2023 Giving Guide: Nonprofits Supporting Our Furry Friends
Colorado Expression's 2023 list of local nonprofits supporting animals all over Colorado
Photo courtesy of Anoir Chafik
Butterfly Pavilion
A staggering 97 percent of Earth’s animal species are invertebrates, forming the backbone of our planet’s ecosystems. Their survival is intrinsically tied to our own. Yet, invertebrates remain largely understudied, under-appreciated and misunderstood. This is where the Butterfly Pavilion steps in. Since 1995, the Butterfly Pavilion has been an integral part of the Colorado community. As the world’s first Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited, stand-alone, nonprofit invertebrate zoo, our responsibility is clear: to lead the way in invertebrate research, education and conservation. We achieve this by delivering distinctive, hands-on educational experiences within our exhibits and programs, pioneering new research that sets national standards for zoos, and innovating solutions for invertebrate species and habitat conservation worldwide. We can’t do it alone—your generosity drives our mission. Join us this end-of-year season to protect the web of life.
303-469-5441
Denver Zoo
The Denver Zoo is dedicated to providing the communities it serves with an inspiring and informative firsthand encounter with the wonders of nature. The 84-acre campus is home to 3,000-plus wild animals that serve as ambassadors for their wild counterparts all over the world. The zoo’s education and outreach teams spark curiosity for learners of all ages throughout metropolitan Denver. The Denver Zoo has more than 3,600 mouths (and beaks) to feed! A full-time animal nutritionist designs specific diets for each species and in some cases individual animals. The commissary orders the highest-quality fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood and supplements. The animal care team includes 10 veterinary members, 79 keepers and 12 animal curators and supervisors who together provide state-of-the-art care to the animals. As a nonprofit organization, the zoo relies on your support through memberships, visits and donations.
720-337-1400
Photo courtesy of Amy Baugess
Freedom Service Dogs
Freedom Service Dogs (FSD) transforms lives by partnering people with custom-trained assistance dogs. Since 1987, this Denver-based nonprofit has provided hundreds of highly skilled service dogs to people in Colorado and around the country—including veterans with PTSD or combat-related injuries, children with autism or other neurocognitive disorders, and individuals with physical disabilities—completely free of charge. Want to help make a difference? FSD always needs volunteer puppy raisers to help raise and train our service dog hopefuls, as well as volunteers to work in our nursery or foster our adult dogs on weekends. And on Colorado Gives Day, your gift to Freedom Service Dogs will help provide excellent care, expert training and purposeful placement of service dogs with people who need them.
303-922-6231
Colorado Pet Pantry
Colorado Pet Pantry distributes pet food to people who are struggling to feed their pets due to lack of funds. The goal is to keep pets with the families who love them and out of animal shelters. It costs the organization $5 to feed a pet for 30 days because all of the pet food is donated. Colorado Pet Pantry now has more than 100 pet food banks statewide and also works with 100-plus animal rescues and animal welfare organizations to share pet food and supplies. Send your donation on Colorado Gives Day so people don’t have to choose between food for their children or food for their beloved pet.
720-441-3111
Photo courtesy of Hans-Jurgen Mager
The Wild Animal Sanctuary
The Wild Animal Sanctuary is the world’s largest sanctuary for many endangered species and other wild and exotic animals such as lions, tigers, bears, wolves and wild horses. Operating four separate facilities that encompass more than 33,000 acres, the Wild Animal Sanctuary specializes in providing unprecedented freedom to the animals it rescues. Since 1980, the Wild Animal Sanctuary has rescued thousands of animals throughout the United States and around the world. Staffers rescue animals from dreadful circumstances of abuse and neglect and bring them back to the wide-open space of large natural habitats, where they have plenty of freedom, exceptional diets and proper veterinary care for as long as they live. The Wild Animal Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization and does not receive government support or special funding. One hundred percent of its support is given by people and organizations who care about saving these animals. Your gift on Colorado Gives Day 2023 makes all the difference in the lives of these animals.
303-536-0118
