Adopt

Derby City Dog Rescue

Dog rescue in Louisville, KY

Derby City Dog Rescue (DCDR) was founded in early 2011 by a group of friends who bonded over a shared love of dogs and a desire to help shelter animals. Our initial aim was to bridge the gap between local animal shelters in Louisville, Kentucky, and approved rescues outside the state to facilitate placement of local dogs in urgent situations. To ease some of the difficulties that can arise when dealing with a government shelter, we provided quality photos of the animals, quality communication between the rescue and shelter, pulling assistance, and help with getting dogs to transports. Alongside these efforts, DCDR also began serving as a small local rescue--taking a very limited number of dogs from area shelters, placing them into foster homes, and handling their adoptions.

DCDR has since grown into one of the largest dog rescues in the area. At any given time, we have an average of 75-100 dogs in our local adoption program, and we still continue our efforts to get others to safety with our out-of-state partner rescues. To date, DCDR has saved nearly 2000 dogs with this combined approach.

Most DCDR dogs are rescued when they are out of time in the shelter or in need of medical treatment the shelter cannot provide. Our dogs live in volunteer foster homes, learning the basics of house life and receiving any veterinary treatment they may require.

DCDR also assists our local animal shelter by taking better photos of animals in need and marketing them through Facebook for rescue, foster, or adoption. We are a founding member, along with Slugger City Bully Buddies and Tails Pet Photography, of the Rescue Me! Pet Photography project. Rescue Me! connects professional photographers and rescues/shelters to produce professional photographs of their animals for marketing across Facebook, Petfinder, Adoptapet, and in area businesses. In addition, we partner with other rescues, shelters, and animal advocacy groups to participate in events and programs that raise awareness of, and work toward solutions to, the plight of homeless pets in our community.

All of our rescue efforts are accomplished by a small, all-volunteer group of dedicated individuals who work together to achieve the common goal of saving hearts, one paw at a time. These efforts are supported by an equally dedicated (and awesome!) base of foster homes, donors, and volunteers, whose support is instrumental to our success.

Contact
Phone
Address
PO Box 99236
Louisville, KY 40269
Dogs Illustration

See every new pet that comes to this rescue!

Create an alert, and we'll notify you every time a new pet comes in who meets your criteria.

Adoptable pets at Derby City Dog Rescue

We'll also keep you updated on Niko's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Niko

Niko

American Pit Bull Terrier

Male, 13 yrs 1 mo
Louisville, KY
We'll also keep you updated on Zane's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Zane

Zane

American Bulldog

Male, 11 yrs 1 mo
Louisville, KY
We'll also keep you updated on Susie's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Susie

Susie

American Pit Bull Terrier/Terrier (Unknown Type, Small)

Female, 1 yr 6 mos
Louisville, KY
We'll also keep you updated on Cheeto's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Cheeto

Cheeto

American Pit Bull Terrier

Female, 12 yrs 2 mos
Louisville, KY
We'll also keep you updated on Persimmon's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Persimmon

Persimmon

American Pit Bull Terrier

Female, 11 yrs 10 mos
Louisville, KY

Rescue FAQs

Primarily the Greater Louisville Area (including southern Indiana), but we do consider out-of-state adopters.

Additional adoption info

Apply online at http://www.derbycitydogrescue.org/adoption-application.html.

One of our volunteers will make contact with the applicant within 48 hours, if at all possible, to confirm receipt and/or discuss any items on the application that need clarification. Four references will be needed: vet and three personal. If we are not able to reach all, we contact the applicant to request alternate references.

If all references are good, we conduct a home visit and meet-and-greet. Local applicants are allowed to opt for a trial or finalize adoption immediately. When the adoption is finalized, an adoption contract is signed, the fee is paid. All medical paperwork, microchip ID, etc., for the adopted dog is transferred to the adopter within a reasonable time of receipt of contract and fee. Fees are $200 per dog.

The process for long-distance adoption is slightly different and may take more time. The feasibility of long-distance adoptions are contingent on the availability of transportation or the adopter's willingness to travel to pick up the pet. In some long-distance cases, there may be transportation costs to be paid by the adopter.

Adoption application

http://www.derbycitydogrescue.org/adoption-application.html

Pets at shelters & rescues near Derby City Dog Rescue

Misfit Rescue Team

Louisville, KY 40229

PetHavens.org

Corydon, IN 47112

Piece Of My Heart Rescue

PO Box 44,
Floyds Knobs, IN 47119

We'll also keep you updated on Elphaba's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Elphaba

Elphaba

Chihuahua

Female, 3 mos
LaGrange, KY
We'll also keep you updated on Tux's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Tux

Tux

Domestic Shorthair

Female, 6 mos
Jeffersonville, IN
We'll also keep you updated on TWEETY's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of TWEETY

TWEETY

Tabby

Female, 7 mos
Harrodsburg, KY
We'll also keep you updated on Ellie's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Ellie

Ellie

Domestic Shorthair

Female, 4 yrs
shelbyville, KY
We'll also keep you updated on Miss Kitty's adoption status with email updates.
long timer badge
Photo of Miss Kitty

Miss Kitty

Domestic Shorthair

Female, Adult
Boston, KY
We'll also keep you updated on Hazel 4634's adoption status with email updates.
long timer badge
Photo of Hazel 4634

Hazel 4634

Domestic Shorthair

Female, Senior
Frankfort, KY

Search for a dog or cat

  • Columbus, OH
  • Columbus, OH
  • Columbus Grove, OH
  • Columbus Grv, OH

Sorry, we can’t find that location! Please try again.

Animal Charities in Louisville, KY

HeARTs Speak

HeARTs Speak develops resources that help shelter animals to be seen and find homes, ultimately transforming public perceptions of pet adoption, shelters, and animals in need. Each year our work helps nearly 1 million pets in your community and beyond.

Learn more

Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs

There is a tremendous need for new methods of sterilization that are faster, easier, more accessible, and less expensive than surgery. ACC&D works tirelessly to bring together key stakeholders to advance this field.

Learn more

Animal Legal Defense Fund

Every day, Animal Legal Defense Fund works to enact tougher animal cruelty laws, provide care and legal assistance for animal victims of cruelty, offer rewards to bring abusers to justice, and provide free legal assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement to put abusers behind bars.

Learn more