BRIGHTON, Colo. – Considered the longest running sanctuary of its kind, for nearly 25 years, Maxine Mager has founded and operated the only quality of life no-kill, free-roam animal sanctuaries, saving thousands of animals and having so many services for people. She pioneered the way people view animals of all kinds of species and how animals are treated in shelter life.

The one-person operation, has taken in more than 100 different species of animals, including horses, pigs, sheep, emus, cats, dogs, iguanas, parrots and ferrets. The 44-acre shelter, Creative Acres northeast of Brighton on Colorado’s eastern plains, has received local and national media attention through the years. Mager also receive media attention due to her expertise in many areas and her personality.

“We pride ourselves on the fact that when we do accept an animal, we are dedicated to providing a lifetime commitment,’’ Mager said. She is recognized for the way the animals live together. Unlikely species as friends, currently an iguana and a quail living together, the homey atmosphere the animals have; like televisions, beds, radio, toys. As one television reporter said to the station people, ”all the animals love her and she really loves them”.

Creative Acres works with people having problems with their animals to keep pets and their owners together. During the years, volunteers have worked with Mager to learn firsthand about animals. The shelter started and offers programs for the elderly, military, terminally ill, handicap and special needs people and children considered at high risk.

Mager alone and working with veterinarians using conventional and natural methods has gone beyond the normal to give animals new leases on life. Her thrive for knowledge and not to give up attitude has led her to many medical breakthroughs and awareness of current care. For example a dog diagnosis with cancer with only a week to live, Mager use natural methods and the dog live happy for additional year and a half. Many of her stories made national news. A dog at Creative Acres was the first shelter dog in the country to receive a pacemaker. And in 2005, two of her animals, Junior the pig and AKA the chicken, also made national news when she put them together so they could look out for each other. The chicken, which had a bad heart, and the pig, which had deformed legs, became inseparable. The chicken stayed with Junior until he died. There are many other stories of incredible achievements.

In addition, Mager has partnered with John Hopkins Medical Center, the American Diabetes Association, Make a Wish Foundation and other organizations. Mager has been requested and has spoken about her work in a wide range of venues, including Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado to home and garden shows. She was asked and did testified at the Colorado Legislature. She has been involved with legal issues concerning animals including working with the Colorado Attorney General’s office.

Other achievements… In 2003 Denver’s Mayor Webb sign the proclamation that July 1st is Animal Independence Day.

Mager started the first hands on educational center called C.A.N.T. (creative acres natural training) that teaches careers in the animal world, such as behaviorist, trainer, evaluator, and investigator.

Mager is the only trainer and behaviorist with over 350,000 hands on animal studies with so many different species.

She is acknowledge for her will to not give up blizzard of 2006, (see video on website from the media) setting the standards higher for animal organizations, (some articles on website) and her skills to created and maintain one of largest animal entities with the lowest budget. Her yearly budget is under what one salary is in other larger organizations. Her vision has started the trend; taking place all over the nation. Mager continues working hands on with the animals and educating the public.

On April 9th, 2012 the Colorado House of Representatives gave tribute to Maxine Mager for being the founder and operator of Creative Acres for nearly 25 years. They recognized her outstanding dedication and stated “ that her hard work and dedication is an inspiration to all of us.” Only a very few associated with animals have received this honor.

Posted on April 12th, by CAadmin in Media Articles.

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