Colorado Animal Charities To Give to This New Year

Indigo Mountain Nature Center, once a haven for wolves and wolfdogs, is at a crossroads after the passing of its late founder, Sue Cransto. Roaming among the pines of Lake George live 25 wolves and wolfdogs—majestic hybrids with wild spirits—who call the endangered sanctuary home. 

Enter Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary (WSWS), another sanctuary determined to ensure Indigo Mountain’s legacy lives on. Through the Indigo Mountain Campaign, WSWS plans to integrate the sanctuary into its operations, raise funds to keep the wolfdogs safe, and create a place where visitors can connect with these extraordinary animals face-to-face. The dream is bigger than just saving the sanctuary and its residents. The goal is to meet USDA standards, open the doors to the public, and transform Indigo Mountain into a hub for education, conservation, and connection outside of Denver. 

To make this vision a reality, the campaign must secure $1 million in funding. But securing the property is just the start. Every detail matters, from fencing that ensures the safety of the animals and staff to veterinary care that keeps the animals thriving. With help from the public through donations and merchandise purchases, you can support the campaign to create a space where wild canids like these wolfdogs can teach us about coexistence, conservation, and the wildness within ourselves. 

Nestled in Erie, Colorado, Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary is a haven for farm animals who have experienced abuse and neglect. But you have the power to make a difference and help rewrite their stories by sponsoring an animal or donating. Cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens, goats, horses, and more find the compassion and care they desperately deserve at the sanctuary, which follows the philosophy of ahimsa—respect for all living things and avoidance of violence toward others.

Founded in 2015, Luvin Arms is a sanctuary where compassion meets action. Guided tours allow visitors to connect with the residents, hear about their journeys, and gain a new perspective on farmed animal welfare. The sanctuary also hosts educational programs, workshops, and events to promote a compassionate lifestyle and foster a deeper understanding of animal care and advocacy. You might even receive snuggles from Tito, the sanctuary’s rescue cow, who loves ear scratches and enjoys showing off his soccer skills.

Sponsoring a resident creates a meaningful connection. As a sponsor, you will receive a sponsorship certificate and have the opportunity to meet your sponsored resident one-on-one. Various items are essential for daily animal care, from feeding baskets for chickens and turkeys to a new soccer ball for Tito. You can find these items and more by shopping the sanctuary’s wishlist on Amazon or Chewy.   

Flaunt your downward dog to the pros themselves. Ravyn Robbins founded Rescue Puppy Yoga in 2021, recognizing the importance of physical activity and connection after the lockdown. In 2018, after teaching at Rocky Mountain Goat Yoga, she decided to combine her passion for animal advocacy with yoga by focusing on puppies.

Robbins now partners with five rescue organizations that save dogs from areas with high euthanasia rates, including Puerto Rico and Native American reservations where dogs are often overpopulated. At Rescue Puppy Yoga’s nearly weekly events in the Denver Metro Area, participants receive playful puppy kisses while practicing their yoga poses. The best part? All the dogs are available for adoption!

The all-level yoga class benefits both participants and puppies by providing essential socialization and helping the puppies gain confidence around humans, preparing them for adoption. In addition to the $30 yoga classes, Rescue Puppy Yoga offers private events, volunteer opportunities, merchandise for sale, and fostering opportunities. Rescue Puppy Yoga is more than just a class—it’s a chance to stretch, smile, and make a difference, one adorable puppy pose at a time.

Reptiles and amphibians may be small, but they play a significant role in our ecosystem. This is where the Reptile & Amphibian Center of the Rockies comes in. Founded in 2015 by a group of reptile and amphibian enthusiasts, the center was created to share their passion for these animals and promote education about their care in captivity. Acknowledging the increasing need for exotic animal education in the rapidly expanding pet trade, the center recently rebranded to reflect its broader mission. It has now evolved into a nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation, education, and rescue services.

Through guided hikes, school programs, outreach events, and enrichment workshops, the center connects people of all ages to the fascinating world of herpetology. Utilizing ambassador animals for educational events, the center plays a crucial role in fostering stewardship of natural habitats and promoting responsible care in captivity.

Every spring, the center hosts its “Creature Concert,” which features live music, artist booths, animal encounters, and more. While the details of the 2025 Creature Concert are still pending, the center encourages community involvement throughout the year. Whether through donations, volunteering for educational events and animal care, or fostering and adoption, every effort contributes to protecting our ecosystem.

In the heart of Denver, Teddy Cat Cafe is transforming the cat cafe experience by combining cat adoptions with a boutique featuring curated cat-themed goods. Founded by lifelong feline enthusiast Sarah Thomas, the cafe’s mission is to alleviate pressure on often overcrowded local animal shelters and give overlooked cats a chance to find their perfect homes.

Unlike a traditional shelter’s bustling and stressful environment, Teddy Cat Cafe provides a calm atmosphere where adoptable cats can roam freely and display their true personalities. Inspired by her time volunteering at shelters and her experience as a foster parent—her first “foster fail”—Teddy, Thomas aimed to create a space where these cats could thrive outside cages. She made the leap and opened the cafe in 2022, partnering with local shelters to help cats find their forever homes.

Whether you’re looking to adopt or simply want to enjoy a drink while getting some kitty cuddles, booking a playdate at Teddy Cat Cafe supports essential needs like food, toys, and other care necessities. You can savor a coffee or tea while browsing the boutique’s selection of cat-themed artwork, gifts, and apparel. Additionally, you can participate in unique events such as kitty-themed tarot nights or invite a friend to join you for Meowsic and Meditation nights with a buy-one-get-one ticket offer.