As executive director of the La Plata County Humane Society, I’ve seen countless animals being given away in parking lots or sold on street corners that look cute but have been separated from their mother too early, have never been checked for worms and don’t have rabies vaccinations. These situations are rarely caused by cruelty or neglect – more often, it’s just people trying to make a buck or someone who didn’t get their dog fixed and ended up with puppies.
Now, the state of Colorado is taking steps to prevent these situations from happening. A new law, C.R.S. 35-80-108(1)(o), went into effect on Aug. 6 making it illegal to sell, give away or advertise pets for adoption in any public space. This includes sidewalks, parks, parking lots, highway medians, outdoor markets and similar areas.
The purpose of this law is to ensure that pets are rehomed responsibly – through licensed facilities or other regulated channels where proper health checks, documentation and follow-up care can happen. Specifically, the law makes it unlawful for any person to: “Sell, deliver, offer or advertise for sale or adoption, barter, auction, give away, lease, or otherwise transfer a pet animal at or on any public street, highway, right-of-way, parkway, median strip, park, recreation area, outdoor market, parking lot, or other public space.” Violating this law is a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 120 days in jail, a fine of up to $750 or both.
The law does not apply to licensed animal facilities (like LPCHS or state-licensed rescues), or livestock events, such as agricultural fairs or auctions. If you’re not operating under one of these exemptions, offering pets for sale or free adoption in public areas is now a criminal offense.
If you see a poster or someone offering animals for sale or giveaway in a public space:
- Stay calm and respectful – many people may not be aware the law has changed.
- Remove the flyer or poster from the wall or window because it is now illegal to advertise.
- If you feel comfortable, let them know that this is now illegal under Colorado law and kindly suggest they contact a licensed shelter like LPCHS or a rescue for help.
- If they continue the activity, please call LPCHS Animal Protection Officers at 385-2900.
We want to approach this with compassion and education first, but we also take enforcement seriously, especially in cases where pets may be at risk. LPCHS will be distributing flyers and talking with community members to spread awareness. So if you or someone you know is trying to rehome a pet, don’t take it to the parking lot; call LPCHS or a local rescue for help instead.
This new law is not about punishment – it’s about protecting vulnerable pets and ensuring they find safe, permanent homes. Let’s work together to make La Plata County a place where every pet gets a healthy start.
Julie Dreyfuss is executive director of La Plata County Humane Society.
