Adopt
At Western Border Collie Rescue, Border Collies are top dog! Please read about our Adoption Process and Requirements below and then check out the list of adoptable dogs.
Adoption Process
Thank you for your interest in a rescued Border Collie! While we think Border Collies are the greatest dogs on the planet, we also know they’re not the breed for everyone. That’s why we ask lots of questions. Our priority is to find the best fit for each dog in our rescue. Our application process can take 2-3 weeks because we are an all-volunteer group who work regular jobs in addition to volunteering with the rescue.
🐾 Step 1: Meet Our Prerequisites
Must be 21 yrs of age or older
Live in Colorado, Wyoming or immediately surrounding states
Have knowledge and consent of your landlord and roommates
Never been convicted of animal abuse
Be able and willing to spend the time and money necessary to provide training, medical treatment, and proper care for a pet
🐾 Step 2: Do Your Homework!
Please read our About BC’s page to learn more about Border Collies, their temperaments, needs, and whether a BC is the right dog for you.
🐾 Step 3: Complete an Application
We know our application is long, but this information is very important to help us determine if you might be an ideal home for a certain dog in the program. Our top priority is to find the most suitable home for each of the dogs in our rescue. We don’t have many dogs in our program, which means a waiting game for many qualified applicants.
*Upon submission, you should receive an auto-reply letting you know your application has been received.
🐾 Step 4: Home Visit
All adoption applications require a home visit with all household members present prior to approval. The Home Visit volunteer will be in contact to schedule a virtual meeting where they will do a short walk-through of your home and yard to ensure its safety and to advise on any areas of concern. Once the HV report is received by WBCR, it may take a few days for us to collate & review all of the information and get back in touch with you.
*You will be notified either way: whether your application is approved or if we do not have a dog that will fit your needs at this time.
🐾 Step 5: Matching/Phone Interview
Once your application is approved, now comes the fun part! An Adoption Coordinator will contact you to discuss specific dogs within our rescue that may be a good fit. “First Come, First Served” doesn’t apply here since we match each dog in our program with the most appropriate home for them. If we don’t think a dog is a match for your household, that does not mean you are not a good pet parent. It means that what you are looking for is not a fit with what that dog needs.
🐾 Step 6: Meets
Once we’ve talked with you about which dogs might be a suitable fit, it is time to set up a meet with the foster parent and prospective dog! Your Adoption Coordinator will help arrange the meeting with you, all your household members, your current dog(s), and the prospective rescue dog. It is important that all family members are present and have a say in whether you move forward after meeting a dog.
During the meet, keep in mind that rescued Border Collies may be rather aloof/timid at first meeting. While we have seen many meets where there is an “insta-bond” between the new dog and the adopter(s), many times that kind of bonding takes time. The meet is a great time to get any/all questions answered on the dog’s temperament, likes/dislikes, and what will be helpful in establishing a wonderful relationship with your new dog!
*If a meet does not go as well as planned, that’s ok. You may be able to schedule another meet with the same dog at a later date. But if you’d like to meet a different dog, please let the foster parent and Adoption Coordinator know so everyone is on the same page.
🐾 Step 7: The Adoption
If all members of your household and the WBCR foster parent feel the dog is a great match for you, the adoption may be completed at the meet. An adoption contract must be completed, signed and the adoption fee paid to complete the adoption. Please review our contract before your meet; it is available on our website or by clicking here. Please note that if at any time during your rescued dog’s life you cannot/no longer wish to keep it, WBCR must be contacted immediately.
🐾 Step 8: Follow-Up
To ensure a successful adoption, we have a network of volunteers happy to answer any questions/help you work through issues that may arise while your new dog is transitioning into your home, or ten years down the road! We are committed to each and every dog we rescue for the rest of his/her life, so please stay in touch with us. Plus, we love getting updates!
Adoptable Border Collies
Bruni
Bruni is a 1.5-year-old Border Collie/Labrador Retriever mix with a big personality and an even bigger heart. He’s sweet, affectionate, enthusiastic, and happiest when he’s close to his people. If you sit down on the floor, there’s a good chance he’ll try to crawl right into your lap.
Bruni is smart and eager to learn. He has “sit” dialed in and is making steady progress with crate training and other basic manners. Like many young herding mixes, he thrives with clear structure, consistency, and positive reinforcement. He genuinely wants to get it right.
He gets along with other dogs and enjoys their company, though he’s still learning to read and respect boundaries. With continued guidance, he’s becoming more socially savvy every day.
Bruni can be a bit skeptical when meeting new people and may need a little time and space to warm up. Once he feels comfortable, however, his affectionate and loyal nature really shines. A patient adopter who allows him to build trust at his own pace will be rewarded with a deeply devoted companion.
Bruni will do best in an active home that can provide both physical exercise and mental stimulation. Daily movement and training help him settle his busy, brilliant brain. He’d make a fantastic adventure partner - hiking, trail running, and possibly even skijoring would be right up his alley. Because of his enthusiasm and herding instincts, he’s not a fit for homes with cats. A household with older, dog-savvy kids would likely be a great match.
Bruni is a joyful, high-energy young dog who’s ready to bond deeply with his people and grow into an exceptional companion. With the right structure and an active lifestyle, he’s going to shine.
Being fostered near Denver, CO.
Bryce
Bryce is a beautiful ~1.5 yr old girlie who is an absolute love bug and gives some of the best hugs! She is super smart and is treat motivated, making training even easier! She is very proud of her sit and anticipates when you would like her to sit and will repeat what was previously asked (sit before her food bowl placed down, sit before being leashed, etc.) Bryce also sleeps well in the crate and walks well on the leash.
And if all of that isn’t adorable enough, just watch Bryce with toys. She just loves playing with toys, and will entertain herself - squeaking them, tossing them, swinging her head with them - all the cute things!
But wait, there’s more! Bryce loves outside time too! She’s great on walks in the neighborhood, hiking in the mountains, or just watching life go by – the outside suits her. And she loves to play in water too! Bryce is crazy athletic and definitely has sport-dog potential (agility, frisbee, etc.) She could also work around sheep (once she can listen to commands in their presence). Whatever activity is chosen, Bryce will need at least an hour of vigorous exercise per day.
She has previously lived with a male dog and loved to play with him, but she hasn’t gotten along with the female dog in the foster home. We think Bryce would do best in a home as a solo dog or with a male dog companion who is ok with a bossy girl. It is unknown how she’d do with a cat. Because she has a strong prey drive outside in the yard, a VERY slow introduction and the use of baby gates should be expected for everyone’s safety.
Bryce can sometimes be unsure or reactive to strangers, but does better with slow introductions. She has lunged at a male coworker at the foster mom’s work, but has been fine meeting other males and females. And Bryce also doesn’t seem to have a problem meeting people at the foster dad’s work. Continued training will be needed to ensure she can safely meet new people consistently and WBCR will provide training with a positive reinforcement trainer who can provide virtual or in-person sessions after adoption.
As we mentioned, Bryce has exhibited a strong prey drive outside in the yard. If she is on leash and you aren’t paying attention she may pull you over! Because of this, a fenced yard is a requirement unless you can accommodate by keeping her on a leash at all times, including going out to potty. But with bonding and training, she definitely could have off-leash potential.
Are you looking for an active girl who loves the water and whatever activity you throw her way? Are you looking for a single dog or a doggie companion for your male dog? Are you an experienced border collie owner looking for a super smart dog driven to learn and please? Bryce is your girl!
Being fostered in Littleton, CO.
**UPDATE 11/6/2025 Bryce is working through some things with our behavioral trainers and is not ready for adoption. Stay tuned and we will update when she is.
Keller
Keller is a sweet and snuggly young man (1-3 yrs old) who enjoys meeting new people and other dogs. We don’t know much about his life before WBCR other than he was a backyard dog. He quickly learned how great home life is and has learned proper manners and is housetrained, crate trained. Keller loves his snuffle mat, interactive training with treats, playing with a flirt pole, and will run after toys when tossed. He doesn’t always bring them back right away, but he still enjoys the play time!
Keller gets along with both male and female dogs at his foster home but has not been introduced to small dogs, cats, or children. He is very obsessive about squirrels outside, so supervised and slow introductions will definitely be needed for small dogs or cats.
Having been a backyard dog, it’s no surprise that Keller gets overstimulated quickly with passing vehicles and wild critters. Until he and his person can learn how to de-escalate him more quickly, it has been recommended to not put him in that scenario (so no leash walks) at this time. Keller does great with backyard fun and going to areas where you can avoid the loud mechanical noises. Keller will need an adopter who is willing to continue training for his reactivity to noises and outdoor movement.
Keller would do best in a quiet household. If another dog is in the household, it will need to be a calm, non-reactive dog he could role model from.
Being fostered in Wheatland, WY.
Kip
Kip is a big, lovable goofball with an even bigger heart. This handsome, 3-year old Border Collie/Great Pyrenees mix tips the scales at over 60 pounds and brings a wonderful mix of sweetness, loyalty, and silly charm to the table. Kip forms strong bonds with his people and approaches each day with pure enthusiasm—especially in the mornings, when he’s known to greet you with a flurry of kisses the moment you roll over in bed. His full-body wiggle when he’s excited is something you really have to see to appreciate!
Kip is also the best welcome committee around. Whether you’ve been gone for five minutes or a few hours, he’ll be waiting at the door absolutely thrilled to see you when you return home. Despite his size, he’s a mellow and easy housemate who is completely house trained and loves lounging around the house—often belly up and relaxing.
True to his Pyrenees roots, Kip enjoys keeping an eye on things and will happily alert you if something interesting is happening outside. Overall, he has a moderate-to-low energy level and is happy with a daily walk and some playtime. One of Kip’s favorite pastimes is playing with his toys. He especially loves anything squeaky and will happily pounce on them and entertain himself—even if he hasn’t quite figured out the point of fetch yet.
Kip gets along well with other dogs and enjoys having canine company. He can be playful with dogs who want to play but is polite and respectful when another dog would rather not. He may benefit from having a confident dog companion to help him continue building confidence.
Because Kip has an unknown past and also spent a long time in a shelter, he’s still learning that the world is a safe place. He can be cautious with new people and situations at first, but once he warms up, he turns into a total lovebug who wants attention and affection from his trusted people. Kip would do best in a patient, adult-only home where his adopters understand dog body language (especially in handling) and are willing to continue helping him build confidence at his own pace. Kip is currently taking Paroxetine for anxiety/fear, which should be continued under veterinary and behavioral trainer care. When Kip initially came to rescue, he was quick to react to confinement and handling -lifting his lip and progressing to a growl if the handling continued. With time, patience and learning Kip’s triggers and body language he has successfully lived without incident. But because it will take a person who can read dog body language and learn about Kip and his triggers and how to avoid them, we will be cautious in his placement and insist on an adult-only home.
Kip is also very triggered with confinement and crates, so he does best with the freedom to roam the house. The good news is that he’s proven to be a trustworthy house guest—he’s not destructive, doesn’t counter surf, and settles in nicely when left alone. But he can also turn his ears off when there is something else more interesting going on, so a fenced yard is a must!
He’s still working on a few things, like improving his leash skills, confidence with handling, resource guarding, and continuing positive training around distractions like cars and squirrels, but he’s already making great progress and is eager to learn.
Kip’s ideal home would be a quiet environment with a fenced yard where he has space to roam and explore. A busy city setting with lots of traffic would likely be overwhelming for him. With patience, understanding, and a little time to build trust, Kip will reward his people with endless loyalty, affection, and plenty of goofy moments.
If you’re looking for a devoted companion with a silly streak, a huge heart, and the best morning greetings around, Kip might just be your guy.
Being fostered in Boulder, CO.
Octane
Meet Octane! This middle aged girl has brains, athleticism, and loyalty…she’s the whole package!
She has such a happy, bouncy, sweetness to her- she wants nothing more than to hang out with her people, whatever it is you're doing (she LOVES group nap time cuddles as well as adventures in the woods), and make up games to play together. She takes a while to bond, but once she is comfortable and trusts, she is so much more confident and really blossoms. Doing anything outdoors results in sheer joy, it's like a big celebration, and the sweetest thing to see. She's solidly medium-energy, or even perhaps on the med-low energy side.
Thanks to her extra dose of loyalty, she’s an excellent candidate for off-leash work (as long as there isn’t any wildlife or livestock nearby!). Octane will herd the cats and can be mouthy during play, so no young children or cats. She must live as a single dog since she has had some tough interactions with other dogs. She would do best in a family who doesn’t have a lot of hustle or bustle. She can get overstimulated easily if there is too much going on (especially with fetch) so she will need a home that can give her adventures without all the external stimuli. Do you love long walks in the woods and cuddling? Look no further!
Being fostered near Lander, WY.
Riley
Riley is a stunning young (1-3 yr old) blue merle BC with a gentle heart and a soft, sensitive personality. He may be shy when you first meet him, but give him a little time and patience and you’ll discover a devoted cuddle buddy who wants nothing more than to be close to his person. Once Riley trusts you, he loves hanging out on the couch for naps, keeping an eye on what you’re doing around the house, and being your quiet little shadow.
Riley enjoys playing with other playful dogs and would likely thrive in a home with a confident canine pal to show him the ropes. Having another dog around can encourage Riley’s confidence and playful side to come out. While he’s an active BC who enjoys daily walks and lots of off-leash playtime in the yard, he isn’t over-the-top high energy and has a nice “off switch” when it’s time to relax.
This sweet boy is also a bit of a neat freak. Riley likes to help “clean up” by collecting shoes or clothing left on the floor and proudly prancing around with his treasures. Luckily, he’s happy to drop them when asked—or trade them for a tasty treat! Riley enjoys chew toys and is still discovering the joy of other toys. He may even be a fan of squeaky toys, judging by how fascinated he is with the dogs in Subaru commercials on TV (but his foster mom can’t test this theory since the resident dog is destructive with squeakers).
Riley currently lives peacefully with chickens and even shares the yard nicely with a resident rooster, showing very little interest in them! He gets along well with other friendly dogs and loves to play. He has not been tested on cats, but with a slow and careful introduction this is a possibility.
Because Riley is naturally shy and unsure in new situations, he would do best with a patient adopter who will give him time to build confidence. He can be nervous around new people, unfamiliar places, loud people/noises, and car travel, so a quiet suburban or rural setting would suit him best. And due to this, a home without young children would also be ideal. He can be skittish with loud noises and may never have off-leash potential but plays well in the fenced back yard when his people are out there with him.
Riley is still working on a few things—like leash manners, confidence in new environments, car travel (he currently drools and pants inside it) and a bit of indoor marking—but he’s a smart dog who responds well to gentle guidance. His ideal home will understand that slow introductions and positive experiences will help him blossom. We recommend continued training with positive reinforcement to continue building his confidence and his skills.
At heart, Riley just wants to be someone’s best friend. He’s a loving, loyal companion who keeps watch over his person and enjoys simply being nearby. For someone willing to take things at Riley’s pace, this beautiful boy will reward you with snuggles, loyalty, and plenty of adorable quirks.
Being fostered near Elizabeth, CO
Robyn
Robyn is a sweet, young border collie mix that came to a shelter as a stray with a limp. We were asked to help since the shelter was unable to pay for the potential treatment needed. We stepped in and got Robyn seen by an orthopedic vet who took x-rays and found an old broken right hip injury. Robyn’s body had scarred over the break, providing enough stabilization that she could walk and run with barely any noticeable limp. While in foster care, she mis-stepped getting out of the truck and fully broke off the ball of the femur (the part that goes into the hip socket). Robyn had emergency surgery to clean up the end of the broken bone, a procedure similar to an FHO (femoral head ostectomy). When she heals, Robyn’s body will scar around the hip to provide the stabilization needed for her to run and play again without pain. Will she be able a contender for the AKC agility championships? Probably not. But she can still be an active and playful dog who can live a full life.
For now, Robyn will need additional physical therapy follow-up visits (paid for by WBCR) until she is fully cleared. There are also physical therapy exercises that her adopter will need to perform on her at home and adhere to exercise restrictions for at least the next couple months.
Robyn is a sweetheart and who knows what all she has been through in just her first year of life! But now she is on the mend and ready for a home that can show her all the good things life has to offer!
Robyn can be slow to warm to people. She is not aggressive, just shy. She is curious and will come up for a quick greet but doesn’t necessarily stick around for attention. She does enjoy playing interactive games with her human though, like a good game of fetch! She may never be a cuddler or your constant shadow and can be aloof. She enjoys her alone time, lounging outside or in her kennel by herself. Robyn has not been tested with children under 12 yrs of age but is gentle with greetings and in play around people.
She can be playful with other dogs her size and even romped around at the WBCR reunion! She has not met dogs of other sizes or cats yet. She enjoys interactive games with her human- a fun game of fetch or throwing stuffies around. She walks fairly well on leash, but can pull sometimes. Once Robyn is off medical restrictions, we’ll have to see what her exercise drive is like. Before surgery, she was a medium energy dog where a walk and off-leash play time kept her happy.
Are you looking for a moderate energy dog who is unlike most border collies that need your constant attention? And are you someone who has experience helping a dog recover from an orthopedic procedure (or willing to learn)? Robyn is available and is looking for her perfect match!
Being fostered near Denver, CO.
Sophie
Sophie is a sweet, easygoing 3-year old girl who’s happiest when she’s close to her people. She loves a good couch, daily walks, and of course playing with her ball! At around 35–40 pounds with her adorable little docked tail, Sophie is a perfectly sized companion who would do well in a quieter home that enjoys a nice balance of activity and downtime.
Sophie has great house manners and already knows several basic commands like sit, down, come, and wait. She’s fully house trained, walks nicely on leash, and sleeps quietly through the night in her crate (usually being the last one to get up in the morning!). She rides calmly in the car in a crate and enjoys coming along for outings—though she may appreciate a little boost into taller vehicles. She’s also very food motivated and responds enthusiastically to training treats, lick mats, and puzzle toys.
In her foster home, Sophie gets along well with both male and female dogs and seems to enjoy having canine friends around, especially on walks where she likes following the pack’s lead. She’ll play a little with other dogs but is also perfectly happy entertaining herself with a toy or chew. Sophie approaches new people without hesitation and seems polite amongst with adults. Since being in foster care, she has not been around children or cats. Since she seemed timid with the noise of the shelter, we assume a loud and busy household may not be her ideal scenario.
Sophie was stressed and did not do well in the shelter environment. Now that she’s settled into a home routine, she is more relaxed and has turned into a wonderful companion. She still has some anxiety when crated and left alone during the day, but has been trustworthy when left loose in the house for several hours and hasn’t caused any trouble. She’s currently being weaned off anxiety medication as her confidence continues to grow. But because of this anxiety, a home with shared walls (apartment or condo) may not be ideal due to her potential barking when left alone.
Sophie would thrive in a home where someone is around most of the time and has another friendly dog, but the most important thing is having people who enjoy her sweet, affectionate nature. She doesn’t need intense exercise, but she does love her daily walks and relaxing with her humans afterward.
If you’re looking for a loyal, loving companion who will happily join you for walks and then curl up beside you on the couch, Sophie may be your girl. With a little patience and a steady routine, this smart and gentle Border Collie will reward her new family with endless love.
Being fostered near Laramie, WY.
Adoption Pending
Briggs