About the Denver Animal Shelter

Our Mission

Empowering Denver’s communities to live better, longer by fostering the human-animal bond and protecting the safety and welfare of animals and people.

To aid in succeeding in our mission, we:

  • Provide humane care to companion animals
  • Reunite lost pets with their owners
  • Adopt pets to loving homes
  • Enforce Denver County animal ordinances
  • Proactively educate the public about animals, their needs, and Denver Animal Protection’s critical role as a community resource

Our Vision

Leading a city in which people and companion animals are safe and have the resources necessary to live in healthy, humane Denver neighborhoods.

We believe strongly in not euthanizing animals for time and space, and only make such determinations based on severe medical or behavior for safety concerns (bite history, aggression, etc.). Denver Animal Shelter has one of the highest placement rates of homeless pets among municipal shelters in the U.S. 

View our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.

Shelter Highlights

Denver Animal Protection (DAP) provides animal care and protection services for all of Denver County. DAP operates Denver Animal Shelter (DAS), an open-admissions shelter that is home to nearly 10,000 lost and abandoned pets each year.  

Champions for Excellent Care

AAHA Accreditation Logo    We are an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)-accredited veterinary hospital. That means we hold ourselves to a higher standard. Pets are our passion. And keeping them healthy is our number one priority. Here, we strive to deliver excellent care for pets. Because your pets deserve nothing less. Learn more about AAHA accreditation and why our accreditation is important to you and your pet.
 Metro Denver Animal Welfare Alliance logl Denver Animal Protection is a member of the Metro Denver Animal Welfare Alliance (MDAWA). MDAWA is a coalition of 25 public and private shelters, rescue groups, and other animal service providers committed to fostering collaborative efforts of its members to promoting humane care for companion animals in our community.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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