We joined efforts with Prairie Protection Colorado to secure relocation for a prairie dog colony in Centennial, Colorado whose members would have been bulldozed for the development of a senior adult housing unit. 

We triumphed in mobilizing over 13,500 supporters who raised their voices against this brutal plan, forcing the landowner to permit the relocation to begin. In response to the mounting pressure, he acquiesced and signed a permit to allow rescuer access to his land to start the relocation process.

We also joined Prairie Protection Colorado (PPC) in calling on the landowner and manager of Victory Investment Partners, Adam Hazlett, and Headwaters Group, to fund the relocation, but when they failed to pay for the services, we called on our supporters to raise money for the effort instead. The relocation of a prairie dog colony involves multiple steps and weeks of time. It is the responsibility of the landowner and developers whose land is home to wildlife to ensure that wild animals are not being destroyed by bulldozers. However, our effort to hold them responsible for the funding did not result in success. Growing Ideas, LLC, a company that ethically relocates prairie dogs, started the complicated process, and funding of $15,000 was needed. We appealed for funds and devoted In Defense of Animals supporters helped us raise $10,000 toward the cost of the relocation. 

Earlier in the year, on July 14, 2023, a construction company bulldozed a live colony of prairie dogs in Centennial, Colorado, to break ground for an office building. There were only a few survivors from this brutal act and local activists weren't given a chance to save them. The prairie dog massacre was done in broad daylight near a busy intersection that is traveled by thousands of cars daily. Desensitizing the citizens of Centennial to accept animal cruelty and the blatant disregard for wild animals is unacceptable. Advocates who reached out to save the survivors were told that they could not access the private property. 

Our alert urged decision-makers to authorize and fund the relocation of the colony on the adjacent lot who were facing the same fate. The other colony had been buried alive and torn apart by McCauley Constructors with the development company doing nothing to let Prairie Protection Colorado access the private land to save them. The advocacy group made repeated attempts to arrange a relocation with Adam Hazlett, the owner of the land and agent of Blackhawk LLC, who misled them and ignored them once they presented him with a contract for their relocation.

Mass exterminations of prairie dog colonies are exposed by PPC advocates who resist the destruction of these vital animal communities. PPC organizes on the ground and works with grassroots advocates, local governments, the media, and legal channels to cast a web of protection over the last remaining prairie dog colonies throughout Colorado's Front Range communities.

We are proud to have partnered with PPC advocates to save these animals! Please consider making a gift to fund our vital on-the-ground-work, partnerships and advocacy that saves wild animal lives: Donate.

We are so incredibly grateful for the generous donations and alert signatures that were provided by so many warm-hearted people. We could not have done this without you.