Description
Founded in 1976 by an intergovernmental agreement (IGA), the Jefferson Animal Shelter served as a centralized impound facility for unincorporated Jefferson County and the cities of Arvada, Lakewood and Wheat Ridge. In 1994 the Jefferson Animal Shelter reevaluated its mission and goals ito accommodate growing demands on the facility and changes in the community and external environment with the passage of TABOR (The Taxpayer's Bill Of Rights). As part of the reevaluation, the shelter changed its name to Table Mountain Animal Center (TMAC). With the new name came expanded services, more efficient operations and greater public outreach. The center also began adding new members to the IGA with the addition of the City of Golden in 1996.
The prospect of decreased funding from the member agencies and the rapid growth of the communities it served led the Center to establish a charitable arm to help raise philanthropic support for the Center's programs. In 1996, the Table Mountain Animal Center Foundation was founded and granted its 501(c)(3) status.
Today, the Table Mountain Animal Center is the third largest animal shelter by the volume of animals coming through our doors. Table Mountain Animal Center is also one of the leading adoption facilities and educational resources for animal care in the state of Colorado. The center serves the original members of the IGA; Arvada, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and Unincorporated Jefferson County as well as the communities of Golden, Morrison, Mt. View, Edgewater, and Westminster. The center currently contracts with the City of Sheridan and has had contracts with the towns of Lakeside, Blackhawk and Gilpin County in the past.
The center handles over 10,000 animals annually. The goal of the center is to remain a vital organization for the citizens of Jefferson County by being a true community resource that we can all be proud of!
