About - Animal Rescue of the Rockies

About Us

Animal Rescue of the Rockies is a 501(c)3 non profit Colorado corporation. Organized in 2003 by a group of friends who wanted to provide an alternative to shelter environments, A.R.R. has served this vision well. We’ve successfully provided foster homes and subsequent permanent homes to over 10,000 dogs and cats to date. We work with foster homes to give homeless pets the chance to socialize in a home environment. This gives them the advantage of transitioning to their new forever homes much more easily and quickly.

A.R.R. also works with other rescue groups in Colorado and surrounding states. We help with transport, fostering, and adoptions whenever we can. Foster homes are always needed, and pets are waiting in shelters daily for people like you to open your hearts and homes to save their lives. We would love to have you join our lifesaving team. If you’re interested in helping, please email us at: admin@arrcolorado.org or fill out one of our foster or adoption applications today!

We depend on community support through fundraising, donations, and proceeds from our thrift shop in Breckenridge, “For Pets’ Sake,” and your generous donations to run our rescue operations.

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Board of Directors

Karen Martiny

President - Executive Director

Karen founded Animal Rescue of the Rockies in 2003 and is actively involved in the organization’s activities, also serving as Executive Director. Prior to founding ARR, she served as president of L.A.P.S. (League of Animals and People of the Summit) in Summit County, Colorado for two years. She also volunteered at the Summit County Animal Shelter for several years, winning an award for Volunteer of the Year in 2002. Karen has attended several workshops at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah – including “How to Start an Animal Sanctuary,” “Dog Behavior and Handling I & II,” and “Feline Literacy.” Seeing a need for an alternative to municipal shelters, she helped organize ARR to provide foster homes and adoption services for homeless pets. She was active in the R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program at Upper Blue Elementary in 2003 and 2004, helping children with reading difficulties learn to enjoy books by reading out loud to dogs. Karen has over 30 years of experience in administration, marketing, business, and public relations. She has attended several Best Friends National Conferences over the years, whenever her schedule allows. Karen and her husband, Vic, share their home with 2 rescue dogs and 5 rescue cats.

Kelly Rushing

Vice President - Secretary

Kelly is a fourth-grade literacy teacher. She joined ARR in 2010 and helped with small dog fosters and adoptions for a year before taking over the entire Dog Division, overseeing all dog operations and volunteers. She reviews all of the emails received from shelters and chooses the dogs that are in most need, sending out a weekly “Dogs in Need” list to our fosters. Kelly also helps new volunteers and fosters become familiar with ARR’s policies and procedures. She attended the Best Friends “How to Start an Animal Sanctuary” workshop in March 2011 and two No More Homeless Pets Conferences. Kelly shares her home with three beloved rescued Dachsunds.

Kristin Parsons

Board Member - NoCo Cat Coordinator

Kristin was introduced to ARR through a friend who volunteers for ARR over two and a half years ago. Fostering kittens is her passion. She volunteers her time at the veterinary clinic during the summer, conducts home visits and attends the adoptions events held in Northern Colorado. Currently, she is an elementary school teacher and has been for the past 24 years. She has a love of all animals. She shares her home with five cats, three dogs (two recent ARR fosters), and a cockatiel. She, her husband and three children live in Berthoud. Kristin attended the Best Friends National Conference in 2014.

Michael Wright

Board Member - Treasurer

Michael is a CPA and an Audit Manager at a public accounting firm located in Denver, CO with 5+ years experience in not-for-profit accounting. Michael joined ARR in mid-2015 after coming across the website and wanting to get involved with a Colorado organization which was doing so much good for so many animals. His primary responsibilities include overseeing the financial reporting of the organization, reviewing financial reporting for presentation to the Board and advising the board on forward-looking financial strategies. Michael & his wife, Lauren, live in Denver with a passion for improving the lives of animals of all types.