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
Scooby & Shaggy (Bonded Pair)

Introducing Scooby and Shaggy, the most handsome bonded pair you'll ever encounter. Originally living as ferals, their journey to began...

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Cayenne Pepper

Meet Cayenne Pepper, the Snuggle Queen of the Rockies! Cayenne has never met a lap or pair of arms she...

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Dune

Meet Dune, a wise and gentle senior male cat with a heart full of love. Despite his shy demeanor, Dune...

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Balto

Introducing Balto, a delightful pup with a heart full of love and a zest for life! Found as a stray,...

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Deena & Snookie

Introducing the adorable duo – Snookie, and Deena. Deena (smaller black kitty) was diagnosed with moderate cerebellar hypoplasia. Snookie (black...

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Dos

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

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Pixie Meowsome

Meet Pixie Meowsome, a testament to resilience and sweetness. Despite overcoming fractures in her ribs and sternum from a past...

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Jewels

Meet Jewels, a wise senior dog with seven years of cherished moments. Jewels delights in walks, playtime in the yard,...

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Milk

Meet Milk, a sweet and friendly seven-year-old kitty in search of a loving family. Sadly, Milk's first owner passed away,...

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Bada Bing

Meet Bada Bing, a lovable 3-year-old Pitbull with a heart as big as his friendly demeanor. Despite a bit of...

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Aspen

Aspen is a 5-year-old husky in search of a forever home. Aspen is a charismatic escape artist who keeps life...

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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 Meet Chop Chop, our special pup transferred from the local city shelter. His larger size and seemingly endless...

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Saturn

Saturn, a special kitty who has made an incredible transformation since arriving at our shelter. Initially, Saturn was withdrawn and...

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Lilly

Meet Lily, the very cute Pitbull Terrier who unexpectedly found her way into our lives when she was left in...

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Ethan

Meet Ethan, a handsome and sweet Teddy Bear Mastiff in search of a loving family. Ethan had a rough start...

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Ava

Meet Ava, a vibrant 3-year-old red heeler/Australian Cattle Dog beaming with boundless energy and affection. This high-spirited girl thrives on...

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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 Tommie

Meet Sheriff Tommie! Tommie came to us through our friends at Hwy 50 Freedom Ride. This friendly and active boy...

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Snickers (Deaf)

Snickers is a 4 Year-Old Dalmatian mix. who quickly became a staff favorite. Snickers is deaf, and like most shelter...

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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, a lovable and spirited pooch searching for her forever family! This gorgeous girl was rescued from the local...

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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

Introducing Tucker, a truly lovable and endearing companion in search of his forever home. This 4-year-old handsome Anatolian Shepherd mix...

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Frankie Sinatra

Frankie Sinatra is a silly and energetic Husky/Pit mix, with the most stunning blue eyes. He was found wandering around...

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Lenny

Lenny is a 4 year old Catahoula Mix, who was found abandoned on the side of a county road. We...

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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

Introducing Cherry Pie, a delightful 3-year-old Australian Kelpie Mix known for her playful nature! This adorable pup was left in...

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Scrappy

Hi there. My name is Scrappy. I am a sweet 6-year-old boy who is looking for his forever home. I...

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Bruno

Bruno is a big dog with a big heart. He is a 2 1/2 year old Pitbull mix that absolutely...

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O' Malley

Meet O' Malley Mr. O'Malley! Two-Years-Old, Lab/Pitbull mix Hey everyone, it's O'Malley here, eager to meet you all! With my...

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Rose

Meet Rose, an adorable Pitbull Pup with a heart of gold, desperately waiting for her forever home. Born on December...

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Rocky

Rocky, a 2-year-old handsome guy, found his way back to us due to circumstances beyond his control. His family had...

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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 1 1/2 year old Greyson is a sweet and fun loving pitbull who loves to play and run zoomies!...

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Gypsy

Miss Gypsy’s “Dog Days of Summer” Gypsy came to PAWS as a stray in 2021. Gypsy is a staff 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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Goose

Hi my name is Goose! I am now a 2 year old, and boy oh boy do I have energy!...

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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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Chevy

Meet Chevy, an 11-year-old black lab radiating warmth and resilience. Despite being returned after 7 years, Chevy's spirit remains undimmed....

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