Did you know that more of the world's tiger population lives in cages than in the wild? These beautiful animals often find themselves mistreated when their owners underestimate the cost and care required for raising them. And it doesn't stop at tigers. Many other types of animals find themselves in situations of abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
Animal sanctuaries step in to provide these animals with their forever home- protected environments that offer proper living quarters, food, and veterinary care. These new residencies become the places where rescued animals live out the rest of their days.
You can make a difference! Below is a list of some animal sanctuaries in Colorado and ways you can support each one.
Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary (Commerce City)
Animal residents include llamas, chickens, goats, cows, pigs, turkeys, equine, and more.
- Visit the sanctuary.
- Provide a single or recurring donation online.
- Participate in community events. For upcoming events, visit facebook.com/brokenshovels.
Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center (Divide)
Animal residents include wolves, coyotes, and foxes.
- Sponsor a wolf or purchase a nameplate to be permanently displayed at the wildlife center.
- Volunteer for short-term or long-term opportunities as available.
- Shop for gifts in the online store.
- Tour the sanctuary. Experience a full moon tour, feeding tour, or meet & greet encounter. Fees range in price based on experience. Prices start at $20 per adult. Kids (ages 6-11) can partake in a Kids Wolf Tour for $15.
Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary (Erie)
Luvin Arms is home to more than 90 rescued animals including cows, pigs, sheep, goats, turkeys, chickens, ducks, horses, a chukar partridge, and a llama.
- Sponsor an animal monthly/annually or make a one-time donation.
- Volunteer for short-term or long-term opportunities as available. Orientation is required prior to volunteering
- Shop for apparel in the online store.
- Tour the sanctuary on select Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year. Book online. Suggested donations are $25 per adult and $15 per child for tours.
- Participate in virtual events.
Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary (Deer Trail)
Animal residents include cows, pigs, goats, yaks, sheep, turkeys, roosters, hens, ducks, geese, and swans.
- Sponsor an animal quarterly/annually or make a one-time donation.
- Volunteer for short-term or long-term opportunities.
- Tour the sanctuary on weekends with a pre-scheduled appointment.
Rescued Friends Animal Sanctuary (Fort Collins)
Animal residents include chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, and alpacas.
- Sponsor an animal monthly, contribute to hay feedings, or make a one-time donation.
- Volunteer during an upcoming Work Day.
The Wild Animal Sanctuary (Keenesburg)
The Wild Animal Sanctuary hosts more than 600 animals including lions, tigers, bears, leopards, mountain lions, wolves, hyenas, servals, bobcats, lynx, foxes, coyotes, and coatimundi. The facility has also rescued horses, donkeys, ostrich, emu, camel, yak, alpaca, cats, dogs, parrots, and other birds.
- Sponsor an animal monthly/annually or make a one-time donation.
- Volunteer (ages 16+) for a 2-day/month, 6-month commitment.
- Shop for gifts and apparel in the online store.
- Tour the sanctuary. Open 7 days a week. Book online. Tours are $50 per adult and $30 per child to cover the cost of the tour. Donations above this amount are requested to help care for the animals.
The Refuge (Springfield)
An extension of the Wild Animal Sanctuary, this facility will become home to lions, tigers, bears, wolves, or other captive animals in need of a new home.
- Become a founder by purchasing acreage of land to expand the facility. Donate online.
- This facility is not open to the general public. Founders will have opportunities to visit The Refuge.
W.O.L.F. Sanctuary (Bellvue)
Animal residents include wolves and wolf dogs.
- Donate to help W.O.L.F. move to a new location.
- Volunteer (ages 18+) for a committed time period of 2 work sessions per month.
- Intern part-time or full-time for a 10-week period.
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