Adoption Information
Adopting a Great Dane is a big decision. You are taking into your home a dog that is intelligent, loyal, fun loving, full of love, and yes, very large. However, owning a Great Dane will bring you so much enjoyment, fun and fulfillment. They have this wonderful way of burrowing right into your heart.
We at Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue, Inc. are committed to matching our Danes with good, responsible and loving new owners. We strive to make the best match we can. Our number one concern is for our Danes. Below briefly describes the adoption process.
RMGDRI ADOPTING GUIDELINES
We DO NOT discuss individual dogs with applicants until the adoption process has been completed because there is often more than one applicant interested in a particular dog, and we do not want to promise the same dog to more than one applicant.
We DO NOT have a physical location, as all of our dogs are fostered in individual homes. Please stop by our meet and greet events if you would like to visit with us. Dogs will be transported to their new homes if they are not currently in the same state as the adopting party. We want to find the best family for the Dane, even if they are "far away".
RMGDRI derives all of its operating funds from donations including adoption donations. As a result, we suggest an adoption donation between $400-$600.
Mandatory Requirements for Adoption
1) All RMGDRI Great Danes will be spayed/neutered prior to any adoption.
2) All adopting individuals will have to completely fill out and sign the Adoption Application which must be verified and approved.
3) All adopting individuals, who live in a single family home, must have a fenced yard with a fence in good repair.
4) All adopting individuals, who live in an apartment / condo / townhouse must be able to show how the Dane will exercise.
5) All adopting individuals who live in rental property will have to have a signed approval document from their landlord.
6) All adopting individuals must have a home check in order to verify application and conditions of the potential "forever home".
7) All adoption individuals must be at least 21 years old.
8) We do not adopt to homes with children 5 years and younger who have not lived with a giant breed. We do not make some exceptions to this policy.
9) All dogs and cats in the adopting home must be spayed or neutered unless there is a medical reason that a spay or neuter cannot be done. This will be verified by a vet.
10) All dogs and cats in the adopting home must be current on vaccinations.
Adoption Fees
- Purebred < 2 years - $350
- Purebred 2 - 6 years - $300
- Purebred 7 + years - $250
- Mix 2 years or less - $250
- Mix 2+ years - $200
6 STEP ADOPTION PROCESS
We require :
1) Application - (While we encourage you to let us know on your application if one of our dogs has captured your interest, we use this simply as a guide for matching and your listing of specific dog in no way implies claim to this particular dog)
NOTE: Adoption Applications expire 6 months from the date of receipt. If you have already submitted an Adoption Application(even if you are a returning adopter) and it has been longer than 6 months, you will need to fill out a new Adoption Application.
Download your Adoption Application HERE
email application to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or print it and fax it to (303) 484-2733
2) Reference Checks - All references will be checked prior to home visit. We will contact your current vet, if you have one, for a reference.
3) Application Review - Processor reviews the application, calls the vet if you have one, verifies vaccinations and spay/neuter. We email personal references (if email is provided) or call them if necessary. Email is best since time is not wasted playing phone tag and the references can respond when they are available.
4) Home Visit - A volunteer will come to your home to visit with you and discuss care of Great Danes. Also, the volunteer will look for any potential problems and check to be sure that your fencing is secure. Your home visit does not mean you have been approved.
5) Approval - After the above steps have been completed all your information will be reviewed and a decision will be made about adoption. If at this point you are approved to adopt, RMGDRI's Placement Coordinator will help guide you to the appropriate dog for your family.
6) Contract - For the protection of the Great Danes we place, everyone that adopts a Great Dane from RMGDRI will be required to sign an adoption contract. If you would like additional information on our adoption contract you can email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and a copy of our contract will be sent to you electronically.
Puppies
We have found that puppies from the same litter tend to bond to one another, to their detriment, when adopted together. Therefore, we do not adopt out two puppies from the same litter to the same adopter.
** The general guideline is that puppies may be left alone, for no longer in hours than the number of months of their ages. Please do not apply for a young puppy if you intend to be gone all day.
For additional information on adopting, visit FAQ.
