Connecting Pets, People, and Community While Saving Lives Since 1994 |
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We currently have a litter of puppies available for adoption. They’re healthy, friendly, sweet, and full of energy. Followers and visitors invariably ask, “What breed are they?” This bunch was found with no mother dog or history, so we must answer with a shrug and a best guess. Like all shelters, most of our canine residents are mixed breeds who came to us as strays, surrenders, or transfers from other shelters.
Multiple studies have shown that even professionals get it wrong when guessing dog breeds based on appearance. In one study, sixteen experienced shelter workers (including four veterinarians) were asked to visually identify the breeds of 120 dogs. These assessments were then compared against DNA profiles for each dog. They were wrong a lot of the time. Other studies have shown that dog breeders and veterinarians are wrong about 75% of the time. Genetic Staffordshire terriers (commonly called pit bulls) were only correctly identified by the shelter staff about half of the time. For dogs with stocky bodies and blocky heads, calling them “pitties” can seriously harm their chances of being adopted.
History shows we are no more accurate than the study participants. Last fall, we brought in five dogs from a bad situation- two of whom were pregnant. Shai was one of the mother dogs, and we listed her (and the others) as labrador mixes since they are big, black/yellow, blocky-headed dogs. One of Shai’s puppy’s new family did a DNA test, showing not a bit of lab in the DNA. They are mostly husky/shepherd mix. Read more
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| Donations Help Us
and Those Facing Hardship |
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We are so grateful for donations for our pets. Stores such as Chow Down, Walmart, Murdoch's, Petco, Dirt Dawg, and Target regularly donate food and supplies to us.
We also receive generous donations from people in our communities and beyond. We recently got a gift for the pets from a follower in Indiana! A local friend stopped by the shelter and donated over $1500 worth of food and supplies. We get packages from our Amazon Wish List and from Chewy, and generous animal lovers buy for us at local shops as well. When we put out the call that we needed to replace all of the bedding at the shelter, within a few days we were stocked with clean sheets, towels, and blankets.
If we can't immediately use the food or supplies that are donated- they definitely don't go to waste! Our Pet Pantry is available to anyone in our communities needing help feeding their beloved pets. This service keeps pets in homes with the people who care for them- and keeps them from being surrendered to shelters because of economic hardship. |
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| Telluride Farmers' Market
Friday, July 12 |
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Western and Indigenous Art in Our Gallery |
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Paws for Art Gallery is in Ridgway (across the parking lot from our thrift shop at 309 Sherman St).
Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 4pm or by request during thrift shop hours. |
| All proceeds support Second Chance Humane Society. |
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| There was a time, when our photography was just not good. Blurry, unflattering, poorly framed photos do NOT help our pets. We have volunteer photographers who have stepped up and made a huge difference, providing beautiful, quality, flattering images of our pets.
A special shout out to Jill Haga and Kayla Pratt, who have taken most of our photos this year. |
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We're Hiring!
Join our shelter staff as a Part-time Pet Care Specialist.
Apply on Indeed |
ADOPTION HOURS 11 am to 5:30 pm Wednesday to Sunday |
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| Connecting Pets, People & Community While Saving Lives |
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