Fern is wrapping up her two years as Mayor of Divide.

She has had a big term, supporting many of the dogs who have passed through the shelter’s doors and being a huge part of Navy Week.

“Fern had some big ears to fill, and she stepped up and was one of the most supportive mayors to the dogs of the shelter,” said Kathleen Ruyak, PR& Marketing Coordinator and Administrative Assistant for TCRAS.

In 2010, a board member of TCRAS had seen a story about another small town that has raised funds by allowing people to “vote” for an animal for mayor by making a donation and thought that might work for Divide, too.

The first election was a huge success and every two years, anyone from anywhere can help decide who the next Mayor of Divide will be. The election creates good will, exposure for the non-profits and businesses that sponsor the candidates and essential funds to support the small but mighty animal shelter at the same time.

“People are encouraged to vote as often as they want for their favorite candidates,” Ruyak said. “We’ve had cats, dogs, a wolf as a mayors and this year we have even more exotic animals running.”

The shelter keeps the race light-hearted and avoids typical political divisions. Each candidate is sponsored by a local business or nonprofit, and their “campaign manager” (usually the pet’s owner) helps promote the shelter and its mission of “fostering hope and new beginnings” while the shelter helps promote the sponsors.

“It’s a win-win for everyone involved,” Ruyak said. Voting has begun and will end on April 19. Each
vote costs $2 and anyone, anywhere can vote for any candidate or multiple candidates an unlimited amount of times.

The mayor’s race “brings awareness to our small rural shelter and it also allows us to raise money for all of the animals that come through our doors,” Ruyak said.

For more information on the campaign, please visit TCRAS’s website: https://www.tcrascolorado.org/