The Best Colorado Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

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.

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Karl's Canine Krew

Karl’s Canine Krew is a 501c3 nonprofit, PACFA licensed, foster based rescue located primarily in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We bring animals that are awaiting euthanasia or struggling to find homes in shelters locally in Colorado as well as shelters out of state in New Mexico, Texas, and Kansas into our foster’s loving homes. All animals receive any necessary medical care, as well as a microchip before they find their fur-ever family!

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Southern Colorado Spay and Neuter Association

The Southern Colorado Spay and Neuter Association (referred to as “SoCO” by the community) is a low-cost, non-profit, veterinary clinic that provides affordable, preventative care to the homed and unhomed pets of southern Colorado. As a well-established clinic, this non-profit has worked out of the same building, on the south side of Pueblo, since 1997; we have sterilized over 93,000 pets and provided hundreds of thousands of vaccines to community pets without restrictions on income. In addition to our core mission, “to promote and provide for the humane treatment of animals through affordable population control,” SoCO operates an animal shelter and specializes in special-needs and hard-to-adopt rescue dogs and cats. Over the years, our programs have expanded to offer a variety of assistance, based on our understanding of the community’s needs. These programs include: 1) SoCO’s Bottle Feeding program has saved hundreds of orphaned neonatal puppies and kittens since its creation in 2018. The program offers other local shelters training courses, which provides the tools and knowledge our partners and volunteers need in order to establish successful bottle-feeding programs of their own. Our outreach and no-cost training increases life-saving opportunities and simultaneously decreases the strain that the infux of these fragile orphans have on area shelters. 2) SoCo provides sponsored TNR (trap-neuter-return) clinics throughout the year to help sterilize stray cats. Food is also provided to colony managers who are responsible for feeding the colonies for which they care. 3) Our SoCO Paw Responder team exists to provide the safe capture of scared or hard-to-catch dogs. The team has volunteered countless hours, dedicating themselves to safely bringing dogs home after they have endured horrific situations, including: surviving car accidents, getting lost from their families, or being abandoned. The team utilizes state-of-the-art tools and hand-crafted humane traps to safely return owned dogs to their families, or to get unowned dogs into the safety of our shelter where they are evaluated, vetted, and placed for adoption. The SoCO Paw Responder team has been called upon to assist all over the state of Colorado, and, in the last two years, our expertise has been requested from bordering states. 4) The SoCO Buddy Program was introduced as a way for individuals or businesses to sponsor some of our special-needs dogs and cats. A sponsor fee goes directly to the care of these rescues, which includes medications like insulin for our diabetic rescues, prescription food, treats, or enrichment toys. 5) The SoCO Barn Cat Program matches up feral, or semi-feral cats with area ranches/farms, providing free pest control and to also provide a safe place for these shy kitties to thrive. All barns are pre-approved to ensure the safety of the cat. SoCo boasts an incredibly dedicated staff of nine, which includes our staff veterinarian Dr. Kristin Ballotti, a hand-full of volunteers who want to help fulfill SoCo’s mission, and a supportive Board of Directors.

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Grey Ghost Weimaraner Rescue

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White Rose Sanctuary

At White Rose Sanctuary, every dog is given a chance to change lives. Just like the one dog that helped a girl survive a dark past, another dog gave her the strength to keep going, and yet another saved her life and gave her purpose. We believe that every dog deserves that chance, regardless of their background. Our sanctuary is built on the principle of “no animal left behind,” where we value every life equally. From ex-fight ring survivors to abused and neglected souls, from pit bulls to golden retrievers and chihuahuas, we take the time to help these animals heal, both physically and mentally. Whether it takes weeks or years, we ensure that they find love and care in a home-like setting, not a kennel. We invest our time and money, freely giving our most precious commodities, to shower these animals with the love, patience, and family they deserve. Once an animal enters our sanctuary, they become part of “The Pack” for life, even after they find their forever homes. At White Rose Sanctuary, we are more than just a nonprofit 501c3 organization; we are a family, a home. Founded by a woman with a dream, who was saved by her soul dog from abuse and addiction, we strive to “be the person your dog thinks you are.” We welcome everyone, especially those with disabilities, as our founder herself battles Multiple Sclerosis. Our goal is to provide hope, love, and growth to both animals and people alike. Join our compassionate family at White Rose Sanctuary and witness the transformative power of love.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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2nd Chance Vizsla Rescue Inc.

The main goal of 2CVR is to match Vizslas in need of forever homes with loving families. We are dedicated to providing rehabilitation, medical care, and in-home foster care for abandoned or abused purebred Vizslas or Vizsla mixes. We do not board our rescues in a kennel environment. We strive to educate the community regarding responsible dog ownership, including: the spay/neuter or companion animals, assisting shelters by promoting awareness, working with shelter managers/directors in our targeted area, and bringing shelter dogs on board as quickly as possible. We are an independent Vizsla rescue organization. We do, however, coordinate with the Vizsla Club of America (VCA) and other Vizsla rescue organizations around the United States. Our purpose is to help the Vizsla and the people who love and support the breed. As necessary, we offer support to shelters that handle stray or surrendered Vizslas. It is our goal to leave no Vizsla in a shelter or surrendering home longer than it takes to arrange pickup/release of the animal to 2CVR and foster care. Our funding is based primarily on personal donations, adoption donations, participation in local fund raising projects and grants.

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My Second Home Rescue

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Homeward Bound Rescue of Colorado

We are a small, nonprofit 501c3) dog rescue in northern Colorado. Our goal is to provide loving forever homes for homeless and shelter dogs. We work with a variety of foster homes and rescue organizations as well as a supportive mix of local businesses.

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Until They're Home

UTH was an idea sparked by our founders, Molly and Jaz, when they were working together with a shelter in Southern Colorado. In the early days of UTH, it was just the two of them, fostering dogs and transporting animals all over the state. They noticed that a large percentage of animals surrendered to shelters were for reasons that seemed solvable before the animals’ arrival. Many animals were surrendered for financial reasons, lack of training or behavior support, not having help when life is unexpectedly interrupted with crises such as extended hospital visits due to illness or sickness, family emergencies, and work and home challenges. The list goes on… They noticed an opportunity to fill a void in our community. Although our community is generally affluent and we have many community-focused organizations honed in animal welfare, there is still a massive absence of resources for Colorado families and their pets. Here at UTH, we have a special affinity for those pets who are struggling in the shelter and recognize that shelters with limited resources often have very few options for those individuals. It’s often common that shelters/rescues make people needing to rehome their animals feel judged for doing so, but we recognize that there are many understandable reasons why you may need to rehome an animal. Until They’re Home exists to fill this gap and provide a bridge of hope for shelters, families, and our community in uncertain times. UTH has built services to help provide families with more options during stressful times so that they aren't forced to surrender their beloved pet to the local shelter. Additionally, very few of the hundreds of animal rescues in Colorado actually take animals from their local open-admission shelter, so we passionately support local organizations that share our same vision and values.

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Animal Friends Alliance

Animal Friends Alliance is Adoption-guarantee shelter and subsidized spay/neuter clinic offering resources to keep pets in loving homes. Serving Northern Colorado and beyond.

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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.

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Surface Creek Animal Shelter

Finding Inspiration in Every Animal Since 1997, individuals have volunteered to support companion animals of the Surface Creek Valley community. Our mission remains the same today; rescuing each from hunger, thirst, pain, injury, disease, discomfort, fear, and distress; while providing community welfare and giving companionship and support in forever homes. Our Story The Surface Creek Animal Shelter is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization. It operates the Surface Creek Animal Shelter and The Shelter Shoppe Thrift Store both located in Cedaredge, Colorado. Through its volunteers, the Surface Creek Animal Shelter provides care and support to over 400 cats and dogs each year and strives to find each animal, a forever home. Ways we accomplish our mission: • Socially conscious sheltering and maintaining our shelter as an adoption guarantee facility • Adhering to the rules and regulations of Colorado’s Pet Animal Care Facilities Act • Providing nutrition, hydration, exercise, and necessary healthcare to all animals in our care until adoption or relocation • Actively seeking good adoptive homes for all adoptable animals • Promoting responsible pet ownership with an active spay/neuter program • Pursuing funds through grants, fundraisers, and monthly sustaining donations • Improving the welfare and sheltering of companion animals in Delta County o Includes vaccination, identification chipping, spaying/neutering, and routine or urgent veterinary care

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Grand Rivers Humane Society

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DELTA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY

We are located in Delta County, Colorado - about an hour south of Grand Junction, Colorado on the western side of the state. We are a small but mighty group of volunteers with only 9 foster homes, yet we manage to rescue and adopt out a fair number of pets.

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Journey Home Animal Care Center

Journey Home Animal Care Center provides care for over 1,500 lost, ill, injured or orphaned animals each year throughout the Colorado River Valley in Western Garfield County. The center provides a variety of services including adoption, veterinary clinic, and more. Refer to below for a full list of what’s offered: • Adopts animals into new homes. • Reunites owners with their lost pets. • Our clinic provides limited veterinary services. • Places animals into foster homes until they are healthy, adoptable animals. • Financial assistance for community members needing veterinary services. Ask us! • Offers public education and information. • Assists those in need with feeding their animals. • Assists the community with a Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) program for feral and free roaming cats. • Provides volunteer opportunities for community members. • Provides housing and care for animals running at large in the City of Rifle and the towns of Parachute, Silt, and New Castle. Our History The journey of Rifle Animal Shelter Shelter Renovation Rifle Animal Shelter, a 30 plus year old building, originally served as an impound facility for the City of Rifle. In 1998 the shelter was on the verge of being shut down for not meeting the Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) standards. A group of volunteers started a campaign to help renovate the shelter. In just six months, the shelter was renovated with donated labor and materials. Volunteers from all over Garfield County came together to make this project a success. This core group of volunteers formed a 501 © (3) non-profit corporation and became Garfield County Animal Welfare Foundation, Inc., also known as Friends of the Rifle Animal Shelter (FRAS). Assisting the Community FRAS’s next goal was to spay/neuter and provide medical care for every animal coming into the shelter. Today, no animal leaves the shelter without being current on vaccines, altered and micro chipped. In approximately 2002, FRAS expanded its services to include financial assistance to the Garfield County community and began to help community members alter their family pets. Expanding Our Reach On January 1, 2012, FRAS took over operations and management of the Rifle Animal Shelter. With this contract came expanded services, more efficient operations and greater public outreach.

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