The Gunnison Animal Lovers (GAL) was founded in 1986. GAL’s founders, after 16 years of meeting the ever-increasing demands of the growing population, turned over the reins of the organization to a group of newer volunteers, charging them with continuing established programs and leading a re-energized effort to build a shelter. In October 2003, the organization became the Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League (GVAWL) and a mission statement was articulated. Organizational structure was delineated. The Articles and Bylaws were refashioned and enlarged upon, and the Board of Directors was expanded. In 2004, written policies were set in place; revision of these is an iterative and ongoing process.
Since 2006, we have worked with Gunnison County and the City of Gunnison to establish a county-wide animal shelter. With a grant from the MacAllister Family Foundation of $100,000, fundraising efforts began. The family of Miya Must, a GVAWL volunteer at the time of her death in 2008, has donated $85,000. The Animal Assistance Foundation contributed $50,000 to the building and continue to provide invaluable advice and support.
In addition to the shelter effort – planning, fundraising, building, and equipping – GVAWL has continued to carry out its mission, using our system of dedicated foster-care providers supplemented by boarding. Before the Shelter opened in June 2014, our average number of adoptions per year was 100. Now it is 400.
About the Gunnison Valley Animal Shelter and Adoption Center
In 2007, GVAWL hired Gunnison architect Jody Reeser, AIA, to design the building, and J. Crockett Farnell, of Black Dragon Development, a Crested Butte firm, to build it. Engineering was done by Resource Energy Group, a leader in environmental considerations, also of Crested Butte. Local subcontractors were employed.
The shelter sits on two acres of land leased to GVAWL by Gunnison County. The building, Phase 1 of a projected larger facility, is 1,300 sq ft, and features everything necessary for full service. Two large dog exercise/play yards adjoin the building on its east side.
The flooring is concrete under a new, poured product that wraps up the walls for ease of cleaning. The HVAC system changes the air in the entire facility ten times an hour. Each dog kennel has a discreet grated and graveled drain. Solar tubes and windows situated for cross-ventilation maximize energy conservation.
Phase 1, completed in June of 2014, was designed for ease of expanding into Phase 2, planned for another 3,400 sq ft. Infrastructure for this phase is in place. Phase 2 will have more kennel space, a community space for outreach activities, a small veterinary-treatment room, and office space.
Mission and Vision
Our mission is to promote the welfare of animals by
• caring for homeless animals and placing them in permanent homes
• assisting the community with spay/neuter costs
• preventing neglect of and cruelty to animals by educating the public about their humane treatment and promoting humane behavior.
Adoption Policy
We want to place our animals in homes that will be theirs for life, and therefore want to ensure the best animal-human match. Our adoption process is built to help us do that.
To adopt a pet, you must be at least 18 years old.
To begin, we ask that you thoughtfully consider the following before deciding to adopt.
• Are you financially able to provide for the animal’s needs? These include: food; supplies such as cat litter, dog chews, carriers/crates; veterinary care; licenses; and training.
• Have you considered Pet Insurance?
• What will you do with your pet if you need to travel?
• Are you able to have a pet in your home, with landlord’s permission if you rent? Is your home “pet-proofed” and safe?
• Have you considered a growing need for space & resources if adopting a puppy, especially if a large to giant sized breed (mix) puppy?
• Are you ready to welcome your new pet into your home, with consent of all adults in your household? If you have children, are they ready for an animal?
All pets ready for adoption are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and current on vaccinations. If a pet is too young to be spayed/neutered when adopted, we ask for a small deposit that will be refunded when the pet has the surgery, which we pay for.
Fill out an Adoption Application even if you have not decided which pet you might want to adopt. You may complete an application online or download and print, then complete and mail it.
You may also fill out an application at the Animal Shelter and Adoption Center during public hours, Wednesdays 4-7pm, Fridays 4-7pm, and Saturdays 10am-2pm.
https://gvawl.org/adoptable-animals/?_gl=1*32mw0t*_ga*MTMxNDY3OTY3LjE3MjU0NDk3MTI.*_ga_2E00VSN7L8*MTcyNTQ0OTcxMS4xLjAuMTcyNTQ0OTcxMS4wLjAuMA..
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