TUESDAY, June 23, 2026 |
Photo – Batman, Bud, and Versace are at Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter waiting to be adopted – Courtesy City of Rawlins
Trained dogs are available to adopt in Rawlins.
The majority of stray or abandoned pets end up at the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter. As of this report, the facility is home to 2 cats and 15 dogs, seven of which are enrolled in the Cage to Save Program.
Created in 2023, the Cage to Save Program is a partnership between the City of Rawlins and the Wyoming Department of Corrections, where inmates at the Wyoming State Penitentiary work with shelter dogs in a nine‑week training course.
In April, the program saw its 100th graduate, a young adult Labrador retriever mix named Benny. Rawlins Police Lieutenant Daria Hooper, who oversees the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter, said Benny is still available for adoption. Lieutenant Hooper said Benny must be an only pet, which has made it difficult for him to find a home.
Benny is one of four Cage to Save graduates up for adoption, along with Batman, Bud, and Versace. Lieutenant Hooper said all the dogs must be the only pet in the home, except Bud, who went through two Cage to Save training courses specifically to improve his socialization. Even so, Hooper said his new owner must use caution when the dog is around other animals.
Lieutenant Hooper said Bub, a black‑and‑brown rottweiler mix, loves to play and chase balls. She said Versace, an adult heeler mix, is also very friendly, though not with other dogs.
Lieutenant Hooper said Batman, an older tan‑colored shepherd‑terrier mix, is also very friendly with people, but isn’t as energetic as Bud or Versace.
At the moment, the facility is home to only two cats. The police lieutenant credited Pet Partners of Carbon County, the local nonprofit feral cat rescue, for keeping the shelter’s numbers low.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Hooper said the Rawlins shelter is in need of donations of pet supplies and bedding for the animals in its care. She added that monetary donations help pay for maintenance and unexpected medical expenses.
Lieutenant Hooper encouraged people interested in adopting a single dog to visit the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter at 2711 East Murray Street during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m., or call 328‑4534 to schedule an appointment. All adoptable animals are posted on the shelter’s Facebook page and on Petfinder.com. Adoption fees are $35 for cats and $50 for dogs.
