Pawareness Podcast # 24 | Ark Valley Humane Society - Amber van Leuken

On this episode of the Pawareness Podcast, we welcome Amber van Leuken, Executive Director of Ark Valley Humane Society in Colorado. Amber speaks with us about how Ark Valley Humane Society has addressed animal overpopulation, how they support the animals and pet owners in their community with pet retention programs, and the importance of creating partnerships between rescue organizations and members of the community.
Ark Valley Humane Society is truly an astounding organization doing incredible work. Tune in to learn how Ark Valley Humane Society increased the wellness of their staff and their animals during the covid-19 pandemic, all about the new job position, Transfer Coordinator, they’ve created within their organization, and how they’re helping the homeless population in Colorado.
“We all know this intuitively, that animals can be happier in a foster home, but the pandemic allowed us to actually experience this for all the animals in our care, not just special cases.”         - Amber van Leuken
Visit Ark Valley Humane Society’s website: www.ark-valley.org
Connect with them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArkValleyHumaneSociety
Follow them on Instagram: www.instagram.com/arkvalleyhumanesociety
Subscribe to their YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCBsU2GUY7pk-u7RskiBlmJw
Donate: www.ark-valley.org/donate
Resources mentioned:
Colorado Federation of Animal Welfare Agencies (CFAWA): www.cfawa.org/cpages/home
Visit our website: www.pawareness.org
Where to find the Pawareness Podcast: www.linktr.ee/pawareness
Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/pawareness_official
Submit for Pet of the Week: www.pawareness.org/pet-of-the-week
Episode Timeline

[00:30] Introducing Amber van Leuken and Ark Valley Humane Society
[01:16] How has the Humane Society, as well as your career, evolved over the years?
[04:47] What challenges do rescues in Colorado face that other places don’t?
[08:18] Details on their spay/neuter programs and how these programs benefit their community
[11:27] The story of saving a sick dog and learning about the community
[15:51] How the covid-19 pandemic impacted Ark Valley Humane Society and animal welfare in Colorado
[28:01] Goals and projects Ark Valley Humane Society is excited about in 2021
[34:53] How to connect with Ark Valley Humane Society