DENVER — Animal shelters and rescues are always in need of people to foster or adopt, but Mile High Lab Mission, a nonprofit organization needs those people more than ever right now.
According to Brooke Grey, the rescue's executive director, the organization announced on Instagram they are closed for intake at this time due to lack of adoption and fostering applications, donations, and returns.
"We’ve been around for about 11 years now, we save labs that are at risk of euthanasia down in shelters in Texas, so typically save 700-800 labs a year. Last year was a little slower for us, we had some issues with people returning dogs due to COVID, so we had to intake about 80 dogs back into our program. We are seeing a massive decrease in adoptions and our applications coming through for dogs," she said.
The growing struggle for space in animal shelters in Colorado has volunteers worried. The organization has recently noticed decreased adoptions and fostering applications, donations not coming in, and ongoing struggles of families who return the dogs due to behavioral issues and lack of training.
“We’re seeing a very big change post COVID, people are getting back out there, traveling, just getting on with life and on top of not being able to help us as much, people are also expecting perfect dogs," Grey said. "We require our folks that are applying to really take it seriously and they get training for dogs and take the time to get the dogs comfortable in the homes."
Many rescues and shelters are non-profits, which are completely based on donations from the community to make sure their doors stay open and this is just one way you can help if you're not ready to adopt a pet.
“Recently we’ve really been faced with having cover financially massive amount of training issue that dogs come back to us with," Grey said. "Expecting a rescue that’s a non-profit to cover the cost it’s what’s killing us. Adoptions fees don’t even cover the cost of a healthy dog for us, so we’re always looking for donors and people to help sponsor dogs or litters like this one."
Other ways you can help and support Mile High Lab Mission right now, sign-up to become a foster, donate, or adopt a dog. The organization says any little bit helps. You can find more information about the group on Mile High Lab Mission's website.
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