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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

Red Fern Animal Rescue

Red Fern Animal Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foster-based animal rescue in Denver, CO whose mission is to rescue dogs from abandonment and neglect in South Texas, to advocate for animal welfare, and to connect adopters with their ideal canine companion.

Circle 2 Rescue

Pet Association of Estes Park Inc.

The Pet Association of Estes Park was created in 1973. It was founded with the goal of helping the area homeless animals in need and to educate youth and the community about the humane care of animals. We are the only local agency committed to this goal. We serve Estes Park, Allenspark, Pinewood Springs, Big Elk Meadows, Rocky Mountain National Park, Drake, and Glen Haven. We provide shelter, care and veterinary services to stray and surrendered animals until we can place them in loving homes. One of our founding and very important goals, are spay and neuter. We hold a spay and neuter clinic every Fall. Our donations help assist the community in this very important endeavor. What the Pet Association has accomplished in 2023 This has been a rough year for animals, Shelters and rescues were over-run by surrendered dogs, possibly a backlash from adoptions during the pandemic when many people began working from home and adopted dogs for companionship. There was also a lack of spay and neuter resources at this time and not enough vet techs and staff to keep up with the needs. The Pet Association received pleading calls every day from facilities who were desperate to move dogs out in order to make room for more incoming surrenders and strays. We helped whenever we could. We cared for more homeless pets this year than ever before in our 50 years of service to Estes and the surrounding areas. To date 60+ dogs, 46+ cats, 3 mice and one gecko have found wonderful loving homes. When we get an animal, we provide a medical examination and treatment for any problems, which frequently includes dental care. All dogs and cats are sterilized and microchipped before adoption. We also pay to board many of them, although our impressive foster-care network reduces our boarding expenses. We re-homed several dogs who were abandoned in Estes, including a couple purebred ones. And we found loving families for several senior pets. We currently have several cats, puppies, and dogs available for adoption, all of whom became homeless through no fault of their own. We want to thank everyone who donated and attended our fundraisers. You are a wonderfully supportive community. But because of the increased needs and the soaring costs, donations equaled only 70% of our expenses in 2023. Your ongoing support will continue to allow us to perform our mission. With the year end, we ask our community to consider the fates of the animals when making end-of-year donations. We are a 501c3 nonprofit, and we are your only local humane society. Taxpayers may also have an option to donate tax refunds to nonprofits. Another way to assure ongoing support is through a charitable bequest, which is a gift or donation designated in one’s will or trust. Such a gift can represent a percentage of one’s estate, or it can be a lump sum or non-monetary assets.

Summit County Animal Shelter

Summit County Animal Control and Shelter is a division of the Summit County Sheriff's Office. We enforce the animal control regulations for unincorporated Summit County. The shelter is utilized by citizens and visitors of all Summit County.

Colorado Animal Welfare League

Colorado Animal Welfare League (CAWL) is a 501(c)(3) animal rescue organization founded with the mission to protect homeless animals in Colorado and the surrounding states of Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, and New Mexico. We are currently made up of a small group of committed volunteers trying to save one animal at a time. As an all volunteer administration, any donations made to CAWL go directly to servicing the needs of the animals we save. The focus of CAWL is to expedite the adoption of difficult to place animals such as those with black fur, advanced age, or special needs. We rescue a lot of animals that would otherwise be euthanized for medical conditions, fearful behaviors, or just simply just for being a black dog in a shelter full of black dogs. Our rescue animals stay with foster families until their adoption while we work toward growing into a shelter. Thus, most of our expenses come from foster support and veterinary bills to treat our sick and injured animals. Our goal is to also be very proactive in animal welfare and to advance the awareness of the need for spaying and neutering our pets to reduce overpopulation. Our mobile spay/neuter clinic, the SNOW Mobile, is taken to rural areas with limited veterinary resources, inner-city areas, and Indian reservations where spaying and neutering will only happen if it is nearly free and comes to them. Our intention is to work with local vets to provide the spaying and neutering service at no cost to the public. Donations will then also be used to defray the costs associated with paying the veterinarians for their time, medications and supplies, and the operating costs for the mobile clinic itself.

Lifeline Puppy Rescue

Lifeline Puppy Rescue is a non-profit, no-kill shelter that rescues puppies and mom dogs from 5 states in the Rocky Mountain Region. We rescue from a network of 33 shelters and rescue groups to prevent euthanasia and have saved over 44,000 lives. The Lifeline connection to small towns and rural areas is crucial. When we work together, we can save lives and build families in our community. Since our 1993 inception, Lifeline Puppy Rescue has saved over 44,000 puppies in the west and midwestern United States from euthanasia at city and county kill-shelters. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit and the largest and longest running no-kill puppy rescue of our kind in Colorado. We are an all-breed rescue which accepts puppies and pregnant moms from 5 states and a network of 33 shelters and affiliated rescue organizations. We vet our puppies, treat for anything they may be suffering from. Once healthy, we place them for adoption to find a forever loving home. Lifeline Puppy Rescue was founded as a no-kill rescue to save puppies that would otherwise have to be put down because of overpopulation problems in kill-shelters. By working together, we can save lives and build families in our community.

Rocky Mountain Cocker Rescue

We are the only PACFA-licensed Cocker Spaniel rescue in Colorado! The Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) program is dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of animals in pet care. We carefully screen all potential adopters to ensure our rescued dogs go to a safe home. The adoption process starts with submitting an adoption application, followed by a phone interview, checking personal references and a home safety check. After an applicant is approved, we work with the applicant to suggest a dog that meets their preferences, based on personalities and lifestyle for a made-to-last relationship. RMCR is a 501(c)(3) charitable, non-profit organization. All of our rescued cockers and cocker-mixes live in foster homes; we do not place our dogs available for adoption into a kennel or shelter environment. We have foster homes all along I-25 from Albuquerque, NM north to Cheyenne, WY, in addition to Grand Junction, CO and a few more in Kansas and Missouri. We current accept dogs that look like a cocker spaniel or cockapoo from any neighboring state which shares a border with Colorado along with our rescue partners in Kansas and Missouri.

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.

Gray Muzzle Society

Gray Muzzle Society was founded by Kayson Cooper and Molly Dawson, who met while working at an animal shelter. Their shared compassion for senior, special needs, and often overlooked animals inspired them to create a rescue dedicated to giving these deserving creatures a second chance at life. Our vision is to create a community where every animal is valued and cherished, no matter their circumstances. By focusing on those who are often left behind, Gray Muzzle Society offers hope and a bright future to animals who need it most. Join us in our mission to make a difference. Whether through adoption, fostering, sponsorship, or volunteering, your support helps us continue our vital work and change the lives of animals in need.

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.

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.

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.

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.