Nearly 800 cats in need of homes today
Eight hundred could be the population of a small town or a Denver-area school, but in this case, it’s the number of cats currently in the care of the Dumb Friends League. Due to the cat crisis, all adoption fees for cats and kittens are being waived through August 31.
“We have seen about a 47 percent increase in cats and kittens that are brought to both of our shelters compared to this time last year,” said Bob Rohde, president and CEO for the League. “There is an endless stream of homeless cats coming through our doors each day, and we need the community to help us find homes for them.”
The free cat adoptions will be offered at both shelter locations—the Quebec Street shelter in Denver and the Buddy Center in Castle Rock. The waived adoption fee includes a spay/neuter surgery, initial vaccinations, microchip ID implant and a free office visit with a participating veterinarian. The League spends approximately $300 for each homeless cat, including shelter, food and medical care.
“We want to see cats in loving homes not in a shelter, which is why we are waiving adoption fees,” said Theresa Geary, vice president of operations. “The most important thing that we can do right now is place these cats into homes.”
Families that cannot adopt at this time may still help by becoming foster parents for needy cats or dogs. The League provides foster families with food and supplies, as well as veterinary care for pets as needed.
“We need everyone’s help to prevent more pets coming through our doors,” said Geary. “It’s essential that people with unaltered cats and dogs have them spayed or neutered.”
In addition to spaying and neutering every adoptable pet at both shelters, the League also offers donor-subsidized spay/neuter surgeries for pets in underserved areas. These surgeries are performed by licensed veterinarians on the Meow Mobile and the LuLu Mobile.
View all of our cats in need of new homes, or call (303) 751-5772,
Ext. 6800 for more information.
Donate blankets and towels for the animals
Have any old blankets or extra towels? The Dumb Friends League can use them! Since there are so many homeless cats and kittens in our care right now, we are in need of additional towels and blankets to help keep our feline (and canine) friends comfortable.
Help us stock the shelves for the animals! Donations are accepted at both shelter locations—the Quebec Street shelter in Denver and the Buddy Center in Castle Rock—during regular adoption hours. Thank you!
Have an adorable photograph of your furry friend? Or, a very photogenic pooch, kitty or other critter? Here’s your chance to make him a star!
Enter your pet’s photo into the Dumb Friends League pet calendar contest, and he could be selected as a “Pet of the Month.” All qualified entries will be featured in the 2011 wall calendar, plus every entrant will receive a FREE calendar. Entries must be postmarked by August 15, 2010. It’s only $35 to enter, with proceeds benefiting the homeless animals in our care. Enter today!
Help protect pets during the summer months
It’s getting hot outside! Help us protect pets from the heat this summer.
On hot days, a parked automobile can act like a furnace, even with the windows open. When it’s 80°F outside, the inside of a car can reach above 100°F in just 10 minutes. A pet could suffer from heat stroke … or worse.
Encourage others to keep their pets at home where it’s comfortable, cool and safe! Download and print our “pets & parked car” tip sheet, and then give it to your friends, family and co-workers.
If you see a pet inside a car without the windows open, please call 911 immediately. It could help save the animal’s life!
View more hot weather pet tips to make sure your pet and other pets have a safe and healthy summer.
Best friends find home together
Two best friends were found in a Denver-area park on a warm day in July.Despite weeks on the streets, Jessie—a 2-year-old short-haired calico—and Molly—a 7-year-old beagle/pug mix—never left each other’s side. The kind resident, who found the homeless pair together, brought both Jessie and Molly to the Dumb Friends League so they could receive shelter, food and care….and,ultimately, find a new home together.
On July 23, Erryn Wacks of Denver visited the League’s website to view adoptable pets for a friend. Immediately, she was drawn to the story about Molly and Jessie on the home page. After reading their story and seeing the photographs of the two cuddling, Erryn decided that she and her husband, Peter, as well as Susie—their one-eyed pug who was previously adopted from the League in 2009—had to meet the pair.
Upon introductions, Jessie walked right up to the Wacks for attention and greeted their dog, Susie, like they were old friends. Both Molly and Susie loved the abundance of petting and sat side-by-side for treats.
The Wacks adopted Jessie and Molly that day. The pair will enjoy the rest of their lives together as best friends, and with a new furry friend, Susie.
Dogs rescued from filthy conditions looking for forever homes in Denver area
The Dumb Friends League has taken in 15 of 60 dogs removed 
earlier this week from the Eastern Montana Humane Society. The Humane Society of the United States and the Fallon County 
Sheriff’s department were called in to rescue the 60 dogs and 30 cats because many were living in filthy, cramped, unsafe pens and crates for long periods of time.
The dogs are all mixes; most are border collie, cattle dog and Labrador. They are currently being evaluated for health and temperament. Most came to us needing attention from a groomer. Some may be ready for adoption right away, others may need more time. The Humane Society of Boulder Valley also received five of the dogs.
Dumb Friends League introduces Clicks & Tricks for cats, the first training class of its kind in the region
Sit, rollover, high five—those are just some of the tricks that cats learn in the Dumb Friends League’s Clicks & Tricks class. The four-week course is the first clicker-training class of its kind in the region, as the League aims to improve the perception of cats in the community and strengthen the bond between pets and their owners.
It is a common belief that cats cannot be trained, but through Clicks & Tricks, the Dumb Friends League plans to debunk this myth. “Cats are intelligent and receptive to training just like dogs and other animals,” said Matt Levien, behavior supervisor for the Dumb Friends League. “This class—the only one in the region—is a way to showcase cats’ abilities to learn and perform, while offering an opportunity for cat owners to have fun training and interacting with their feline friend.”
During the Clicks & Tricks’ orientation, cat owners learn about litter-box problem prevention, destructive scratching prevention, toys and activities, and typical cat behaviors and issues. For the remaining three classes, feline students are encouraged to attend. With the guidance of knowledgeable staff, owners teach their cats how to sit on command, rollover, give a “high five” and stand up on their hind legs, among other advanced behaviors.
“Clicks & Tricks shows that cats can be trained to perform desired behaviors,” said Levien, who also clicker-trains cats in the shelter. “Plus, this class also helps cats become well-adjusted companions, and it provides their owners with practical tips about typical cat behavior and addressing common problems.”
Clicks & Tricks is offered monthly from now through December at the League’s Quebec Street shelter, located at 2080 S. Quebec St. in Denver, Colo. Classes cost $40 and meet weekly for four weeks, and all classes begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Feline students must be at least 18 weeks old. Register today.
Train and socialize your feline friend in Kitten Kindergarten
Many may think that a cat cannot be trained, but felines prove that this belief is a myth through the Dumb Friends League Kitten Kindergarten class. During the three-week course, young cats become socialized and learn tricks that would impress any non-believer. 
“The goal of Kitten Kindergarten is to increase owners’ understanding of cats and their needs, and strengthen the bond between owners and their pets,” said Matt Levien, behavior supervisor for the League. “The class also helps kittens become well-adjusted companions, and it provides their owners with practical tips to ensure that future grooming efforts, trips to a veterinarian, or other travel experiences are calm and rewarding.”
During the Kitten Kindergarten’s orientation, cat owners learn about litter-box problem prevention, destructive scratching prevention, toys and activities, and typical cat behavior issues. For the second and third week classes, the owners’ kittens are encouraged to attend. They have an opportunity to socialize with other kittens, interact with new people, and explore new environments in a safe and positive manner. Meanwhile, owners learn nail-trimming skills, how to teach their kittens to accept handling and restraint, and how to desensitize them to a carrier. For added fun, the feline students learn to sit on command, come when called and give a “high five.”
Kitten Kindergarten is offered monthly from now through October at the League’s Quebec Street shelter, located at 2080 S. Quebec St. in Denver, Colo. The next session begins June 8, 2010, and costs $30. Classes meet weekly for three weeks, and all classes begin at 6:30 p.m. Enrollment is limited to kittens between 8 and 13 weeks of age at the start of the class.
Register your feline friend for Kitten Kindergarten online, or call (303) 751-5772, Ext. 7629, to register by phone.
Two thousand people celebrated the love of cats at CatFest
66 cats and kittens found homes during the event 
Dog lovers don't have all the fun! Nearly 2,000 people celebrated their love of cats at the Dumb Friends League’s second annual CatFest, sponsored by Hill's Science Diet and Banfield, The Pet Hospital. Sixty-six cats and kittens found homes during the event on July 10.
In addition to highlighting adoptable cats and kittens, CatFest featured a purebred cat exhibition, a “Meow Market” with vendors selling cat-related merchandise, and clicker training, grooming and nail trimming demonstrations. The annual event also included contests, giveaways, and games and activities for children. The first 500 people received a free goodie bag, with more than $20 worth of cat-related items.
During CatFest, the Dumb Friends League adopted out 44 adult cats and 22 kittens at the Quebec Street shelter in Denver. Each cat’s adoption fee included a spay/neuter surgery, initial vaccinations, microchip ID implant, free office visit with a participating veterinarian and a bag of Hill’s Science Diet pet food.
"We are thrilled that thousands of cat lovers joined us for the event and so many cats found permanent homes during CatFest," said Bob Rohde, president and CEO for the Dumb Friends League. "Cats make wonderful pets—they not only bring joy to your life and offer companionship, but cats are also affectionate, intelligent, receptive to training and low-maintenance."
Couldn’t make it to CatFest? Watch our video and view photos from this year’s event.
Spay/neuter program reaches new milestone
Since 2005, more than 20,000 owned pets in underserved metro-Denver areas have been spayed and neutered on our two mobile clinics—the Lulu Mobile and the Meow Mobile.
High-volume spay/neuter programs like ours are critical to reducing pet overpopulation. Our success is due to a host of committed animal lovers working together: our donors, whose gifts subsidize the cost of the surgeries and operation of the clinics; our friends at more than 150 businesses who provide sites for the clinics; approximately 30 veterinarians who volunteer their services on the Meow Mobile; and many dedicated employees and volunteers.
Learn more about this program and view our ambitious clinic schedule online. To volunteer as a host site, call (303) 751-5772, Ext. 7276.
Dumb Friends League celebrates 700th Birthday (in dog years)
The Dumb Friends League is celebrating a BIG birthday! Since it was founded in 1910, the Dumb Friends League has helped more than 2 million animals in Colorado and beyond.
To commemorate the occasion, media, special friends, League volunteers and staff attended a centennial celebration at the Dumb Friends League’s Quebec St. shelter in Denver on March 16, 2010. Cats and dogs also took part in the celebration, enjoying special birthday treats – “pup” cakes for the dogs and tuna-flavored treats for the kitties.
Click here to learn more about the League’s history and help ensure another century of service for pets and people or call (303) 751-5772.
Colorful collars needed
Sometimes our adorable adoptable black kittens and cats are overlooked. We want to help them stand out from the crowd. Colorful or fancy collars can make a difference.
If you would like to donate new or used jeweled, plaid, or bright-colored break-away cat collars, please bring or send them to our shelters, marked to the attention of Julie Broyles .
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