Jan Newman is a neighbor to both human and animal friends. She has been a dedicated member of Sun City and a key player at Animal House Shelter.
Newman began with a modest desire to help by walking dogs, but her dedication quickly deepened when she recognized a critical behind-the-scenes need. Her passion for animal welfare began nearly two decades ago. She started volunteering in 2007 at the Colorado Humane Society.
“I got hooked,” Newman recalled. “The more you volunteer, the more you want to give of yourself.”
That turned into a lifelong commitment when she joined Animal House Shelter after moving to Huntley in 2024, in neighborhood 8.
“I started walking dogs and wanted to help more, and began doing laundry at the shelter,” Newman said. “There is a lot of laundry to do. I started bringing it home to keep up.”
In addition to her other volunteering duties, Newman also handles filing important tax forms for AHS.
By taking piles of shelter laundry into her own home, Newman provided the much-needed hands-on support that local volunteers provide in keeping rescue animals clean, comfortable, and cared for. Animal House Shelter relies heavily on passionate helpers like Newman to thrive.
She said, “I am hoping that my story will encourage other Sun City residents to discover how rewarding volunteering can be.”
Newman is also helping by using her professional grant-writing background to secure vital funding for Animal House Shelter. By researching and applying for various foundation awards, she has already brought in critical resources.
“I started applying for grants, and we have been awarded some small grants,” Newman says. “My favorite part is when a grant is approved. I am still hoping to find the ‘big one’ that will bring with it some much-needed resources to the shelter.”
The tireless dedication of staff and volunteers like Newman is the backbone of local rescues. Securing consistent monetary support is often the major obstacle these organizations face. For Newman, employing her specialized writing skills was a natural way to make a deeper impact.
Volunteering at an animal shelter usually brings to mind walking dogs or cleaning kennels, but Newman found additional ways to make an impact. Drawing on her broad experience in accounting, Newman offered the shelter a rare and invaluable gift: her professional financial expertise. She took on the vital task of filing the organization’s IRS Form 990, the mandatory annual return that secures and maintains a nonprofit’s federal tax-exempt status. Newman said, “I also perform the annual audit and assist the Treasurer with QuickBooks questions.”
Beyond donating her accounting skills, Newman’s time at Animal House Shelter led to a life-changing personal connection when she adopted her dog, Luca.
Newman remembers the exact moment they met: “He was in his cage and looked at me with those big, sad eyes, and I couldn’t resist.”
The experience of adopting Luca opened Newman’s eyes to the wider challenges facing local rescues, prompting her to advocate for animal welfare.
“It’s so sad there are so many cats and dogs that need homes and care at the shelters,” she noted.
Today, Newman actively champions the shelter’s cause to those around her.
“I encourage my neighbors to adopt or volunteer,” she said. “Both give you so much in return.”
Newman also volunteers at her church and fosters animals. If anyone is interested, please contact her at jan.newman@comcast.net or at 720-635-2954.
