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June 2026 – Insider Article
Color Country Animal Welfare: Community Programs
This year, CCAW discontinued boarding services to focus on its core mission. That shift allowed for expanded programs, supported responsible pet ownership, increased opportunities for low-barrier adoptions, and helped keep pets in their homes whenever possible. Already this year, the number of animals helped through CCAW’s programs has more than doubled.
Community Support & Low-Cost Veterinary Clinics
The Free Pet Pantry continues to provide food, animal care supplies, and quality of life improvements. CCAW will host three low‑cost veterinary clinics this year. The first clinic is Thursday, July 16 at CCAW in partnership with Dr. Jake Van Dyke from Fremont River Veterinary Clinic. Services will include free exams, $5 vaccines, and free microchips. These services are for under-resourced community members who meet eligibility guidelines. Visit our website for details and to schedule an appointment. Additional clinics will follow in Garfield and Wayne Counties, dates and locations will be announced soon.
Lost Pet Reunification Efforts
Pet microchipping is now part of CCAW’s expanded return-to-owner efforts, with the goal of reuniting lost pets with their owners without ever entering the shelter. A microchip is the size of a grain of rice, containing an identification number that can be scanned by a microchip reader. After scanning, the finder contacts the microchip company. Owner information is not released to the finder; the company notifies the owner. Microchips do not have any GPS or tracking technology.
Microchip Scanning Stations throughout Wayne & Garfield Counties
A big step in this microchip initiative is setting up “Scanning Stations” throughout Wayne and Garfield Counties. The designated location scans the chip, reports the pet as found, and reunites that pet with the family as quickly as possible. Station locations will be posted on our website, and on flyers throughout the counties.
Microchips Help Bring Animals Home
Microchipping is especially important for working animals, adventure dogs, and outdoor cats that tend to lose their collars. Microchips are available to families that have working dogs at only $10 per dog. Families that don’t include working dogs or meet the eligibility criteria for the low-cost clinics can also receive microchips at $20 per animal.
Commitment to Reducing Barriers
CCAW’s goal is to provide microchips to everyone in need. If you would like to get your pet or working animals microchipped but have issues preventing you from attending our community clinics; lack of transportation, difficult to handle animals, or scheduling conflicts, please reach out. We will help bridge those gaps whenever possible.
Apple Days
CCAW will hold its annual yard sale on July 4, 9am–1pm, at the Old House at Center and Main. Donations are still being accepted. CCAW will also have a booth at the Torrey Apple Days festivities in the town park on Saturday with merchandise, program information, a pet portrait artist, and adoptable animals.
CCAW is deeply grateful for the community’s support.
This year is not only a time of meaningful growth, it is also a crucial time for the future of our programs. While our organization is small, the challenges we face reflect those of rural communities across the country. With your support, we have the opportunity to demonstrate how community-centered programs can transform animal welfare in rural areas across the country. Visit our website to make a donation or get involved in our programs.
Color Country Animal Welfare (CCAW) Looks Ahead to a Community-Centered Future – January 2026
As animal welfare organizations nationwide face increasing challenges, such as rising intake and limited resources, Color Country Animal Welfare (CCAW) is entering 2026 with a clear focus: increasing the lifesaving capacity of the animal shelter, while strengthening community-based programs that help pets stay in their homes whenever possible.
CCAW is enhancing its shelter operations to improve both quality of life and outcomes for animals in its care. In 2026, the team will increase daily enrichment and behavior support to reduce stress, encourage healthy development, and improve adoptability. Growth of the foster program will allow more animals to thrive in home environments, while expanded volunteer recruitment will ensure animals receive regular exercise, socialization, and training. Together, these efforts reduce time spent in the shelter, improve animal well-being, and increase the likelihood of successful, lasting adoptions. More opportunities will be created for low-cost, low-barrier adoptions, which will make it easier for animals to move quickly from shelter to home.
CCAW is also expanding initiatives that address some of the root causes of pet surrender. The community pet food pantry—open to anyone, seven days a week—will continue to grow, helping families in the community provide food and other supplies for their animals. Staff will provide support and counseling to community members struggling to care for their pets, connecting them with critical resources. CCAW will continue the Trap-Neuter-Return voucher program for community cats, and spay/neuter vouchers for owned community dogs will be available. CCAW will continue to host low-cost vaccine clinics, continuing the work of Escalante Community Animal Clinic, in Wayne and Garfield Counties. Plans are underway to increase access to low-cost veterinary care for owned animals in Wayne and Garfield Counties, addressing medical issues early and preventing avoidable surrender. When surrender is the best or only option, the team at CCAW is committed to compassionate and non-judgmental support for community members in those difficult situations.
Improving return-to-owner outcomes is another major priority for 2026. By investing in proactive lost-pet reunification strategies, community outreach, and pet identification support, CCAW aims to reunite more pets with their families quickly—often without ever entering the shelter. When lost pets do enter the shelter, CCAW never charges fees to owners reclaiming their pets. A new “Lost and Found Pet” page will be added to the website, where lost and found pets will be posted to improve the chances of reunification for community members that might not have social media.
Located at 1200 West Highway 24 in Torrey, CCAW’s facility serves not only as an animal shelter, but as a community resource center. Free educational events will be held at the facility focused on training and behavior, pet health and first aid, and general animal care, which will further support pet ownership within the community.
Facility hours will be adjusted to allow staff more dedicated time to support these initiatives, while remaining open five days a week for walk-in visits to meet adoptable animals or connect with staff about available resources. Two days per week will be appointment-based, with same-day appointments available. Staff will continue to respond seven days a week to urgent, at-risk lost or stray animals. Updated hours will take effect February 1 and will be posted on the CCAW website along with program and staff updates.
These community-centered efforts are supported by careful planning, a focus on sustainability, and data-driven decision-making to ensure quality care for every animal and to provide programs that meet the community’s needs. By the end of 2026, CCAW envisions a stronger, more resilient organization—one that not only saves animals’ lives but also supports people and pets together, helping to build healthier, happier communities across Wayne County and the surrounding areas.