By Kevin Denke, MetroWest Editor
March 7, 2007

The owner of a local no-kill animal santcuary that is home to hundreds of animals says a December snowstorm buried fundraiser plans and that foreclosure proceedings are under way.

Maxine Mager, who has owned and operated Creative Acres for nearly two decades, is asking for donations to help keep the unique animal shelter thriving. Mager said because her property is zoned agricultural, she has until August to come up with about $340,000 to redeem the property. Mager made a public plea shortly after the blizzard for help because she was snowed in and was worried for the lives of her animals. She said the public did step forward but those donations went to helping the creatures of the sanctuary.

"I had to make a choice. Do I use these donations to pay the mortgage or do I use it to feed them, pay their medical and keep them surviving daily?" Mager asked.

She said she chose the latter.

"Without them there's no need for a mortgage," she added.

So for the second time in five years, Mager said she is pondering a possible move of her animal shelter. Creative Acres moved to its current location in 2002 from land near 136th Avenue and Interstate 76 following a dispute with a land developer.

Mager said she is leaving her options open of staying on the current property or -- if an individual was willing to donate land -- moving to a new spot.

There is one thing that is not an option, Mager said, and that is closing the shelter.

"I didn't go through 8 feet of snow to give up on these critters," she said.

Those who want to assist Creative Acres can send donations to Creative Acres, PO Box 1143, Brighton, CO 80601 or call (303) 659-4792.