Every day, Veterans and their families fight an ongoing battle against physical and mental disabilities. The love and support of a companion animal can make all the difference between living and just existing. Please help us continue that fight by making a tax-deductible contribution to our program.
I want to start off by saying how unbelievably grateful we are for everything you have done to help us complete our little family unit, and for the gift in remembrance of Huckleberry (we love it so much). We are both so touched by your kindness, and generosity, and for all of the unconditional love you have for each and every Painted Paws dog. We feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to meet you both and learn more about the amazing work you do at the sanctuary. L.A.
This is Mr. Buck's 1 year anniversary of his forever home! We are forever great full to have Buck as a member of our family! Thank you for allowing Buck to be here. V.S.
Sugar Mama's is C…'s lifeline. She's his best friend and she's always so excited to go for car rides and wearing her "clothes" she gets so happy when they go out together. He's using a cane now everyday. It's becoming harder for him to stand for long periods and his injuries take a toll on him. But we go day by day. This girl here, lifts more than his spirits. She's an extension of his being. His best friend. And his life, despite the difficulties we deal with his mobility and other things that disabled vets battle everyday, it's 200000% better. She's beyond joy, beyond happiness. We just love her. A.V.
I just wanted to say hello and a heartfelt Thank you for trusting us and blessing us with Cody, exactly three years ago today! We are so thankful that Cody is a part of our family. He is a proud protector of his tiny baby brother Bodie and is the most gentle soul to him, and everyone else he meets. A.D.
Painted Paws for Veterans is dedicated to promoting canine companion ownership for veterans and their family members, especially those suffering from PTSD, in order to provide emotional support and a way to reconnect to life, both during and after military service.
We assist veterans and their families in the adoption of canine companions by matching them with dogs surrendered to rescues and animal shelters, and to provide a safe visitation environment with an emotional support dog for those veterans who are unable to adopt.
Our objectives are to achieve continued life for the dogs, encourage emotional growth and self-expression for the veteran or family member, and promote education of veteran emotional issues, and how canine ownership can assist through the unconditional love of a companion animal.
While our primary mission continues to build bridges for Veterans and canines in Colorado, we began expanding our mission in 2025 to include a new homestead project for our canine sanctuary. Even with the many Veterans that benefit from a companion animal, there are still so many senior and disabled dogs who desperately need a safe and stable lifetime home.
Colorado winters have severely limited our ability in the past to provide a safe and year-round environment for our dogs and our volunteers. So, over the last two years, we have established a canine homestead sanctuary in southern New Mexico. Here we can provide a safe, year-round place for our dogs and the Veterans that come to visit.
Our new journey has begun. The Woofer's homestead is now the main project and future for Painted Paws for Veterans and Woofer's Sanctuary. We’ve made incredible progress. The homestead has been purchased, dog buildings are set up, yards are still going up everywhere, and water sources have been installed and are ready to use.
Fencing is up in the front and sides, now, and we are working on the back areas where trees will be planted. The goal is 40 trees and plants to get started.
Snake fence is going up around all the new buildings and yards now that the main yards are set up.
Everything is planned and accomplished with no rush or hurry now. The main homestead is set up and running smoothly here, now it is the bigger projects taking priority in between the dogs.
So, what are we fundraising this year for?
This year your Colorado Gives donations are going toward providing a safe and secure place for our senior and disabled dogs, so that they have a place to thrive and live out their lives, with the space they need and the peace they crave.
We need donations to establish trees and a greenhouse to provide fresh veggies, fruits and herbs to provide nutritional support in a natural healing way.
We already cook for many of the dogs on the homestead due to medical needs. The cost of providing fresh foods for the dogs has become increasingly expensive and limits how much we can do for them. The worry of constant contamination on fresh fruits, herbs and veggies is even more worrisome. The bacteria, and mold on all this. The fact that fruits never ripen and cannot be used or consumed.
So why would we do all this? To save lives. To give our dogs a chance at a healthier longer life. Dogs used to live 15-20 years with ease and pass from natural causes. Now they are riddled with diseases, skin challenges and dying at 10-12yrs of age.
The homestead for our dogs is such a need and important for the dogs’ lives. They can't choose for themselves. We, the caretakers, must choose for them.
The homestead is not just for us. Everyone knows that when things start growing, there's going to be more than we need here. That is where the share program comes into play for families in need.
Any donation amount is appreciated. Donations are for the trees and plants needed for the garden and greenhouse that we are building ourselves.
2026 is going to be a great year. Truth is, we didn't even realize how much we accomplished until we stopped to take photos to share with our supporters. We are proud of everything we have done here in NM. In less than 2 years, we rebuilt a bigger, better ranch for our dogs.
All the things we saved up for and discussed over the past 13 years in Colorado, it is now a reality here in New Mexico. We didn't do all this on our own; our village keeps us up and running for our residents.
Thank you for all you do for our Pups (and yes, a few cats!) and Community. We are now on the path of forever changes in our dogs’ lives. It's not a dream; it is a reality.
Organization name
Painted Paws for Veterans
other names
Woofer's Sanctuary
2013
Tax id (EIN)
37-1742524
Category
Military & Veterans Organizations
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
21150 Sampson RdEl Paso County, CO, US
Fremont County, CO, US
Pueblo County, CO, US
Colorado Springs, CO, US
Denver, CO, US
Phone
575 290 9743
Fax
719-258-1330