#72 in United States, #1 in Iowa
809 Rockford Rd SWCedar Rapids, IA 52404
Service areas:
Linn County (Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, and surrounding)
"My son and I were involved in the rescue (containment) of a stray dog. Many of us involved were reaching out to contacts at shelters we knew without hearing back. Another rescued took the dog to vet to check for chip and when he didn't have one, she took a chance to drive by Dogs Forever to see if anyone was there and could help out. They took him in without a second thought. My family is very invested in this dog so have been visiting regularly with hopes of foster to adopt. He is happy,, healthy and well cared for. One of the volunteers,Doug has worked with him on basic skills and manners. Volunteers have been so kind to my family and facilitate visits. They also were very thoughtful and playful with a meet and greet with our current dogs (clear idea with 1 dog added at a time, initially all on leash, then our dog off and rescue dog on, then both dogs off, add in our second dog). It felt very safe and controlled. We have applied for foster to adopt, and are confident that if he comes home with us or not, they will find a great home for him!"
— amanda e.
Adoptee, Supporter
"I have been a volunteer here for a little over a year. I am so impressed with the level of care and concern this organization puts to making sure each dog is carefully tended to - getting the right medical attention and treatment and making sure the adoption process is thorough and that the final pick ends up as the forever home and family. I feel proud of the work done here and getting to be part of all of it. It's a lot easier than I expected it would be to help with the care of the dogs. Of course I love every single one but I am so glad to get to be a small part of making sure they find their forever family. Getting to see the process and the happy endings makes the work worthwhile."
— sara l.
Volunteer / foster
"Dogs Forever helps so many animals, not just locally but by collaborating with other rescues in the US. They are an important part of our community."
— angela b.
Supporter, Fan
"I have been apart of Dogs Forever since 2013. We foster failed in 2015. Also in 2015 I became shelter manager after the current manager wanted to shut it down. We have come along way since then. We were only doing maybe 20 adoptions a year to over 100. We also only had 20 volunteers to close to 100 now. I am so proud of the work we do and proud that we are 100% volunteer run and we also are run on fundraising and donations. We have a great Board that meets once a month to keep us updated on every aspect of the running of the shelter. Our foster committee and fundraising committee also meet once a month. We also have an adoption committee. Our goal is to find the best fit for the dogs that come into our care. We also make sure our dogs are up to date on shots and spay or neutered. We also try to stay in contact with our adopters. We have an alumni. Facebook group that they can share pictures and updates. I know I’m a little biased, but I love Dogsforever. I love the volunteers. I love the dogs and I can’t imagine my life without them.."
— joyce t.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Staff member, Supporter, Fan
"We loved working with Dogs Forever to adopt our dog, Griffin. They go above and beyond in absolutely every area to ensure their dogs get the very best care and go to loving families!"
— liz r.
Adoptee
"Dogs Forever is amazing! We have adopted two rescues from them and when our first dog became very ill months later (cancer), they did not hesitate to step back in our support us withh medical costs and emotional support. 💙 They are incredibly responsive and strong advocates for their dogs. I would 100% always recommend anyone looking to connect with DF."
— jodie s.
Adoptee
"Dogs Forever is a non profit operating in 100% volunteer and donation format. My husband and I both volunteered and eventually found our Zeus who came home to 2 sister pups. The volunteers and the pups truely rescue the people who come into their lives."
— carol s.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"Dogs Forever is truly a special place! A great group of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about Dog rescue go over and above the call of duty to help as many dogs as possible find their perfect home. All Dogs Forever dogs receive exceptional care and lots of love while waiting for the right adopter to take them home, no matter how long it takes. It's so rewarding to be a part of this worthy cause!"
— kathy f.
Volunteer / foster
"Dogs Forever is a hard working group that dedicates themselves to many needy dogs. They work tirelessly to provide the best care and support for the dogs. They are always up for a rescue. Those in their care are loved and spoiled. They deserve recognition!"
— susan r.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter
"I'm a big fan of dogs forever because they offer both shelter and foster home rescue. They have regular viewings of all of their adoptable dogs so people know when they can visit and meet the dogs they are interested in. And the dogs don't have to stay in a stressful kennel environment. They have a lot of fundraisers and are local. I appreciate all the energy and efforts they put in to save dogs."
— lori p.
Supporter, Fan
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.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
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!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
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.
So: Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (cars, bikes, skateboards, and other fast-moving objects are also common triggers) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling not only feels embarrassing for you — 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.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
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.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
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.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
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.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
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.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.