Animal Welfare

Equine Welfare Assistance Grant Accepting Applications

Applications are open for this year’s cycle of the Equine Welfare Assistance Grants, offered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Welfare.

"The Division of Animal Welfare is committed to enhancing the welfare of all animals in the state of Colorado," said Joe Stafford, Director of the Division of Animal Welfare. "This grant allows us to enhance equine welfare throughout Colorado by funding projects and programs led by members of the equine community."

Moms and Mutts: Colorado Rescue (MAMCO) Relinquishes Pet Animal Care and Facilities License

On March 12, Moms and Mutts: Colorado Rescue (MAMCO) relinquished its PACFA license as part of an agreement with the Colorado Department of Agriculture's Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) program.

PACFA Summarily Suspends Moms and Mutts: Colorado Rescue’s (MAMCO’s) Pet Animal Care and Facilities License

Today, the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) Program, administered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), served Moms and Mutts: Colorado Rescue for Pregnant and Nursing Dogs Inc. (MAMCO) with an order summarily suspending their pet animal facility license. The summary suspension orders MAMCO to immediately cease, desist, and refrain from any activities that require a pet animal care facility license.

PACFA Advisory Committee Meeting - January 2025

Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 10am - 1pm

PACFA Advisory Committee Meeting, three dogs and a cat lay close to each other on a wooden floor lookin gup

Colorado PACFA Advisory Committee meeting will be In Person & Virtual

Date: January 22, 2025

Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Ten Projects Selected for First Equine Welfare Assistance Support

The Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Welfare has selected ten applicants to receive a total of $200,000 to help improve the well-being of Colorado’s domestic horses. During the competitive grant process, a panel consisting of horse experts reviewed more than 30 applications requesting more than $1M in funding, and selected projects that would have the greatest impact on domestic equine welfare.

Douglas County Canine Rescue Relinquishes PACFA License

The Douglas County Canine Rescue (DCCR) has relinquished its license to operate a pet facility in Colorado to settle two cases brought by the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) program in 2023 and 2024.

Equine Welfare Grant Program Accepting Applications

Agriculture’s new Division of Animal Welfare is accepting competitive grant applications for the new Equine Welfare Assistance Grant Program. This year, the legislature appropriated $200,000 to fund projects that promote the well-being of Colorado’s domestic animals with a focus on equines.

Equine Welfare Program Seeks Input on Grants

The Colorado Department of Agriculture’s new Division of Animal Welfare is seeking input from people with expertise on horse, donkey and mule welfare to help shape the new Equine Welfare Assistance Grant program. Stakeholders can provide comments by taking a brief survey to help inform how to develop the grant program, which will award a total of $200,000 to projects that promote the well-being of Colorado’s domestic equines. The survey closes on September 18.

Joe Stafford Joins CDA as Inaugural Division of Animal Welfare Director

The Colorado Department of Agriculture welcomes Joe Stafford as its first director of the new Division of Animal Welfare. Bringing with him more than 23 years dedicated to animal welfare, Stafford will manage the operations of the newly formed division that houses both of CDA’s animal welfare programs: the Bureau of Animal Protection (BAP) and the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) Program.