This section serves an area with our site where members of the community can post helpful information such as:
- Animal Protection Agent: Our Director is a Bureau of Animal Protection Agent, commissioned by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. With this commission, our Agent, investigates and enforces the state animal cruelty and neglect laws for domestic and equine animals. Each year we average 100 investigations.
Report Animal Cruelty/Neglect
- Spay and Neuter Programs
The Family Pet Assistance Program provides free spay and neuter services to low income individuals. In addition, there are two annual reduced fee spay/neuter clinics that are held during April and October; open to anyone and these take place at every veterinary clinic in Eagle County.
- Financial Medical Assistance
Low income families can apply for financial assistance. Many pets get injured or have a medical condition that families cannot afford. We help qualifying families financially directly through their veterinarian.
- Volunteer Program
Our Volunteers participate in our programs for fundraising, adopt-a-thons,
foster care, office work and more!
- Free Obedience Classes
Free five weekly obedience classes are offered to anyone adopting a dog from the Shelter or from EVHS. Mark Ruark gives this class every Tuesday night throughout the year. He is also available to talk with recent adopters to help them with any of their dog's behavioral problems. Finding a solution to a behavioral problem ensures a successful adoption. But no one is turned away. If you adopted your dog somewhere else we can arrange for you to attend classes.
- Foster Care Program
Our extensive Foster Care Parents care for our homeless animals while they are prepared for adoption. Our Foster Care Volunteers provide the special attention and care at home prior to being placed for adoption. Our Foster Parents are a very dedicated and specialized group. Many of these animals are very young, without a mother, and need to be bottle fed. Some require daily medication or socialization. We also have foster parents that work with young feral kittens to help them become friendly kitties.
- Trap-Neuter-Return Program
Feral Cats in the Community are Spay or Neuter and Returned if they can be maintained by an EVHS volunteer or a member of the Community. When it is impossible to return the Feral Cats to their original location we relocate them to a ranch or barn. We work with our sister organization, The Feral Feline Society, to accomplish this.
- Seniors for Seniors Program
A fostering program that saves elderly cats while also helping elderly people.
Rescued cats everywhere face the challenge of finding a foster or a forever home, but, elderly cats sometimes face almost insurmountable odds, as many people adopting cats want kittens or cats they know will be with them for many years.
With all of the studies that have been done on the positive effects on physical and mental health, it is well-documented that the presence of pets in the home can significantly influence stress levels, longevity, and general well-being, to name but a few. Animals, with their non-judgemental nature and freely-given unconditional love, can be delightful companions in all phases of life, and perhaps more so when one is retired, living alone, and less able to get out and visit with friends and family.
Older people who have had cat companions in the past are often reluctant to take in cats at this point in their lives, as they fear they may outlive them or their living situation may change and they may they be faced with the challange of finding them another home or giving them up to a shelter where their future is uncertain.
To ease their concerns, we have created our Seniors for Seniors program. It is a win-win situation for both older rescued cats and elderly people wanting the benefit and joy of animal companionship.
- Pet Adopt-A-Thons
We periodically hold Adopt-a-thons for cats and dogs at our office in Eagle. Adopt-a-thons are also held at community events or sponsored by local businesses to promote both adoptions of homeless animals and to spread community awareness of animal issues.
- Community Bulletin Boards
Ours Volunteers place EVHS posters in highly visible locations throughout the valley and keep them up-to-date. These local businesses display our posters of the animals waiting to be adopted.
- Wildlife
Volunteers have also transported injured wild animals to the Department of Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Silt, Colorado. We also donate dog and cat food that we do not need to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
CURRENT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
- Media Coverage:We appear weekly on live television and radio spots on several different local stations. The Vail Daily newspaper spots feature our adoptable animals and information regarding wildlife, domesticated animals, bite prevention and seasonal topics. Extensive media coverage is our biggest asset to reaching the community so they know what animals are waiting to be adopted.
- Bite Prevention Program
The Bite Prevention Presentations to school children help them understand a dog's and a cat's body language. This is tremendously important for cats and dogs, and children.
Each year we present our 45 minute program to several 100 students.
- Paw Champions Program
Paw Champions Presentations to school children include ideas on how to help needy animals.
- "Kind News"
EVHS provides the "Kind News" publication monthly to all elementary school teachers, upon request, for each student in the teacher's classroom at a cost of $20 per teacher.
- Website
In 2001, Tumo Solutions of Avon developed a website for EVHS. The website is being maintained by Debbie Buckley. This displays all the animals that are up for adoption and is full of additional information on our programs.
CURRENT FUNDRAISING PROGRAMS
- Community Fundraiser:EVHS participates in the Annual Vail Valley Community Fund Rummage Sale.
- Santa Paws
During our annual Santa Paws Fundraiser you and your pet can be photographed with Santa Claus. Photos are taken by Wendy Griffith at the Castle Peak Veterinary Clinic in Eagle.
- Newsletter
Our Newsletter and donation request envelope is sent annually to all supporters; detailing activities, achievements, and some helpful hints.
- Donation Canisters
EVHS canisters are located in several retail stores throughout the valley to accept donations
from shoppers.
- Grants
Grants are actively pursued to supplement our fundraising activities.
- The Fourth of July
EVHS volunteers help the Town of Avon with their Fourth of July annual celebration.
- The Harvest Party
The Harvest Party is an annual fundraiser joined by 10 local restaurants, celebrated
since September 2000.
- Paws for Ponies
EVHS joined with Mountain Valley Horse Rescue, in the Spring of 2009, for an evening of great food and live music, good conversation, silent auction and raffles. This event presented an opportunity for these two organizations to get to know one another better.