Bringing a new puppy home is the beginning of a new chapter, filled with unconditional love and adventure. The good news is that adopting a puppy in Denver is easy; there are numerous puppy shelters and rescues that can help. By choosing puppy adoption, you’re giving a homeless puppy a second chance at life while making a positive impact on the local community.
Ready to take the next exciting step towards becoming a puppy parent? This Sploot Vets guide showcases some of Denver’s popular puppy shelters along with some important tips to help you navigate the adoption process with confidence.
How to Adopt a Puppy in Denver
1. Know the Requirements
To adopt from a puppy shelter in Denver, an applicant would generally need to be at least 18 years old with a valid ID. Other requirements may include: suitable living conditions, personal references, and a written permission from the landlord (if renting).
2. Find a Nearby Puppy Shelter
The next step is to explore nearby puppy shelters in Denver, where the perfect furry companion may be waiting for you. Consider visiting the shelters in person or browsing their websites to learn more about the puppies available for adoption. Later in this guide, we’ll explore some of the top puppy rescues in Denver that you can check out.
3. Application & Meeting the Puppy
Once you’ve found a potential puppy, you’ll need to fill out an application form, which is available on-site for many puppy shelters in Denver. However, some rescues may allow online applications.
After your application is approved, you will get to meet your potential new puppy. This can be done in the puppy shelter or in another designated location (the latter is more common for foster-based or foster-supported rescues).
4. Adoption Day
Finally, the last and most exciting step: finalizing the puppy adoption. For this, you’d sign a puppy adoption contract and settle the adoption fee.
Typically, the adoption fee includes essential services such as vaccinations, microchipping, and spaying/neutering (legally required for Denver dogs).
If the puppy is younger than 6 months of age and hasn’t been altered yet, the contract may include an agreement to complete the spay/neuter procedure by a certain age.
Note: Generally, the fee also covers a one-year dog license, especially for puppies 6 months of age or older. The Denver dog license is required for dogs over 6 months of age and needs to be renewed annually to remain compliant with local regulations.
5 Awesome Puppy Rescues in Denver
1. Lifeline Puppy Dog Rescue
- Highlights: No-kill puppy rescue, focused on adoptable puppies; foster-based with a physical location; on-site adoptions available
- Location: 15171 Riverdale Rd, Brighton, CO
Lifeline Puppy Rescue is a no-kill, foster-based rescue organization located in Brighton, Colorado, just north of Denver. Since 1993, they have specialized in rescuing puppies and young dogs from high-kill shelters across the Rocky Mountain region. To date, they have saved over 44,000 puppies. Lifeline provides veterinary care, vaccinations, and spay/neuter services before adoption.
If you’re interested in adopting from Lifeline Puppy Rescue, head over to their website to see their vast selection of adoptable puppies, all ready for a loving home. You’d get to choose from a wide range of breeds, peruse adorable puppy photos, and see basic details about each puppy.
2. Foothills Animal Shelter
- Highlights: Full-service, Fear Free dog and puppy shelter; cats 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
Located just 20 minutes from Denver, Foothills Animal Shelter is an open-admissions facility committed to saving lives through puppy adoption services, lost and found services, dog training services, community programs, and more. They provide compassionate care for thousands of animals yearly, creating a safe environment for both animals and people.
If you’re interested in adopting a puppy from this shelter, you can visit their website to view their dogs and puppies for adoption. They provide each dog’s basic information and personality description.
3. Humane Colorado
- Highlights: Nonprofit dog and puppy shelter; cats, equines, and small mammals are also available; shelter-based with foster support; on-site puppy adoptions available
- Location: Leslie A. Malone Center – 2080 S Quebec St, Denver, CO
Formerly known as Dumb Friends League, Humane Colorado is a leading nonprofit animal welfare organization based in Denver. With a history spanning over 115 years, the organization is dedicated to ending pet homelessness throughout Colorado. Through their shelter services, lost and found services, temporary pet housing, and other initiatives, they are they are making a lasting impact on animal welfare and helping more pets find safe, loving homes
If you’re interested in adopting a puppy from Humane Colorado, you can find more information about their adoptable puppies on their website, including each puppy’s temperament, history, and training.
4. Soul Dog Rescue
- Highlights: Nonprofit dog and puppy rescue; focuses on dogs and puppies only; shelter-based with foster support; online application available
- Location: 1245 Factory Dr, Fort Lupton, CO
Located around 40 minutes from Denver, Soul Dog Rescue is a non-profit organization focused on preventing pet overpopulation and promoting animal welfare through rescue, spay/neuter programs, and puppy adoption services. They travel to Native American communities where access to veterinary care is limited.
By providing critical resources and finding loving homes for rescued animals, Soul Dog Rescue helps create a more compassionate and sustainable future for pets in need.
If you’re interested in adopting a puppy from Soul Dog Rescue, you can learn more about their adoptable puppies on their website. They provide detailed information about each pup’s basic information, personality, training, and compatibility with other pets.
5. A Friend of Jack
- Highlights: Non-profit dog and puppy rescue organization, focused on adoptable puppies and dogs; fully foster-based; online application available
- Location: No specified address — contact them here for more information.
A Friend of Jack Rescue is a foster-based dog and puppy rescue organization focused on providing homeless dogs and puppies with safe, loving, and permanent homes. Their dedicated team provides compassionate foster care and works tirelessly to carefully match dogs to responsible adopters.
If you’re interested in adopting a puppy from A Friend of Jack, head over to their website, where they have basic information and detailed descriptions for their adoptable puppies and dogs. Easily filter their selection based on age to find their available puppies.
Final Thoughts: What’s Next After Puppy Adoption
Welcoming your new puppy home marks the start of an exciting and fulfilling journey. Be sure to schedule a puppy wellness exam right away to set them up for a strong, healthy beginning. Start building a strong preventive care routine with timely vaccinations, parasite prevention, and regular vet visits.
If your puppy hasn’t been spayed or neutered yet, consider scheduling their spay/neuter procedure in advance, as this is legally required for pet dogs in Denver and may be a requirement outlined in your adoption agreement.
Sploot Veterinary Care: Your All-in-One Denver Vet
Sploot Veterinary Care is a trusted Denver vet clinic offering primary care for puppies and dogs of all ages. We also provide urgent care and emergency vet services!
With our daily appointment availability (including holidays) and extended vet clinic hours, you can count on us to be here for you every step of the way.
Visit one of our conveniently located vet clinics in Denver, offering top-tier care and a Fear Free certified experience that your new puppy will love!
Feel free to book an appointment online or through the Sploot Vets app.
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