Do you spend time connecting with nature? Whether through a hike, time spent outside, or a trip to a local garden, there are so many great ways to connect with the outdoors, especially this time of year. As the weather warms up, many of us will prioritize time spent in nature.
When you consider connecting with nature though, are you looking to spend more time with animals? Here are some creative ways to make sure you are expanding your horizons and prioritize connecting with animals, especially if you are located in Denver.
Volunteer at a Local Pet Shelter
If you are looking to connect with cats or dogs outside of your typical day-to-day, consider volunteering at a local pet shelter. Pet shelters depend on volunteers to keep their operations and services running smoothly.
If you are an animal lover, try looking up what your local shelters need. Your city and county may have their own pet shelter. For instance, Volunteer with Denver Animal Shelter shares opportunities to volunteer in Denver for all ages with junior and high school programs.
For those ambitious animal lovers with the time to dedicate, fostering is a great way to ensure pets are given the opportunity to find loving and caring homes. For those with less time on their hands, you can provide homemade toys and supplies or help out by volunteering or donating to a supply drive.
Local Refuges
If you are looking to see unique animals in their natural habitats, consider visiting your local wildlife refuge! Outside of Denver, you can find the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge that is FREE to visitors!
Complete with bison, deer, and coyotes, you can see all sorts of creatures that call this land home. Whether you are looking for lengthy hikes or comfortable car drives, this is one of the largest urban refuges in the country. How cool is it that right in the backyard of downtown Denver is this land of conservation, exploration, and restoration?!
Other Types of Sanctuaries
Check out other local sanctuaries in your neighborhood! There are all sorts of different animal havens focused on rehabilitation and protection.
Did you know there is a Wild Animal Sanctuary less than an hour outside of Denver with over 950 lions, tigers, bears, wolves, jaguars, cheetahs, leopards, mountain lions, camels, mustangs and many other species of animals?!
I had no idea about this place whose mission is to rescue animals from captive situations. Complete with one and a half miles of elevated walking area, you can see these animals in safe and natural environments.
The same organization has a Wild Horse Refuge located in Craig, Colorado. You can visit this 30,000 acre natural habitat for Colorado-born wild mustangs. These animals have free reign compared to the restrictive lands they were rescued from. They get the opportunity to live a more wild and natural life where these free spirits can take their place.
For farm animal lovers (much like myself and my love of goats) the Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary rescues unwanted farm animals. Created by one person in 2009 with a dream to make a home for humans and non-humans alike, this group aims to cultivate kindness, acceptance, sustainability, and healing.
Doing Your Research
No matter where you may visit, make sure you do your research. For instance, zoos aren’t necessarily bad, but some can be. Before you take your next trip to visit the animals, consider looking up whether or not that zoo is considered ethical.
Is the zoo you are visting accredited? Are they focused on conservation, education, and animal welfare? Consider checking out this blog from a wildlife biologist before your next zoo trip: Ethical Zoos: How to Determine the Good from the Bad.
Recognizing the Beauty
All of these are merely ideas to spark inspiration. If you aren’t located in Denver, consider doing your own research on nearby wildlife conservations. Remember that when we visit these kinds of spaces, we are guests of these animals’ homes.
Visiting, donating, recognizing, and celebrating organizations that aim to support animal conservation and welfare is a beautiful thing! Not only is this a chance to see some natural beauty, but it is also a time to positively contribute to the great work of these groups.
