Shelters Working To Reunite Pets With Owners
LONGMONT, Colo. (CBS4) - Hundreds of pets lost in the flooding are without homes and some of the shelters are filled to capacity.
There are resources for people who have been separated from their pets such as the Colorado Disaster Lost and Found Pets Facebook page. It's part of the effort to help the shelters identify pets and reunite them with their owners.
There are approximately 200 pets calling the Longmont Humane Society home for now.
"Personal owners, community members are finding strays; animal control officers have been bringing us animals as the evacuees are being brought out of their homes," Liz Smokowski with the Longmont Humane Society said.
It's a full house, but many of the animals have already returned home. Others can stay as long as they need through the free Safe Keep program. Some pet owners have been forced by the floods to make a tough decision.
"They already have so much stress going on. Some folks have come in and said, 'I don't have a yard left, there's no fence, I don't know what to do, I can't keep my animal," Smokowski said.
Many Humane Society employees have been affected as well. One employee and her fiancé lost nearly everything and their upcoming Estes Park wedding site is in jeopardy, yet she goes to work every day.
"It's been good, It keeps my mind off things and it's great to help everyone else," she said.
The edible donations have been coming in but the extra residents are taxing. The Longmont Humane Society is trying to raise $300,000 by November or face foreclosure, but animal care trumps financial woes.
RELATED: Longmont Humane Society Needs Help To Stay Open
"That became second priority to saving these lives," Smokowski said.
The pets that were given up by their owners will now begin the path to adoption. Those who think they have a pet at the Longmont Humane Society are asked to bring in a picture, or at least as much detailed information of pet as they can.
Colorado Floods: How To Help
The recent floods are impacting families and communities throughout Colorado, so CBS4 has compiled a list of ways you can support the local communities impacted by the floods.
LINKS: Colorado Disaster Lost and Found Pets Facebook Page | Longmont Humane Society
