Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Partner for Animal Welfare in Durango, CO
Founded in 1971, La Plata County Humane Society has dedicated over five decades to protecting, returning, and rehoming vulnerable pets in our community. As an open-admission shelter in Durango, Colorado, we accept all animals from La Plata County regardless of circumstances, ensuring no pet in need is turned away. Our team of 50 staff members and 300+ volunteers assists over 6,000 pets annually through shelter services, animal protection programs, and community education. We operate Colorado's only Certified Equine Investigator program and maintain a 24/7 animal cruelty reporting hotline.Through strategic initiatives like low-cost spay/neuter clinics and a donation-based Trap-Neuter-Release program, we address pet overpopulation while promoting responsible pet ownership. Our thrift store generates critical funding for life-saving operations, and our end-of-life services provide compassionate care for pets and their families. With a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, we rely on community generosity to sustain our mission of finding loving homes for every animal in our care.
Services
Pet Shelter
Adoption Services
Spay/Neuter Clinics
Animal Protection
Thrift Store
Details
- Year established: 1971
Highlights and features
- We operate Colorado's only Certified Equine Investigator program for animal cruelty cases
- Our 24/7 animal cruelty hotline responds to emergencies year-round
- Open-admission shelter accepts all La Plata County pets regardless of condition
- Community-funded thrift store directly supports shelter animal care
- Over 300 volunteers contribute 10,000+ annual service hours
Services
Pet Adoption
Our open-admission shelter helps over 2,500 animals annually find loving homes. We accept all pets from La Plata County regardless of condition, providing medical care, behavioral support, and socialization before adoption. Experienced counselors guide families through the selection process to ensure perfect pet-owner matches.
Animal Protection
Certified Equine Investigators and animal cruelty specialists respond to emergencies 24/7. We enforce local ordinances, rescue neglected animals, and provide rabies quarantine services. Our officers mediate neighborhood disputes while educating the community about responsible pet ownership through field outreach and public workshops.
Spay/Neuter Clinics
Affordable clinics held multiple days weekly help control pet populations. These services extend companion animals' lifespans through preventive care while reducing shelter intake. Programs include low-cost vaccinations, microchipping, and the Trap-Neuter-Release initiative for feral cat population management.
Thrift Store
Second-hand retail operation funds shelter operations through donations of clothing, furniture, and household goods. Special pricing sections and unique finds attract shoppers while generating critical revenue. Donations receive tax-deductible receipts, and proceeds directly support animal care programs.
End-of-Life Services
Compassionate euthanasia and cremation services help families navigate difficult transitions. Our staff provides emotional support while offering dignified options for pet owners facing terminal diagnoses. Services include private cremation arrangements and memorialization guidance for grieving families.
People
Tricia Simpson
Board President
Leading the board since 2020, Tricia brings 15 years of nonprofit governance experience. She oversees strategic planning and community relations while maintaining transparency in organizational operations through regular public board meetings.
Julie Dreyfuss
Executive Director
With 12 years in animal welfare leadership, Julie directs daily operations and program development. She manages staff and volunteers across all departments, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission to protect and rehome vulnerable pets.
C. Arnold
Animal Protection Supervisor
Supervising officer with specialized equine investigation training, C. Arnold leads cruelty case responses. He manages field operations and coordinates with law enforcement agencies to enforce animal protection laws across La Plata County.
Cassidy Crisp
Media Relations Manager
Handling public communications since 2018, Cassidy manages media outreach and community education programs. She develops content to promote adoption success stories and coordinates awareness campaigns about responsible pet ownership.
Liza Brown
Volunteer Coordinator
Organizing volunteer programs for five years, Liza manages 300+ volunteers contributing 10,000+ annual service hours. She oversees orientation training and matches volunteers with appropriate roles in animal care and administrative support.
Questions
How do I adopt a pet from La Plata County Humane Society?
Complete our online Matchmaker Survey, then visit our shelter during operating hours to meet available animals. Staff will guide you through the adoption process including application review and pet selection.
What should I do if I find a stray animal?
Contact our Animal Protection department at (970) 385-2900 for stray animal assistance. They provide guidance on temporary care and arrange pickup through our 24/7 cruelty reporting hotline.
Does the shelter offer low-cost veterinary services?
We provide affordable spay/neuter clinics and vaccination programs. For other veterinary care, we recommend local clinics while offering referrals through our community resources network.
Can I volunteer if I'm under 18 years old?
Minors aged 8+ can volunteer with parental supervision. All volunteers must complete an application and attend orientation. Youth programs include animal socialization and shelter maintenance activities.
What happens to donated items at the thrift store?
All proceeds from donated item sales directly fund animal care programs. Donations receive tax-deductible receipts, and items are sold at affordable prices to support both community shoppers and shelter operations.
How are animal cruelty cases investigated?
Report cruelty concerns to our 24/7 hotline. Certified investigators respond to emergencies, document evidence, and work with law enforcement to rescue animals and prosecute offenders through legal channels.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Desiree Shumpert
May 29, 2022
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I'd like to give a big shout out to the Durango Humane Society for being so gracious in accommodating me with temporary housing for my fur baby DeOgie. I appreciate Colleen and the nurse for going above and beyond with the care they gave to DeOgie. Thanks to Gary and the rest of the staff for making me feel so comfortable in the decision to leave DeOgie in your care. Thumbs up to the La Plata County Humane Society. Sincerely, Desiree and DeOgie
Carlin Berry
Apr 18, 2022
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Staff was extremely rude and unpleasant. I received a call back about an animal I was looking at for possible adoption, the lady was very short and snappy and said ".First of all someone already adopted her and second of all you have TOO many animals so we will not be adopting any animals out to you!." She REALLY could have handled that much more professionally. There was no reason for her to have an attitude with me at all, she could have just apologized and let me know the animal already found a home.
I do have a few animals, but I also have fertility challenges, so I care for my pets like they are my children. Therefore I do not appreciate the insinuation on her end that I already have enough animals and couldn't care for another.
I do have a few animals, but I also have fertility challenges, so I care for my pets like they are my children. Therefore I do not appreciate the insinuation on her end that I already have enough animals and couldn't care for another.
Miss Begaye
Mar 25, 2022
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The staff is helpful and nice when we first went there and adopted a dog. But, everyone was so busy running in and out, we had to stop somebody just to ask about a dog. And then there's the long wait just to see the animal. For everyone's information! Once you return a dog there for any reasons, even if it's for the dogs own safety, you are pretty much stuck on their, "do not adopt too" blacklist.
The shelter supervisor basically told us, no, we will not be able to adopt there anymore because we returned a dog. I'm hoping this goes for everyone! And not just because we are Native Americans, which I am hoping was not the issue!
The shelter supervisor basically told us, no, we will not be able to adopt there anymore because we returned a dog. I'm hoping this goes for everyone! And not just because we are Native Americans, which I am hoping was not the issue!
Brenton Martinez
Oct 19, 2021
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Adopted a dog this May from the humane society in Durango. The staff was extremely nice and helpful, and I ended up with a great dog. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Southern Air
Sep 06, 2021
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Really odd policy that if you want to take a dog out and pet it/ get to know it you have to fill out an entire adoption form which takes 20 or so minutes and they'll get back to you in a few (days or weeks not sure)after checking all your info. I found a dog a really liked and wanted to get to know him or at least pet him and see his temperament, the filling out the form was annoying and time consuming but the attitude from the lady working at the front counter made it so unpleasant I lost interest in wanting to come back and look at the dog.
She was cold and rude when we were asking questions at the front desk like we were bothering her just by being there, I handed the form to her and we walked out, a few minutes later she came chasing after use and began loudly repeating my address and personal information in front of a bunch of strangers outside with a level of hostility in her voice like she was interagating me. She made me and my friend so uncomfortable we just left, .
She was cold and rude when we were asking questions at the front desk like we were bothering her just by being there, I handed the form to her and we walked out, a few minutes later she came chasing after use and began loudly repeating my address and personal information in front of a bunch of strangers outside with a level of hostility in her voice like she was interagating me. She made me and my friend so uncomfortable we just left, .
