TABTO

We can still be kind but we must tell the sad truth.

It’s Time to Rewrite the Rescue Story — Starting with Colorado……….

Colorado is now the largest importer of puppies and dogs in the country — yet our own shelter dogs, especially in rural communities, are being left behind.

In 2024 alone, licensed Colorado rescues imported over 16,000 dogs, making up 66% of their total intake.
At the same time, only 11% came from in-state shelters, and the five largest rescues took less than 1% of their dogs from Colorado partners.

Meanwhile, rural shelters like Cortez Animal Shelter were forced to euthanize 25% of their dogs — not for lack of adoptability, but because no one came for them.

In contrast, Front Range shelters had euthanasia rates as low as 7%–11%.
This isn’t just a numbers game — it’s a crisis of transparency, equity, and compassion.

🏡 Most Rural shelters can’t adopt out directly. They rely on rescues or shelters to step in. But when those rescues focus almost entirely on out-of-state dogs, Colorado dogs lose their chance.

Let’s get back to putting our strays, our shelter dogs, and our communities first.
Let’s support rural Colorado, where help is needed most.

Let’s be honest with adopters and donors who believe they’re helping local pets — but aren’t with Foster’s, donors. Colorado’s dogs and puppies shoukd cone first. TRASPARENCY is key. Pet stores have to disclose the origins where their puppies cone from so should rescues and shelters contractually.

Colorado’s dogs deserve better. So do the people working tirelessly to save them.

📣 It’s time to rewrite the rescue story.