*** NOTE: Because WBCR is a small organization with few volunteers, we only adopt to families in Wyoming, Colorado, and immediately surrounding states.
Adoptable Dogs | Dogs Not Yet Ready for Adoption | Courtesy Listings
The Adoption Process
Thank you for your interest in a rescued Border Collie! Please review the application process below before submitting your application. Please remember that every person working with WBCR is a volunteer, doing rescue in his/her “spare” time, so the first part of our adoption process (our reference checks and home visit) can take 2-3 weeks or longer depending on the dogs in our program. If you’re unwilling to wait that long, we hope that you’ll consider adopting a shelter dog in need, where the wait is much shorter.
Step 1: Do your homework!
If you’re considering/looking for your first Border Collie, please do your homework FIRST! While we think Border Collies are the greatest dogs on the planet, we equally believe that they’re not the dog for everyone. Please read our “About BC’s” page to begin learning more about Border Collies, their temperaments, needs and whether a BC is the right dog for you.
Step 2: Complete & Submit an Application
Please answer all questions completely; incomplete applications will not be processed. Our initial review of your completed application will help us decide whether we may have a dog for you. We know our application is long and detailed, but this information is very important to help us determine if you might be an ideal home for a certain dog in the program. The more information you give us, the easier it will be to do that. Please remember that our top priority is to serve the dogs, and to find the most suitable home for each of the dogs in our rescue. While we enjoy meeting border collie loving applicants, the interests of the dog come first. We don’t have many dogs in our program, which means a waiting game for many qualified applicants.
Step 3: Reference Checks
Once we receive and review your completed application, it’s assigned to a volunteer for reference checks – we will call the references listed on your application, so you’re welcome to let them know that we’ll be contacting them. This initial step typically takes 1-2 weeks, so please be patient!
Step 4: Home Visit
Once the reference checks are complete & approved, a WBCR volunteer will contact you to schedule a home visit. This is an informal chance for us to get to know you, your lifestyle, home environment and determine which dog(s) in our program might be a great fit. The HV volunteer will discuss what personality traits you’re looking for as well as general breed traits and what to expect when bringing a Border Collie home. He/she will also do a short walk-through of your home and yard to ensure its safety and to advise on any areas of concern. All household members must be present for the home visit. Please understand that the HV volunteer may not personally know any/many of the dogs in our program so may be unable to answer questions about specific dogs. 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.
Step 5: Matching/Phone Interview
Once an application is processed and approved, now comes the fun part! While it’s easy to fall in love with a picture, it is the dog’s personality & temperament that determine whether it may make a great match for you. During the matching process, a WBCR adoption coordinator will contact you to discuss specific dogs within our rescue. We strongly encourage applicants to write down questions they may have about Border Collies, and discuss these questions with the assigned coordinator. We work hard to match your desires with the traits and personalities of our dogs.
Please understand that we only want what is best for our dogs, so if we don’t think a specific dog is a good fit for you, we’re not passing judgment on you/your family but are drawing on years of experience with Border Collies, and, more importantly, experience with the dogs in our program. “First Come First Served” doesn’t apply here as we match each dog in our program with the most appropriate home for him/her, whether that home comes next week or next year!
Step 6: Meet(s)
Once we’ve talked with you on which dogs might be a suitable fit, it is time to set up a meet/meets! Your adoption coordinator will facilitate arranging a meet with your household members, your current dog(s) and the rescued dog. We have experience introducing new dogs, so will help with the introductions of your dog to the rescued dog if applicable. 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!
Step 7: The Adoption
If both you and the WBCR representative feel the dog is a great match for you, the adoption may be completed after 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, he or she is required to be returned to WBCR.
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!
Online Adoption Form
Adoptable Dogs
Bess
Female
This young super sweet cutie came to WBCR from a Utah shelter. More info coming soon!
Currently fostered near Denver, CO
Bett
Female
Meet Bett!
This pretty little girl landed in a CO shelter with a handful of BCs, most of whom were positively terrified and likely had little human contact in their lives. WBCR took in two of them – Bett and Rip. Thanks to the monumental efforts of dedicated foster families and our go-to behavior pros, both have made great strides in their months with us, and we are getting glimpses of who they are under all that fear. Just look at Bett enjoying her new toy and romping in the snow!
This little lass has really begun to trust her foster mom, and is now very relaxed in the house and yard the majority of the time. She still has a ways to go, and given her fear of being restrained by a leash, we are not sure she will ever be truly comfortable on leashed walks. Over time she may, but currently she is not a good candidate for someone looking to take a pup along on adventures or for a busy household. But Bett IS going to make a wonderful candidate for someone with a securely fenced yard who is kind of a home body, who mainly wants a mellower companion rather than an adventure sidekick; someone who has a soft spot for the shy types, who enjoys watching a dog come into their own, who is quick to chuckle when a pup’s silly side shows itself, and who loves to help the wallflowers blossom!
Currently fostered near Laramie, WY
Bruno – Adoption Pending
Male
This wonderfully friendly and optimistic youngster came to us as an owner surrender. More info coming soon!
Currently fostered in SLC, UT
Cricket
Female
Meet Cricket! This gorgeous, pocket sized year old smooth-coated BC came to us from a shelter with an unknown history. She’s not only a social butterfly with people, but is proving to be quite a little hot rod, and oooozes potential as a sport dog with huge speed and responsiveness for agility, disc, FastCAT, and maybe flyball! Like most adolescent herding dogs (and especially the ferraris!) she needs consistent information and “bumpers” to keep her on the straight and narrow, but with that information she shines and FLIES. Snap her up and get ready for a lifetime of fun, flashy, fantastic adventures!
Currently fostered in Denver, CO area
Faith – Adoption Pending
Female
We are thrilled to share the news that Faith has gotten a good bill of health! As you may recall, Faith was the pup who was discovered at the shelter to have a mass on her abdomen, and during spay surgery it was removed and suspected to be cancerous. We have no idea what her history is; she came in as a stray with an injury to her face as well, which has healed up. Regardless, we believed this sweet girl deserved a chance, and after a few weeks in WBCR foster care, we then took her to a vet. They did a followup exam, xrays, and bloodwork, and all came up clear. Hooray! She is also proving to be a very friendly and loving girl with people and has got all kinds of nice skills: she’s cratetrained, is great off leash and stays by you, she is happy to get in the car. Unlike many BCs, loud noises don’t seem to bother her at all. Like many female BCs, she gets along with males but not so much other females, so she won’t be placed in a home with other females. She is starting to play a bit with the young male in her foster home, so might enjoy sharing life with a male dog, but so far no interest in toys. And for those of you who love the itty bitty girls, she’s just 26 pounds! We aren’t totally clear on her age; the shelter guessed her as 3 but she may be a little older.
If you are looking for a classic rough coat little princess to join your family, Faith may be the girl for you!
Currently fostered in NV but working to move her to CO
Faith 2
Female
Not even 20 days into the new year and we took another leap of faith. This beautiful and super sweet BC mama was rescued in the nick of time by a good samaritan who got her out of the bitter outside Colorado temperatures during a January cold snap. And shortly after, she delivered a Lucky Seven. We also were able to rescue the dad, a handsome red and white, who is a wonderful dog as well! Her puppies and their daddy have all found families to call their own – now it’s this sweetheart’s turn!
Faith is proving to be a well-adjusted and social girl, friendly and quite mellow for a BC. She lives peaceably with other dogs and cats, too!
Currently fostered in Durango, CO
Koby – Adoption Pending
Male
This good-natured boy came to us from a Utah shelter in early spring of 2022, and it took us a while to find him just the right foster situation. Since he landed with his new foster earlier this year, this boy just keeps getting better and better! To be clear, he’s always been friendly with people, and is one of the few kid-friendly dogs we have at WBCR. And he remains as social as ever! But since settling into this foster home, we’ve seen lots of good changes that tell us he’s really feeling happy and comfortable. His dog greetings are calmer (he LOVES to play with other dogs), he’s more attentive to his person outdoors, and he is showing glimmers that he might have off leash potential in some situations. And the icing on the cake? In this different situation, his fence-clearing tendency has subsided! So we think in the right situation (including a tall fence and no unsupervised yard time especially if there are potentially taunting squirrels nearby), it’s looking like Koby can enjoy the benefits of a home with a fenced yard. Yay! Which is great, cause this sweet boy loves to run and play…as well as go for long walks, goof around with other dogs, and hang with his people. He’s housetrained and crate trained, and is even learning to chill at home since his foster mom just went back to work in the office. We think Koby would be happiest with another playful dog in the home or in his life regularly, but other than that, could be suitable to all kinds of different situations as long as there are no cats or livestock in the picture.
So what makes this boy so special? He’s got two rare traits for a member of the breed, and especially the dogs we have at WBCR: he’s exceptionally social with people/friendly and well behaved with humans of all ages, kids included. And he’s also quite comfortable in the urban environment, showing no concerns with vehicles or all the other hubbub the bright lights big city entails.
So if you are looking for a sweet and well-adjusted young lad who is ready to be your sidekick in life, look no further!
Currently he lives with 6 and 11 year old kids in his foster home, and we think he could be an excellent family dog for an active family. He also lives with another young BC and a dachshund, loves to play with other dogs, and would be happiest with another playful dog in the home.
Currently fostered in Denver, CO
Malin
Female
Our stunning, pint-sized lilac girl Malin continues to make leaps and bounds with the help of her village! She’s a little over a year old now, and has been blossoming in confidence with dogs and people. While she needs a little extra time and a special chair for meals (her favorite part of the day!), this process keeps her healthy and FAST! She likes other dogs, especially if they’re young and playful, as long as she gets a respectful introduction, and warms up very quickly to women. She takes more time to feel safe with men. She even seems to be cat-compatible with the same management we’d recommend for any adolescent BC!
Malin is ready for the next step on her adventure and is looking for a consistent long term foster situation OR perfect adopter to take her there! Both medical and behavior support are available to help smooth her way.
Currently fostered in Denver area, CO
Newt – Adoption Pending
Male
Any hobby herders out there looking for a new prospect? Meet Newt! This little freckle faced lad came to us as a “sheepdog washout” who apparently worked nicely but just pooped out quickly…so he was chalked up as just not having enough interest, despite being from some very reputable UK working lines. But when he arrived to his foster home, it was clear he was quite underweight and was then diagnosed as riddled with all kinds of intestinal parasites. It’s now been 3 months since he arrived – he’s been treated multiple times for all the ickies and his GI has stabilized (yay!). He has put on over 10 pounds, he’s now sleek and glossy and all muscled up, and he’s showing all kinds of interest and lovely instinct with sheep. We hope to get some video of that soon. This little lad is also outstanding with other dogs – living very peaceably with 4 others in his foster home – and will be happiest in a home with at least one another confident dog to role model off of. He’s very affectionate with those humans he knows, but he’s not super sure and can be pretty hesitant around some unfamiliar people; he will benefit from an adopter with shy dog experience and a quieter environment. We hear he’s lived peaceably with cats in the past but have not officially tested him yet. He’s cratetrained, house trained in his foster home, and travels/rides crated in the car well. Newt has a smaller frame, is compact and athletic, and has those adorable one up one down ears, not to mention the most charming grin around. He is going to make some lucky person the pup of their dreams!
Currently fostered near Montrose, CO
Nye
Male
Meet endearing Nye. This boy came to us from an Idaho shelter with his two brothers; all were picked up as strays and Nye was by far the most timid of the bunch. His brothers have both progressed in confidence and been adopted – and now it’s Nye’s turn! Thanks to his outstanding foster mom, Nye has come a looooong way from the petrified youngster he was when he first arrived and is proving to be just the sweetest, most gentle lad who enjoys the small pleasures in life. He likes to sneak in a kiss when it’s least expected or stick his nose in his foster mom’s ear when she’s not looking. He also loves to lay in the sun and chew a stick or roll in the grass.
While super laid back, he still enjoys playing with dogs and is starting to play more with his human. He’s great at going for walks with groups of people and dogs and is frequently in the park. He loves the water (not sure if he can swim yet but he’ll play in a river) and has quite lovely leash manners. Although he’s most comfortable with those he knows, he’s now going up to more strangers for sniffs and snacks. While he’s growing in confidence and independence, he still checks in with his foster mom when out and about. He has a pretty good recall, even when a squirrel is involved! At home, he loves to lay by his foster mom’s feet or nap next to her on the couch. Nye really struggled with being home alone but has made great strides; he’s also not super comfortable with riding in a car, but we’ve got some ideas up our sleeve to help with that.
It sounds like Nye really looks to his older canine foster brother quite a bit, so he’s likely going to be happiest with another confident dog in the home who could be a playmate and good role model for him. How he is with cats is unknown but could be a possibility.
If you have a soft spot for the quiet, reserved, sensitive and soulful type of BC, Nye could be the boy for you!
Currently fostered in SLC, UT
Ohto
Male
Are you looking for a fun, loving, happy, dorky and charming young BC who is up for anything and everything? Here he is! Ohto came to WBCR as a puppy with his sister Ooni, part of an accidental litter on an Idaho ranch. Yes, despite this unusual and striking coloring, he’s a Border Collie! Both he and his sister were suspected to be deaf, which isn’t unusual in white dogs. Turns out his sister isn’t, but Ohto is. But of course, that doesn’t slow down this boy one bit, and the bonus is he’s a very sound sleeper and isn’t worried about fireworks or gunshot! 🙂
Ohto is now a gangly teen and is a super friendly little guy with both strangers and other dogs alike. He grew up in a home with kiddos, and spent his first months in a foster home with 5 kids, so could definitely live with kids. First and foremost, he is a complete and total cuddle bug! This affectionate boy likes to almost occupy the same space as his person, always trying to be next to them touching them. Ohto also loves action! He enjoys hikes, snowshoeing, skiing and has tried coming along beside a bike with pretty good success. He looooves to tug, and sure won’t pass up something good to chew, and likes the challenge of puzzle toys and frozen Kongs. He isn’t a natural fetcher, he’s more of the herder when other dogs are fetching. He also loves to play with other dogs and is appropriate in the house when wrestling and quite happy running and chasing with the other dogs in the home outside. He is a herdy boy for sure and so not a great bet in a home with kitties unless they are super dog savvy. He is more on the moderate to moderate high end of energy and for a pup his age, has a great off switch in the house.
Ohto’s foster family has been working with him and he’s made great progress on all kinds of fronts. If left to his own devices without intervention, a few months ago Ohto began to shadow chase, which isn’t uncommon with BCs, especially deaf ones. He does this repetitive motion back and forth at fence lines or where shadow and light intersect. It’s more prevalent with something in his mouth. The good news is, he is now easily redirected to find a place and chew and not bounce around. Ohto also struggles some with being confined, although he’s made great strides on that front as well and he can now be crated with little fanfare when his foster mom leaves the house. He’s also learning all kinds of tricks and cues with hand signals! He has also become quite a good little traveler and will settle right down on the seat or in a crate until arriving at the destination. He’s taken quite a few 1/2 day rides without issue. Given that he’s deaf, when outside adventuring he’s comfortable being on a long line. We also have loads of fabulous deaf dog resources to point any adopter towards! 🙂
All in all Ohto is a charming and sweet, fun and loving adolescent BC. We think he’ll probably be happiest with another playful dog in the home and of course someone willing to put in a little extra effort to accommodate his being deaf. For the right family, Ohto is going to make some lucky person a most delightful partner in crime! 🙂
Currently fostered in Lander, WY
S Puppies – Adoption Pending
3 Males & 4 Females
Not even 20 days into the new year and we took another leap of faith. A beautiful and super sweet BC mama was rescued in the nick of time by a good samaritan who got her out of the bitter outside Colorado temperatures during a January cold snap. And shortly after, she delivered a Lucky Seven, now christened Savor, Sage, Sully, Shea, Sloane, Splash and Sylvie. There are 4 girls and 3 boys. These babies will be ready for homes of their own in mid March.
We also landed the dad, a handsome red and white, who is a wonderful dog as well!
Males: Savor (R&W), Sully (B&W), Splash (B&W)
Females: Sage (R&W), Shea (R&W), Sloane (R&W), Sylvie (B&W)
Sis
Female
Adorable little smoothie Sis recently came back to WBCR after her owner’s work schedule dramatically changed and Sis was alone far too much. We’ll be posting more as we get to know her.
Currently fostered in Wheatland, WY
Sonny
Male
This super nice young smoothie came to us from a Utah shelter in quite literally the nick of time. The shelter staff put out a plea for help because they found him such a super dog, and they are right! Sonny rolled right onto a plane to fly to safety, and then into foster care after that. He seems a well-adjusted fellow, friendly with people and other dogs. His BC intensity shows around a ball; he is quite a fetchaholic. Dog sport potential! Bonus is he’s got a great off switch and some skills too. This boy is gonna make some lucky BC lover very happy!
Currently fostered in Denver, CO area
Toby – Adoption Pending
Male
Meet Toby! This wonderfully happy BC youngster had been in the shelter system for more than half his life, first coming in at 6 months, then being adopted and returned TWICE from a crowded Kansas shelter through no fault of his own. When his number came up for euthanasia, they reached out to us for help. He’s reportedly friendly with people and other dogs and has just always got a smile on his face! How could we say no to this eternal optimist? He was already playing the day he arrived to his WBCR foster home. More coming soon as we get to know this gooberhead. 🙂
Currently fostered near Wheatland, WY
Trixie
Female
This happy, friendly little redheaded split face came to WBCR from a Utah shelter. More info coming soon!
Currently fostered near Vail, CO
Whit
Female
Little Whit came to us from a rural NV shelter, where she arrived as one of a pair of BC girls who were picked up not long after a pair of similarly smooth coated BC boys were brought in, also picked up as strays. None of these 4 youngsters were claimed, and all were in danger of being euthanized for space….so we said yes to all of them. Whit headed to one of our longtime fosters, and like all 4 of these pups, proved to be a social and playful girl. However, her foster was perplexed by Whit’s mysterious but notable lack of housetraining progress. It seemed likely she had a UTI, so that’s the route we went….but that didn’t resolve it. It took quite a few more vet visits and exams before a solid conclusion was reached: Whit was diagnosed with a rare birth defect, an ectopic ureter. Basically, instead of her urine going directly from her right kidney to her bladder, it bypassed the bladder and just came out! So she leaked a bit of urine here and there all day long. In good news, we found out there is a surgical solution, and we found a surgeon up to the task. The total cost? $5800. But of course we said yes, because we knew the best chance she had at finding a family to call her own would be having this surgery.
In early September, Whit had the procedure done. She’s healed well and is now also on Proin (a medication for incontinence) and the verdict? No more leaking!!! So this delightful, happy little lass is now officially ready for a home of her own. From her foster mom: “She is so stinking cute and has the sweetest personality, good with both people and dogs. She loves to play with toys, chew on her canine foster brother, run all over with the other dogs (she shares her foster home with 4 others), and then will just lay down and take a nap. She gives all the dogs a lick each morning to say hi and has to have her pets from us before she gets the day started; she likes to snuggle too. She is good with the grandkids, 4 and 6. She is crate trained and has been sleeping in there at night; is ok on the leash; knows a few of the basics. Off leash on our property she comes to me when I call her. She is fine in the car and can be left alone at home and we are mostly over the steal something, chew on it then hide it phase! She could be a dog sport candidate or be someones active sidekick in adventure.” Whit is quite a fabulous BC package, and we are so excited to help her find her way to her next chapter in life.
Currently fostered outside Denver, CO
Not Yet Available
Lola – Adoption Pending
Female
Lola is a charming 10 month old red and white classic lassie who came to us as an owner surrender. We’ll post more as we get to know her!
Currently fostered near Trinidad, CO
Octane
Female
This lovely lass was in a Utah shelter for months before landing with WBCR and is shaping up to be quite a prize. More info coming soon!
Currently fostered in Longmont, CO
Parker
Male
This young little BC fella was pretty scared at a Utah shelter, but is quickly coming into his own in a WBCR foster home! More info coming soon.
Currently fostered in Denver, CO
Quaid
Male
Just arrived! These 2 youngsters are the remaining 2 Q puppies we were unable to get last September from a litter living in miserable circumstances (we got 4 at that time – Quimby, then Quartz, Queso, and Quail). Quaid and Quiz are now 6 months old or so – Quiz is red and white, Quaid is black and white – and both are quickly adjusting to the good life. They will be happiest separated so won’t be adopted as a pair. 🙂 More info coming soon!
Currently fostered in Wheatland, WY
Quiz
Male
Just arrived! These 2 youngsters are the remaining 2 Q puppies we were unable to get last September from a litter living in miserable circumstances (we got 4 at that time – Quimby, then Quartz, Queso, and Quail). Quaid and Quiz are now 6 months old or so – Quiz is red and white, Quaid is black and white – and both are quickly adjusting to the good life. They will be happiest separated so won’t be adopted as a pair. 🙂 More info coming soon!
Currently fostered in Grand Junction, CO
Rip
Male
Thanks to the unbelievably tremendous efforts of a whole bunch of dedicated, big hearted people – one in particular who lept into action to make it happen and devoted hours and hours to their cause in the last few days – three feral pups in a Colorado shelter escaped euthanasia by less than 24 hours. Two have landed safely with WBCR. Handsome Rip is a young male who is learning about the good life and starting to trust people.
Currently fostered near Durango, CO
Roxy
Female
Roxy is the mama to the Q puppies, 4 of which we were able to take in last September, and the remaining 2 we were also finally able to rescue from miserable conditions along with Roxy! She has tested as heartworm positive so will begin treatment for that soon. More info coming soon!
Currently fostered in Durango, CO
Strait
Male
This very flashy red tri boy came to us from a Utah shelter. He’s a happy youngster, friendly with people and other dogs. We’ll post more as we get to know him.
Currently fostered in Denver, CO