The Best Denver, CO 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

Front Range Freedom Rescue

Mother Gaia Animal Rescue

EveryHope Rescue

Summit Dog Rescue

Summit Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer animal rescue organization that has saved the lives of thousands of dogs and kitties since 2009. Every single volunteer gives their time, energy, money, and more to support saving the lives of animals we rescue. SDR's mission is to save the lives of dogs and cats in need, educate the public about humane training methods and provide resources for low cost spay/neuter in underserved areas.

Mile High German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue

We provide a second chance for German Shorthaired Pointers (GSPs) who have been abandoned, neglected, abused, surrendered or otherwise displaced and adopt them into permanent, loving homes that will nurture and appreciate their energetic, affectionate and loyal personalities.

Colorado Herding Dog Rescue

Animal Rescue of the Rockies

Animal Rescue of the Rockies is a 501(c)3 non profit Colorado corporation. Organized in 2003 by a group of friends who wanted to provide an alternative to shelter environments, A.R.R. has served this vision well. We've successfully provided foster homes and subsequent permanent homes to over 10,000 dogs and cats to date. We work with foster homes to give homeless pets the chance to socialize in a home environment. This gives them the advantage of transitioning to their new forever homes much more easily and quickly.

Colorado Senior Dog Rescue and Hospice

Colorado Senior Dog Rescue and Hospice is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer-based animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing senior dogs. Senior animals are often overlooked at shelters and are the first to be euthanized. At CSDRH, we provide senior dogs with the veterinarian care and love they need and deserve. For adoptable senior dogs, we work to find them the best home, and for those with high needs or special needs, those dogs remain with the rescue in our hospice program, where they can live out their golden years. CSDRH also acts as a resource for local animal welfare services and a source of knowledge for senior pet care, veterinarian services, and pet ownership.

DMK Rehoming

DMK is a Colorado non-profit 501c3 licensed dog rescue. We focus on saving death row dogs, those that would otherwise be euthanized due to overcrowding in shelters. We provide spay/neuter, microchips, vaccines and any additional medical care that is needed. Our goal is to then make the best match between dog and adopter and get them into their forever homes.

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 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.

Thunder Puppy K9 Rehabilitation and Rehoming

Thunder Puppy K9 Rehabilitation and Rehoming is a nonprofit (501c3) organization in located in Colorado that is focused on bringing (mostly) Siberian Huskies back to balance and finding them loving homes where they can live in safety with an enriched quality of life. OUR PURPOSE A. To bring at-risk dogs in our community and the surrounding area to safety. B. To help educate dog guardians what it means to be a responsible, loving pet owner. C. To provide an environmentally enriched sanctuary for dogs while helping them navigate the rehoming process. D. To rehabilitate said dogs through behavior modification, Pack Therapy, Canine Psychology, and Human Education E. To find only the best and most suitable forever homes for each animal based on his or her needs and the capabilities of their potential custodians.

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.