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.
To advance the administration of animal welfare programs and provide additional capacity for the Animal Health Division, the Colorado legislature passed a bill establishing the Division of Animal Welfare at the Colorado Department of Agriculture (HB24-1458). The Colorado Department of Agriculture is now seeking a qualified candidate for this first-ever position of Division of Animal Welfare Director.
Today, Governor Polis signed the Long Bill, sponsored by the Joint Budget Committee, which commits significant investments into programs and staff supporting agriculture across Colorado.
The state budget for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 includes a 13 percent increase in funding to the Department of Agriculture, to build out and add support to existing programs that are working to improve the agricultural industry in our state. Funding included in the Long Bill will support farmer-driven conservation efforts, emergency preparedness, renewable energy adaptation, and more.
On January 31, in coordination with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, CDA’s Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) program staff worked to remove more than 80 dogs from Just 4 Jacks Ranch Sanctuary in Lyons, Colorado. Under the PACFA rules and regulations, anyone sheltering, housing or harboring more than 15 dogs and/or cats is required to have a pet animal care facility license.
In the past, animal mistreatment and neglect or abuse of people were usually perceived as two separate issues. More recently, an increasing amount of research has shown a direct link between human and animal mistreatment. Professionals in animal law enforcement and human social work have found that difficult life circumstances and mental health life challenges are at the root of many of these linked cases.
Last week, the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) program partnered with Weld County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control to remove 95 dogs from a residence in Weld County. In line with PACFA’s statutory authority, CDA has issued a cease and desist order to the animal owners in this case for operating an animal shelter or sanctuary at their residence without a valid license.