01
May 2025
Tinker is our Heart of the Rockies Radio News Pet of the Week! If you visit Ark-Valley Humane Society, you may see a new greeter behind the front desk. 10 year-old Tinker loves to hang out with staff and give a smile and tail wag to every new person that walks in the door. Though his smile might be more gums than teeth. This sweet, senior dog needed a dental refresh and had 15 teeth removed by AVHS’s veterinarian. He is still a very happy boy! Tinker would love to find a......
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23
Apr 2025
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair My friend’s dog, Daisy Mae loves to roll in the dirt. Fortunately, she also likes baths. Of course, she enjoys them because she seems to delight in splashing her mom. Jo just puts on her swim suit, and bath time becomes fun playtime. Bathing our dogs is just one way we show our love, keeping them clean, healthy, and happy. Both the ASPCA and the American Kennel Club offer advice on the care of your furry friend’s coat (fur or hair), skin, nails, teeth, ears and......
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23
Apr 2025
Rusty is our Heart of the Rockies Radio News Pet of the Week! Rusty has previously been the Pet of the Week, but there are currently only 2 cats at Ark-Valley Humane Society that are available for adoption. Hopefully this will help Rusty get more attention as he is a special boy. 7 year-old Rusty tested positive for Feline Coronavirus (FCoV), which is a common viral infection in cats. This virus is species-specific and cannot be transmitted to humans or canines. It generally causes an asymptomatic infection, but can cause minor gastrointestinal......
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21
Apr 2025
Duke is our Heart of the Rockies Radio News Pet of the Week! Duke arrived at Ark-Valley Humane Society 260 days ago. The shelter currently has several dogs that have become long-term stay residents despite their wonderful personalities. Duke in particular has a big personality and a big heart. When you meet him, he is always happy and wiggly. Despite being a larger dog, Duke is also very gentle. He has met children of many ages and has done well. He also has a cat in his foster home that he snuggles......
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21
Apr 2025
By: Casey Hampf, Outreach Manager Adopting a senior or special needs pet not only makes a difference in a shelter animal’s life, but it can also make a difference in yours. Choosing to open your home to a senior or special needs animal can be very rewarding and create a special bond between you and your new friend as this story from Jenna G., who adopted a senior, special needs pet from Ark-Valley Humane Society, highlights: “Back in 2019, I had the pleasure of meeting a sweet senior dog named Henry. He came to Ark-Valley Humane Society with some digestive issues and Ark-Valley took the time,......
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09
Apr 2025
By: Nikki Ritter, Executive Director Spring presents an ideal time to reflect on the number of animals helped through our community retention and shelter services in 2024. Last year, our team of eleven staff members, seven board members, and 92 volunteers helped 1,723 animals through our sheltering, spay/neuter, microchipping, safety net, and adoption programs. In doing so, the average length of stay for animals was 21.3 days and our Asilomar Live Release Rate was 98.3%. Of the 635 animals sheltered, 85% of cats and 89% of dogs originated in Chaffee County. Others......
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02
Apr 2025
Kida is our Heart of the Rockies Radio News Pet of the Week! Recently at Ark-Valley Humane Society, it seems like there have been a few dogs that have been at the shelter for awhile and keep getting overlooked. AVHS does not euthanize for time or space, but these pups would love to be adopted into a loving home of their own. One pup is 6 year-old Kida. AVHS is so thankful that Kida has had the opportunity to spend a lot of time in a wonderful foster home. Her foster family......
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02
Apr 2025
By: Judy Lore, AVHS Volunteer columnist The Academy of American Poets initiated April to be Poetry Month in 1996. While we generally think of poetry to be written about human concerns and nature, we can find poems about our cherished nonhuman friends easily by researching them on the internet. I’ll share a few poems from unattributed authors written specifically about dogs and cats. “Sandpaper kisses on a cheek or a chinThat is the way for the day to begin.Sandpaper kisses, a cuddle and a purr.I have an alarm clock that’s covered in......
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19
Mar 2025
Lightning and Simba are our Heart of the Rockies Radio News pets of the week! Since becoming available for adoption, no one has come to visit senior pets Lightning and Simba at Ark-Valley Humane Society with adoption interest. These two are a bonded pair of Chihuahua mixes. Lightning is 11 years-old and Simba is 13 years-old. They love cuddling and getting treats! Both dogs have lived with cats and other dogs previously and have reported to do well. Adoption Application: https://ark-valley.org/adoption-matchmaker-application/ PS since they are our pet of the week, their adoption......
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12
Mar 2025
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair The winds are relatively calm today as I write this article, but they were strong several days in a row causing the weather service to issue red flag warnings. Forecasts show more days ahead with winds at 20-30 mph and gusts over 40. Add to those winds, our dry conditions, and we all know the fire risk moves to high. We in Colorado know all too well the devastation of those fires. These fires along with so many other natural disasters have alerted us to the......
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