Support & Guidance

This page is a resource for pet owners, providing essential information and guidance for common situations.

Emergency Shelters and Preparedness

Planning for an emergency may be your best defense. Take advantage of information provided by organizations in your area who can help, and create a written plan. Review it often.

  • Creating Your Emergency Plan: Jefferson County and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office provide detailed guides to help you plan for an emergency, including large animal evacuation.
  • “Save Our Pets” Forms: Complete a “Save Our Pets” form for each pet. Place the forms in a “zip” bag and tape them to your door or attach them to an outside wall where they can be found easily by emergency personnel.
  • Neighborhood Group: Consider forming a small group with neighbors to share phone numbers for friends or family who could help in an emergency if you are away.
  • Help Before an Emergency: Volunteer or financially support the organizations of your choice. Most emergency rescue workers appreciate your offer to help, but if you are not trained, they cannot accept it during a disaster.

In Case of Evacuation

Plan ahead which hotel you would go to and check their pet policy. Should you be asked to evacuate during an emergency, such as a fire, many organizations are positioned to aid you, your family, and your animals. Activated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the animal-related help might come from several local or national organizations.

  • Evergreen Animal Protective League (EAPL) | eapl.com: Trained volunteers will set up and maintain a temporary animal shelter for household pets, in close proximity to a Red Cross Shelter.
  • Jeffco H.E.A.T. | (303) 674-4669: A team of trained volunteers that can remove and transport horses and larger livestock to safety. Call them at (303) 674-4669 or 697-2185.
  • Jefferson County Horse Council | jeffcohorse.com: Cares for horses and large livestock at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
  • Animal Evacuation Volunteers (AEV) | animalEVAC.org: Trained volunteers who can rescue and transport household pets. Call (303) 838-4645.
  • Foothills Animal Shelter | (303) 278-7575: Rescued pets are transported here and held out of harm’s way.
  • Intermountain Humane Society (IMHS) | imhs.org: Helps Park County residents. Call (303) 838-2668.

In addition, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office provides a map of where to take large animals. Many local motels allow pets; plan ahead and check their policy regarding animals.

National & State Resources

The following organizations also provide information and resources for disaster preparedness for you and your family, including pets and livestock.

Grief Support

Losing a pet is a difficult experience, and it is important to find a way to honor that grief. There are many online resources that provide a safe and compassionate space to cope with the loss of a pet.

  • PetLoss.com: A compassionate website for grieving pet lovers, offering personal support, advice, a Monday Pet Loss Candle Ceremony, Tribute Pages, and healing poetry like “Rainbow Bridge.”

Pet-Friendly Housing

Finding a place to live that welcomes your pet can be a challenge. While EAPL cannot maintain a comprehensive list, the following websites are useful resources: