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Frequently Asked Questions
How does your program work?
When a dog comes into our program, the first step is meeting Brandie (our founder, director, and certified dog trainer). She personally does an initial behavior evaluation so we can really understand who that dog is and what they need. From there, she picks them up from their current situation and brings them into a safe, temporary home with us, either at our brick and mortar facility or into a foster home.
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While they’re with us, we make sure everything they need is covered - thanks to sponsorships and donations, they get proper care, training, and any medical attention along the way. But more than that, this is where they get to just learn how to be a dog again! We work on building trust with people, basic manners and obedience, socializing with other dogs, meeting new people, crate training, leash skills, and more. Everything we do is focused on setting them up for success in a real home.
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At the same time, we’re actively sharing their story and networking across the state to find the right forever family, not just any home, but the right one! Once we’ve found that perfect match, we handle all the adoption details, and Brandie personally transports the dog to their new home. She helps with introductions and makes sure everyone starts off on the right foot.
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And it doesn’t stop there...we stay in touch for life! Our adopters always have our support, and we’re committed to doing everything we can to make sure our dogs never end up back in a standard shelter or on the streets again.
What types of things do you work on with the dogs?
Every dog who comes into our program starts with a behavior evaluation so we can really get to know them, their personality, what they love, what they might be unsure about, and where they may need extra support. From there, we focus first on building a bond and earning their trust, helping them feel safe and understand that people can be kind and reliable.
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As they settle in, we work on the basics you’d expect for a happy home life, things like sit, no jumping, leave it, and other everyday manners. We also help them learn important life skills like meeting new people and animals, getting comfortable in a crate, and walking nicely on a leash. All of this is guided by Brandie, our founder, CEO, and certified dog trainer, who brings over 20 years of professional experience. She works closely with each dog to make sure their training is thoughtful, individualized, and sets them up for long-term success!
Where do the dogs come from?
We partner with shelters, rescues, and animal control agencies all across Colorado. Many of them are coming from rural or underserved areas, where resources can be limited and shelters are often overwhelmed. Because of that, a lot of the dogs we take in are at risk, whether that’s due to lack of space, funding, staffing, or simply because they were found as strays in remote areas with nowhere else to go.
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We’re incredibly grateful to work alongside so many amazing organizations doing this work including: RezDawg Rescue, La Junta Animal Shelter, Pikes Peak Humane Society, Hwy 50 Freedom Ride, Walsenburg Animal Shelter, Trinidad Animal Shelter, Lamar Animal Shelter, Baca County Animal Services, Ordway Animal Control, and many more. Each partnership helps us reach dogs who might otherwise be overlooked and give them a real chance at a better future!
How long do you keep the dogs?
Until they find their forever home! Some dogs stay in our program for as little as a week, while others may stay for a few months or more. It depends on their training or medical needs and potential adopters interest in them. We will care for the dog as long as it takes to find their new family.
How much are the adoption fees?
Our adoption fees usually fall between $250–$450, depending on the dog. Every once in a while, a dog’s fee may even be fully covered thanks to grants, sponsorships, or generous donations!
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We want you to feel confident in what you’re getting for this price. Know that every dog who leaves our program has been behaviorally evaluated, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped and has received professional training and socialization. The adoption fee helps cover all of that care and preparation, so your new dog is truly set up for a successful start in their forever home.
What if my new dog is not working out in my home/family?
Sometimes things don’t work out - and that’s okay. If a placement isn’t the right fit, we would always prefer to bring the dog back into our program rather than have you or the dog stay in a situation that isn’t working.
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It’s very important to us that our dogs are never returned to a shelter, placed with another rescue, or rehomed without our support. Please stay in touch and reach out if anything comes up, we’re here to help for the lifetime of your dog and will always work with you to find the best path forward!
What is the process if I want to surrender my own dog?
If you’re thinking about rehoming your dog, we completely understand that these situations can be really tough, and we’re glad you are looking into the best potential options.
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Because we receive a high number of surrender requests and are often at capacity, the first step is having you fill out our Owner Surrender Application with as much detail as possible about your dog, their history, and what’s going on. From there, we’ll review everything and follow up with you about possible next steps. While we can’t guarantee intake, this helps us see how we might be able to support you.
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If behavior or training challenges are part of the situation, we always recommend exploring some of our free training and behavior resources first, as many issues can improve with the right guidance. We also have information regarding financial assistance and concerns. However, if you decide that rehoming is still the best path, starting with direct owner rehoming can be a great option since you know your dog best and can help find the right match. Please check out these resources for more information: Community Resources
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