The Best Colorado Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

Summit Dog Rescue / Pod To The Rescue

We are a small volume rescue with a huge focus on humane education. We rescue dogs and cats and work with our adopters/fosters and the general public to educate about how to best support our companion animals so that their placements can be successful. Unwanted pets is at epidemic levels, and without education we won't make progress. Our rescue is unique in that we are run by multiple certified dog trainers and behavior professionals. We have a podcast called Pod To The Rescue, which is produced with the goal of providing evidence based behavioral support to adopters and fosters.

Jailbreak husky rescue

Jailbreak Husky Rescue is a 501(C)(3) and PACFA licensed organization based out of Colorado that aims to rescue, rehabilitate, transport, rehome and advocate for Siberian Huskies and other northern breeds that are at risk of being euthanized, abandoned, or in neglectful or abusive situations. Our mission has a specialized focus on pregnant or nursing northern breeds, including pre-natal and postpartum care, whelping, bottle, syringe and tube feeding, and breed-focused litter care and development.

Ho-Bo Care Boxer Rescue

Ho-Bo Care Boxer Rescue is a non-profit, all volunteer group in Colorado. We have been active and engaged in our community since 1972.

La Plata County Humane Society

La Plata County Humane Society is a private non-profit, that has been helping pets in need in rural, southwest Colorado since 1971! We adopt companion animals, provide low-cost spay/neuter, microchipping, and vaccination, have a robust trap-neuter-release program, a life-saving foster program, offer onsite training, and provide animal protection services.

My Fairy Dawg Mother Rescue LLC

The Fairy Dawg Mother works with trusted partners in Colorado and nearby states to bring dawgs to the Denver Metro area, where they will have a better chance at adoption. We do our best to select dogs that will be highly successful candidates for placement with a new furever family, but change can be stressful for even the most easy-going dawg. Because of this, we work with foster families to start getting them stabilized, learn about each dawg's individual temperament, and provide training and guidance to the dawg.

PawsCo

PawsCo is a 501(c)3 animal welfare organization based in Denver, Colorado. PawsCo is dedicated to reducing pet homelessness by partnering with animal shelters and other rescues in order to help the most in-need animals ‚ those animals not thriving in a shelter setting.

Soul Dog Rescue

Soul Dog is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue organization founded with the mission to spay/neuter and protect animals. Soul Dog is proactive in animal welfare, advancing the need for spaying and neutering our pets to reduce overpopulation. We travel to rural communities on Native American reservations, where spaying and neutering will only happen if it is nearly free or very convenient. Soul Dog works with volunteer veterinarians to provide the spaying and neutering service at no cost to the public. Donations are used to defray the costs associated with medications, supplies, and the operating cost for clinics.

Australian Shepherds Furever

At Australian Shepherds Furever, we work daily to save aussies in need. It can be tough work, but incredibly rewarding to see this beautiful and intelligent breed flourish when given a second chance. We are a 501 (c) 3 non profit corporation. As a nonprofit, raising funds for rescue, fostering, training, boarding and health care is vital. Please consider showing your support today

National Mill Dog Rescue

NMDR's mission is to RESCUE, REHABILITATE and RE-HOME discarded breeding dogs and to educate the general public about the cruel realities of the commercial dog breeding industry.

Colorado Saint Bernard Rescue

Colorado Saint Bernard Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit that was founded in 1997, all volunteer organization dedicated to the rehoming of unwanted, abandoned, and abused Saint Bernards and Saint Bernard mixes.

Evergreen Animal Protective League (EAPL)

The Evergreen Animal Protective League (EAPL) was organized in April, 1981 to aid lost, abandoned, and suffering animals through rescue, shelter, and education. Since that time, the League has provided a better life for thousands of cats, dogs, and other pets.

Dumb Friends League

One of the ways the Dumb Friends League can fulfill its mission to end pet homelessness and animal suffering is to influence the laws and policies that protect animals and enhance their welfare. Our Advocacy team works with policymakers, animal welfare agencies, law enforcement and the community to drive the policies that make Colorado a leader in protecting our furry family members. We hope to help you stay informed on issues in Colorado and across the country that impact animal sheltering and welfare and continue to make systemic changes that benefit animals and the humans that love them, now and in the future

Mamco rescue dogs

Our mission is to ensure that all rescued animals are treated as valuable members of society through quality veterinary care, regular grooming, and excellent nutrition. We are a foster based, 501c3 non-profit rescue, dedicated to the health and wellbeing of mother dogs and cats and their litters. We see our rescue dogs and cats through pregnancy, birth (whelping), nursing, weaning, and adoption. In addition to providing necessary care, we also work to socialize, train, and evaluate each animal to ensure that they find permanent forever homes. This involves establishing close and trusting relationships with our volunteers, adopters, and the community.

Taysia Blue Rescue | Siberian Huskies & Alaskan Malamutes

Taysia Blue Rescue is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. We are a family of volunteers and advocates dedicated to helping local Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and their guardians. We are funded solely and supported by, the generosity of individuals and corporations in our communities. All our dogs are located in approved foster homes in the metro areas of Omaha, Lincoln, Kansas City, Des Moines and Denver. Taysia Blue does not have a physical building and does not have set hours of operation.

RezDawg Rescue

RezDawg Rescue collaborates with several rescues in NM, AZ and CO to ensure the safe and comfortable transport of unwanted animals to rescues, shelters and fosters where they will have a chance at a forever home. We relocate dogs and cats from high-intake shelters, animal control facilities, and reservations in the Four Corners area to animal rescue partners and forever homes in Colorado. We provide transportation to foster homes and other partner organizations, offer medical care and low/no cost spay and neuter services, manage a network of foster homes for temporary shelter, and run adoption events so that these animals can find forever homes.

MAXFUND

Big bones canine rescue

NOCO Humane

Welcome to NOCO Humane, your community partner for comprehensive animal welfare services in Larimer and Weld counties. We have expanded our reach and our impact, taking on the sheltering and care of animals in Weld County in light of the dissolution of the Humane Society of Weld County. Join us as we heal, nature, and protect more than 10,000 animals in the year to come!

Colorado Corgis and Friends

Colorado Corgis and Friends is a 501c3 Dog Rescue specializing in Corgis and other lowrider breeds. Established in late 2019 by a group of Corgi-loving people who love and understand the Corgi breed and love all other dogs as well. The founding members have over 100+ years of experience owning Corgis and 50+ years in Rescue. It is our pleasure and passion to help homeless dogs in need, help struggling owners rehome their pets, and offer advice on training issues typical of this herding breed.

Harley's Dream

Harley's Dream was established in 2016 in honor of Harley, a senior one-eyed puppy mill survivor who became the face and voice of the puppy mill dogs, earning the distinction of being the 2015 American Hero Dog for his work. Our mission is to create awareness and educate the public about the cruel commercial dog breeding industry (also known as puppy mills) and to rescue and rehome senior dogs in need.

A Friend of Jack Rescue

A Friend of Jack Rescue is a Colorado, foster-based 501(c)3 non-profit rescue dedicated to finding loving, lasting homes for unwanted dogs and puppies.

Foothills Animal Shelter

Foothills Animal Shelter is an open admission facility serving Jefferson County in the state of Colorado and is a member of the Metro Denver Animal Welfare Alliance. We are driven to make lives better for animals and people in our community. We are a Socially Conscious Animal Welfare Organization, creating the best outcomes for all animals that enter our care. We place every healthy and safe animal for adoption. We assess the medical and behavioral needs of homeless animals and ensure these needs are thoughtfully addressed. And, we alleviate suffering through thoughtful euthanasia.

Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue

Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue was started in 2007 when our founder saw a lab mix on Petfinder that was located in Oklahoma. After a long drive, she found the dog to be covered in fleas and ticks, skinny, and with fresh scars on his ears. She brought the dog back to Colorado and with proper food and medical care and some training, he turned out to be one of the sweetest, happiest, goofiest dogs ever. Today, RMLR consists of a small group of dedicated volunteers that find and re-home local and out of state Labrador Retrievers and Lab Mixes. We all have full time jobs, families and other activities in our lives, but are passionate about trying to save as many dogs as we can. We spend our own time working on the organization, planning to get these dogs out of shelters before they are euthanized, scheduling vet appointments, transporting dogs cross country and processing adoption applications. We find our Labs mostly through shelter volunteers out of state who will alert us to great dogs that don't have a future where they are at. Many of these labs are in High Kill Shelters, that are almost always full because they are in rural areas where the dogs run stray, and have lots of puppies because they have not been altered. We operate based on donations. The adoption fee typically does not cover the cost of getting the dog ready for their new home. If you can donate money, please click on the Donate button above. If you can not donate in the form of money we can always benefit from materials such as collars, leashes, crates/kennels, toys, treats (unopened), and high quality food (unopened). We will gladly take used items that are still in good condition.

Life is Better Rescue

Everyone who is passionate about rescuing has a story about how they got where they are, or why they do what they do. It is often reflected in the name of the organization – either in dedication to a specific animal that has moved them, or a breed that they are passionate about supporting. You will notice that we are not in the business for one animal, one breed, or one species. We are Life is Better Rescue. The name seems self explanatory – what animal isn’t facing a better life after rescue before euthanasia? For us, it’s not just about saving life – it’s about creating a quality life and making sure that the impact is felt across the board. It’s about spaying and neutering so that we can reduce the adoptable euthanasia population before it starts. It’s about working with municipal shelters to increase transfers so that disease is minimized. It’s about making sure that each rescue has profound meaning for the adopter as much as the adoptee. It’s about giving animals and people the chance to connect and form a lifelong loving relationship. This rescue is not just about preventing needless death. It’s about creating a life worth living. To us, being a rescuer to means more than just saving lives. It means making things better, for the animal as well as the owner. Our goal is simple. We would like to enter the rescue community to serve as many animals as we are able. To have volunteers with the same motivation, who can independently work to save lives and find homes. To give an infrastructure to self-sufficient rescuers so that they can assist as they are able. Most importantly, we want to help teach behavior that helps with permanent adoption. To save animals at any stage and prepare them for a life well lived. To impart the message that for them, life is better, and will only get better from here on out. Financial or in-kind support helps directly with animal care. Life is Better Rescue is an IRS 501(c)(3) recognized charity, and all donations are tax deductible.

Colorado puppy rescue

A licensed, no-kill, non-profit puppy rescue specializing in very young puppies and their mothers.

Colorado Shiba Inu Rescue

Colorado Shiba Inu Rescue (COSIR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and rehoming of Shiba Inus, and Shiba Inu mixes, in Colorado. While in rescue, all our dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, given heartworm prevention, and any/all veterinary care necessary to ensure they are healthy and ready for their forever homes. We also provide post-adoption training for our younger dogs, and maintain a lifelong relationship of support with our alumni. We have an all volunteer staff who donate their free time to saving Shibas because of their love and appreciation for the breed. The Shiba Inu is a very unique breed with very strong personality traits, and they are not for everyone! People often decide they want a Shiba because they are cute, without doing any research first, and don’t know what they are getting into. For this reason, many Shibas end up in shelters, surrendered by their owners, or abandonded. COSIR understands and appreciates the uniqueness of this quirky and difficult breed, and has the expertise to ensure each dog finds the right forever home. This challenging of a breed warrants an in-depth screening process for adopters, and our goal is to find each dog their FOREVER home, not just their NEXT home. COSIR takes in Shibas from animal shelters or other rescues, as well as from owners looking to surrender their Shiba in order to give them a better life. Shibas typically do not do well in shelter environments and are often deemed un-adoptable and euthanized. COSIR prioritizes taking in Shibas from local shelters and places them in foster homes. By doing this, we not only relieve the shelter load, so they can help other dogs, but we give a deserving dog a chance at life. We do not have a shelter facility for you to visit and meet our dogs. All of our dogs are cared for in loving foster homes. An adoption application must be submitted, reviewed, and pre-approved prior to scheduling a home visit to meet our dogs.

Nikenos Second Chances

NSC is an all volunteer foster based 501 (c)(3) non profit organization founded in 2006. While many people are willing to adopt rescue animals, many times the combination of untrained dogs and untrained owners leads to returned or unwanted pets. By giving the dogs structured training before, during, and after home placement, their chance of success more than quadruples. Our founder, Gina Krehbiel, has over thirty years in the animal behavioral business. She owns and operates Clearwater Dog Training — a facility that promotes educated owners and educated pets. With this background, NSC was destiny in the making. After the passing of her beloved German Shepherd Dog Keno she felt it was time to act.

Retriever Rescue of Colorado

RROC was created in 2006 by people who had volunteered for years with single-breed rescues and recognized the need for a group that could take any of the retriever breeds. With a shoestring budget and a handful of volunteers, the expectation was that RROC would save about thirty dogs a year. That estimate was shattered within a few months and RROC has saved well over 2000 retrievers and continues to welcome over 200 dogs in need annually.

San Nicola Dog Rescue & Sanctuary

San Nicola Dog Rescue is a volunteer-based PACFA licensed 501(c)-3 non-profit foundation. We rescue dogs from Colorado and surrounding states and provide food, shelter and care until we find permanent homes. We place rescue dogs in Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Vail, Greeley and other Colorado towns. We have a brick-and-mortar dog shelter with the location east of Denver, Colorado and in Westminster, Colorado. Because of the distance we can bring the dog that you are adopting to your place.

Farfel's Farm and Dog Rescue

Farfel's Rescue was begun in 2003 in Santorini, Greece when Sandy insisted on bringing home a street dog. Ella led us down the cliffs of Santorini to a shallow cave. Her three week old puppies squeaked their indignation that Mom was late with dinner. Ella and her pups came on a long transport with multiple stops along the way finally landing in Colorado and into the arms of their incredible families.