Animal protection is a critical part of our organization. We partner with local law enforcement and animal protection agencies throughout Colorado to educate officers about animal abuse and neglect, assist in protection cases, and provide a safe place for animals to receive medical treatment and compassionate care. In fact, we provided a safe place for over 270 cats, dogs, and equines over the last 9 months through our work in almost 300 cases with law enforcement across the state. In the summer of 2025, we met a tiny kitten, now named Leo, who came to us from a neglect case along with nearly 100 other cats and kittens. Leo was diagnosed with a rare congenital condition called pectus excavatum, causing stunted growth among other serious health problems. Read Leo’s story of compassionate and innovative veterinary care. Our animal protection team also investigates when animals come into our care under questionable circumstances. You wouldn’t know it by looking at this picture, but when Gromit came into our care, he was emaciated, covered in mattes, and unable to lift his head because he was so malnourished. Our animal protection team quickly got to work to determine where he came from and how he came to be in such poor condition, while our veterinary team diligently attended to his medical needs. Gromit received the gentle care he deserved through his hardship, never losing his sweet disposition, and was adopted into a loving home. Animal cruelty prevention through education In addition to working alongside law enforcement teams, our animal protection team provides training sessions to agencies across Colorado to help them identify signs of malnutrition, determine an animal’s body score, assess behavior, and other visual cues that indicate neglect or abuse. Our impactful trainings also expand into the clerks of court and judicial partners to better understand the cost-of-care for housing animals through cruelty and neglect cases. While our animal protection team helps law enforcement agencies, our in-shelter teams host classes for community members, providing resources on pet behavior to build lasting bonds with pets. Animal cruelty prevention through advocacy Building on our work in the community, we also partner with lawmakers at the county and state level to introduce legislation to protect companion animals and support the human-animal bond. The current legislative session passed HB26-1011, which ends the sale of cats and dogs in pet stores. Additionally, knowing that access to veterinary care and housing helps deter neglect, our advocacy team is working on legislation to reduce systemic discrimination and establish programs to increase access to veterinary care. Learn more about the current legislative session and how you can help. Protecting equines We believe in leading with compassion for all companion animals. Our animal protection and cruelty prevention work has helped equines like Bubbles. Bubbles came to us from a large-scale neglect case in Western Colorado, along with almost 20 other horses, in early 2026. Bubbles received much-needed farrier care and reestablished training with our experienced equine team before being adopted. The future is bright Our team continues to work on innovative, comprehensive programs to support law enforcement, animal protection officers, and judicial partners while providing support on confirmed cases of cruelty and neglect across the state. Your generosity goes the extra mile, giving animals a second chance to thrive in a happy, loving home. Donate to Humane Colorado to support animals in our care. Share Facebook TikTok Instagram
