Special thanks to Hill's Science Diet
for providing
all the food we need for the animals in our care.
What animals are available?
To view animals available for adoption, click here. We update our adoptable pets pages as often as possible. However, due to the large number of animals we receive and adopt each day, we cannot guarantee that the animals listed here will still be available when you visit us. To check if a particular pet is available for adoption, please call (303) 751-5772 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekends. Click here to watch for our pets in the media and view our cats in action on the Fox Web cam.
Please do not contact us via e-mail regarding animals available for adoption, as messages may not receive a response within 24 hours.
Haven’t found the right pet for you?
Don’t despair! We receive approximately 78 animals every day, so add our Web site to your “favorites” list and periodically check our adoptable pets.
How does the adoption process work?
Watch this short video to find out how you can bring home a new furry friend!
- When you arrive at the Quebec Street shelter, we suggest you use our interactive Find-a-Friend stations located in the lobby. The information will help you find the type of dog, cat or small pet that best fits your lifestyle.
- Walk through the kennels and take a look at the pets available for adoption at either shelter. Be sure to write down the kennel numbers of those you are interested in meeting.
- Sign in at the dog or cat desk and type your information into the Find-a-Friend station at the Quebec Street shelter as we operate on a "first come, first serve basis." You can also find out more information about the animals you want to visit and be sure they are still available.
- When your name is called you will meet with an adoption counselor who will help you choose an animal that best fits your expectations and lifestyle. Feel free to ask for recommendations. We work with our animals every day and may know the perfect one for you.
- You may take your new pet home right away if he or she is already spayed or neutered. Otherwise, we’ll do the surgery and you can pick up your pet between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. the following day. (If you are adopting from the Buddy Center™, pick up days and times may vary).
Adoption tips
The adoption process can take an hour or longer, and sometimes there is a wait to see an adoption counselor. Try to visit the shelter during the week or right when we open if possible.
For your convenience, you can also schedule an appointment with an adoption counselor who will help you find your next furry friend. Appointments are available at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday. To make an appointment, call our Customer Service team at (303) 751-5772, Ext. 6800.
We recommend you bring your children to visit with the pets you are interested in. You may also bring your family dog if you are looking for a new dog. We do not recommend cat-dog visits or cat-cat visits.
While you are at our shelters, please visit our Sit…Stay…Shops. Our prices are competitive with other pet supply stores, and our animal care experts can help you choose food, toys and other supplies for your new pet. All proceeds benefit the animals in our care.
We receive many animals each day, so if we don't have what you are looking for when you visit, please come back another day.
How much does it cost to adopt a pet and what's included?
- Spay or neuter for dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets
- Medical examination for general good health
- Preliminary vaccinations
- Microchip identification implant
- Collar and I.D. tag Leash or carrier
- Fifteen-day health care program
- Free office visit by a member of the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society
- lifetime of LOVE
*Note: Rabies vaccinations are not included. Such vaccinations are required by Colorado law for cats, dogs and ferrets. Please discuss an appropriate vaccination schedule during your free office visit to a participating veterinarian.
Puppies and Dogs
Kittens and Cats
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Other Pets
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The fees for puppies and younger dogs are generally at the higher end of the range. Fees for more mature dogs, as well as those with special needs, are generally lower.
Attaching higher fees for some of our puppies and dogs gives us additional resources to provide extra help to other animals—those that may require unusually extensive medical treatment, orthopedic or other surgeries and extended care, prosthetic devices, and even more. Meanwhile, we can continue to provide our standard top-quality care and support to those animals in need of more routine medical care, socialization, behavior training, foster care, or that may just require a longer stay until they can be placed in the right home.
The fee assigned to a particular animal does not reflect our view of that animal’s intrinsic value. Every puppy, dog, kitten, cat or other small mammal is valued equally here. Every pet that comes to our doors deserves—and receives—the same tender care as every other.
If the puppy or dog you have selected has a higher fee than some others, keep in mind that the amount still represents a good value. In addition to any necessary medical treatment and behavior training we may have provided, the fee includes initial vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, a microchip ID, collar and tag, free 15-day post-adoption health support, and a free office visit to a member of the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society. In our community’s retail sector, all of this could average $450 or more.
It goes without saying that no matter where our adoption fees are set, they don’t come close to covering all the costs of caring for the more than 25,000 animals that come to us each year. Generous donations make up the difference. Thank you for your support and understanding.
Can I adopt a purebred dog or cat?
Yes! About 25 percent of the dogs we receive are purebreds. If the breed you are looking for is not currently available, visit us in person and talk with an adoption counselor about putting your name on our list for that particular breed. We will contact you when we have that breed available for adoption. Be sure to keep your name on the list by calling us every 90 days.
Can I adopt a pet as a gift for someone?
Since it’s important for people to choose their own pets that fit their preferences, we do not adopt pets as gifts. However, we do have gift cards available at both of our shelters. You can purchase a gift card for any amount. Gift cards can be redeemed for adoption fees, supplies from our Sit…Stay…Shops, obedience classes and other League services.
Adoption assistance for seniors
The Dumb Friends League provides a $100 credit for seniors (age 65 and older) towards an adoption fee at either of our shelters. If the pet adoption fee is less than $100, the adoption will be at no cost. Senior adoptions are supported in part by the Douglas County Senior Services Foundation, the J.K. Mullen Foundation and Studio 1430 KEZW AM If you would like to adopt under the Senior Connection Program, be sure to mention it when you visit our shelters.
Choosing your new pet
The Dumb Friends League will help you find the right pet for your lifestyle and preferences. Some things to think about before you arrive to choose a new pet:
- How much time do you have to play with/exercise and train your new pet?
- How much time will your pet spend home alone?
- What is your (and your neighbor’s) tolerance for noise, such as barking?
- Does your new pet need to live happily in a busy, active household or with children or older adults?
- What is your tolerance level for minor destruction, such as chewing, scratching furniture, knocking items off shelves, and/or housetraining accidents?
Thinking about these things beforehand can help us help you find the best match.
Your resident pets
All of your pets should have updated vaccinations including bordatella for dogs before bringing a new animal into the home. The ideal timing for vaccinations is within 6 months and at least 2 weeks prior to introducing a new animal.
Renters
If you rent your home or answer to a landlord please verify the pet policies with the owner of the property to ensure that the pet you adopt is allowed at your property. If you live with others, ensure everyone is aware of the new pet before he comes home.
Click here for helpful information about finding pet-friendly rentals, the pet policy for a specific rental community or presenting your pet to prospective landlords.
Preparing your house and yard for your new cat or dog
Spend some time thinking about rules and routines. You will want to create a secure and safe place (a crate or room works well) for the newcomer. Discuss who will be responsible for feeding, exercising, playing with and/or training him. Decide on consistent rules and routines to help your new pet feel safe and reduce potential problems.
Do a quick survey of your home from a pet’s point of view.
Do you have plants or other objects that could be poisonous or dangerous to your pets? Are trash cans accessible to a curious pet? Even if you have a resident pet that is not tempted by these things, remember that your new pet will be exploring his environment and may have different tastes.
Ensure your yard is escape proof—check for holes in the fence, latches on gates, and stuff piled near the fence that could give him a boost.