Thinking of adopting a kitten in Denver? Adopting a kitten can be the start of a bright new chapter with a loving companion who brings joy into your home. It’s also a great opportunity to save a life, positively impact your community, and support a worthy cause.
Whether you’re a first-time cat parent or adding to your feline family, there are various kitten rescues and shelters in Denver that can help. In this Sploot Vets guide, we’ll explore some of the best kitten rescues in Denver and go over some of the basics of kitten adoption.
How to Adopt a Kitten in Denver
1. Know the Requirements
In Denver, applicants typically need to be at least 18 years old to adopt a kitten. However, some kitten shelters may have a higher minimum age. The shelter may also ask for other requirements, such as a valid ID, a suitable home environment (with permission from the landlord if renting), and enough financial stability for pet ownership.
2. Find a Nearby Kitten Rescue
Next, it’s time to look for a kitten to adopt. Check the websites of nearby kitten rescues in Denver or set an appointment to visit their adoption center. In the next sections, we’ll explore some of the most well-known kitten shelters in the area.
Note: You may occasionally see cats or older kittens listed as “bonded with [name of other cat].” This means they share a close emotional connection and are part of a bonded pair. It's typically recommended to adopt bonded pairs together, as they offer each other comfort and adjust better in a new home. Bonded pairs are less common among younger kittens.
3. Application & Meeting the Kitten
After finding a kitten that catches your eye, you can take the next step by filling out an adoption application and scheduling a meet-and-greet. Many kitten shelters offer online adoption applications, though some may require in-person visits.
Once your application is accepted, you’ll be able to meet the kitten either at the adoption center or at another designated location. The latter is more common for foster-based shelters.
4. Adoption Day
The last step is to sign your kitten’s adoption contract and settle their adoption fees. For younger kittens that haven’t been spayed or neutered yet, the adoption contract may require that the spay/neuter procedure be done at a certain age.
5 Must-See Kitten Rescues & Shelters in Denver
1. Humane Colorado
- Highlights: Nonprofit cat and kitten rescue; dogs, equines, and small mammals are also available; shelter-based with foster support; on-site kitten adoptions available
- Location: Leslie A. Malone Center – 2080 S Quebec St, Denver, CO
Formerly known as the Dumb Friends League, Humane Colorado is one of the most well-known animal shelters in Denver for cats and various other animals. Aside from being a cat and kitten rescue, they offer adoption services, lost and found services, temporary pet housing, and pet surrender assistance. Thanks to their dedicated team and volunteers, they help reduce pet homelessness and alleviate animal suffering.
If you’re considering kitten adoption through Humane Colorado, visit their website to see their adoptable kittens. The profiles of adoptable cats can be filtered by age; each profile contains key information like the cat’s age, breed, and more.
2. Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue (RMFR)
- Highlights: No-kill free-roaming shelter; cat and kitten rescue; shelter-based with foster support; online application available
- Location: 2390 S Delaware St, Denver, CO
Founded in 1982, Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue (RMFR) is on a mission to care for homeless, abandoned, abused, and neglected cats and kittens. By partnering with high-risk shelters and providing seamless adoption services, they help reduce euthanasia rates and save lives.
If you’d like to adopt a kitten from RMFR, you can check their website if they have kittens available. They showcase their adoptable kittens and cats, indicating each cat’s breed, age, personality, and more.
3. Foothills Animal Shelter
- Highlights: Full-service shelter, Fear Free cat and kitten rescue; dogs and small animals are also available; shelter-based with foster support; on-site adoptions available; option to place a pet on hold via phone call is also available.
- Location: 580 McIntyre St, Golden, CO
Just 20 minutes from Denver, Foothills Animal Shelter is an open-admissions shelter that offers adoption services, lost-and-found pet services, public education, and more. Through their services, they help improve the lives of thousands of pets and give homeless animals a second chance.
If you’re interested in adopting a kitten from this shelter, you can view their website to check if they have kittens available. On their website, they provide key information about each cat or kitten, including their breed, temperament, and more.
4. Cat Care Society
- Highlights: non-profit free-roaming shelter; cat and kitten rescue; focused on rescuing cats and kittens; shelter-based with foster support; online application available
- Location: 5787 W 6th Ave, Lakewood, CO
Founded in 1981, Cat Care Society is a free-roaming cat and kitten shelter dedicated to providing a safe and enriching place for cats in need. They focus on providing individualized care and promoting feline health and welfare as the loving homes for every adoptable cat.
If you’re interested in adopting a kitten from Cat Care Society, check out the adoptable kittens and cats on their website. They provide an overview of each kitten’s personality, breed, temperament, and health.
5. Colorado Feline Foster Rescue
- Highlights: cat and kitten rescue organization; focused on cats; purely foster-based; online application available
- Location: No physical adoption center or shelter — contact them here for more information.
Colorado Feline Foster Rescue is an organization that rescues and rehabilitates homeless cats and kittens, supporting them on their journey to find their forever homes. Through their foster-based rescue model, they ensures that each cat gets a nurturing home environment as they wait for adoption.
If you’re interested in adopting from this cat and kitten rescue, check out their website to view their available kittens and cats. They provide basic information about each kitten, including their breed, age, personality, and more.
Cat Cafes for Kitten Adoption
If you’re looking for a more relaxed cat or kitten adoption experience, consider visiting a cat cafe. These establishments provide a cozy, welcoming environment where pet parents can interact with adoptable cats from partnered rescue organizations.
Keep in mind, however, that cat cafes do NOT typically have young kittens. Instead, they tend to have older kittens, young adult cats, and older cats as these age groups tend to thrive better in communal, free-roaming environments that most cat cafes have.
→ Learn more - The 4 Best Cat Cafes Near Denver
Final Thoughts on Kitten Adoption
So what’s next after the joyful experience of bringing home a kitten? We recommend giving your kitten a strong start in life by scheduling a kitten wellness exam. This special vet visit equips you with personalized care recommendations and tips, while also establishing a vaccination schedule (if needed) and essential preventive care to protect against common illnesses and parasites.
In addition, you can schedule your kitten’s spay/neuter procedure if they haven’t had this done yet. We encourage pet parents to discuss this with a vet, especially since spaying or neutering is mandatory for cats over 6 months of age in Denver.
Here are some additional resources on caring for your new kitten:
- How to Take Care of a New Kitten 101: The 1st Year [Vet-Approved] →
- How to Socialize a Kitten - with Humans & Other Pets →
Sploot Veterinary Care: Your All-in-One Denver Vet
Sploot Veterinary Care provides all-in-one kitten care, encompassing primary care for kittens as well as urgent care and emergency vet services! Aside from top-tier personalized vet care, your kitten will be carefully handled by our Fear Free certified veterinary team; this is extra beneficial during a kitten’s socialization stage.
With daily appointment availability (including holidays) and extended vet clinic hours, we’re here to support.
Visit one of our conveniently located vet clinics in Denver! Feel free to book an appointment online or through the Sploot Vets app.
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