Help outside of Harley’s Hope

Colorado pet resources for older adults

The categories below are alphabetized, with organizations alphabetized within each category. Some programs specifically serve older adults; others serve qualifying pet owners of any age but may be useful to seniors facing fixed incomes, hospitalization, mobility limitations, or housing instability.

Availability, funding, and geographic eligibility can change, so contact each organization before applying.

Cancer treatment and support

Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University
970-297-5000
Fort Collins veterinary cancer center offering diagnostics, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation oncology, clinical trials, and other treatment options. Ask about current patient-assistance funds and eligibility. (csuanimalcancercenter.org)

Treeline Veterinary Cancer Care
720-432-8680
Veterinary oncology consultations, diagnostics, treatment, monitoring, and family support in Boulder and Eagle. (Treeline Vet Cancer Care)

Emergency boarding, foster care, and placement

Denver Animal Protection — Temporary Pet Housing Program
720-337-1813
Short-term housing for pets of qualifying Denver residents experiencing hospitalization, domestic violence, treatment, or another crisis. A caseworker referral is required, and admission depends on available shelter capacity. (Denver.gov)

Humane Colorado — Pet Assist
303-751-5772
Free, short-term foster care for pets whose owners are experiencing hospitalization, injury, illness, domestic violence, housing insecurity, or another urgent hardship. (Humane Colorado)

ResPet Colorado
720-527-1778
One-time, last-resort temporary foster care for financially limited pet owners experiencing a documented crisis. The organization primarily places dogs but may assist with other animals when appropriate foster homes are available. (website)

Safe Place for Pets
719-359-0201
Serves terminally ill pet owners in El Paso and Teller counties through permanent pet placement, advance planning, and a wellness program. It does not ordinarily provide temporary foster care while an owner is ill. Email may currently be more reliable than voicemail. (Safe Place for Pets)

Housing and pet-deposit assistance

Denver Animal Shelter — Pet Deposit Assistance
3-1-1 or 720-913-1311 outside Denver
A pilot program providing a one-time $300 pet deposit for qualifying renters who live in or are moving to Denver City Council District 10. (Denver.gov)

Pet food assistance

Animal Friends Alliance — Kibble Supply Pet Food Pantry
970-484-8516, ext. 5133
Provides supplemental dog and cat food through scheduled distributions in Fort Collins. The program primarily serves qualifying residents of Larimer and Weld counties, although some applicants from surrounding areas may be considered. (Animal Friends Alliance)

Colorado Pet Pantry
303-818-0618
Provides supplemental pet food through distribution partners and pantry locations around Colorado. Food, locations, and eligibility are subject to availability. (Colorado Pet Pantry)

Transportation and in-home support

Safe Place for Pets
719-359-0201
Its Wellness Program assists terminally ill pet owners in El Paso and Teller counties with veterinary visits, grooming, food, exercise, errands, and other pet-care needs. (Safe Place for Pets)

White Whiskers Aging Pet Care
719-799-6670
A Colorado Springs mobile veterinary service specializing in senior pets, pain, mobility, frailty, quality-of-life support, and end-of-life care. In-home appointments can eliminate the need to transport an older or medically fragile pet. (White Whiskers Aging Pet Care)

Veterinary care and financial assistance

Colorado Veterinary Medical Association — Care Grants
303-318-0447
Provides limited grants for one-time medical or surgical treatment through participating veterinarians in Colorado’s rural and frontier counties. The veterinarian must examine the animal, establish a treatment plan, and submit the application. Grants do not cover initial examinations, routine care, or most chronic conditions. (CVMA)

Elder Pet Care
970-493-2657
Northern Colorado nonprofit providing affordable veterinary care for pets belonging to senior citizens who otherwise may be unable to afford treatment. (ColoradoGives.org)

Humane Colorado Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur
303-722-5800
Denver nonprofit veterinary hospital offering donor-subsidized care, same-day appointments, dentistry, surgery, and non-elective urgent services for owned dogs and cats. It is not equipped for overnight hospitalization or the most critical emergencies. (Humane Colorado)

Pet Care Coalition
303-750-2008
Aurora nonprofit veterinary hospital providing discounted, full-service care for financially constrained households. Income-based qualifications apply, and people receiving SSI, SSDI, or veterans’ benefits may qualify for discounted care. (Pet Care Co.)

True Companions Animal Shelter & Clinic
303-595-0532
Denver nonprofit clinic offering affordable preventive care, vaccinations, dentistry, spay and neuter procedures, and selected surgeries. Services are open to the public without an income qualification or residency requirement. (maxfund.org)