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When I think about the bond between a person and their pet, especially in tough times, my heart fills with both hope and urgency. Pets are more than companions - they are family. For those facing homelessness, this bond is a lifeline, a source of comfort and unconditional love. That’s why initiatives like Pay It Fur Ward are so vital. They provide essential support to homeless individuals and their pets in Colorado Springs, helping to preserve dignity and kindness in our comm

At Pay It Fur-Ward, we spend a lot of time talking about survival needs. Food. Blankets. Coats. Emergency shelter. Veterinary care. But one of the most overlooked and critically important needs we encounter every single day is hygiene. Not because people do not care. Because access disappears. Something as simple as taking a shower, brushing your teeth, washing your clothes, changing your socks, or cleaning your dog becomes almost impossible when you are living outside, in a

For the price of a coffee and a snack, you can help us keep humans and animals alive, fed, warm, and safe out here on the streets of Colorado Springs. $5 buys hand warmers. $5 buys bottled water and food. $5 helps put gas in Leslie so we can keep reaching people in need. $5 helps with emergency vet care. $5 helps someone feel seen, cared about, and not forgotten for one more night. People always think small donations don’t matter. They do. They matter more than you know when

Every day, countless homeless individuals in Colorado Springs face the challenge of caring for their beloved pets without the resources many of us take for granted. These pets are more than animals - they are companions, sources of comfort, and family. Helping homeless pet care is a vital way to support both the people and animals who rely on each other for hope and love. Today, I want to share how small acts of kindness, especially through donations, can create a ripple effe

Every day, countless homeless pets in Colorado Springs face uncertainty and hardship. These animals rely on the kindness of strangers and community efforts to survive. I want to share how donations for homeless pets can make a real difference, and how you can be part of this compassionate movement through Pay It Fur Ward. Together, we can create a safer, warmer world for these furry friends and their human companions. Why Donations for Homeless Pets Matter When pets live on t

Pay It Fur-Ward has been asked by one of our healthcare partners to provide pet care support at an upcoming outreach event for vulnerable members of our community. That means families and individuals who are already struggling will be counting on us to show up for both them and their animals. But we cannot do that without your help. We have created a supply list of urgently needed items including pet food, flea and tick prevention, medical supplies, hygiene products, and othe

Every day, countless individuals face the harsh realities of homelessness. Many of these people share their lives with loyal pets, companions who offer comfort and unconditional love. Yet, the challenges they face are often compounded by a lack of resources and understanding. That’s why I’m passionate about advocating for homeless dignity, especially through initiatives like Pay It Fur Ward . This grassroots outreach project in Colorado Springs is making a real difference by

Finding a safe and supportive place to rebuild life after hardship is a challenge many face. Our housing project in Yoder offers a unique solution by combining isolation from urban triggers with hands-on learning opportunities. This approach creates a stable environment where residents can heal, grow, and prepare for a successful return to the workforce. Yoder farm field supporting practical skills and food sustainability Why Isolation Matters for Recovery and Safety Being mi

Life on the streets is tough enough. When you add a beloved pet to the mix, the challenges multiply. Pets bring comfort, companionship, and unconditional love, but caring for them without a stable home can feel overwhelming. I want to share some valuable information and resources that can make a real difference for those who are unhoused and caring for their furry friends in Colorado Springs. Together, we can create a kinder, more supportive community where no one has to choo

We’ve always said that what we do goes far beyond handing out supplies or covering a night in a hotel. Those things matter — they save lives in the moment — but they are not the end goal. The goal has always been stability. A real path forward. And now, we’ve been given an opportunity that could completely change what that looks like. A supporter of ours — someone who already owns land in Rush, about 40 miles east of Colorado Springs — has come to us with the possibility of p

In discussions surrounding homelessness, one prevalent misconception often arises: the belief that homeless individuals do not care about cleanliness or the state of their campsites. This stereotype paints a negative picture of a vulnerable community, ignoring the complex realities they face. In truth, many homeless individuals want to maintain clean and organized living spaces, but various barriers prevent them from doing so—barriers we see firsthand every single day. The Re

At Pay It Fur-Ward, we see a reality every single day that too many systems still ignore: people experiencing homelessness are not alone. They have companions. They have family. They have loyalty, responsibility, and love walking beside them on four legs. And yet, the system continues to treat those companions as barriers instead of what they truly are, lifelines. Across Colorado Springs and beyond, we meet individuals who are forced into impossible choices. A warm bed or the

Every day, countless pets share the streets with their human companions, facing challenges that many of us can hardly imagine. These animals rely on the kindness and support of people who care deeply about their well-being. If you’ve ever wondered how to make a real difference in the lives of homeless pets and their owners, you’re in the right place. Together, we can create a community where every pet feels safe, loved, and cared for. Understanding the Unique Needs of Homeles

Yesterday was an amazing day, and honestly, one of those days that really fills your heart. We had our Easter luncheon with The Pet Cross, which we hosted at the Modern Motel, and we had around 50 people show up. There was so much good food to go around, including hot dogs, hamburgers, smoked ham, and sides. On top of that, we also had a clothing giveaway, giving people the opportunity to pick up things they truly needed. A huge thank you to Aly Rice for her contributions to

Cookie, a tiny, sweet chihuahua who is deeply loved, was brutally attacked by a much larger dog. The injuries he sustained were catastrophic and far more severe than anyone could have imagined. We rushed Cookie to Southern Rockies Animal Emergency & Specialty, where the team immediately placed him on oxygen and began evaluating his condition. What they found was devastating. Cookie had a ruptured diaphragm, multiple broken ribs (at least four), and likely a punctured lung. Ev

Every once in a while we come across something that can make a huge difference in our outreach, and we recently found a new supplier that allows us to purchase Mylar emergency blankets in bulk at a really good price. These blankets are INCREDIBLY important during outreach. They may look small and simple, but they reflect body heat and can make a huge difference for someone sleeping outside, especially when they’re trying to stay warm with their pet beside them. I went ahead a

Just so everyone is aware, there will be no outreach and no available emergency callouts Thursday, March 12th through Saturday, March 14th. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Sometimes we have to take a brief pause in order to handle other obligations and make sure we can continue doing this work the right way. Regular outreach and emergency callouts will resume on Sunday, March 15th. Thank you all for your continued support and understanding. #PayIt

If every person who sees this gave just $5 today, it would mean: More dog food. More cat food. More hotel nights. More vet visits. More supplies. More lives supported. $5 doesn’t feel like much. But when it comes together, it keeps this mission moving. Right now, every dollar goes directly toward helping people and their animals stay safe, fed, warm, and cared for. No wasted funds. No middlemen. Just real help. If you’re able, please consider donating today. Every dollar matt

Today was another busy day out in the community. We got a lot done, made a lot of stops, and helped a lot of people and pets. Yes, there are videos coming tomorrow. I promise. Today just turned into one of those “go nonstop until you drop” days. But we do have an urgent issue… We are officially 100% OUT of dog food. Not low. Not “running low.” Completely out. There is not a single bag of puppy food or adult food left after today’s outreach. That’s actually a testament to how

We wanted to share our current weekly needs so anyone who’s able to help knows exactly where things stand. Right now, our most urgent needs are: Full-size blankets for adults – needed pretty desperately Thermal socks – also needed urgently Adult long johns (all sizes) – these have just been added to our wishlist after a full update The good news: we recently placed a massive canned food order, so we are thankfully set there for now. Additional items that would be incredibly h