Pet-Friendly Domestic Violence Shelters in Colorado
By Attorney Charles E. Liken Jr., Colorado court-appointed Child & Family Investigator. No one should have to choose between their safety and their pet. These verified Colorado programs keep survivors and their animals together.
Charles E. Liken Jr., Esq. — On the Legal Front Lines · Government Investigator, Denver Human Services · Licensed Colorado Attorney ~ 20+ Years in Private Practice · Colorado Deputy District Attorney · Colorado Court-Appointed Child and Family Investigator
Find the nearest pet-friendly shelter
Enter your ZIP code and we’ll sort Colorado’s verified pet-friendly programs by distance from you.
In immediate danger? Call 911. To find any pet-inclusive option right now, call the National DV Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (text START to 88788).
Abusers often use pets as leverage, and many survivors delay leaving because they won't abandon an animal. Historically most shelters couldn't take pets — but that's changing across Colorado. Below are Colorado programs we could verify as keeping people and pets together. Because capacity changes, always confirm the current arrangement when you call — and use the national directories for the most up-to-date options.
Verified Colorado programs
SPAN — Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence
On-site pet-friendly shelter (dog yards & cat spaces) opened 2024, plus historic off-site options. Confirm current pet capacity when you call.
Visit website ↗ Directions ↗Three Birds Alliance (formerly Gateway)
Emergency and extended-stay shelter that accepts survivors, their children, and their pets.
Visit website ↗ Directions ↗Crossroads Safehouse — 'Safehouse Safekeep'
Free temporary pet boarding (up to ~2 weeks) through a partnership with NOCO Humane — arranged through Crossroads, not the humane society directly.
Visit website ↗ Directions ↗Denver Animal Protection — Temporary Pet Housing
City program that explicitly serves people experiencing domestic violence: temporary kennels or foster placement (~2 weeks, extensions possible) for Denver residents.
Visit website ↗ Directions ↗Humane Colorado — 'Pet Assist'
Temporary pet-housing program for survivors accessing shelter/housing. Confirm current terms when you call.
Visit website ↗ Directions ↗- Safe Havens for Pets — Searchable national directory (by the Animal Welfare Institute) of shelters, boarding, and fostering that keep survivors' pets safe.
- RedRover Relief — Domestic Violence — Funds up to 45 days of pet boarding while a survivor is in shelter (applied for by the shelter advocate).
- DomesticShelters.org — Search shelters nationwide and filter for programs that accept pets.
Colorado law also allows a protection order to cover your pets. If you're pursuing one, our protection-order guide explains how — and a consultation can help you include animals in the order.
Protecting your whole family — including the four-legged members.
Your choice: no-charge 20-minute phone call OR in-depth hour ($300) — both directly with Attorney Liken.
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No-charge 20-minute phone consultation, or an in-depth hour ($300) — your choice. Either way, you talk directly with Attorney Liken.