After a Montezuma County man died around Christmas, 23 senior animals were left without their caregiver, who had been rescuing and caring for them for at least 20 years.
Ever since the owner’s death in December, his family has been caring for the animals, though they are unable to stay on the property with them. After struggling to find homes for the animals, Denkai Animal Sanctuary stepped in to help.
The 18 dogs, two cats and three miniature donkeys were rescued by the owner in a span of 20 years from the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation around Towaoc.
The donkeys are thought to be at least 20 years old, and all of the dogs are at least 10 years old. Several of the dogs have lost their eyes from incidents that took place before they were rescued. A cat has tested positive for feline AIDS.
Blackburn said that they have found placements for the donkeys but is seeking help for seven more animals.
In a press release provided by Denkai Animal Sanctuary on Jan. 12, Denkai’s Floss Blackburn said they are working to find foster and adoptive families that would be willing to “take these sweet souls in.”
“These babies no longer have their people. He died suddenly. There is no plan for them, and they are running out of food. They need your shares and networking, as well as emergency funding that will help us evaluate vet and place them with rescues fosters and adopters,” the news release said. “We have a limited amount of time to do this in, and hope that everybody will step up to the best of their ability.”
The man’s family has requested his name remain anonymous and the location of his home not be disclosed.
On Monday, Blackburn told The Journal that Denkai is working with Deborah Davis at For Pets’ Sake Humane Society and another rescue in northern Colorado to place the animals. So far, For Pets’ Sake has committed to taking one dog, and the shelter in northern Colorado is taking four others. The Cortez Humane Society also said they could take one or both the cats.
Included in the seven animals still seeking placement are a female Great Pyrenees with bad hips and a blind Great Dane and his friend, Dexter.
How to help
Those who are seeking more information can find it at their website, or by contacting Floss Blackburn.
Foster: https://denkaisanctuary.org/foster-parents
Adopt: https://denkaisanctuary.org/adopt
Blackburn: (970) 217-1457 (text) or info@denkaisanctuary.org.
Donations: Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/Denkai-AnimalSanctuary
Blackburn said they would hope to keep the Dane and Dexter together, but they know that might not be possible, as their primary goal is to find homes or fosters for the animals.
“We’re almost there,” she said.
The Denkai team has had contact with the animals on multiple occasions, and Blackburn said that all of them are very sweet and were taken care of and loved by their owner before he died. She also shared that two of the dogs were standoffish with people, but would flourish at the right home.
A veterinarian is working with Denkai to help vaccinate all the animals, as there is no vaccination history for them for the past six years.
All the cats and dogs are spayed and neutered.
Blackburn said they hoped to emphasize to other pet owners the importance of having a plan of where their pets will go in case of their untimely death.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re rescuing them or they’re yours, people need to plan for their pets,” she said.
Blackburn added that she hopes people in the community will open up their homes to foster the animals to ensure they receive the care they need.
“If people were willing to foster or even adopt and take on these animals, funding is needed right now,” she said.
The sanctuary also asks for donations as they work on vaccinating, treating and placing the animals. Those who wish to donate can donate through their Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/Denkai-AnimalSanctuary.
