FAQ’s

Please visit Hours and Location page for our current list of Shelter and Thrift Store Hours.

All animals adopted through LPCHS receive a number of services. Each animal is spayed/neutered, vaccinated, given a medical examine and receives a microchip. Dogs with behavior issues are trained at the shelter and receive a free training session at their new home.

Although Durango is no longer overpopulated with dogs and cats, our neighbors in Farmington, Atzec an Cortez still are. The more animals adopted through LPCHS, the more animals we can transfer in from our neighbor shelters.

Typically, just under 3,000 animals (dogs and cats) every year including livestock, birds and small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs).

As an “Open-Admission” shelter, we do not turn away any animal based on their age, breed, health, behavior, or aggressive tendencies in La Plata County. Our live release rate is 96% – this is well above the required 92% required for an organization to call itself no-kill. LPCHS does not call itself a no-kill due to the confusion and inaccuracy of the term.

La Plata County Humane Society does not have a time period after which to euthanize animals, meaning we do not euthanize after time or for space. We keep animals available for adoption as long as we can if they stay healthy, happy and are safe around people. If an animal needs extra attention, we place them in temporary foster care while others may be transferred to other shelters or recuses to be adopted.

We are an “Open-Admission” shelter, meaning that we will take any animals that come through our door in La Plata County. Our live release rate is 96% – this is well above the required 92% required for an organization to call itself no-kill. LPCHS does not call itself a no-kill due to the confusion and inaccuracy of the term.

We work hard to avoid euthanizing any animal, and we treat all animals in our care. We only euthanize if behavior or medical issues cause their quality of life to suffer. It is also our responsibility to ensure that all animals that come through our doors are safe to the general public. We encourage all pet owners to spay and neuter their pets to help reduce over population.

As an “Open-Admission” shelter, we do not not turn away any animal based on their age, breed, health, behavior, or aggressive tendencies in La Plata County. Our live release rate is 96% – this is well above the required 92% required for an organization to call itself no-kill.

Please click on the link below to view our January 2018 – January 2019 annual shelter statistics.

January 2019 – January 2020 Statistics

Please visit our How to Adopt page to learn more about our adoption process, fees and what’s included when you adopt.

Please visit our Lost and Found page to find out more information and read tips on “Finding your lost pet”.

Please visit our Lost and Found page to find out more information and to read our tips on “If you find a lost pet”.

If you plan to take ownership of the animal until the owner is found, please keep in mind that after 72 hours of caring for a stray animal in the State of Colorado, you will then be considered the owner. If you decide to bring the animal to our shelter after the initial 72 hours, you will need to complete owner surrender paperwork. For more information, visit Bringing an Animal to the Shelter page.

Please review the information on our Bringing and Animal to the Shelter page for guidance on surrendering your animal, bringing in a stray, or returning an adoption.

La Plata County Humane Society is an open-admission shelter, and we accept all animals that come through our doors. Saving lives and finding forever homes for the pets in our care is our mission at LPCHS. We understand, however, that there are circumstances that may occur where the guardian must relinquish ownership of the pet. Please call (970) 259-2847 x101 to speak with a member of our behavior team and discuss other options prior to surrendering your pet.

Yes, we offer low cost spay and neuter services for dogs and cats. Please visit our Spay/Neuter Programs page.

Yes, we offer low cost vaccines to the public. Please visit our Vaccines and Other Services page for more information.

La Plata County Humane Society offers humane euthanasia and cremation services. We are here to listen and help you determine which end-of-life services best suit your needs. Please visit our End-of-Life Services page for more information.

At the shelter or online! Please call (970) 259-2847 prior to coming to the shelter to license you pet or license your pet online. You will need to provide proof of your pet’s current rabies certificate, proof of spay and neuter and pay the $10/year fee (altered pets). Other fees apply for unaltered pets. Please visit our Licensing page for more information.

Yes, we offer microchipping services,  the microchip cost $45 (includes registration). Please view our Vaccine and Other Services page for more information.

90% of lost pets that have identification, microchip and/or ID tags are reunited with their families. This quick, simple and almost painless procedure is used to help identify your pet and a microchip contains a unique identifier that corresponds to your contact information.

Our animal protection officers respond to animal cruelty complaints in La Plata County. Please call Central Dispatch at (970) 385-2900 to report suspected cruelty, or if the incident is an emergency.

Please call Central Dispatch at (970) 385-2900, they will help assist you.

You can become a LPCHS volunteer by submitting a volunteer application and attending a mandatory orientation. As a volunteer, you become part of a committed team providing loving, enrichment and quality care for pets in need.

Please visit our Become a Volunteer page for more information.

Yes! LPCHS hosts weekly classes to assist you with animal communication and excel with your dog. Please visit our Classes and Training page for more information and class schedule.

LPCHS offers one-hour tours to the public including student groups. Tours must be scheduled in advance. Dates/times are based on availability of staff and scheduled shelter activities. To schedule a tour call (970) 259-2847 x1020.

It is a common belief that we are associated with a national organization, like ASPCA or Humane Society of the United States, but that is not true. In reality, we are an independent animal shelter. We have received funding from these groups, we still are not affiliated with them.

The La Plata County Humane Society is an independent animal shelter. The City of Durango and La Plata County contracts with us to provide services to meet their respective Codes of Enforcement related to animals, and our Animal Protection Officers work in tandem with City and County law enforcement on issues related to animal welfare.

La Plata County Humane Society is a federally registered 501(c)3 non-profit. Our operating revenues come from contracts for Code Enforcement from the City of Durango and La Plata County, revenues from our Thrift Store, fundraising, donations and grants.

Thank you for your interest! Please contact Colleen Dunning, Development Manager, by email at development@lpchumanesociety.org, or by phone at (970) 259-2847 x103.

Thank you for considering leaving a legacy donation in your will. These gifts make an impact on future pets in need. Please contact Colleen Dunning, Development Manager, by email at development@lpchumanesociety.org or by phone at (970) 259-2847 x103 to find out how you can help.

For more information, visit our Leave A Legacy page.

We do allow individuals to complete supervised community service hours at the Shelter or Thrift Store. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and must not have been convicted of theft or any violent crimes towards people or animals. For more information please call (970) 259-2847 x101.