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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Grand County Animal Control & Shelter

The Grand County Animal Shelter promotes and protects public safety and animal care through sheltering, pet placement programs, education, and animal law enforcement. The Shelter’s purpose is to provide responsive, efficient, and high-quality animal care and control services that preserve and protect public and animal safety. The Shelter is a small facility, with 3 full-time animal care and control officers, that falls under the jurisdiction of the Grand County Sheriff’s Office. There are 12 outdoor dog runs, 12 indoor dog kennels and two cat rooms with a maximum capacity for 12 dogs and 18 cats. Grand County Pet Pals is the supportive arm of the Grand County Animal Shelter. It is the local organization dedicated to responsible pet ownership, animal health and spay/neuter of pets in the County.

Charlie's Place

Charlie's Place is a modern, county owned and managed animal shelter serving the residents of Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties in Colorado. The shelter provides nourishment and a safe environment for abandoned, homeless, stray, and impounded dogs and cats. We offer dog and cat adoptions, microchipping, spay/neuter vouchers, humane trap loans, and monthly low-cost vaccination clinics.

The Good 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 Greyhound Adoption

Colorado Greyhound Adoption is a 100% volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to finding permanent loving homes for and promoting the adoption and welfare of retired racing greyhounds as excellent family pets. Based in the metropolitan Denver area, our volunteer base continues to grow, as more and more greyhound enthusiasts become involved. Our group maintains a racing neutral stance. Colorado Greyhound Adoption (CGA) is a non-profit organization 501(c)3 devoted to placement and adoption of greyhounds. We are 100% volunteer-run and available dogs are fostered in individual homes. Colorado Greyhound Adoption has over 4,500 adoptions in the life of it's organization. Based in the metropolitan Denver area, our volunteer base continues to grow, as more and more greyhound enthusiasts become involved. Our group maintains a racing neutral stance.

Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies

Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies (GRRR), with a home base at Phoebe’s Place in Arvada, CO, is a mostly volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that helps rescue-rehab and place unwanted, abandoned or surrendered Golden Retrievers into loving forever homes. GRRR was founded in 1996 by Laura Terroux and has experienced continued organizational growth while working toward the goal of caring for our breed. GRRR re-homes approximately 300 Golden Retrievers annually. For more information on our organization, please visit our ColoradoGives.org profile. GRRR can assist you if you currently own a Golden Retriever that you, for any reason, are unable to keep. After evaluation, surrendered Goldens will be taken in by GRRR and provided with the appropriate veterinary care consisting of vaccination updates, spaying or neutering and a general health exam. They then reside at Phoebe’s Place until they are matched with new families. Please click here to surrender a Golden. GRRR can assist you if you are looking to add a special Golden to your family. GRRR volunteers will help you find the most suitable rescue Golden for your family based on your lifestyle needs and environment. Please click here for our adoption application. All dogs are either at Phoebe’s Place or, in some rare situations, are placed in a foster home in metro Denver. All visits to meet prospective adoptees are by appointment only, after an application has been submitted and evaluated for a possible match.

Rocky Mountain Yorkie Rescue

Fureverdog Rescue and Boarding

We are a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization focused on helping stray, abandoned, homeless or owner surrender dogs to have a better life. We provide medical, spay/neuter, microchipping, vaccinations, food, water, a warm place to stay and lots of love. These pups are waiting for a second chance with a loving family.

Up Pup and Away

Safe Harbor Lab Rescue

Safe Harbor Lab Rescue was co-founded by Leslie Brown and Lauren Immel to honor the memory of Les’ first Lab, Tess. Part of the vision was to help senior Labs, Labs that may need hospice care, and special needs Labs all of whom have little hope of placement while in shelters. Leslie had many special needs Labs, including Owen who was born hydrocephalic and given no more than a year to live. Owen lived to the ripe old age of 11! Chocolate, a blind dwarf Lab, and Gypsy, a deaf and blind Lab mix were some of the others that followed Owen and began Safe Harbor’s legacy. After 30 years with Jefferson County Courts, Les retired to focus on Safe Harbor Lab Rescue. At the same time she went to work part time at Arvada West Veterinary Hospital, Safe Harbor’s first veterinary care provider and continues to provide care for our Labs.

A Dog Named Black Jack Animal Rescue Recovery, Inc.

We are an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit rescue aimed at saving urgent dogs in need in high kill shelters, through rescue, foster, and adoption. We are 100% funded through adoption fees and donations. We believe that every dog deserves a chance at a forever home and we strive to make that happen!

Trevor's Animal Rescue

We are a nonprofit charitable organization located in Parker, Colorado. We are dedicated to finding homes for dogs, cats, and other animals. Animals we receive are from various shelter euthanasia lists and at risk situations. We advocate for the most vulnerable animal populations. We believe that each and every life is precious, deserving to be treated humanely with a chance to live happily and cruelty-free. This rescue was founded in loving memory of Trevor Power, a true animal lover.

Demi's Animal Rescue

Demi’s Animal Rescue is a no kill animal rescue that focuses on solving pet homelessness through adoption, spay/neuter and pet retention. We do not discriminate against any animal that is in need and open our door to all regardless of their breed, age or special care required. We strive to see the day that pet homelessness is eliminated worldwide. Once an animal reaches Demi’s Animal Rescue… It Only Gets Better From Here. After years of advocating for animals, Demi started Demi’s Animal Rescue – a registered 501c(3) non profit organization. Today, we have grown to a 5-member board and continue to make great strides in our endeavors to save more animals.

Mountain Pet Rescue

Mountain Pet Rescue is a Colorado nonprofit organization dedicated to finding forever homes for pets in need. We focus on active dogs that face euthanization or are considered unadoptable in other areas of the country, but are in high demand in Colorado’s mountain communities. Pets come into our lives and touch our hearts. Sometimes they change us forever. For Sybil Miller, that pet was Boris – a Bernese mountain dog who would have continued to swelter under Florida’s sun if Sybil hadn’t flown from Colorado to rescue him. Sybil had been looking for a Bernese but couldn’t find one in a Colorado shelter; the breed was so popular there, no one had one available. When she contacted the Florida shelter, they were thrilled that Boris had finally found a loving home and could be the mountain dog he was meant to be. The experience taught Sybil that certain dogs that are in high demand in Colorado mountain communities, such as Labradors, Newfoundlands, Huskies, and Heelers are often considered unadoptable in other states. With the help of a group of dedicated volunteers, Sybil decided to start a local rescue dedicated to finding homes for these types of dogs. And so Mountain Pet Rescue was born. We are a foster-based rescue in Grand County, CO that focuses on rescuing active, energetic “mountain” dogs by working with overcrowded shelters in and outside of Colorado. Our Board of Directors strives to match each dog with its perfect home by assessing its temperament, evaluating the potential foster and adoption home, and following up with the pet owner to ensure a healthy and enjoyable relationship.