Dog days of summer

Looking for a four-legged furry friend as a temporary roommate? The La Plata County Humane Society has you covered.

Of course, LPCHS is always looking for foster parents to provide housing for animals in need of a quiet space and one-on-one attention. But, right now, LPCHS is in need of foster parents as the shelter undergoes a full kennel renovation. 

“We need people in the community to step up and foster adult dogs so we can continue to care for these dogs but have these kennels empty for the updates they most desperately need,” the shelter posted on social media.

 Indeed, the LPCHS shelter has struggled with an outdated facility for years. The current building opened in 1997, but due to increasing demand, LPCHS quickly outgrew the space.

 For this current renovation, LPCHS saved up funds for 15 years. The project, which is currently under way, will include new floors, paint, ceiling tiles and state-of-the-art kennels (paying it forward, the LPCHS will donate its old kennels, which are still usable, to other shelters in need).

 “(This project) is finally coming to light,” LPCHS said.

 LPCHS is looking for foster parents that can take dogs from one to three weeks (the shelter houses up to 50 dogs). The Humane Society will also cover all the costs of supplies and food, so there’s no expense to people who foster. Also, if you want to help transport dogs to surrounding shelters, LPCHS will offer gas gift cards.

 As of Wednesday, about 15 to 20 dogs were transferred to other shelters in the Boulder/Denver area to be adopted. About 20 dogs were fostered locally, which leaves about 15 dogs that are still in need of a temporary home. 

“We got an overwhelming amount of applications, but we’re always in need of fosters,” Cassidy Crisp, LPCHS’s marketing and social media coordinator, said. 

For info on fostering, go to https://bit.ly/ 3IyvubD or call the shelter at 970-259-2847.

 In the meantime, the LPCHS is still taking in lost or stray animals with what little space is available. But the shelter is asking people who want to surrender their animals to wait a few weeks until construction is complete.

“Of course we’d never turn anyone away, but we are asking to give us a few weeks,” Cassidy said.

 And cat lovers, we haven’t forgotten you: the LPCHS’s cattery remains open with plenty of cats (it’s kitten season) available for fostering or adoption.