“For me, the Pet Assist program is really an illustration of how caring for animals might also mean caring for people.” Without a doubt, the work we do to care for Colorado’s most vulnerable animals would not be possible without our incredible team of volunteers. In our kennels, stables, play yards, and clinics, friends and neighbors ensure all pets and horses can experience the things that truly matter – someone who seeks to understand, healing and warmth, room to explore and engage, and rest. In our 2024 fiscal year, our volunteers gave over 212,000 hours of their valuable time and talent in service to our mission – the equivalent of an additional 102 full-time employees. Their compassion gives us all hope. They deserve all the flowers. In addition to the daily tasks performed at our five statewide centers, volunteers also make a world of difference as foster parents for pets with specialized needs. From bottle feeding newborn kittens to surrounding shelter dogs with the calm and comforts of home, foster care nurtures animals and helps them thrive. One of the most impactful foster care programs is Pet Assist, an initiative designed to help pets and people stay together through crisis – when love and companionship mean the very most. Established in 2016, Pet Assist provides free, short-term foster care for animals whose owners are facing housing insecurity, domestic violence, injury or illness, and other urgent hardships. Program participants temporarily relinquish their pet to Humane Colorado’s Leslie A. Malone Center, allowing us to provide any needed medical care before placing them in a foster home. This arrangement allows the patron to seek housing, refuge, or treatment with the comfort of knowing their pet is safe – and that they will soon be reunited. Currently, most animals are with us for a 30-day period, with the potential to extend their stay based on their owner’s circumstances and our available resources. Recently, we spoke to volunteers about their experiences with Pet Assist, including what initially drew them to the program and what they perceive to be its primary benefits – both for participants and themselves. The vast majority saw fostering through Pet Assist as a unique and rewarding way to help people and animals stay together through heart-rending times. “I’m fortunate – I know my pets and I would have support if we were ever in a situation like this, but not everyone has that,” said Clare, reflecting on her decision to become a Pet Assist foster parent. “In this uncertain world, I want everyone to have that.” Cat – who not only volunteers with the program but also serves as our Senior Volunteer Coordinator – echoed this sentiment by saying, “For me, the Pet Assist program is really an illustration of how caring for animals might also mean caring for people… and people deserve to be cared for as well.” Additionally, many of the volunteers we interviewed praised the program as a relatively easy way to foster, especially for those with limited experience or who may worry about the process of saying goodbye to an animal they’ve bonded with. “Knowing that the animal has a home to go back to makes it easier to get over the hurdle of wanting to adopt,” shared volunteer Jess. “Pet Assist is a great way to get into fostering and start managing those feelings.” Other volunteers, like Karen and Mike, also noted that fostering a Pet Assist animal generally requires less effort than caring for traditional shelter pets, who are often younger or have greater medical, behavioral, and socialization needs. Encouragingly, several volunteers mentioned they loved the program’s convenience and flexibility. “I travel often for work, so the Pet Assist schedule works perfectly for me,” said Charles, while Clare appreciated the support she received from program staff. “Humane Colorado makes fostering accessible to the community… you receive solid training, and the team is always there for you.” But don’t just take it from our volunteers; Pet Assist participants also have wonderful things to say: “I am so thankful to the Pet Assist program. We were able to keep our dog, which means the world to me and my daughter. Our dog is absolutely part of the family, and it would have really hurt us to lose her. Knowing that she was safe and well cared for really helped reduce our stress. I don’t know how many times I would have to say thank you to relay how grateful we are for the help.” Feeling inspired to make a difference? We hope so! Humane Colorado is always looking for compassionate volunteers to join our team. If Pet Assist sounds like the right fit for you, you can learn more about the steps to becoming a foster then fill out an application. Submit a Foster Application Learn more about Pet Assist Donate to Humane Colorado This article originally appeared in Pet Tales, Humane Colorado’s biannual publication. See the full issue here. Share Facebook TikTok Instagram
