City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue has reached the incredible milestone of 10,000 adoptions since its founding in 2011! We are celebrating this incredible achievement on Tuesday, May 16th at Dacha Beer Garden in Navy Yard from 6pm to 9pm. We invite all of our friends and supporters to join us, all are welcome!

In conjunction with our celebration, we have had several generous donors come forward with a challenge to the community. If we can raise $10,000 in the week leading up to the celebration on May 16th, they will match it dollar for dollar. Any gift you make will go twice as far through this incredibly generous opportunity. The funds raised through this campaign will go directly towards the costs of pulling dogs and cats from overcrowded and high-kill shelters, where resources are severely limited and to funding the medical needs of those animals. Anyone who donates $20 or more to this special campaign, will receive a wristband that will get them happy hour specials all night at Dacha during our May 16th event.

The ripple effect of CDCK's first 10,000 adoptions extends well beyond the lives saved. They have brought joy to as many families, inspired volunteers to give back, and forged new friendships. Our only hope with the next 10,000 adoptions, and beyond, is that we grow our ripple effect wider by impacting more lives, and of course, saving more animals!

We would not be here without the time, talent and treasure of our incredible community, thank you!

"It was January 1, 2020 when I met Finnegan. I wasn’t looking for a dog. I had just retired from the Navy the month prior and started a new job. But I was out on a jog, and there he was, being adorable with another dog at an intersection. I stopped to say hello, and then saw the adopt me vest on him. His foster Maria was lovely and said I should consider putting in an application. I squatted down to say hello and Finn leaned into me. I was done. In love. I jogged home, turned on the space heater in my bathroom to stave off the chill, and started texting friends for advice and references while filling out the application. A couple hours later, I received news that I was not going to get Finnegan - another application ahead of mine worked out. One of my friends said, we will find you another dog; but, I said no, I only wanted that dog. I wasn’t looking for a dog in general. Then on inauguration night a few weeks later, I received a message from City Dogs asking if I was still interested in Finn. Admittedly, my first thought was what did he do to warrant being returned. The adoption coordinator was diplomatic, indicating each situation is unique, and it requires a good match between the dog and the new owner(s). During the trial adoption, I learned a lot about hounds and Finnegan in particular. I was smitten. He’s such a sweet dog. He adapted quickly from being a North Carolina stray to being a couch potato who doesn’t pounce at the cats. Working through his stubbornness has been an adventure for both of us. But, he quickly became a jogging buddy, dining out buddy, and all-around everything buddy. He’s the best! Thank you, City Dogs!" - Susan & Finn

"We adopted Papaya immediately after moving to the DC area because I was scared to live without a dog in my life for the first time since I was a young kid. I instantly fell in love with her hound ears and wrinkles, and everything about her is so perfect. My Adoption Counselor (shout out to Kristin) was so sweet and helpful, and it made me want to pass on the generosity in the same capacity, so I signed up to volunteer as an AC, which led to fostering, intake volunteering, pulling, and more! We love CDCK and are forever grateful that they rescued the scared, mangy little pup from Galax who has made our family whole and makes me laugh every single day of our lives together. " - Emily & Papaya

"I knew the moment I saw Lucy that she was mine, we were somehow meant to be together. She's taught me a lot in the months since her adoption (like how to train a puppy, patience, and love), but most of all, it feels like a new adventure and it's just us against the world." - Ann & Lucy

"Adopting my cat, Omelet, has brightened up my life so much! Upon moving to Maryland after college, my other cat, Benny, was lonely. He was quiet and shy and only answered to me. Omelet completely brought him out of his shell! His goofy personality made Benny all the more confident and excitable. He makes me smile every day, and after a tough year last year he really did so much for me in my time of need. My silly, somersaulting, talkative little man will always hold a special place in my heart." - Julia, Benny & Omelet

"I never had a dog growing up and honestly didn't see what all the fuss was about. But my boyfriend (now spouse) loved dogs and all animals, so I knew there would be one in our future. We adopted Lucas in September 2020 and remember how well loved he was by his foster caregivers. When City Dogs put out a plea for foster caregivers the next summer, I knew we needed to pay it forward. Lucas has been a foster sibling to 10 dogs now, including a few puppies! I have loved helping those dogs find their families. I know that Lucas wouldn't be part of our family and possibly not alive if it weren't for foster caregivers stepping up and opening their homes and I'm so grateful that someone did!" - Christina, Brandon & Lucas

"I actually started out at CDCK as a one-time foster. We fostered a 1.5 yr old Jack Russell Terrier named Jasper and quickly realized that an older dog was more of our speed. After a break, I started to volunteer as an Adoption Counselor. My favorite part was answering questions from future adopters and getting post-adoption updates. Being an AC also gave me a chance to see which dogs were coming to DC. I fell in love with a 6 yr old hound named Judson from North Carolina. I knew it was fate when the application I was assigned to process for him ended up not working out. He has brought so much joy and laughter into our lives. And adopting a senior is so much sweeter knowing that you're giving them a new chance at life. I now volunteer with the dog Vet Care team where I get to help even more dogs every day! " - Catherine & Judson

City Dogs & City Kitties 10K Adoption Celebration

We've saved 10,000 dogs & cats, help us on the way to saving 10,000 more!

Team Members