Larimer County Humane Society has been serving the people and pets of Northern Colorado since 1969. The vision, passion, and fortitude of their small group of 30 founders is still evident in the work the society does today. It's their belief that all animals deserve a safe haven from neglect, abuse, hunger, discomfort, pain, and distress. The society is guided in their work by the “Five Freedoms”:
As an open-admission shelter, they strive to work by these principles, by giving any animal in need, no matter their age or health, a second chance at happiness. The shelter takes in a wide variety of animals including dogs, cats, small mammals, exotics, and barnyard animals. Every year thousands of animals come through their doors in need of care, shelter, and medical attention. Around 2,000 animals are reunited with their grateful owners, while close to 3,000 are found new, loving forever homes.
Larimer County Humane Society also runs the county’s only Animal Protection & Control unit. They're contracted to uphold local and state animal protection and control laws within the cities of Loveland, Fort Collins, and unincorporated areas of Larimer County.
All adoptable animals are listed on the Larimer County Humane Society's website. You can begin your pet search there.
If you see a lucky candidate who immediately steals your heart, you can place them on a 24-hour hold for a $20 fee. Half of this deposit can be applied to the adoption fee. The other half is non-refundable. Holds can't be placed on puppies or kittens under 6 months old.
Give yourself at least one hour at the shelter when looking for a new furry friend. If you think you might have found a pet that could be a good fit for you, then let the staff know so they can arrange a meet-and-greet. Doggie meet-and-greets are also encouraged if you're a current dog owner.
Adoption counselors will be on hand to help you find the perfect pet to complete your family. Feel free to ask them for suggestions on animals that may suit your personality and lifestyle best.
Once you've found the one, you'll need to complete some paperwork and pay the appropriate fee. Then you're free to leave and start your life with your new best friend!
Adoption fees at Larimer County Humane Society vary according to the size, age, breed, temperament, and health of the animal, as well as how in-demand they are. Please check online or with the shelter directly to find out more. These are the typical fee ranges:
Your adoption fee covers routine spay/neuter surgery, a general medical examination, initial vaccinations, microchipping and registration, a collar and leash for safe travel home, a complimentary post-adoption veterinary visit, one month of free pet insurance, and a discount on your first purchase from Poudre Pet & Feed Supply.
Our writing team is hard at work researching this shelter's adoption process and fees, so this page will be updated soon!
In the meantime, here's some nice-to-know info that applies to nearly every animal shelter, humane society, and rescue.
Because shelter dogs are full of love!
Is it because they know you saved them and love you harder for it?
I can't say for certain, but yes.
Jokes aside, there are three things all shelter dogs need to thrive in their new home:
Older shelter dogs, generally 1+ years old, may have experienced a lot of trauma, which often results in one of 8 common behavioral issues:
These issues are correctable! Your dog isn't broken, they're just damaged. You can fix them with enough love, patience, and a good training plan.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, finding good dog trainers can be hard. Like everything else, dog training is moving only. but there are great online dog trainers that are proven to work and can help get your new pup on the right path.
You can learn a lot about an animal welfare organization just by looking at their name.
Adoption processes vary drastically from organization to organization, but here are some general tips that apply in most instances. Note that we'll use the term "shelters" here for simplicity but it includes all types of rescue organizations.
If you have any questions about adopting an animal (what you'll need, what to expect, etc.) feel free to contact the PetLists team!
If you're looking to adopt a new dog, our Dog Adoption Guide is a must-read. It has everything you need to know about bringing a shelter dog home:
And we're adding new guides all the time.