Shop Online | Happy Tails | Meet the Staff | Special Events | Ways to Give
Adoption The Dubuque Regional Humane Society has the largest selection of pets in the tri-state area. Adoption of the animals we shelter is one of our main functions. Our fees are $95 for a cat or kitten and $120 for a dog or puppy. High profile dog breeds are $220. (We accept cash, VISA and Mastercard only. We do not accept checks for adoptions.) This fee includes the mandatory spay or neuter surgery (if done through a vet that we work with, otherwise we cover a certain amount towards the surgery), a deworming, the first set of distemper shots and a rabies vaccination. Dogs also receive a bordatella vaccination. Each adopter also receives a care kit, a Pets Incredible Training DVD, and a coupon for a free bag of Science Diet food (redeemable at Theisen's). In addition, if you take your adoption contract to our local PETCO and Petsmart stores, they will give you a coupon booklet to use in their store for discounts on a variety of items. Microchipping is an optional service available for $25 at the time of adoption. We can also administer an optional FELV (Feline Leukemia) test for $15 for our cats before they go home with a new family.
Dog Boarding We do a limited amount of dog boarding. We do require that our boarders be current on their vaccinations, including bordatella and be a minimum of six months of age. Our fees are $10 per night. Please note that we only board dogs at this time.
Spay/Neuter Network It is Iowa law that all animals adopted must be spayed or neutered. We have developed relationships with over 45 area veterinarian clinics to provide spay/neuters at a reduced cost. While the average dog spay is $112 and dog neuter is $96, we are able to offer the surgeries as part of the adoption fee thanks to the generosity of our vets.
Cremation We offer private or mass cremation services. Contact us for our fees.
Pet Cemetery We are one of only 600 pet cemeteries across the United States. Burial in our cemetery costs $125 and includes perpetual care.
Memorial Bricks We have developed a Memorial Walk in our cemetery. For a $50 donation, we will engrave a brick with an inscription of your choice. The brick will then be placed in the sidewalk leading up to the Memorial Gazebo, located in the center of the cemetery. It's wonderful way to remember a pet as well as support the efforts of the shelter. Click here for more details.
Community Outreach We try to educate as many groups and organizations as possible about the duties and responsibilities of pet ownership and the Humane Society. Speakers are available to present to your organizations. We also visit several nursing homes on a monthly basis. Groups are welcome to tour our facility at any time. Just give us a call to schedule a visit!
Humane Education The Dubuque Regional Humane Society speaks to over 4,700 school children each year. We either go to the classroom or host the students at the shelter. Our presentations include information on responsible pet ownership, our role in the community and bite prevention. We also actively promote spaying/neutering all pets. We offer three week long "Kids 'N Critters Camps" each summer for 4th - 6th grade students, "Reading with Rover" at the Carnegie-Stout Library for kids K-3, and "Kids & Companions Club" which is a free club for animal-loving kids under 12 offered on the first Saturday of each month from 11 AM to Noon (except November and December).
Obedience Classes and Agility Classes
GOOD DOG ACADEMY- is a basic obedience class that focuses on skills and manners. The behaviors that are taught include: sit, heel, stay, lay down, proper greetings (not jumping on people), come, wait and let go/drop. Dogs six months and older are welcome. Class is limited to six dogs. Cost is $100 for 10 sessions ($85 for dogs adopted from the DRHS.) For the latest class schedule, click here.
Call the shelter at 563-582-6766 or send us an email to info@dbqhumane.org for more information.
Training Center
In 1999, we opened the Falb Training Center at the shelter. This is a special room on our campus designed specifically for training companion animals. Our obedience classes are held here. Our Volunteer Head Start Instructors also use the room. The primary purpose of the Head Start Dog-in-Training Program is to increase the likeihood of adoption of good shelter dogs who lack manners, socialization, and/or training.