The La Plata County Humane Society, like most animal-welfare agencies in America, rescues hundreds of unwanted dogs and cats every year, working to find them forever homes. But the Blackhat Humane Society takes on an even more daunting task – working to save animals on the Navajo Reservation, where an estimated 250,000 to 400,000 stray dogs and cats roam.

Working without a shelter or paid staff, the group of volunteers works to make a dent in the problem.

The society has issued its 2016 Dogs of the Navajo calendar, one of its main fundraisers, featuring photos of rescued dogs with short bios. Adding a hint of the exotic, the months’ names are in the Navajo language.

The calendars are available from any board member for $15, or for $18 at www.blackhathumanesociety.org.

Last year’s calendar graced walls and refrigerators in 17 states and four foreign countries.

Herald Staff