Mile High Woofs and Meows: Inside the City Animal Shelters of Denver

At 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver has some of the most beautiful mountain views at its unique altitude. It is rivaled only by the good hearts of its animal-loving communities and its dedication to caring for its fur and feathered residents. If you're looking to adopt, volunteer, or help, here are the most notable city animal shelters in and around Denver.

Denver Animal Shelter

1241 W Bayaud Ave, Denver, CO 80223

Serving as a lifeline for thousands of abused, abandoned, and lost animals throughout the Mile High City is Denver Animal Shelter. It is an open-admission shelter, meaning, it never turns away any animal in need, it takes them regardless of race, age, breed, and condition. This city shelter takes in dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and even the occasional pig, providing them with love and care. It gives them a haven while waiting for their forever homes.

Learn more about Denver Animal Shelter

Maxfund No-Kill Animal Shelter And Adoption Center

958 Inca Street, Denver, CO 80204

A no-kill animal sanctuary, Maxfund No-Kill Animal Shelter And Adoption Center was inspired by the dog Max. This city animal shelter gives second chances to abandoned, injured, and abused animals that other shelters may turn away due to medical needs or age. It provides haven and medical care to these animals and helps low-income pet owners care for theirs. In addition, it takes in special needs animals, senior pets, and those that require long-term rehabilitation. This earned them the reputation of being "the last hope" facility.

Learn more about Maxfund No-Kill Animal Shelter And Adoption Center

Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue

2390 S Delaware St Denver, CO 80223

As its name suggests, Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue cares for and shelters homeless cats and kittens. This animal shelter specializes in caring for special-needs kitties, including those with FIV+, seniors, and those who need behavioral rehabilitation. Its facility has safe indoor and outdoor spaces where the cats can roam freely. Founded in 1982, it partners with high-risk shelters nationwide to help reduce the euthanasia rates for the cat population.

Learn more about Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue

Dumb Friends League

2080 S Quebec St, Denver, CO 80231

Having helped over 21,000 homeless pets, educated more than 15,000 people, given medical care to over 23,000 pets, and many other accolades for 2023 alone, Dumb Friends League is a city animal shelter Denver can be proud of. It has been tirelessly working to prevent and investigate cases of animal neglect and abuse throughout Colorado. It also has the Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine Center that helps abused and neglected horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules.

Learn more about Dumb Friends League

Humane Society of the South Platte Valley

2129 W Chenango Ave, Littleton, CO 80120

With a mission to provide innovative animal care, the Humane Society of the South Platte Valley provides shelter, care, and compassion for stray, unwanted, and lost animals in the communities of South Denver. It finds them temporary homes until they are adopted by loving families. Its animal care plan takes care of the animals' physical and mental well-being until they are ready to live their best lives in their forever homes. It also offers behavior training to get them ready for their new lives. This shelter advocates for reducing pet overpopulation by offering low-cost spay and neuter services, among many other related services.

Learn more about the Humane Society of the South Platte Valley

Colorado Basenji Rescue

4989 Perry Street, Denver, CO 80212

Focusing on rescuing Basenjis, a short-haired hunting dog breed from Africa, the Colorado Basenji Rescue helps these dogs by rescuing, fostering, and placing them in loving homes. This city animal shelter is dedicated to giving abandoned, abused, and unwanted Basenjis the chance to be by the fire on a chilly evening, hearing the words "good dog," and giving them the life they truly deserve.

Learn more about Colorado Basenji Rescue

Aurora Animal Shelter

15750 E 32nd Ave, Aurora, CO 80011

Serving as the municipal animal care facility for Colorado's third-largest city, the Aurora Animal Shelter provides essential services to both pets and people. It is also an open-admission shelter that accepts thousands of lost, surrendered, and abandoned animals. The shelter also provides animal control and protection services, which include finding the owners of lost pets, pet licensing programs, and emergency response for injured strays, among others.

Learn more about Aurora Animal Shelter

Pawsco Headquarters

8200 E Pacific Pl Ste 205, Denver, Co 80231

Working tirelessly to reduce pet homelessness in Colorado, PawsCo partners with other animal shelters to help needy animals, especially those unable to thrive in a shelter setting. It also educates the public about the importance of spaying and neutering pets while managing TNR (trap-neuter-return) programs. It is an all-breed rescue where these animals live in foster homes before getting adopted and receiving love, medical care, and training.

Learn more about Pawsco Headquarters

Stray and Orphaned Animal Rescue

3615 Niagara St, Denver, CO 80207

From the readily adoptable to the most needy, Stray and Orphaned Animal Rescue helps dogs and puppies in the Denver and Missouri areas. It is 100% volunteer-operated to help these dogs get the physical and mental wellness they deserve. This shelter also finds temporary homes for them while they await their forever families.

Learn more about Stray and Orphaned Animal Rescue

Colorado Animal Rescue Express

5276 S Hanover Way, Englewood, CO 80111

Founded in 2007, Colorado Animal Rescue Express, lovingly known as C.A.R.E., is saving the lives of homeless pets via transport and veterinary care donations. It helps reduce pet overpopulation with spay/neuter programs and shelters for needy animals. Since its foundation, C.A.R.E. has moved over 60,000 homeless pets, over 51,000 spay and neuter surgeries, and more than $370,000 donated to other shelters, sanctuaries, rescue groups, and feral cat colony caregivers.

Learn more about Colorado Animal Rescue Express