Adopt

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.

*** NOTE: Because WBCR is a small organization with few volunteers, we only adopt to families in Wyoming, Colorado, and immediately surrounding states.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

Read more about Parker

We know very little about Parker’s life before he got to us but it likely wasn’t a great experience. Considering how afraid he was initially, he adapted amazingly quickly to his foster home where he learned people could be trustworthy and the world could feel safe. He’s still a little reserved meeting new people, but once he knows you, he gives you his whole heart. 🙂 He bonded quickly with his foster family, both human and canine. He now regularly shows his sweetest smile, grinning with one side of his mouth anytime he is excited. He gets along well with other dogs and currently lives with three! He is very playful with those dogs who are game, and we think he’ll be happiest with a confident, playful dog in his new home to romp with and role model off of. Parker even gets along well with the family cat, realizing quickly who truly rules the roost. Parker spends his day relaxing on the couch while his parents work from home, heading out with his foster siblings a few times daily to play in the back yard or take a walk. Any movement by the door to the garage elicits excitement with the hope of getting to take a ride in the car with mom or dad and one of the other dogs. Parker is a good athlete who loves to run, though he doesn’t currently seem interested in fetch. He’s just a moderate energy fella who will be happy with this level of exercise daily. Parker came to WBCR with what appeared to be limited exposure to living with a family. He is taking quickly to basic training, sitting to go in or out of the house, learning to lie down on cue, and even starting on stay. The little guy figures things out very quickly, adapting to the patterns of the house. He is the only dog his fosters have had that figured out the handles on the patio door, quickly learning he could let himself out if his foster parents didn’t remember to lock the door!!! 🙂 In the few months that he’s been with WBCR, he has also learned that walks in the neighborhood are pretty fun too. All in all, Parker is a true indomitable spirit and a joy to live with. He will be happiest in a quiet but active household where there’s another dog (or more) in the home. His confidence has grown immensely with his foster family, and we think he’ll continue to blossom with patient humans who have a soft spot for the shy ones, and who love to help them come fully into their own. Whoever brings this boy home will be rewarded with a delightful and devoted pup! Currently fostered in Denver, CO Cosmo is learning quickly but is starting from the beginning! Cosmo has also learned where to go to the bathroom, is cratetrained, and started with some of the basics in his foster home, but his new family will need to be patient with him as like most BCs, he’s sensitive and worries when there are loud sounds and sudden movements. Given this, and the lack of known kid experience, Cosmo will require an adult-only home. All in all, this sweet, speckly youngster is a prize, and whoever brings him home is going to be one lucky family! Currently fostered in Durango, CO Currently fostered near Laramie, WY She also loves outdoor adventures! Bessie would make a great companion for someone who lives an active outdoors-y lifestyle. Her fosters also believe she could flourish in agility as well as be a candidate for therapy work given her extremely gentle way with people. Bessie has been included in a van camping trip and hiking adventures with her foster family and is reported to have done quite well! In addition, she has been to dog friendly restaurants and stores with her fosters and done well in those likely new-to-her situations. All this and brains too? You betcha! Bessie is quick to learn and enjoys it. Her fosters have been working with her and her recall is already quite good; her fosters believe she has potential to be recalled off any situation with training and will be able to enjoy off leash adventures. Given how strongly she will attach to her people, Bessie will definitely be happiest with adopters who can be with her the majority of the time, but who also have the patience and willingness to help her feel comfortable with occasional alone time, something every dog should be able to do (and Bessie can settle when alone in her foster home now). All in all, Bessie is a wonderfully potential-filled pup who is sure to make some lucky adopter the canine sidekick of a lifetime! Currently fostered in Denver, CO

Ria

Female

If you love a mellower pup oozing with character, here she is!

Young, single, speckle-faced female in search of that special family to call my fur-ever home.

Hi my name is Ria, Honey, Sweetie and Hey you! If you have a treat or are offering a loving home you can call me whatever you want!! A little back story, my owner passed away suddenly and unexpectedly and I landed in a painfully crowded shelter in Texas. Everyone thought I was such a special girl they decided to reach out to WBCR and here I am now in search of my future family.

Read more about Ria

Some things about me: I have never met a stranger, human or canine. I don’t know very much but I am willing to learn if it makes you happy. I am also happy to be where ever you are and if that means chilling on the couch, I’m your girl. If you want to go on that 5 mile run I will be your biggest cheerleader and wait back at the porch for you ha ha okay maybe I can work myself up to it but it really isn’t my thing if you know what I mean. Now if you want to go for a short walk I will lead the way, tally ho! My foster mom and dad will sometimes use the four wheeler around the house and it’s super cool, my foster brothers and I try and have races with it to see who is faster. I don’t believe they have ever heard the story of the tortoise and the hare. I really enjoy the morning and afternoon chores but sometimes I like to just sit back and supervise to make sure my foster people are getting the job done. I am currently learning to sit, learning to come when called, and learning to walk on lead nicely, but sometimes a girl just has to get where she is going! Some of my favorites include treats, treats and more treats; if you offer me a treat I will try my hardest to understand what you want me to do! With that being said I may have an extra bit of fluff but it’s just more to love about me, right? All in all, I’m all smiles and tail wags and have never met a person who didn’t like me… and so will you when you discover my glowing personality. My foster mom says I’m a bull in a china closet but everyone knows I’m a really diamond in the ruff!!! I’m being fostered in Grand Junction, CO with some very good-humored fosters. 🙂 Get your application in now if you think I sound like your kinda girl! Currently fostered in Grand Junction, CO Parker spends his day relaxing on the couch while his parents work from home, heading out with his foster siblings a few times daily to play in the back yard or take a walk. Any movement by the door to the garage elicits excitement with the hope of getting to take a ride in the car with mom or dad and one of the other dogs. Parker is a good athlete who loves to run, though he doesn’t currently seem interested in fetch. He’s just a moderate energy fella who will be happy with this level of exercise daily. Parker came to WBCR with what appeared to be limited exposure to living with a family. He is taking quickly to basic training, sitting to go in or out of the house, learning to lie down on cue, and even starting on stay. The little guy figures things out very quickly, adapting to the patterns of the house. He is the only dog his fosters have had that figured out the handles on the patio door, quickly learning he could let himself out if his foster parents didn’t remember to lock the door!!! 🙂 In the few months that he’s been with WBCR, he has also learned that walks in the neighborhood are pretty fun too. All in all, Parker is a true indomitable spirit and a joy to live with. He will be happiest in a quiet but active household where there’s another dog (or more) in the home. His confidence has grown immensely with his foster family, and we think he’ll continue to blossom with patient humans who have a soft spot for the shy ones, and who love to help them come fully into their own. Whoever brings this boy home will be rewarded with a delightful and devoted pup! Currently fostered in Denver, CO Cosmo is learning quickly but is starting from the beginning! Cosmo has also learned where to go to the bathroom, is cratetrained, and started with some of the basics in his foster home, but his new family will need to be patient with him as like most BCs, he’s sensitive and worries when there are loud sounds and sudden movements. Given this, and the lack of known kid experience, Cosmo will require an adult-only home. All in all, this sweet, speckly youngster is a prize, and whoever brings him home is going to be one lucky family! Currently fostered in Durango, CO Currently fostered near Laramie, WY She also loves outdoor adventures! Bessie would make a great companion for someone who lives an active outdoors-y lifestyle. Her fosters also believe she could flourish in agility as well as be a candidate for therapy work given her extremely gentle way with people. Bessie has been included in a van camping trip and hiking adventures with her foster family and is reported to have done quite well! In addition, she has been to dog friendly restaurants and stores with her fosters and done well in those likely new-to-her situations. All this and brains too? You betcha! Bessie is quick to learn and enjoys it. Her fosters have been working with her and her recall is already quite good; her fosters believe she has potential to be recalled off any situation with training and will be able to enjoy off leash adventures. Given how strongly she will attach to her people, Bessie will definitely be happiest with adopters who can be with her the majority of the time, but who also have the patience and willingness to help her feel comfortable with occasional alone time, something every dog should be able to do (and Bessie can settle when alone in her foster home now). All in all, Bessie is a wonderfully potential-filled pup who is sure to make some lucky adopter the canine sidekick of a lifetime! Currently fostered in Denver, CO

Shadow

Male

Looking for a prize of a dog? Here he is!!! Introducing Shadow. This handsome, optimistic 3 year old red smoothie came to us from a Wyoming shelter, and someones loss is gonna be someone else’s gain as the companion of a lifetime. Shadow is quite a catch for all kinda reasons. First, yes, his name is spot on: he just wants to be with his people and be a part of everything they do. He is also a friend to all humans and never met a stranger. He’s dog-social as well, and totally game to play with others who are up for it. And as icing on the cake, we suspect he’s gonna be one of our few kid-safe dogs! Shadow is a dog that likes everyone to get along and be happy, is easy going and adaptable, loves his human connection and wants to be a peacemaker. He’s loaded with skills, too: crate trained, house trained, doesn’t chew inappropriately, respects barriers, has a great recall and travels well in vehicles. All this and not over the top energy wise, either! Shadow is a lower energy boy and doesn’t show much herdyness. For a family who is looking for a well adjusted and loyal companion without the typical high energy of the breed, Shadow could be the one for you!

Currently fostered in Lander, 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 SLC, UT area

Adoption Process

Adoptable Dogs

Coming soon…

Western Border Collie Rescue