PAWS FOR LIFE/ANIMAL WELFARE AND PROTECTION SOCIETY

PAWs for Life takes in lost and unwanted dogs & cats; to return to their owners, if possible, find good homes, & educate humane treatment of animals.

PAWS For Life – Animal Welfare & Protection Society began in 1978 with the collective actions of eight individuals who saw the need, in Pueblo, to provide help and aid to abandoned, abused and unwanted companion animals. The objective was to place each of these animals into a loving home.

In its beginning there was no shelter facility. Care for animals was provided strictly through a foster home system but it quickly became obvious that the foster home system was limited. Large numbers of adoptable animals were still left to die in the streets or were subject to disposal at taxpayers’ expense.

Thankfully, in March of 1980 Albert O. Pritz donated land at 3420 West 8th Street (off Pueblo Boulevard and 11th Street) and a shelter facility was built. This is where the current shelter still remains.

In 1981 the PAWS For Life – Animal Welfare and Protection Society was incorporated in the state of Colorado as a non-profit organization and is recognized as a 501(c)(3) corporation by the Internal Revenue Service.

PAWS For Life soon established a policy based on population control and adoption as alternatives to euthanasia and the organization began a campaign to focus public awareness on the increasing needs of helpless and homeless animals. In response to this, contributions from the public enabled us to construct a small, 10 run kennel.

The shelter later expanded to 16 indoor access runs and four outside runs. In 2001 the shelter underwent a renovation project that made the shelter safer and healthier for dogs and staff and brought it into compliance with PACFA regulations. Our shelter presently has 26 runs and houses between 50 and 60 dogs at any one time.

With donations from individuals and businesses, fundraising activities and an occasional grant as our only means of support we have been able to care for and adopt out several thousand animals into good homes.

800 N Pueblo Blvd
Pueblo, CO 81003
United States
Peppercorn

This adorable little kitten is as charming as his name! Peppercorn is a sleek black kitty with a tiny white...

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Leila

Leila’s journey has been filled with twists and turns, but her sweet and gentle spirit has remained unshaken. After being...

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Smokey Grey

Smokey Grey was surrendered to us after her owner sadly passed away. Initially shy, Smokey's sweet and affectionate personality is...

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Hazel

Meet Hazel: A Loving Mama Ready for Her Second Chance Hazel’s story is one of resilience and quiet strength. This...

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Shay

Meet Shay: A Beautiful Soul in Need of a Calm, Loving Home Shay is a stunning calico with a heart...

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Toby

Meet Toby! Toby is a sweet 3-year-old who was sadly returned to us through no fault of his own. We’re...

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Buddy Boy

Meet Buddy, an 11-year-old senior looking for a foster or forever home. Buddy would thrive as the only dog in...

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Odin

Odin may have had a rough start in life, but this 1- year old brindle Shepherd mix hasn’t let it...

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Shelby-Lynn

Meet Shelby, a stunning six-year-old Shepherd mix who was returned to us through no fault of her own. This sweet,...

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Loki

Meet Loki, a handsome senior dog at eight years old who is looking for a forever loving home. Sadly, Loki’s...

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Mikey

Meet Mikey – Your New Best Friend! Mikey is an 8-year-old senior who found his way back to PAWS for...

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Nala (Female 10 yrs old) and Poe (Male, 7 Years old)-Bonded

Nala and Poe are a bonded pair of beautiful Shepherd mixes looking for a forever home together. Nala, now 10...

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Baxter B

Meet Baxter – Your Next Best friend! Baxter is a loving and energetic 1-year-old Rottweiler/Pit mix with a heart full...

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Charlie Chaplin (Male) & Mae West (female)

Meet Charlie Chaplin and Mae West, an adorable bonded duo looking for their forever home. These two cuties are very...

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Millie

Meet Millie, a stunning diluted calico with an independent spirit and a mind of her own. Millie's journey took a...

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Farrah PAWcette

Farrah Pawcet is a stunning 1-year-old Bengal Exotic/Domestic mix looking for a foster to adopt home filled with love, patience,...

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Dos

Meet Dos, a charming nine-year-old cat with a heart full of love. Dos originally lived with another feline companion named...

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Jewels

Meet Jewels, a wise seven-year-old senior Kelpie mix. Jewels enjoys walks, playtime in the yard, and the comfort of companionship....

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Bada Bing

In late September, PAWS received a call about Bada's plight. His elderly owner had passed away, leaving him alone, tethered...

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Blue

URGENT FOSTER OR FOREVER HOME NEEDED: Handsome Blue needs a foster or adopter ASAP. Unfortunately sweet Blue was recently diagnosed...

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Chop Chop

Chop Chop is a special pup who joined us from the local city shelter. His larger size and boundless energy...

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Ethan

Meet Ethan: The Sweet Teddy Bear Mastiff Looking for His Forever Home Ethan is a handsome and loving Teddy Bear...

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Tobi

Toby is a 5-year-old husky mix, a sweet and affectionate guy ready to share his love. He maintains a moderate...

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Figaro

FIGARO first came to PAWS as a stray. A few weeks after intake, we noticed that Figaro needed medical attention....

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Sheriff Tommy

Meet Sheriff Tommy: Your Loyal Sidekick! Sheriff Tommy is a Border Collie/Hound mix who came to us through our friends...

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Snickers (Deaf)

Snickers is a Dalmatian mix. who quickly became a staff favorite. Snickers is deaf, and like most shelter animals needs...

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Lowla

Lowla (Heeler/Lab mix) came to PAWS as an owner surrender. She was not sure who to trust and it took...

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Harley Girl

Harley Girl is a stunning pooch searching for her forever family! Rescued from the local Animal Shelter, she's now ready...

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Archie

Adorable Archie came to us from our transfer partners, where he was found as a stray. Archie has some issues...

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Tucker

Meet Tucker, a truly lovable 5-year-old Anatolian Shepherd mix in search of his forever home. Tucker has overcome challenges in...

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Cole

Meet Cole, the resilient and sweet cat who has overcome challenges with grace. Cole's journey started as a stray who...

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Ravus

Meet Ravus- Staff found handsome Ravus in our yard with note stating that although Ravus is a great dog, his...

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Cherry Pie

Cherry Pie is a perfect blend of spunk and sweetness! She adores making new friends, , and her love for...

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Scrappy

Meet Scrappy, a seven-year-old handsome senior cat with an inspiring tale of resilience and love. Once a stray, Scrappy found...

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Rose

Rosie is an adorable 2 1/2 year old Pitbull pup with a heart of gold, eagerly waiting her forever home....

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Fudge Brownie

Let's help Fudge Brownie find the loving home he deserves. After two years at PAWS, it's time for this handsome...

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Copper

Handsome Copper is a year-old Pitbull Mix who came to us on transport. This silly guy would make a perfect...

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Maggie

Meet the lovely Maggie. This lovable pup is eagerly searching for her new best friend. Maggie loves long walks and...

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Greyson

Gorgeous Greyson is a sweet and fun loving pitbull who loves to play and run zoomies! He has a lot...

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Gypsy

**Breed:** Boxer/Pitbull Terrier **Status:** Spayed, chipped and Vaccinated Gypsy found her way to PAWS as a stray in 2021 and...

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The Duke

Introducing The Duke! He's a playful, outdoor-loving dog who enjoys walks, meeting new people, and playing with sprinklers. Duke is...

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Tootsie

We have an urgent request for a foster for sweet Tootsie. We are heartbroken to share that Tootsie's loving foster...

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Major

Hi, my name is Major and I’m a hound dog! I’ve been living at the Paws for Life shelter for...

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Bella Rose

Introducing Bella Rose, a regal feline with a heart of gold. Despite her royal demeanor, Bella Rose found herself in...

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Ben

Say hello to Ben, a lovable Pitbull Husky Mix with enchanting blue eyes, patiently waiting for his perfect match to...

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