TellurideHumaneSociety.com

As told in the Telluride Daily Planet on October 22, 2023 by Leslie Vreeland:

One by one the pets arrived, animal companions surrendered by their humans. By Oct. 14 of this month, the Telluride Humane Society had rescued exactly that many pets. By Oct. 20, the number of “owner surrenders” had climbed to 20, meaning one pet per day is presently being given up in this region.

“By any measure, this is both a sad and overwhelming number,” Ellen Williamson, the society’s founder, said. “The noteworthy aspect is, we have kept these pets out of shelters, and from being abandoned as strays.”

You may wonder where these dogs and cats, which have included a purebred Golden retriever puppy, a purebred Australian shepherd, a purebred Border collie, small mixed-breed terriers and cats ranging in age from kittens to “13-to-16-year-old seniors,” are right now, and who rescued them.

After all, you can’t visit these animals in a pound. The answer: either the animals are in safe, compassionate foster homes, or they have been adopted by now. Either way, their lives were changed because of Williamson, a volunteer herself, and an all-volunteer- network of animal-lovers who believe deeply in the THS’s work and keep stepping up to assist, time and again (learn more at telluridehumanesociety.com).

The organization is driven by sheer grit and determination, but has had no physical presence in this region ever since its founding in 2018.

“We’ve been fueled by compassion, advocacy, dedication and a damn hard work ethic,” as Williamson put it. Read Full Article Here

Help Create an Adoption Surgery Fund for the Telluride Humane Society and Support Mischka’s Surgery!

Donations from this fundraiser will go to the creation of an Adoption Surgery Fund for the Telluride Humane Society. Mischka will be the first recipient of this fund: A portion of the funds raised will go to support her medical care. The rest will start a surgery fund so that the Telluride Humane society can better support pets who face unexpected surgeries in the first six months of their adoption.

The most recent chapter of Mischka’s Story:

Mischka was adopted on March 26th, 2024. She had been under the expert care of Telluride Humane Society fosters for a few months. At 1.5 years old, she’d spent the first part of her life as a stray in Arizona.

Upon being rescued, and while in foster care, Mischka had a limp. Mischka had positive vet visits, and x-rays that revealed no structural issues. Those involved in her adoption thought that the limp would require rest and heal on its own. So she started seeing a rehab vet and going to physical therapy. After a month and no change in the limp, Mischka saw a specialist and it was determined that she’d need an elbow arthroscopy procedure requiring a six week recovery period, physical therapy, and a lifetime of care to slow down the likely development of arthritis in her elbow. Unfortunately, Mischka’s surgery and related care is not covered by insurance. Most pet insurance companies will not cover orthopedic conditions in the first six months of adoption.

Mischka is the sweetest, goofiest girl. She loves playing with other dogs, running, chasing butterflies, and most of all, belly rubs. (Mischka loves belly rubs more than peanut butter, so it’s a good thing it’s a post-op-approved activity). She can’t wait to feel better and return to living an active life!

The Telluride Humane Society:

If you follow the Telluride Humane Society, you know that they are a pillar of the Telluride community. Behind it all is their amazing founder, Ellen. When Ellen heard of Mischka’s news, she immediately thought of ways to help. As a volunteer-run organization, the Telluride Humane Society does so much. When Ellen suggested fundraising for Mischka, we decided that if we were going to ask the community for support, the effort should create resources for more adopted pets.

Thank you so much for considering supporting this fundraiser!

More information about Telluride Humane Society: Our mission is based upon the fundamental principle that no animal should be mistreated nor lose its life for lack of proper resources for its care, need of a home and/or rehabilitation.

The Telluride Humane Society is a registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization dedicated to the compassionate rescue, spay/neuter, foster, adoption, medical-care, education and community-oriented services for the pets and animals of San Miguel County, Colorado and its neighboring communities.