Dumb Friends League

The Dumb Friends League has one of the highest placement rates of homeless pets in the country among shelters of our size. In the last year alone, 17,656 pets and 88 equines were adopted, reunited or transferred to placement partners or impounding agencies. Our goal, by 2018 or sooner, is to reach a 90 percent or greater placement rate for all cats and dogs that come to us for rehoming. We are already way ahead of schedule. Every day, we strive to increase the number of pets saved through our “humane equation.”

The Dumb Friends League has no set time limit for how long a pet can remain in our care. We use veterinary services, behavior programs, foster programs, special-needs adoption programs and placement partners to give as many pets as possible a second chance at a happy life in a new home.

The Dumb Friends League is a no-suffering organization. They strive to relieve animal suffering, always keeping in mind the needs of the animal first. In some cases, this may lead to euthanasia, and may be at the request of pet owners who do not have or cannot afford veterinary care. At no time do we take the ending of a pet’s life lightly. Our staff devotes itself, just as a loving owner or veterinarian would, to treating each pet as a unique living being that deserves respect, care and love. We do not euthanize healthy animals.

The Dumb Friends League is a preventative organization. They know, that to reduce the number of homeless pets entering our doors, we must focus on preventative measures. In our shelters, we microchip and spay/neuter the pets in our care. In the community, we offer subsidized spay/neuter services to underserved areas through the metro area, teach compassion and understanding of animals through our humane education programs, and work in conjunction with law enforcement to stop abuse and educate pet owners on responsible pet ownership.

To better reach and impact our community, the Dumb Friends League is a proud partner of the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance (MDSA), a coalition of 25 public and private shelters, rescue groups and other animal-service providers committed to saving pets and fostering responsible pet ownership and regular veterinary care. By coming together as an alliance, we are able to place as many shelter and rescue animals as possible into loving homes within the far-reaching areas we serve.