COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Empty animal crates were scattered outside of a Colorado Springs shelter on Thursday as the Colorado Department of Agriculture wraps up an investigation.
New Hope Rescue was raided and multiple animals were seized as someone tied to the facility faces animal cruelty charges. The shelter is located off Bijou Street east of N. Union Boulevard.
Animal Law Enforcement officers with the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) assisted with the seizure. According to a spokesperson with HSPPR, New Hope Rescue had their license suspended through the Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) Program. New Hope Rescue based in Colorado Springs is no longer on the PACFA Facilities “active list.”
Friday the Colorado Department of Agriculture released more information on the investigation saying “the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), through the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) program, has summarily suspended the license of, and issued a cease and desist order to New Hope Rescue, Inc., an animal shelter facility in Colorado Springs”.
The CDA determined New Hope Rescue willfully and deliberately violated PACFA regulations which requires pet animal facilities to properly isolate dogs with “communicable disease” and give timely veterinary care to sick, diseased, or injured dogs.
CDA, HSPPR, and the DUmb Friends League are working together to find suitable space and veterinary care for more than 30 animals currently housed at New Hope Rescue.
“To preserve the safety, health, and welfare of pets and pet owners in Colorado Springs, it was imperative that CDA take this emergency action to immediately suspend the PACFA license for New Hope Rescue,” said Nick Fisher, PACFA Program Section Chief. “CDA has serious concerns about the potential for the community spread of distemper through dogs from New Hope Rescue and through unknown exposure to dogs in the community via dog parks, boarding facilities, dog daycare facilities, and at retail establishments that allow dogs on premises. We recommend anyone who has adopted or fostered animals from New Hope Rescue in the past two months to contact their veterinarian for an examination of their pet animals.”
The Denver Dumb Friends League took possession of the animals. Anyone currently fostering a pet animal from New Hope Rescue should immediately contact the Dumb Friends League at 303-751-5772.
The Colorado Office of Administrative Courts will conduct a hearing on the suspension to determine New Hope Rescue’s future license status.
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