Golden Animal Shelter Seeks Help After Receiving 48 Dogs

GOLDEN, CO— Golden's Foothills Animal Shelter was inundated with 48 dogs from "three unrelated high-volume animal relinquishments" in the past week, and is asking the public for help to care for the pups to get them ready for adoption, the agency said.

Dogs were brought in by "local animal control agency partners" in separate batches late last week and on Tuesday, Apr. 23, the agency said. Details are not available about the sources of the dogs, an employee said, due to legalities with ongoing animal-welfare cases.

However, staff confirmed that dogs, of varying breeds, are being given vaccines, being spayed and neutered and being vet-checked. Costs are estimated to be $30 per day, and some dogs need expensive surgeries and dental care. The shelter said the cost to get all the animals ready for adoption may be close to $20,000.

"This is why we’re here—to give a temporary home to animals who have lost theirs. We’re thankful for our incredibly generous community who help us to help them,” said Connie Howard, executive director of the shelter in a statement.

All of the animals have been seen by the shelter’s vets and behavior teams, and shelter staff expects healthy animals to become available for adoption within a few days. Some are already available for adoption, a press release said.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to add a new pet to their family while supporting the urgent needs of some of the other animals who are not yet ready for adoption,” said Howard in the release.

The shelter is asking for financial donations and also looking for specific items that will help staff take care of the dogs while they are waiting to be adopted.

Items needed most include:

• Small Frisco brand mesh harnesses for dogs, 12-16.5 in.
• Small dog beds
• Towels and blankets
• Dog toys for small-to-medium sized dogs

Foothills Animal Shelter cares for more than 9,000 animals a year and is located at 580 McIntyre Street in Golden. For more information, call the shelter at 303-278-7575.