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DENVER (STACKER) – When looking at the makeup of American families today, it’s rare to see a home where a pet isn’t part of the family. According to the most recent data from the APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 67% of households—or around 85 million homes—own a pet. Of these households, dogs and cats top the list of most popular pets, with 63.4 million and 42.7 million households owning dogs and cats, respectively.

In exploring the history of animal shelters and rescue organizations in the country, nothing proves as problematic as the lack of a centralized reporting system to collect data on these organizations. Most of the shelter statistics that are available and accepted are estimates based on several period surveys, including the aforementioned APPA National Pet Owners Survey along with the AVMA U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook. Without a nationally codified and streamlined process for collecting, organizing, and reporting on shelter data, there has been a grave lack of transparency around the country’s shelters. That makes it difficult not only to pinpoint accurate statistics regarding sheltered animals in America but also to understand the true state of animal welfare in the country, which is the first step to improving that welfare.

If you’ve been considering bringing home a furry companion, be sure to keep reading. Stacker compiled a list of dogs available for adoption in Denver on Petfinder, ranging in age, breed composition, temperament, and needs. It’s important to note that pet adoption is a huge responsibility and requires available savings for emergency and routine veterinary care, a day-to-day routine and game plan for coverage if the pup needs to be left at home during the day (i.e. hiring a dog walker), and time and attention devoted to training your newest family member. Be sure to do due diligence on breed research to see what kind of dog will be the best fit for your lifestyle.

Without further ado, here are adoptable dogs in your home city:

Roxy – Humane Society of the South Platte Valley

Roxy

Theodore – Humane Society of the South Platte Valley

Theodore

Holden – Humane Society of the South Platte Valley

Holden

Brooklyn – HO-BO Boxer Rescue

Brooklyn

Draco – Humane Society of the South Platte Valley

Draco

Penny – Humane Society of the South Platte Valley

Penny

Remy – Humane Society of the South Platte Valley

Remy

Gail – Humane Society of the South Platte Valley

Gail

Charger – Aurora Animal Shelter

Charger

Mary – HO-BO Boxer Rescue

Mary

Andres – Animal Rescue of the Rockies

Andres

Parker – LOLA’s Rescue

Parker

Baby – Old Dogs New Digs

Baby

Colby – Aurora Animal Shelter

Colby

Shiloh – Dogs Unbroken

Shiloh

Miley – MidAmerican Boston Terrier Rescue

Miley

Hazel Blue Lion Rescue

Hazel

Katie Blue Lion Rescue

Katie

Khloe Blue Lion Rescue

Khloe

Scottie – Scottie Rescue of the Rockies

Scottie

Ziggy 2 Blondes All Breed Rescue

Ziggy

Snickers – Colorado Cocker Spaniel Rescue

Snickers

Thor Blue Lion Rescue

Thor

Max Moe Moe’s Rescue of the Rockies

Max

Frilly – Retriever Rescue of Colorado

Frilly

Lavinia – LOLA’s Rescue

Lavinia

Dexter – Blue Lion Rescue

Dexter

Scarlett – All Breed Rescue & Training

Scarlett

Renegade – Blue Lion Rescue

Renegade

Oakley – Hope for Animals

Oakley

Sugar – 2 Blondes All Breed Rescue

Sugar

Fifty – Rocky Mountain Puppy Rescue

Fifty

Zodiac – 2 Blondes All Breed Rescue

Zodiac

Gunner – Moe Moe’s Rescue of the Rockies

Gunner