By Heidi Ganahl | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
Colorado’s animal rescue system has long been regarded as a national leader, rescuing tens of thousands of pets from outside the state each year to meet the growing demand for furry companions.
However, a disturbing trend is emerging in the rescue world, where non-profit organizations posing as shelters are flipping animals in a scheme that values profits over the welfare of pets. This “retail rescue” phenomenon, coupled with lax quarantine and vaccination enforcement, has come to light in the wake of the Moms and Mutts (MAMCO) rabies outbreak, which has cost public health agencies over $600,000 to clean up.
In August, MAMCO, a Colorado rescue organization, found itself at the center of a rabies exposure crisis after importing animals without proper quarantine or vaccination. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), 123 people were assessed for potential rabies exposure, and 45 individuals required post-exposure treatment. The cost of that treatment, often not covered by insurance, amounted to as much as $6,000 per person, with the overall out-of-pocket expenses totaling over $270,000.
The financial toll on public health agencies was equally staggering. Local departments and animal control agencies dedicated hundreds of hours and resources to mitigating the crisis, with total public costs estimated between $350,000 and $400,000. The Arapahoe County Health Department alone spent 390 hours on the case, incurring $20,000 in costs. As a result, PACFA (Pet Animal Care Facilities Act), the agency overseeing animal welfare in Colorado, is proposing rule changes that would require all dogs, cats and ferrets imported into Colorado to receive rabies vaccinations before crossing state lines.
The solution to preventing this debacle was simple: quarantine the animals before placing them with adopters. Quarantine would have cost MAMCO nothing but time, but it seems greed outweighed caution, and now the public is footing the bill.
This incident shines a light on a broader issue: the rise of “retail rescues,” where organizations pose as nonprofit rescues but operate like pet stores, flipping animals for profit. As the founder of Camp Bow Wow, one of the country’s largest pet franchises, I have seen both the good and bad in the pet industry. Unfortunately, many so-called rescue organizations prey on people’s love of animals to exploit a lucrative demand for pets, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic created a surge in pet adoptions.
Some of these organizations operate as a non-profit, charging exorbitant “adoption fees” that can exceed $1,000 per animal. They sell thousands of puppies in a short time, often without proper health checks, leading to situations like the MAMCO rabies outbreak. The top 15 rescue groups in Colorado account for 60% of the dog movements in the state, with one group alone selling more than 3,500 puppies between 2017 and 2019, generating nearly $2 million in revenue.
While many small pet stores have been vilified for selling dogs sourced from reputable breeders, these “rescues” fly under the radar of oversight and regulation. The public has been misled into believing they are saving these animals, yet retail rescues are responsible for significantly more state violations than pet stores. In 2019, Colorado rescues racked up 1,679 violations compared to just 50 for retail pet stores. Yet, legislative efforts focus on banning puppy sales in stores rather than addressing the rescue groups profiting from flipping dogs.
The MAMCO incident could have been avoided had the organization followed simple quarantine procedures. In fact, quarantining is a standard practice for responsible rescues and breeders, allowing animals to be observed for signs of illness before being placed in new homes. But in the world of retail rescue, where the emphasis is on quick turnover and high adoption fees, these safeguards are often bypassed.
The proposed PACFA rule requiring rabies vaccinations before animals are brought into the state is a step in the right direction. However, it doesn’t address the root of the problem: the lack of oversight on retail rescues masquerading as nonprofits. These organizations have exploited loopholes in the system, placing pets—and people—at risk.
If Colorado is serious about maintaining its reputation as a leader in animal welfare, it must hold both PACFA and these retail rescues accountable. Stronger regulations, such as enforcing proper quarantine and closing the loophole for retail rescues, would protect not only the animals but also the public.
Ultimately, adopting a pet should be an act of love, not a transaction for profit. As Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Colorado must step up and ensure that the animals—and the people—are protected from greed disguised as rescue.