#156 in United States, #2 in District of Columbia, #2 in Washington
https://www.citydogsrescuedc.org
Service areas:
Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC
"I adopted my amazing dog from City Dogs and City Kitties 10 years ago and had an excellent experience. They work round the clock on an all volunteer basis to rescue dogs and cats from high kill shelters in the South and connect them with DC adopters. City Dogs spends hundreds of thousands of dollars on medical bills to make sure all their dogs and cats are healthy, and I appreciate that they include "less adoptable" dogs and cats that are senior, disabled, etc. Their fosters are amazing and the vetting process for adoption was thorough but not burdensome. Since then I have volunteered with them and continued to support them because I am so impressed by the work they do. And thanks to them, I found my dog who is the love of my life!"
— sarah s.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"I got involved with City Dogs & City Kitties after a friend of mine kept sharing their posts on social media. After looking into their model (100% foster based rescue with only a handful of employees) I knew this was the right fit for me. I started as a foster & that quickly ignited my passion to help in more ways. In addition to fostering, I help with managing fosters, assisting with medical care of our cats, & have adopted a few beloved fosters myself. The good that fostering an animal in need is indescribable. You get to become part of the reason this animal thrives & seeing them go to a family that is already in love by the time they meet the cat/dog...it's overwhelming in the most wonderful of ways. The volunteers that I work with are so compassionate & dedicated. It really shows when an adopter interacts with our organization, how passionate we all are about animals."
— megan e.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"I have adopted a puppy, foster failed a 2-year old dog, and fostered a few other dogs since moving to the WDC area. I also volunteer to help place dogs with foster homes. CDK runs on a network of hardworking passionate volunteers including vets, trainers, and behaviorists that all give their free time to the cause and really care about the dogs and cats in our care. Even after a dog is adopted, the whole team is there to help adopters through any issues."
— kelsie s.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter
"City Dogs and City Kitties (CDCK) in Washington, DC is an amazing rescue organization. I have volunteered and fostered with this group for 10 years. CDCK works with shelters with low adoption rates from rural areas in the South. The animals are transported to the DC area nearly every week. There is an amazing group of fosters who step up every week to give these awesome dogs and cats a soft place to land until they are adopted. To date, more than 10,000 animals have been saved. CDCK rescues all breeds of dogs and cats and does not shy away if the animal has medical needs. CDCK makes a difference every day in the lives of the animals they rescue."
— patricia l.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"They save many high risk dogs from rural areas that would not stand a chance in the shelters. I’ve adopted 2 dogs from City Dog Rescue and it takes a Village."
— karen e.
Adoptee, Supporter
"After the loss of my 16 year old rescue during the pandemic — after some time, my partner and I were ready to adopt our first pet together. CDCK is an amazing rescue in DC — it connects under resourced shelters in rural areas with high-risk of euthanasia to adoptive and foster families in the DC region. Literally saving these loving dogs and cats to give them another chance at life! Our Argos has been with us since 4 months old — now 4, he has become such a loving goofball that brings highlights to our every day. I am forever grateful to CDCK and have volunteered with them — my partner is even Santa for pet photos with Santa each year!"
— joshua j.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"CDCK rescues animals from high kill shelters and places them directly into foster homes. They have saved countless furry friends from euthanasia, including my own city kitty siblings Apollo and Venus. They provide hundreds of thousands of dollars of veterinary care per year for animals that may not receive adequate medical attention otherwise, making them healthier and more adoptable. They are truly doing God’s work!"
— virginia w.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"We’ve really appreciated city dogs and city kitties when adopting our dog Chico! It was a great process and really appreciated how they center the dog or cat throughout. We loved that since all of the animals in their care are fostered we were able to ask questions of his foster so we knew when we adopted him that he was the one for us."
— jessica w.
Adoptee
"Our toothless old cat Spot was out entry to City Dogs and City Kitties Rescue. He was 11 and has been rescued from North Carolina ahead of a hurricane, and waited nearly a year for us to find him. (His wonderful foster is now our friend.) We love older kitties, and kitties who just need a break. CDCK is that rescue: they go the extra mile to help the cats and dogs who need extra love, attention, and time. We've seen that firsthand as fosters of nearly 80 cats in there years: we've had cats with one eye, shy guys who spend a month or more hiding in their pen...and they all eventually blossom and their people find them. It's so great for these cats, who have so much love to give, and it's nearly as great for all the people along their path -- the shelters who pull them to safety, the transport drivers, the intake people, the fosters and other volunteers who help make them ready, and the eventual forever people. What a gift!"
— jennifer l.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"City Dogs and City Kitties Rescue does an amazing job bringing dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters to the DC area. I fostered for two years before adopting foster number 7 and saw first hand how they prioritize giving adopatable pets the medical and behavioral support they need to find furever homes, and the great support they give fosters. They are a great organization to foster with, volunteer for, and adopt from!"
— catherine m.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
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You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
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Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
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Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
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Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
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Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
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