If you are looking for the shelter, the address you want is on South Camino del Rio. The La Plata County Humane Society has protected pets in the county since 1971. It runs an open-admission shelter, a thrift store and a donation center from one address. Hours differ by department, which catches people out, so check the list below before you load a carrier into the car.
Where is the La Plata County Humane Society?
The address is 1111 South Camino del Rio, Durango, Colorado 81303. The Humane Society's website lists these contacts and hours:
- Main phone: (970) 259-2847
- Thrift store phone: (970) 259-2847, extension 107
- Animal Protection through Central Dispatch: (970) 385-2900
- Shelter admissions, adoptions and services: noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday
- Thrift store: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday
- Donation center: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday
- Size, by the shelter's own count: about 50 staff, more than 300 volunteers and more than 6,000 pets helped a year
- Intake: as an open-admission shelter, it accepts every pet from La Plata County, whatever the circumstances
How much does it cost to adopt a pet?
Adoption fees on the Humane Society's surrenders and adoption page took effect March 1, 2025:
| Animal | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Dog | 0 to 6 months | $250 |
| Dog | 7 months and older | $150 |
| Dog | Over 7 years | $75 |
| Cat | 0 to 6 months | $125 |
| Cat | 7 months and older | $85 |
| Cat | Over 7 years | $50 |
| Barn cat | Any age | $20 |
Before you apply, the shelter asks four questions. Are you at least 21? Do you have a valid photo ID with your current address? Do you live where pets are welcome, with landlord approval if you rent? Can you afford the time and money? The process starts with an online or printable Matchmaker Survey. Returning an adopted pet more than 30 days after adoption carries a $50 relinquishment fee.
How do I surrender a pet or bring in a stray?
The shelter's rules differ by situation:
- Owner surrender: by appointment only, between 9 and 11 a.m. and 12 to 4 p.m., with a surrender form completed in advance and a copy of your driver's license
- Surrender fee for in-county pets: $50 per animal or $100 per litter; pets from outside the county require approval and a $750 fee
- Spay and neuter timing: animals that are already fixed are accepted Friday and Saturday; unfixed animals are accepted Monday and Tuesday
- Strays from inside La Plata County: accepted, with a stray form and photo ID; keep the pet in a secure carrier
- Strays from outside the county: call first; a $100 fee applies
One legal fact worth knowing: the shelter notes that in Colorado, after 72 hours of caring for a stray animal, you are considered its owner. Those fees come from the same Humane Society page.
Does the Humane Society have a thrift store?
Yes, and it funds the animals. The shelter says all proceeds go directly to shelter pets. Its thrift store is on the same site. The donation center takes items Monday through Saturday, and the Humane Society will pick up furniture if you call extension 107 or email warehouse@lpchumanesociety.org.
Can I license my dog or get a rabies shot there?
Both. Per the shelter's licensing page, dog licenses are sold on site and online for curbside pickup. The shelter also offers rabies vaccinations, and La Plata County residents who get a rabies vaccine for a dog must buy a license too. Fees and paperwork are in our answer on how to license a dog in Durango.
Who handles animal control in Durango now?
That changed in 2026. The City of Durango took over animal control enforcement inside city limits on Jan. 1, under the Durango Police Department. In an October 2025 City Currents item, the city said it kept a separate contract with the Humane Society for services provided at the shelter. The shelter continues to run sheltering and adoption. For vets, groomers and trainers once you bring a pet home, see our guide to Durango veterinarians and pet services.