Aid, Improve, Protect & Advocate

Our Mission
As an all-volunteer nonprofit organization, CCLAS is committed to safeguarding and enhancing the lives of Lakewood's companion animals. We provide financial assistance and other resources to the Lakewood Animal Shelter for the quality care of abandoned, orphaned, sick and injured animals. In addition, we promote adoptions and advocate for animal welfare through community outreach and education.

Our Vision
Building a community where all our companion animals receive appropriate care and are treated with empathy, kindness and respect. We envision a Lakewood where every pet lives a safe, healthy and happy life by utilizing these principles:

• Compassion: We treat animals with empathy, kindness, and respect and recognize that they can experience pain, suffering, and other emotions.
  
• Advocacy: We address animal welfare issues through public awareness, community education, political action, media outreach, and social media campaigns, and we believe that effective advocacy can lead to positive change in the lives of animals.
• Collaboration: We believe in the power of collaboration and a willingness to work with other organizations, individuals, and our community to amplify our impact and create a more compassionate and just society for animals.
• Commitment: We have a deep sense of responsibility and a willingness to make sacrifices and put in the time, effort, and resources required to achieve our goals, even when progress is slow, or setbacks occur.
• Integrity: We commit to honesty, ethics, and trustworthiness in all aspects of the organization's work and transparency in our operations, including our financial dealings and the treatment of animals in our care.
• Responsiveness: We are dedicated to the needs of Lakewood’s homeless  animals by providing financial assistance and other resources to the Lakewood Animal Shelter when needed and requested.

Over thirty five years ago, Lakewood did not have a shelter, so the original "citizens" got together to petition the City of Lakewood to provide a place for stray, abandoned, and neglected animals, and raised the funds necessary to open the shelter. In 1984, CCLAS registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. CCLAS works side-by- side with the City of Lakewood and shelter staff to increase the health and well-being of the homeless animals at the shelter. CCLAS is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes.