The Housing Crisis is Also a Pet Retention Crisis

Posted on by Elizabeth Coalson
The Housing Crisis is Also a Pet Retention Crisis When people think about why dogs enter shelters, they often assume it's because owners don't care. But for many families, the problem isn't a lack of love. It's a lack of options. Across the United States, millions of pet owners are struggling to find affordable housing that will allow them to keep their pets. Rising rents, pet fees, breed restrictions, and limited housing choices are creating barriers that force some families to make an impossible decision: keep their dog or keep a roof over their head. If we want to reduce...Read More

Backyard Breeders – The Bane of Every Animal Welfare Advocate

Posted on by Elizabeth Coalson
Backyard Breeders – The Bane of Every Animal Welfare Advocate In Colorado, most breeders of pet animals - including dogs, cats, and birds - must be licensed under the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) if they exceed certain thresholds: 🐶 Dog & Cat Breeders: More than 2 litters or 24 animals transferred in a 12-month period 🐦 Bird Breeders: More than 30 birds transferred in a 12-month period Those who breed below these thresholds are typically called “backyard breeders.” And while legal, that doesn’t mean they’re harmless. Unlicensed breeders are those that breed above the PACFA thresholds but...Read More

De-Sexing Isn’t Sexy – But it is Necessary

Posted on by Elizabeth Coalson
De-Sexing Isn’t Sexy – But It Is Necessary In its “Altered Status Data Report – 2019–2023 Trends in Animal Sterilization at Intake”, Shelter Animals Count reveals an alarming shift in the altered status of dogs entering U.S. animal shelters. Fewer dogs are arriving spayed or neutered — a change that directly impacts shelter overpopulation, animal outcomes, and community animal control costs. 📉 Declining Spay/Neuter Rates in Shelter Dogs Between 2019 and 2023: Percentage of dogs altered before shelter intake fell from 33.2% to 22.3%. Owner surrenders: altered status dropped 10.7%. Strays: altered status dropped 8.7%. In 2023, just 28.9% of...Read More

Sale of Puppies in Public Places Now Prohibited in Colorado

Posted on by Elizabeth Coalson
Another step forward for animal welfare in Colorado! A new bill strengthens protections for dogs and cats by making it illegal to sell, give away, or advertise pets in public places like: Streets Highways Parks Parking lots Outdoor markets and other public spaces Why this matters: Too many animals are sold or given away in unsafe environments—without proper vet care, vaccination records, or oversight. This law helps prevent irresponsible pet transfers and protects animals from exploitation. It also protects consumers who have no recourse when they end up with a sickly animal. Importantly, this law also targets backyard breeders by...Read More

Labels Are Killing Our Nation’s Pets

Posted on by Elizabeth Coalson
  The Bissell Pet Foundation is one of the nation's largest supporters of pet animal welfare in our country. They provide shelter grants and fund numerous important programs like: spay & neuter, crisis & disaster relief, vaccinations & microchipping, education, and much, much more. When an organization like this speaks out about the negative impact "No-Kill" / "High Kill" labels are having on animal welfare, it's worth paying attention. The "Kill" Label is Killing Our Nation's Pets

A Dog is for Life

Posted on by Elizabeth Coalson
It's heartbreaking to see someone give up their beloved dog, but it's often easier for those with weaker bonds with their dogs.   A strong bond begins the day the dog is adopted, which makes proper owner-dog matching essential. Many shelters and rescues work closely with adopters to ensure the dog fits their current and future lifestyle, but ultimately the adopter must make the choice they believe is right for them. With dogs living an average of 10-13 years (up to 15 for smaller breeds), the right adopter should be able to commit for the long term. If not, the...Read More

Integrity, Transparency, Accountability: More Than Just Buzzwords

Posted on by Elizabeth Coalson
These words are often repeated in our culture, including the animal welfare community - so frequently, in fact, that they risk becoming clichés. But true integrity in animal rescue is not just about using the right language; it’s about action, responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to ethical practices. Integrity in rescue means prioritizing the well-being of animals above reputation, convenience, or personal ego. It requires making difficult decisions with honesty and courage, even when those choices are unpopular or challenging. It means setting aside personal gain in favor of the greater good. Accountability is a fundamental aspect of integrity. Ethical rescues...Read More

Colorado Pet Store Ban Does More Harm Than Good

Posted on by Elizabeth Coalson
Last week, the City of Fort Collins, Colorado passed an ordinance prohibiting the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores. (Or should we say “store” since there is only one operating pet store in the City.) We’ve written our arguments against shutting down and banning retail pet stores before, but they’re worth repeating. 1. There is NO EVIDENCE banning pet stores improves the lives of dogs and cats in large-scale commercial breeding facilities (“puppy mills”). 2. Banning lawfully operated businesses such as pet stores sets a precedent for government impingement on a free market economy. 3. When businesses are...Read More

National Canine in the News – Trends in Dog Owner Surrenders

Posted on by Elizabeth Coalson
In 2023, more than 16,000 dogs were surrendered to Colorado animal shelters by their owners, an increase of 22% compared to pre-COVID (2019) and a 9% increase over 2022. We're told there has been no sign of the numbers reversing the trend. Oftentimes, whether or not a dog owner keeps their pet in their home is a matter of resources, many of which may be unknown to owners needing help. National Canine is committed to helping keep dogs in their homes and out of the shelters. We are honored that our work was the subject of a local CBS news...Read More

National Canine in the News – Euthanasia Trending Up in Colorado

Posted on by Elizabeth Coalson
There are only so many ways a shelter can manage its population of animals given the fixed physical space they have to house them. (If you haven't seen our blog post about how animal shelters manage their populations, you can read it here.) One of the ways shelters balance their intake with outcomes is the euthanasia of dogs deemed to be less likely to be adopted. It's a sad, gut-wrenching thing to think about, and the community plays a critical role in keeping more dogs alive. In the first of a two-part series, National Canine assisted our local CBS station...Read More