COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Four Mile Canyon Wildfire is devastating Boulder County forcing more than 3,500 residents to relocate to shelters and hotels. Unfortunately for pet owners, many of the shelters do not accept animals.

Local humane societies have been providing safe, temporary housing to pets of evacuees but more room is needed to accomodate the animals in already crowded shelters.

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region offered to help alleviate the overcrowding by receiving 20 dogs from the Humane Society of Boulder Valley. The dogs arrived in Colorado Springs on Wednesday afternoon and will be up for adoption starting at 11 a.m. Thursday.

The 20 dogs from Boulder will be in addition to the 65 up for adoption in Colorado Springs. Stacey Candella, director of community resources, said there is a wide variety of dogs from big to small, from puppies to adults.

Most dogs cost about $98. Candella said a few of the puppies can be more expensive, but the additional costs aid in the medication needed for the elderly animals.

"We are asking El Paso County residents to take part here in Colorado Springs by considering the adoption of a wonderful dog in need. And if you feel that right now is not the right time for you, perhaps consider donating to the care of the dogs transferred down here" said President and CEO Jan McHugh-Smith.

For more information, visit www.hsppr.org.