The Humane Society of Boulder Valley (HSBV) serves the city and county of Boulder, the consolidated city and county of Broomfield, and the cities of Lafayette and Superior. The HSBV service area has a population of over 350,000 people.
HSBV reports its statistics to the Colorado Department of Agriculture each year. In 2012, the shelter reported taking in 9049 animals, including 5548 dogs, 3132 cats, and 369 small mammals, reptiles, and pet birds. The live release rate was 93%. The live release rate is unchanged if animals who died in shelter care are included with euthanasias.
The shelter also posts 2012 Asilomar-format statistics on its website for dogs and cats only. These statistics differ slightly from the state statistics for dogs and cats, presumably due to differences in the reporting formats. The Asilomar statistics report an intake of 8545 dogs and cats, including animals surrendered for owner-requested euthanasia. The live release rate for dogs and cats was 93% (91% if owner-requested euthanasias and dogs and cats who died in shelter care are counted with euthanasias).
The 2013 statistics posted on the HSBV website show an intake for dogs and cats of 7525, with a 92% live release rate. The live release rate was 89% if owner-requested euthanasia and animals who died or were lost in shelter care are counted in with euthanasias.
HSBV is particularly notable for its reclaim rate for dogs. In 2012, the shelter reported to the state that it took in 1040 stray dogs and returned 940 dogs to their owners, for a return-to-owner rate of 90% of stray dogs. The actual reclaim rate may be somewhat lower because it isn’t clear if reclaims of confiscated dogs are included, but nonetheless the reclaim rate is very high. (A traditional reclaim rate for cats cannot be calculated based on the data submitted to the state because the return-to-owner category for cats includes feral cats returned to their colonies.)
Boulder County, Colorado, was originally listed by this blog on December 18, 2013, based on its 2012 statistics. This post is a revision and update with 2013 statistics.