with us inside all the time. He gets sad if he can't see us. Guess he must love us a lot. He likes to take a nice long walk every morning and one in the evening (he is a big dog so heat isn't too good it's cooler for him then). What a great addition to our family! He is cheering on his pals back at pals for life and hoping that they can get good homes and people that will love and care for them too!!! Thanks for sharing such a great friend with us!"
"We recently adopted a dachshund from PAWS. The name you gave him was Kringle, but we since changed his name to Lucky. Lucky was adopted to be a companion for my mother as my father just passed away on Christmas Eve. Lucky has been in his new home for over a month now and he has since won the heat of my mother and the other members of the family."
"One year ago my husband and I came to your shelter looking for a friend for our Australian Shepherd puppy Buckaroo... One of your staff members said that she had a dog in mind that got along well with dogs and people...the instant Buckaroo met her we knew she was the one...This wonderful dog we adopted is a collie/blue heeler mix. ..She is a huge part of our family and we couldn't imagine our lives without her. Thank you for everything that your organization does because if it weren't for you then she wouldn't be where she is today."
Mission
The mission of the PAWS For Life Shelter is to take in lost and unwanted dogs and cats; to return them to their owners whenever possible or, after having them spayed or neutered, place them in good homes, and to educate the public about intelligent and humane treatment of animals.
Background Statement
Animal Welfare and Protection Society (dba PAWS for Life) was established in 1978 by eight compassionate individuals who recognized the urgent need to rescue lost and unwanted animals. In the early days, the founders operated out of their homes, but as the demand grew, so did the need for a dedicated facility.
In 1981, a small parcel of land was donated, and a modest shelter was built, consisting of three walls, a dirt floor, and a tin roof. This building housed eight kennels with outdoor runs, utilizing igloo dog houses for winter protection. Over the years, the need for a more substantial facility became clear.
A transformative moment came in 2005, when a schoolteacher left us a generous bequest of $3 million. Of this, $1.5 million was allocated for constructing a new shelter. After extensive planning, land acquisition, and a lengthy construction process, we proudly opened a portion of our new adoption center in July 2011. This state-of-the-art facility is the only no-kill shelter in the region and has the opportunity to achieve LEED © certification, reflecting our commitment to sustainability.
Our journey is ongoing. The next phase of construction will expand our kennel facilities on the west side of the building, mirroring the existing structure. This phase will include additional kennels, courtyards, and public viewing areas, further enhancing our capacity to care for and showcase adoptable animals. We are also planning to establish a much-needed spay and neuter clinic to serve our community. This clinic will address a critical need for accessible, affordable veterinary care to reduce pet overpopulation and improve the quality of life for pets and their families.
Our ultimate vision is to create a comprehensive animal campus on our 7.8-acre property. Once complete, the campus will include:
* An adoption center capable of housing 150 dogs and 50 cats including HVAC in all areas of the shelter.
* A retail space and classroom for educational outreach
* A surgical suite and separate intake and isolation areas
* A spay and neuter clinic for community use
* Outdoor features such as a bark park and agility course
Thus far, all of our progress has been made possible through the incredible generosity of donors and grants. However, we can only grow and continue helping homeless animals with ongoing support from our community. Your donations are the lifeblood of our mission, allowing us to save more lives and expand our services to meet the needs of our region.
We are proud of how far we’ve come, and we remain committed to creating a brighter future for the animals in our care and the community we serve.
Media gallery
Organization Data
Pueblo, CO 81003