La Plata County Humane Society

What La Plata County Humane Society does

La Plata County Humane Society (LPCHS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit open-admission animal welfare organization founded in 1971 and headquartered at 1111 South Camino del Rio, Durango, Colorado. The organization serves all of La Plata County in southwest Colorado, operating as the designated animal protection authority with a Central Dispatch hotline for cruelty and abuse response. Its service portfolio spans the full animal welfare continuum: pet adoption (2,500+ annually), low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinics, microchipping via 24PetWatch, dog licensing for county residents, lost-and-found reunification, foster placement, animal protection and cruelty investigation, trap-neuter-release (TNR) for feral cats, end-of-life services including euthanasia and cremation, and emergency pet evacuation in partnership with the La Plata County Emergency Management Office. The organization additionally operates an LPCHS Thrift Store that sells donated goods (including vehicles and real estate) with all proceeds directed to shelter operations.

The organization's underlying technology is entirely third-party and non-proprietary: Shelterluv provides shelter management, real-time adoptable pet listings, matchmaker surveys for cats, dogs, and small pets, surrender forms, and clinic sign-ups; 24PetWatch provides microchip registration and reunification database access. The website is built on Squarespace and serves as the primary digital hub, supplemented by social media, Colorado Gives for online charitable donations, and Amazon/Chewy wishlists for in-kind giving.

Revenue is generated across six diversified streams: tax-deductible donations and fundraising, one-time adoption fees ($20–$250 tiered by animal type and age), thrift store retail sales, mandatory dog licensing fees, low-cost veterinary service fees, and $25/year membership dues. Operations are supported by 50 staff and 300+ active volunteers under the leadership of Executive Director Colleen Dunning. The organization maintains a 90%+ live release rate (no-kill status), serves 2,000–6,000+ pets annually, and has grown its low-cost service volume by 97% since 2018.

Name

La Plata County Humane Society

Legal name

La Plata County Humane Society

Website

https://lpchumanesociety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

La Plata County Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) open-admission animal shelter in Durango, Colorado, serving La Plata County residents with pet adoptions, low-cost veterinary care, licensing, animal protection, emergency evacuation, end-of-life services, and a thrift store funded by donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare and Shelter Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Veterinary Services (54194)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spay/Neuter & Population Control Programs (BPAGAIAE), Animal Cruelty Prevention, Investigation & Humane Law Enforcement (BPAGAIAG), Low-Cost & Community Veterinary Clinics (HLAMAAAE), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD)

Keywords

• Animal shelter services
• Pet adoption services
• Low-cost veterinary services
• Spay neuter clinic
• Animal welfare programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Durango

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals and businesses, including one-time gifts, membership dues, and event-based fundraising. LPCHS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit (EIN 23-7274035).
2. Adoption Fees: One-time adoption fees for dogs, cats, and small animals, ranging from $20 (barn cats) to $250 (puppies 0-6 months). These fees partially offset the cost of shelter care.
3. Thrift Store Revenue: The LPCHS Thrift Store sells donated gently-used items, estate sale inventory, furniture, electronics, vehicles, and real estate. All proceeds go directly to shelter pets. Membership offers a 10% discount.
4. Licensing and Permit Fees: Mandatory dog licensing fees for La Plata County residents: altered dogs $15/year, unaltered dogs $30–$60/year depending on jurisdiction. Supports local animal control.
5. Veterinary Service Fees: Low-cost spay/neuter, vaccination, microchipping, deworming, heartworm testing, and nail trim services. Also includes euthanasia and cremation services. Feral cat TNR is donation-based at $5.
6. Membership Dues: Annual membership program providing exclusive updates, event invites, and a 10% thrift store discount in exchange for recurring contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

La Plata County Humane Society is an open-admission animal shelter that accepts all pets from La Plata County regardless of circumstances. It provides pet adoption, low-cost spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping, dog licensing, lost-and-found reunification, animal protection/cruelty investigation, end-of-life euthanasia and cremation, trap-neuter-release for feral cats, and emergency pet evacuation services. A thrift store and annual membership program generate dedicated funding for shelter operations.

Product overview

La Plata County Humane Society operates as an open-admission animal shelter providing comprehensive pet services in La Plata County, Colorado. The organization offers a unified service portfolio centered on animal welfare: core services include pet adoption, spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations and microchipping, lost and found reunification, pet licensing, animal protection, and emergency evacuation services. Supporting services include a thrift store, foster care program, trap-neuter-release (TNR) for feral cats, end-of-life services (euthanasia and cremation), pet surrender intake, and volunteer/membership programs. The shelter serves over 2,000 pets annually and maintains a no-kill status with a 90%+ adoption rate.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pet Adoption Services Facilitates animal adoptions connecting shelter pets (dogs, cats, small animals) with prospective owners via online matchmaker surveys and adoption fee tiers by animal age. Adoption fees range from $20 for barn cats to $250 for puppies 0–6 months, with reduced fees for senior animals (dogs 7+ years: $75; cats 7+ years: $50). 2,500+ animals are rehomed annually.
• Spay & Neuter Services Low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats available multiple clinic days per week with online registration. Feline neuter $50; feline spay $100; canine neuter $150; canine spay $200, with additional fees for pregnant/in-heat, umbilical hernia, dogs 70lb+, or hospitalization. TNR surgeries for feral cats are donation-based at $5 and include rabies vaccine and ear tip.
• Vaccinations & Microchipping Low-cost vaccination clinics for dogs and cats including rabies ($35), DA2PPV ($35), Bordetella ($35), FVRCP ($35), FeLV test ($50), heartworm test ($50), and dewormers. Microchipping ($45–$50) with 24PetWatch registration supports pet identification and lost pet reunification. Clinic appointments are restricted to La Plata, Montezuma, and Archuleta county residents.
• Dog Licensing Services Annual and multi-year dog licensing for La Plata County residents. City residents: altered dogs $15/year, unaltered $60/year. County residents: altered dogs free for residents 62+ with ID, otherwise standard rates; unaltered $30/year. Tags last 1 or 3 years. Mandatory for county compliance.
• LPCHS Thrift Store Physical second-hand retail store co-located with the shelter, selling donated gently-used clothing, furniture, electronics, vehicles, estate sale inventory, and real estate. Features $1, $3, and specialty item sections (most items under $9). Members receive a 10% discount. All proceeds go directly to shelter pets.
• End-of-Life Services (Euthanasia and Cremation) In-shelter euthanasia services priced by animal type and weight (feline $125; canine $150–$225 by weight tier) plus cremation services. Cremation options include simple ($50–$60), communal ($150–$225 by weight), and private (communal price + $100). No appointment needed for cremation-only; cremains available for pickup in 1–2 weeks.
• Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) Program Donation-based feral cat program providing $5 spay/neuter services, rabies vaccine, and ear tip for community cats. TNR clinics run on Thursdays only. Trap rental is $5/day with a $100 deposit. Designed to control feral cat populations in La Plata County.
• Annual Membership Program Annual membership for $25/year that provides exclusive updates, event invitations, and a 10% discount on thrift store purchases in exchange for recurring contributions to LPCHS.
• Pet Surrender Services Accepts surrendered pets from La Plata County residents with required forms and fees. In-county surrender: $50/animal or $100/litter. Out-of-county surrender: $750/animal. Strays from outside the county: $100. Handles owner surrenders, stray intakes, and adoption returns.
• Shop for a Cause (Apparel Merchandise) Online merchandise store selling LPCHS-branded apparel, with all proceeds benefiting shelter animals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90%+ live release rate — recognized as a no-kill shelter
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pet HauscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal pet supply retailer (1444 Main Ave, Durango, CO) and event sponsor for LPCHS Adopt-a-Thon and Community Concert Series. Pet Haus provides financial sponsorship and promotional support for LPCHS fundraising events.
• Carver BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Durango brewery and restaurant presenting the Summer Community Concert Series at The Powerhouse. LPCHS is a designated beneficiary of the concert series events.
• Ska Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Durango brewery hosting the Durango Brewers Trail Series 10K trail race. Event registration fees and proceeds directly benefit LPCHS shelter pets.
• Creature ComfortsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDurango's largest pet supply retailer (Centennial Center, 305 S Camino Del Rio, Durango). Over 34 years in business. Listed as a donor/supporter on the LPCHS supporters page.
• Durango Motor CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomotive dealership (1200 C Carbon Jct, Durango) serving as event sponsor for the 2026 Adopt-a-Thon. Pet-friendly dealership that encourages guests to bring dogs. Supports LPCHS as a community partner.
• 24PetWatchcoreTechnology or IntegrationMicrochip provider and central database service. All LPCHS-adopted pets are microchipped and registered in the 24PetWatch database. Lost pet owners can update microchip info online via 24PetWatch portal or call 1-866-597-2424.
• ShelterluvcoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party shelter management software used by LPCHS for real-time adoptable pet listings, matchmaker surveys, online adoption applications, surrender forms, vaccination and spay/neuter clinic sign-ups, and lost/found report filings.
• CART (County Animal Response Team)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in LPCHS's Pet Disaster Preparedness Plan. CART assists with livestock evacuation during natural disasters and coordinates with LPCHS for animal sheltering and reunification during emergencies.
• EERP (Equine Education and Relief Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with CART for livestock evacuation during natural disasters. LPCHS works with EERP to assist livestock owners with evacuation to the La Plata County Fairgrounds during emergencies.
• La Plata County Emergency Management OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner that collaborated with LPCHS to build the Pet Disaster Preparedness Plan. Coordinates evacuation orders, shelter activation, and post-disaster reunification protocols for pets across the county.
• Amazon WishlistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon hosts an LPCHS wishlist for community members to donate supplies directly. Items include pet food, bedding, cleaning supplies, and enrichment items needed for shelter operations.
• Chewy WishlistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChewy hosts an LPCHS wishlist enabling pet lovers to send supplies directly to the shelter, supplementing the Amazon wishlist program.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• PetSmart Charities: Leading funder of animal welfare in North America, providing grants to shelters and rescue organizations. Comparable as an ecosystem partner that supports adoption, low-cost veterinary services, and pet retention programs operated by shelters like LPCHS.
• Maddie's Fund: National family foundation focused on achieving no-kill status across U.S. shelters through grantmaking and innovation. Relevant as a major ecosystem funder of community animal welfare organizations, including those similar to LPCHS pursuing no-kill outcomes.

Direct peers

• Denver Dumb Friends League: Colorado's largest open-admission animal shelter operating from Denver. Directly comparable as a 501(c)(3) shelter providing adoption, low-cost veterinary services, animal protection, and cruelty investigation across a multi-county service area, with a similar model but substantially larger scale.
• Pasadena Humane Society: Open-admission shelter providing adoption, licensing, animal control, low-cost veterinary services, and cruelty investigation in the greater Pasadena area. Closely aligned with LPCHS in terms of public-safety contract structure and integrated service portfolio.
• Austin Pets Alive!: Texas-based no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization with comparable programs in low-cost vet care, foster coordination, and TNR. Peer because of similar no-kill mission orientation and breadth of community veterinary services.
• Humane Society of Boulder Valley: Colorado-based open-admission humane society offering adoption, low-cost spay/neuter, vaccine clinics, animal protection dispatch, and humane law enforcement. Directly comparable in mission and service portfolio, though operating in a larger and more affluent Front Range catchment.
• Roice-Hurst Humane Society: Open-admission animal shelter in Grand Junction, Colorado, providing adoption, low-cost veterinary services, and animal protection across Mesa County. Closest geographic and operational peer within the Western Colorado region, serving a similar rural-adjacent population.

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA: National animal welfare organization providing rescue, cruelty investigation, and grant funding to local humane societies. Comparable as a broad incumbent that competes for donor dollars and sets national standards for shelter operations.
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): Nation's largest animal protection organization operating across policy, advocacy, and direct care. Overlaps with LPCHS on advocacy and rescue themes, though operates at a much larger national scale and competes for philanthropic funding.
• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill advocacy and shelter-operating organization headquartered in Kanab, Utah. Operates sanctuaries and partners with regional shelters like LPCHS on no-kill initiatives, making it a broad incumbent in the same mission space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LPC_Humane

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about La Plata County Humane Society