About BDAR
FAQ | Core Values | Affiliations
The mission of Black Dog Animal Rescue is to promote, provide, and advocate for the needs of companion animals.
It’s not just about “saving black dogs.” In fact, Black Dog Animal Rescue (BDAR) welcomes dogs of all colors—and ages, sizes, and breeds, and cats too! It’s not just about finding loving forever homes for the hundreds of animals that come through the doors of BDAR every year, either. At BDAR, we’re working to change the way that companion animals—as well as their dedicated families—are recognized and supported by their communities. We believe in creating Socially Conscious Animal Communities. Read about what it means to be a Socially Conscious Shelter.
With every adoption; every new volunteer who joins the program; every person who reaches out and wants to know more about what BDAR is and what we’re envisioning…We’re getting closer and closer to reaching that goal.
Already, our existing programs have directly contributed to thousands of second chances for homeless pets.
Imagine what kind of numbers we’ll be able to reach as our volunteer force grows, our momentum gathers, and we’re able to make even greater progress toward our ultimate goal: making a permanent change in the way Wyoming communities view and provide support for companion animals and their devoted families.
Today is the perfect day to help create a better future for all Wyoming’s companion animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I GO to see your adoptable Pets?
The animals in this program are not housed in a central shelter facility. Each dog lives with a volunteer foster family in that family’s private home. Because of this, it is generally not possible to see all of the dogs together. However, if there is a specific individual dog you have found on our website or in any of our online adoption listings, you can arrange to meet this dog by appointment with an approved adoption application. The application does not commit you to adopting, but rather ensures our ability to approve your adoption should you meet and fall in love with the dog. Applications are found when you click on the animals image on the adoption page.
Our adoptable cats are housed in a variety of locations. Mostly, they too are enjoying the comfort and security of a foster home. But you can also frequently find adoptable cats at the adoption center in Cheyenne or at the Petco store there. If your place of business would like to play host to an adoptable cat or two, please contact us, we'll give you all of the tools you need to host a cat at your workplace and help them get adopted! If you are interested in a specific cat you see listed on our website, call us to find out where you can go to meet him or her.
Can I surrender my dog to you?
BDAR acts as a resource to shelters in Wyoming and the surrounding region to provide alternatives to euthanasia for hard to place animals. Our foster home space is limited and we feel we can make the biggest difference for each individual pet in our program by limiting our intake to those who have already been in a traditional shelter and who were not adopted from there. While we do accept privately surrendered pets into our foster home program, we offer a rehoming assistance program called PASS (Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender). If you do not need to immediately relinquish your pet, PASS is a good option.
Do you only rescue black dogs?
No, BDAR rescues dogs of all colors. However, it has been proven that black dogs, and big black dogs in particular, are less likely to be adopted from shelters than dogs of any other color. No one knows why this is. But, it does mean that we rescue a large number of black dogs because that’s who is left behind in shelters after other dogs have been adopted. BDAR rescues dogs without concern for color, but we do advocate for the plight of black dogs in shelters.
Do you rescue cats?
Yes! We have cats available for adoption on site at our facility (2407 E. 9th Street, Cheyenne) and at Petco in Cheyenne. We also have kittens and older cats that require a bit more socialization in foster homes.
How do you fund the organization?
BDAR is funded entirely through adoption fees, private donations from the public, and foundation grants. We receive no state or city funding and are under no contractual obligations to any other entity. If you are an individual or family who would like to help support our mission, we invite you to learn about our Constant Companion Club which is the only predictable and recurring source of funding for BDAR.
If you are a local business or would like to contribute at a higher level, become a partner in our work, and receive public recognition and sponsor benefits, please visit our Corporate Sponsor page to learn about annual giving and event sponsorship opportunities.
What are your adoption requirements and fees?
BDAR considers pet adoption to be a privilege and that good pet owners can demonstrate a history of responsible practices. Our basic requirements are as follows:
Adopters must be at least 18 years of age
Adopters’ current pets must be current on their rabies vaccination per local ordinances
Adopters must be able to provide a current veterinary reference if they own other pets or have recently owned pets
If the adopter rents, they must be able to provide a landlord reference stating that pets are allowed on the property
Adopter cannot intend for the animal to be kept as an outdoor only pet, or for the primary mode of containment to be tethering
Adopters must be a good match for the animal in question as determined by our adoption counselors
Our adoption fee scale is as follows and includes spay or neuter, current age appropriate vaccinations, microchip with lifetime registration, a free first vet exam, and 30 free days of pet health insurance.
A note about our adoption fees:
BDAR utilizes a variable pricing structure for all of its adoptable animals. Adoption fees are determined based on an animal's perceived desirability, age, training or medical investment, and the length of time they have been available for adoption. Some animals are priced higher than others. These animals' adoption fees provide a legacy gift for others in the program who may need additional resources in order to get the same chance in a forever home.
Affiliations
Partner, Socially Conscious Animal Community, www.scsheltering.org
Member, Colorado Federation of Animal Welfare Agencies, www.cfawa.org
Member, Northern Colorado Regional Animal Welfare Coalition, www.nocorawc.org
Member, Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, www.cheyennechamber.org
Core Values
In 2019, BDAR adopted the eight responsibilities of a Socially Conscious Animal Shelter as our core values. They are:
ENSURING EVERY UNWANTED OR HOMELESS PET HAS A SAFE PLACE TO GO FOR SHELTER AND CARE
ASSESSING THE MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL NEEDS OF HOMELESS ANIMALS AND ENSURING THESE NEEDS ARE THOUGHTFULLY ADDRESSED
PLACING EVERY HEALTHY AND SAFE ANIMAL
ALIGNING POLICY WITH THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY
ALLEVIATING SUFFERING AND MAKING APPROPRIATE EUTHANASIA DECISIONS
CONSIDERING THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF EACH ANIMAL AND EACH COMMUNITY WHEN TRANSFERRING ANIMALS BETWEEN COMMUNITIES
ENHANCING THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND THOUGH THOUGHTFUL PLACEMENTS AND POST ADOPTION SUPPORT
FOSTERING A CULTURE OF TRANSPARENCY, ETHICAL DECISION MAKING, MUTUAL RESPECT, CONTINUAL LEARNING AND COLLABORATION
Read more about the Socially Conscious Animal Community movement.
