If you can no longer care for your pet, we are here to help. We offer compassion to people who must surrender their pets and provide safe shelter to animals that come through our doors.
If your pet is experiencing a challenging behavior, we may be able to help you resolve the issue and keep your beloved pet. Check out our Behavior Resources Library and, if you need further assistance, consider contacting our Behavior Help Line before surrendering your pet.
We require an appointment for all dog surrenders.
Pets previously adopted from the League are accepted at any time without appointments.
If you have an emergency and cannot continue caring for your pet or your pet has a medical concern, please call us to discuss additional options.
If you decide to surrender your pet, please bring the following:
- PET RECORDS– Bring a copy of your pet’s vaccination and veterinary records to your appointment.
- BEHAVIOR INFORMATION– Be prepared to discuss your pet’s daily habits and behaviors.
- SAFE TRANSPORTATION– Be sure that dogs are on leashes and cats or other small animals are in carriers.
- SURRENDER FEE– $25*
*No pet will be turned away due to an owner’s inability to pay. As an independent, not-for-profit organization, we ask for a $25 pet surrender fee. This fee helps us care for more than 20,000 animals each year.
Where to go and scheduling
We offer pet surrender services at these locations:
Note: We recommend that you make an appointment for pet surrender services. Appointments are not available same-day. We accept pet surrenders without appointments, but wait times may be longer. Those with appointments will be prioritized and others will be accommodated according or urgency and then on a first-come first-served basis.
Leslie A. Malone Center (Pet Admissions)
2080 S. Quebec St.
Denver, CO 80231
General Questions: 303.751.5772
See Details
Buddy Center
4556 Castleton Ct.
Castle Rock, CO 80109
General Questions: 303.751.5772
See Details
San Luis Valley Animal Center
701 Airport Road
Alamosa, CO 81101
General Questions: 719.212.6500
See DetailsIf you find a wild animal, please refrain from touching and/or moving the animal before reading our Wildlife Resources page for helpful information.
The Dumb Friends League is an open admission shelter that focuses on providing care for companion animals in our community. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a steady increase of red-eared sliders relinquished to the League. Red-eared sliders are an invasive species and do not qualify for rehabilitation or release programs. They are not companion animals and do not have placement options. Due to the potential impact from an ecological standpoint, accepting these turtles into our shelter is not ideal, and euthanasia is the only outcome we can provide for the red-eared sliders.
Learn more about the ecological impact of non-native turtles.
https://cnhp.colostate.edu/projects/non-native-animals/
Before bringing your red-eared slider to the League, please consider an alternative, such as rehoming, which can be done through community platforms like Nextdoor or Facebook.