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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

MAXFUND

Big bones canine rescue

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yoga Animals Rescue Foundation

Yoga Animal Rescue Foundation is a Colorado Foster-Based Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation organization, dedicated to taking all possible action to save animals in need. Our efforts, as well as the efforts of our fosters, go into using proven naturopathic remedies and love and affection to heal animals in homes. We socialize our animals with events such as Yoga and Movie Nights to help them learn they deserve to give and receive love and affection! Our animals can’t wait to be in your loving home!

Aurora Animal Shelter

Aurora Animal Care has been serving the residents of Aurora since the 1950s. Aurora Animal Care was originally created to help control the rabies epidemic in Colorado by enforcing the state laws that required pet owners to vaccinate their dogs and cats against rabies. The City of Aurora soon realized that they needed a facility to hold stray dogs and cats. In 1968 the city leased space at 2155 S. Havana Street to be used as the city pound. The location was meant to be temporary until a proper shelter could be built. The pound remained operational for 13 years. Prior to the mid 80s, the eastern part of Aurora was vastly ranches, farms and open space. Animal Control Officers had to be experienced with handling dogs and cats, in addition to horses and other farm animals. On occasion they would respond to calls about wildlife and mountain lions. With the City of Aurora's growing population, the Aurora Animal Shelter was built in 1983 to house lost pets and facilitate adoptions. The Shelter is located at 15750 E. 32nd Ave., Aurora CO 80011. Over the years Aurora Animal Care has been a strong advocate against animal abuse and educating the public on the importance of spaying and neutering their pets. Since then the Aurora Animal Shelter has grown to a full-service, open admission animal shelter committed to protecting the animals of Aurora by providing shelter and care to the animals in the community. The division name was formally changed from Aurora Animal Care to Aurora Animal Services in 2015.

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.

Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation

The path to form a national Italian Greyhound Rescue began in 1997, when consistent fundraising dedicated to covering rescue expenses was implemented. At this time, various national humane organizations were beginning serious campaigns to educate the public about breed rescue, and rescue was receiving more and more inquiries to rehome dogs. The Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation was incorporated, and was granted 501(c)(3) status by the IRS in October 2004. Our volunteers have grown from a core of dedicated breeders to a national network of over 500 foster homes and rescue representatives. We routinely vet dogs, rehabilitate problem behaviors, screen potential adopters, hold awareness events, transport animals for specialized care, and raise funds to pay our vet costs. We have a structure in place to support our volunteers and recruit and train new ones. We are very proud of our past and look forward to an even more productive future. In 1998, IGRF reported 86 dogs had been placed in the previous calendar year. Today, we typically handle between 900 and 1000 dogs annually, and as of 2015 have placed over 8000 dogs since the advent of current record keeping methods. We run the very popular Biggy Iggy Auction once a year to raise money to support our program. Additionally, local volunteers manage the Iggy 500 fundraising event in Indianapolis, participate in area Care Days, and take part in countless pet festivals and "Meet and Greet" events sponsored by pet stores and humane societies. We also directly offer items for sale through as a continuous fundraising operation. Our state Rescue Representatives are also instrumental in partnering with animal control facilities and other humane and rescue groups to coordinate pre-adoption home visits, transports, and shelter outreach. Italian Greyhound Rescue also manages the Canine Recovery Program, an ID tracking program utilizing numbered tags and an hotline where lost and found dogs can be reported at any time of the day or night. All foster dogs that come through our program are assigned a tag and enrolled for their lifetime at no charge to our adopters.

Brighter Days Dog Rescue

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.