What Humane Colorado does

Humane Colorado is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organization (EIN 84-0405254) headquartered at the Leslie A. Malone Center in Denver, operating five physical sites across Colorado: the Malone Center and the Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur in Denver, the Buddy Center in Castle Rock, the 168-acre Harmony Equine Center in Franktown, and the San Luis Valley Animal Center in Alamosa. Founded around 1910 and formerly known as the Dumb Friends League (rebranded following a 2019 merger), the organization has accumulated 115 years of institutional presence in Colorado animal welfare. Its functional scope spans companion-animal adoption, low-cost community veterinary care, equine rehabilitation, animal protection investigations, lost-and-found services, humane education, and pet-surrender support.

The service portfolio is operational rather than technological. Core offerings include dog, cat, working cat, small-mammal, and equine adoptions; subsidized urgent care, dentistry, spay/neuter clinics, vaccine clinics, and the Healthy Pets Plus wellness program at the Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur; full equine rehabilitation and adoption at Harmony Equine Center; community pet classes led by behavior specialists; and animal protection work conducted with law enforcement. Underlying technology is a stack of third-party SaaS tools rather than proprietary systems: GoFundMe/Classy for online donations, Petszel for the pet-parent experience portal, Covetrus for the online pharmacy, and CareCredit and Scratch Pay for client financing at the veterinary hospital. Recent additions include paid DVM Surgical Training and named restricted funds (Dr. Apryle Steele Fund, Equine Urgent Fund).

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model. Streams include individual and corporate donations, foundation grants (notably the Rachael Ray Foundation), adoption fees, transaction-based subsidized veterinary service fees, special-event fundraising (e.g., Scurry in the Valley 5K in Alamosa), and recurring giving and legacy planned gifts. The organization is supported by corporate sponsors including Hill's Pet Nutrition and receives a donation kickback on Covetrus pharmacy purchases. No financials are publicly disclosed; the organization holds a Four Star Charity Navigator rating and BBB Accredited Charity status. Go-to-market is community-led and direct-to-consumer across Colorado, with an omnichannel presence via website, social platforms, biannual Pet Tales print publication, community events, and a recently engaged fundraising agency of record (RKD Group, February 2026) focused on data-driven donor engagement.

Name

Humane Colorado

Legal name

Humane Colorado

Website

https://humanecolorado.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1910

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Humane Colorado is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has delivered animal welfare services across Colorado for 115 years through five sites, providing companion-animal adoptions, subsidized veterinary care, equine rehabilitation, animal protection, and humane education to Colorado pet owners and the broader community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sanctuaries & Long-Term Care (Farm, Equine, Exotic) (BPAGAIAH), Low-Cost & Community Veterinary Clinics (HLAMAAAE), Animal Cruelty Prevention, Investigation & Humane Law Enforcement (BPAGAIAG), Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB)

Keywords

• Animal sheltering services
• Pet adoption programs
• Veterinary care services
• Equine rehabilitation services
• Animal welfare education

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and corporate donations from community supporters, including one-time and recurring donation options through online platforms.
2. Animal Adoption Fees: Fees collected from pet adoptions across multiple animal categories including dogs, cats, small mammals, and equines.
3. Subsidized Veterinary Services: Low-cost veterinary services including spay/neuter clinics, vaccine clinics, and hospital services, with fees set at affordable rates for pet owners who cannot otherwise afford care.
4. Special Event Fundraising: Revenue from events like Scurry in the Valley 5K fun run, vendor fees, sponsorships, and fundraising campaigns.
5. Foundation Grants: Grants from foundations such as The Rachael Ray Foundation to fund subsidized pet care programs and community services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Humane Colorado is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that operates pet adoption services for dogs, cats, small mammals, and equines; runs a donor-subsidized community veterinary hospital offering urgent care, dentistry, spay/neuter, and vaccine clinics; and maintains the 168-acre Harmony Equine Center for the rehabilitation and rehoming of abused and neglected horses. It also delivers community education, animal protection and investigation services, lost-and-found reunification, pet surrender and temporary housing programs, and an online pharmacy that generates revenue-share donations.

Product overview

Humane Colorado is an animal welfare organization offering a comprehensive suite of services centered around pet adoptions, veterinary care, and animal protection. The core offerings include adoption services for dogs, cats, small mammals, and equines; community veterinary services at the Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur including urgent care, spay/neuter, and vaccine clinics; the Harmony Equine Center for abused and neglected horse rehabilitation; and community education programs. Additional services include lost and found pet reunification, foster/volunteer programs, and animal protection services. The organization also operates multiple physical shelter locations and accepts donations through various programs including the Dr. Apryle Steele Fund for Veterinary Care and Equine Urgent Fund.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Harmony Equine Center: A 168-acre rehabilitation and adoption facility for abused and neglected horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules operated by Humane Colorado in Franktown, CO.

Products and services

• Pet Adoption Services Facilitates adoptions of dogs, cats, working cats, small mammals, and equines. Each animal receives medical care, behavior evaluations, and enrichment before adoption, targeted at Colorado pet adopters.
• Community Veterinary Services Donor-subsidized veterinary care offered at the Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur including urgent care, dentistry, spay/neuter clinics, vaccine clinics, and the Healthy Pets Plus wellness program for owned cats and dogs.
• Healthy Pets Plus Wellness clinic offering preventative screening and treatments for minor medical concerns, including wellness exams plus additional services for healthy cats and dogs.
• Harmony Equine Center A 168-acre rehabilitation and adoption facility in Franktown, Colorado, for abused and neglected horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. Includes three barns, 26 pastures, two indoor riding arenas, and an education center for training and rehoming.
• Community Pet Classes Educational classes covering pet care basics, training, and enrichment for cats and dogs, led by behavior specialists to help pet owners build better bonds with their pets.
• Lost & Found Pet Services Reunites lost pets with their owners through search databases, found pet resources, and community cat resources across Colorado.
• Pet Surrender & Assist Programs Programs including the pet surrender process for owners who can no longer care for pets, equine surrender admissions, and the Pet Assist temporary housing program with owner resources to help keep pets in homes.
• Animal Protection Services Investigates cases of animal abuse and neglect, works with law enforcement, and provides critical care to animals in dangerous situations across Colorado.
• Online Pharmacy Online pharmacy powered by Covetrus for prescription fulfillment, with a portion of each purchase donated back to Humane Colorado.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70 horses rescued and rehabilitated from severe neglect
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RKD GroupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 February 2026Humane Colorado and San Francisco SPCA selected RKD Group as their new fundraising agency of record to support donor engagement, digital advancement, and revenue growth initiatives. RKD Group will leverage data science, digital innovation, and omnichannel expertise to create personalized fundraising campaigns for both animal welfare organizations.
• Hill's Pet NutritionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHill's Pet Nutrition is a proud supporter of Humane Colorado, providing nutritional products and support for animals in care.
• CareCreditminorOthersFlexible payment option available at the Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur for pet owners needing help with veterinary costs.
• Scratch PayminorOthersFlexible payment plan option available at the Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur for affordable veterinary care financing.
• San Francisco SPCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoth Humane Colorado and San Francisco SPCA partnered with RKD Group as their fundraising agency of record. The partnerships are framed as strategic investments aimed at building more sustainable foundations to expand lifesaving impact for animals in Colorado, California, and beyond.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Denver Dumb Friends League: Humane Colorado merged with the Dumb Friends League in 2019, with legacy Dumb Friends League branding still visible on the website. While organizationally integrated, Dumb Friends League branding and historical programs remain an organizational predecessor and relevant comparison point.
• Maddie's Fund: Maddie's Fund is a major animal welfare foundation that funds community veterinary care, adoption, and shelter medicine programs. It is a foundation peer and likely funding source for organizations like Humane Colorado running subsidized clinic and adoption services.

Broad incumbents

• Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society of the United States): Humane World for Animals is the largest U.S. animal welfare organization, providing advocacy, shelter support, and rescue services. It overlaps with Humane Colorado's animal protection, advocacy, and shelter programs, though it operates at a national policy and grantmaking scale.
• PetSmart Charities: PetSmart Charities funds pet welfare programs nationally, including subsidized veterinary care and adoption initiatives. It overlaps with Humane Colorado in donor-supported subsidized vet services and adoption facilitation, though it operates more as a grantmaking peer than a direct shelter operator.
• ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): The ASPCA is one of the largest U.S. animal welfare nonprofits, providing shelter, veterinary, and advocacy services nationwide. It overlaps with Humane Colorado across adoption, low-cost vet care, animal cruelty investigation, and fundraising operations, though at significantly greater national scale.
• Best Friends Animal Society: Best Friends Animal Society is a national nonprofit operating sanctuaries and adoption programs with a focus on no-kill advocacy. It is comparable to Humane Colorado as a multi-location, mission-driven shelter organization with sanctuaries and nationwide fundraising reach.

Regional players

• Foothills Animal Shelter: Foothills Animal Shelter is a Colorado-based nonprofit offering adoptions, lost-and-found services, and animal care. It is a regional peer operating in the same Colorado market, providing a direct competitor comparison for adoption and donor share.
• Arizona Humane Society: Arizona Humane Society operates a comparable model of adoptions, subsidized veterinary care, animal protection, and humane education in a single state region. Its service mix and facility footprint closely mirror Humane Colorado's structure and are useful for cross-regional benchmarking.

Direct peers

• San Francisco SPCA: San Francisco SPCA is a nonprofit animal welfare organization offering adoption, subsidized veterinary care, and humane education. It is directly comparable as a peer organization and was announced jointly with Humane Colorado as an RKD Group client, indicating similar scale and fundraising profile.
• Animal Humane Society: Animal Humane Society (Minnesota) operates multiple shelter locations, low-cost veterinary services, and humane education programs in a single state. It is one of the closest operational analogs to Humane Colorado in terms of multi-site shelter, vet clinic, and community programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HumaneColorado
• Facebookfacebook.com/humanecolorado
• Instagraminstagram.com/humanecolorado
• TikToktiktok.com/@humanecolorado

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 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 Humane Colorado