Animal welfare groups unite to form Northern Colorado Regional Animal Welfare Coalition

Multiple nonprofit and public animal welfare agencies across northern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming have united to form a new organization called the Northern Colorado Regional Animal Welfare Coalition whose purpose is to work collaboratively to promote and improve the lives of animals within the community.

What started as just an idea in 2010 grew into a cohesive group that began meeting regularly in 2013, initially led by the executive directors of Larimer Humane Society, Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic, Animal House Rescue & Grooming and Northern Colorado Friends of Ferals. Colorado’s Animal Assistance Foundation provided a small administrative grant to help the coalition with initial startup expenses.

Today the Northern Colorado Regional Animal Welfare Coalition consists of 17 member agencies that have agreed to adhere to specific animal welfare standards and practices, such as spaying or neutering companion animals prior to adoption and being licensed through the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act where required. A primary purpose of the coalition is to promote open communication, regional collaboration and support among all animal welfare groups to influence positive change for animals.

“It is so exciting to see our community’s incredible animal welfare organizations come together, forging relationships and sharing knowledge and resources to make a larger impact on animals in our community,” said Sarah Swanty, board chairman of the coalition.

The coalition strongly encourages community members who are looking to volunteer with animals, adopt a pet, donate, or who need help with an animal to first reach out to a member agency. These agencies have committed to uphold certain standards of practice and also support an atmosphere of collaboration. A complete list of members of the Northern Colorado Regional Animal Welfare Coalition can be found on its website, www.NoCoRAWC.org.

The Northern Colorado Regional Animal Welfare Coalition is actively recruiting more organizations from Larimer and Weld counties, the Eastern Plains and southeastern Wyoming. The coalition is seeking animal welfare groups who want to learn more about one another, work together to more effectively help homeless or neglected animals, and brainstorm solutions to challenges facing animals and the animal welfare field.