Grand County Pet Pals Promotes Compassion + Good Stewardship for Animals in the Community
It's no question that the active lifestyle in Grand County can go hand-in-hand with a furry friend. Dogs and their owners (us included!) love exploring the trails and taking advantage of all the outdoor adventure this side of Berthoud Pass. And if you spend enough time here, you'll see first-hand how pet-friendly our mountain towns are. Dogs are welcome on The Gondola at Winter Park Resort in the summer, on outdoor patios on these warm spring afternoons, and on our expansive trail system throughout the year.
What would a welcoming pet community be without an animal shelter and support system for responsible pet ownership? Grand County Pet Pals (GCPP) takes that charge on with a passion, providing resources for both the shelter and local pet owners while partnering with the shelter to find new forever homes for pets in their care.
PROGRAMS + COMMUNITY SUPPORT
GCPP's primary goal is preventing the unnecessary euthanization of pets. They initially started off by assisting the Grand County Animal Shelter with its spay and neuter program, and they've since grown their programming and support to further promote compassion and good stewardship for animals in the community.
SPAY/NEUTER VOUCHER PROGRAM
Pet Pals understands that having a pet spayed or neutered is the first line of defense against the needless euthanization of animals in shelters across the country. And they also recognize it isn't free. Community members who need financial assistance in getting their pets spayed or neutered can apply for a voucher that will cover the cost at one of our local veterinarians. We're happy to report that our shelter finds a home for every adoptable animal!
ADOPTION FACILITATION
One of our favorite ways GCPP serves our community is in finding new homes for rescue dogs in their care. They believe in the beauty of pairing healthy, loving pets who have been surrendered to the shelter with people ready to love them well. Meli (pictured at the bottom of the page) was a Grand County Pet Pals rescue, and she has definitely settled in with her forever people and is loving life! The work GCPP does to ensure their adoptable pets find a home is invaluable. Check out current pets available for adoption.
GOOD SAMARITAN PROGRAM
No one can foresee medical or emergency issues that might arise and be potentially life threatening for our pets. Our furry friends typically end up feeling like members of our family, and the thought of losing them earlier than we had hoped can be heartbreaking. But the cost of emergency care is just not tenable for many. This fund was established to supplement charitable care at private veterinary practices within Grand County, providing one-time medical assistance to help a disadvantaged pet owner save the life of their pet. A true gift for an individual or family who would otherwise be unable to save their little love.
SHELTER SUPPORT
Pet Pals ensures the shelter has what it needs for the animals in their care, providing funds for leashes, collars, kitty litter, toys, treats and starter kits for new adopters. They also raise money to provide vaccinations, spay + neutering, and wellness and urgent veterinary care for adoptable animals at the shelter.
BARK PARK
The leash-free dog park at Granby Trails gives dogs an opportunity to exercise and socialize in the summertime. With agility features and a pond to swim in, it's no wonder the dogs love it! Typically open late May to when the pond starts to freeze, the Bark Park is supported by Grand County Pet Pals and the Town of Granby.
VOLUNTEER
Want to jump in and help out? The shelter is always looking for volunteers to walk dogs, brush and snuggle kitties, and lend a hand with other needs. This can be a great family activity to serve the community together and loves on some sweet pets! Volunteers can also take on roles in planning and executing fundraising events, contributing articles to the newspaper, and providing foster homes.
SUPPORT
Interested in supporting Pet Pals as they help make Grand County a healthy and responsible pet-owning community? One of our favorite ways to give is to get a Winter Park Resort Pet Souvenir Pass! Make a donation to GC Pet Pals and get a "pass" for your pet. While it doesn't get your pet lift access, it's a fun piece of memorabilia that supports a great cause! You can also join their membership program or make a one-time donation.
GCPP also hosts events to raise support. This year's Virtual Doggie Dash is slated to run July 29-August 12, and they'll have a reception at the Grand County Animal Shelter wrap up the event with a food truck, pet equipment "garage sale," and more. 3K fun run/walks, Nordic ski events, and annual pet photos with Santa (a local favorite) make supporting them easy and fun!
Wondering what membership funds, donations, and event fundraising go toward? Here are some tangible ways the funds are put to use:
- $50 = a professional dog trainer to train shelter dogs for one day, increasing adoption chances
- $100 = 1/8 of the annual wellness and grooming expenses for dogs and cats in the shelter
- $150 = one spay/neuter voucher to local pet owners in need.
- $500 = 1/3 of the vaccination expenses for the year.
- Combination of funds to maintain the Bark Park in Granby – estimated at $2,000/year
We love giving to GCPP when we know what a difference our contributions make!
MAKING OUR COMMUNITY BEtteR
Grand County Pet Pals helps create a community that stewards our animal friends well, and we are so grateful for the work they do. Their vision, mission, and execution is well beyond that you'd find in your typical rural community. It's just another reason living in Grand County is, in our opinions, as good as it gets. If you're ready to call this place home (or find a place with some more acreage for those pups to play on!), connect with us! We can't wait to meet you!
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