Q: Can you provide temporary care for my dog?
A: No, we are not able to provide temporary boarding or foster care for owned pets. If you’re looking for short-term assistance, these resources may be able to help:
- RedRover – Assistance for individuals needing temporary pet care.
- 911 Foster Pets – Connects pet owners with temporary foster homes.
- Safe Place for Pets – A national directory of organizations offering temporary foster care, including for those escaping domestic violence.
- Commercial boarding facilities (such as Bed & Biscuits) and pet-sitting services like Rover.com are also good options.
Q: Do you accept dog beds, leashes, harnesses, collars, and dog toys?
A: Yes! We gladly accept new or gently used items that are clean, undamaged, and odor-free. Items we can’t use for our shelter dogs are shared with foster families, donated to other rescues, or sold at one of our fundraisers to help support our mission. Donations may be dropped off anytime in the donation bin outside our main building on the left at 809 Rockford Rd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
Q: Do you accept dog food (kibble and canned) and dog treats?
A: Yes! We accept unopened bags of kibble, canned dog food, and dog treats. Our shelter dogs are fed NutriSource Chicken & Rice kibble unless they require a special diet. Other kibble brands are donated to Cedar Rapids Animeals, and we gladly use all varieties of unopened canned food. We also accept treats, except those made in China. Donations may be dropped off anytime in the donation bin outside our main building on the left at 809 Rockford Rd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
Q: Do you partner with distributors of Pampered Chef, Scentsy, Tupperware, etc.?
A: Because we host and promote our own fundraising events throughout the year that directly benefit Dogs Forever, we reserve our social media and marketing efforts for those events and for showcasing the dogs in our care. We are, however, incredibly grateful for donations of products or gift certificates that can be used in raffle baskets for our fundraisers. Donors are recognized by name or business, and donation receipts are available upon request.
Q: Are you part of Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control (CRACC)?
A: No. Dogs Forever is an independent, all-volunteer, nonprofit dog shelter and rescue. We do not receive municipal funding. We do partner with CRACC, however, and when space allows, we welcome dogs from their shelter—especially during times of overcrowding.
Q: How is Dogs Forever funded?
A: Dogs Forever is funded through the generosity of our supporters. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference. We also receive support through fundraising events, adoption fees, memorial donations, grants, and other charitable contributions.
Q: Do you need used blankets, towels, comforters, or sheets?
A: No, thank you! We are fortunate to have a well-stocked supply of these items. If you have gently used blankets, towels, comforters, or sheets to donate, we encourage you to bag them up and drop them off at our lime green CLOTHES BIN located at the ImOn Ice Arena (1100 Rockford Rd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404). The bin is in the back of the left parking lot when facing the building. Dogs Forever receives a donation for every bag collected, so your donation can still help support our shelter dogs!
Q: Can you help me rehome my dog or take in a stray dog?
A: If you need to rehome your dog, please complete our Rehome Form on our website. Our board reviews each request, and if we have space and are able to help, a Dogs Forever representative will meet with the dog to assess temperament and behavior before determining next steps.
At this time, we do have a waitlist for owner surrenders. As a small shelter, we are doing our best to help as many dogs as possible while working within our limited space and resources.
Please do not bring your dog to the shelter and leave them unattended. We need to have the proper information and ability to safely evaluate each dog before they enter our care for the safety of our volunteers and the dogs currently in our care.
If you have found a stray dog, please contact Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control (CRACC). Dogs Forever does not have a stray hold area and is not equipped to take in stray dogs.