Supporting Planned Pethood: Volunteers working to improve the lives of companion animals in Montezuma and Dolores Counties, Colorado.

A Year of Thanks

For Pets’ Sake is extremely thankful for our members and supporters who have continued to support our programs in 2026.

Thanks to a grant from the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund and your donations, FPS continues to follow its original mission of planned pethood. No one is turned away if they need help to spay/neuter their animal. A grant from the Animal Assistance Foundation helps animals in medical need and allows FPS to prevent animal suffering and keep pets with their people. Friends of the Aspen Animal Shelter certificates assist with the cost of spays and neuters for feral cats. From the start of the program in 2009 the Feral Cat Project has reached over 7,200 cats in the area, allowing them to live their lives without contributing to the ongoing problem of more unwanted animals.

We are grateful for the fosters and transporters who make our Foster Cat and Dog programs so successful. These dogs and cats come to FPS usually as injured, mistreated, and/or abandoned animals. When they are healthy and socialized, they go to our network of rescue partners to find forever homes. FPS provides the lifeline to make that happen. Food, medical treatment, and training are very costly. Your support is critical to the success of this program. (See separate story in this newsletter).  

Even with rising food prices, FPS has continued to provide food to community cat colony caretakers who face the financial burden of feeding hungry cats. FPS has also assisted individuals needing help to feed their pets through our Public Food Assistance Program. With your support, no animals go hungry.

For Pets’ Sake is also thankful to the veterinarians in the area who work with us to care for many needy animals, and especially to Montezuma Veterinary Clinic for stepping in to handle spays and neuters for the Feral Cat Project. All area vets know they can count on us if they have a client in need and FPS knows we can count on vets to respond to our requests and approvals.



For Pets’ Sake is continually grateful to all the supporters who make it possible for these programs to continue, even as demand and prices increase. By working together, we improve the lives of animals in our community. At this time of Thanksgiving, we are extremely thankful for YOU!

Halloween Bake Sale... A Spooktacular Success!

The For Pets' Sake Halloween Bake Sale raised $778 for local dogs and cats.

Special thanks to:

• All the amazing bakers who provided delicious goodies.
• Bill Williams and Janet Wilson who organized the event.
• Board members and volunteers (who also purchased a lot of goodies).
• The patrons who made purchases or donations.
• City Market for providing the space for our event.

A Year of Challenges, Progress, and Second Chances

2026 has been an extraordinary year for For Pets' Sake Humane Society, with an unprecedented number of dogs requiring extensive medical/dental care, behavioral training, and long-term foster homes. Here are a few of their stories and the difference your support has made.

Callie has been in foster care since March. She arrived with serious medical and behavioral issues, including a cancerous growth, another growth on her shoulder, canine teeth that had been unprofessionally removed, and severe Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). Multiple surgeries have addressed her medical problems, and professional training has helped tremendously with her dog reactivity. She's come a long way and is still waiting for her forever home.

Andie (Tallulah), Carlos, and Ollie came to us at 11 months old, having spent most of their lives confined to crates, often in their own waste. They were among the least-socialized puppies we've ever encountered. Ollie, the friendliest, was quickly transferred to a rescue partner after vetting. Andie made great progress with training and was adopted by her foster family. Carlos remains in foster care, working with a trainer to overcome his fears and house-training challenges.

Harley, their young mother, had endured similar neglect. At only 1½ years old, she had some of the worst teeth we'd seen, as did her puppies at just 11 months. Fortunately, Harley needed only a month or two in foster care before her foster mom decided she was already home!

Lana arrived in September with her six puppies after spending countless hours confined to a crate. Once vetted and given time to adjust, she slowly learned to trust people, play, and enjoy life without the constant demands of motherhood. A few training sessions helped her blossom into a loving, cuddly dog. Her puppies went to a rescue partner, and Lana was adopted by a young family almost immediately after her transfer.

Fiona was found abandoned in a remote area in June with her seven tiny puppies. The puppies were rescued, but Fiona was so fearful she had to be trapped. Nearly feral, she initially avoided all human contact and was frightened of almost everything. Months of patient foster care and professional training transformed her into a happy dog who enjoyed affection and playing with other dogs. She was transferred to a rescue partner and quickly adopted by a young, active couple. All seven puppies also found loving homes.

Odie came to us in April, apparently abandoned. He was so frightened that he had to be trapped, and it took months for his foster family to touch him. His love of other dogs has helped us build his confidence. He's slowly learning to trust familiar people but remains very fearful of strangers. His rehabilitation continues.

Scarlett will have been with us for two years on November 10. She had survived on her own in McElmo Canyon for at least two years before we trapped her. Completely feral and terrified of people, she has required extensive work with several professional trainers. Today, she walks on a leash, rides in a car, takes treats from our hands, loves squeaky toys, and adores other dogs. She still fears human touch, and her progress comes in tiny steps. We don't know whether she'll ever be adoptable, but she's safe, loved, and living a much better life.

Thank You for Making This Possible

These are just a few of the challenging cases we've taken on this year. Multiple surgeries, extensive veterinary care, professional training, and months—or even years—of foster care require tremendous resources.

These dogs aren't quick or easy placements. Their rehabilitation takes time, patience, and financial support, while their extended stays limit our ability to take in other animals in need. But every one of them deserves a chance.

Thanks to our dedicated foster families, trainers, veterinary partners, and generous supporters, we're able to give these dogs that chance. Some have found wonderful homes, others are still making progress, and a few may always need special care.

Thank you for standing behind us and believing in these dogs, even when their road to recovery is long and uncertain.

We truly couldn't do this without you.



For Pets' Sake Humane Society

Thank You to Local Businesses

We have been informed that For Pets' Sake has been chosen as the recipient of the IFA food drive program again this year. Thank you IFA Country Store Cortez for your continuing support!

Follow this link for more information: https://www.ifa.coop/

Upcoming Events

We hope you're planning your prize-winning strategy for the For Pets' Sake Turkey Trot! Prizes will be awarded for first and last to cross the finish line, best costume and best trick. So, get those costumes ready to go for you and your furry friends.

A one-mile fun walk for people and their pets Thanksgiving morning. Registration begins at 9:30 am, walk starts at 10:00 am at the Parque de Vida Amphitheater in Cortez behind the Rec Center. 

A $25 registration fee gets you a cool t-shirt AND supports local animals. Fun, laughs, pets...a great way to start your holiday and get your appetite ready for dinner!

More Events for Your Calendar

Colorado Gives Day - Tuesday - December 8, 2026



Holiday Bake Sale - Saturday - December 19, 2026

Other Ways to Donate

Board Meetings are open to the public and occur on the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. The next board meeting is on November 9th. Call 970-565-7387 for more information.

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