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Find your companion

Adopt a Retired Sled Dog

Opening your heart and home to a retired sled dog is more than adoption — it’s the beginning of a lifelong bond. These incredible dogs have spent their lives running, working, and being part of a team. Now, they’re ready to share their loyalty, love, and spirit with families who will cherish them.

How it works

Our Adoption Process

We want every adoption to be the right match — for both the dog and the adopter. Here’s how it works:

Learn About the Dogs

Browse profiles and see which dogs might fit your lifestyle.

Apply for
adoption

Fill out a short application so we can learn more about your home and experience.

Meet & Greet Your Match

Spend time with the dogs in person to see if it’s a good connection.

Complete the adoption

Finalize the process and welcome your new companion home.

Dogs for Adoption

Please call or email and plan to come to the kennel located near Steamboat Springs if you are interested in adopting a Snow Buddy!

“Note: All of our dogs will be available for adoption in spring, ready to find their forever homes. Until then, every dog can be sponsored, allowing you to support their care, love, and wellbeing while they wait for adoption.”

Bjork and Miller

7 year old sister pair, must go together!

Bjork and Miller, the black and white pair pictured here, will take a special person who understands shy dogs. They don’t need a lot from people and they are very content in their little world together. They were born on a windy mountain in Healy, AK and would have raced in the Yukon Quest had their previous owner not retired from racing. They landed here and have been here for years, wonderful little tour dogs who do anything you ask of them in harness. They are aloof about affection and prefer to live a dog’s life.

Routty

9 year old neutered AK Husky

Routty is a special dog. He has been up for adoption here for awhile and is often looked over because he’s rather common looking, but don’t let his looks fool you. He’s a brilliant and patient animal who has a lot to offer someone who will give him a place to retire. He is as a calm and sweet as he is calculating. He can open every kind of gate we have, but he stopped escaping years ago because he likes it here. Routty loves nothing more than playing all day on the property (with Phil as his little Shadow) – except belly rubs. He loves those the most!

Sarah and Songbird

9 year old spayed sisters - must go as a pair!

Sara and Songbird, the Fleetwod Mac sisters, came to us from our dear friends Anessa and Austin Forney in Leadville. They raised the pups to race the Stagestop and when they didn’t show the athleticism for the A-team, the Forneys gave the sweet girls to Snow Buddy. They have been here most of their lives now and are the easiest keepers around; they have been a stalwart leader pair here for a long time. It will be hard to see these girls go, but we’d love to see them retire together to a comfy bed somewhere nearby.

Babb

10 year old spayed female

There are dogs we want selfishly to keep here forever, even though that’s not what we do. Babb is one of the these special ones. She’s wonderful with the boys, she gets along with everyone 2 and 4-legged and she has personality for days. Babb is 10 years old and spayed. She came to us from Montana after a career racing in mid-distance. She won’t be here for long, so don’t delay. If you come to meet Babb and Von says she’s not here (he’s pictured right hugging Babbsy), it’s only because they are such great buds. She deserves a great family. We hope she finds her forever home soon!

Q Ball

3 year old Male AK Husky

Qball has been a people pleaser his whole life and we don’t think that’s bad thing in a dog. He can do anything in the team, run lead, swing, team or wheel and he does it gladly. He gets along with most dogs and he’s very handsome. He loves the house and has a great time napping on a dog bed too. If you are interested in adopting QBall, please visit the refuge site and submit an application.

Haka

9 year old ___ AK Husky

Haka was born on the Norris Glacier in Juneau AK 9 years ago. He was sold after racing and ended up on the wrong side of the tracks. We’re not sure if he’s going to heal up well enough to do tours here this winter, but he’s a great Meet and Great dog and is lovely in the house and with children. Visit the refuge site if you are interested in adopting Haka!

HeyHey

3 year old Male AK Husky

HeyHey is a pretty boy with an attitude! We love him though, despite ourselves. He’s noisy and very playful and never comes to his name, not even for food. Typical Siberian Husky! Get out his harness and get going! If you take too long to get running, he will chew himself loose and show you where you were supposed to take him! HeyHey is up for a adoption or sponsorship, but he will need a person who really understands the working Siberian Husky.

Luna

FeMale AK Husky

What a serious and hard-working lady and so pretty! Luna retired here from racing in the Iditarod with Turning Heads Kennel, but don’t tell her that. She is all business and rarely has a friend in lead with her because she would prefer to do the heavy lifting on her own. There isn’t anything Luna won’t do if you ask, so keep that in mind. We have had some new mushers mix up their GEE and HAW and Luna will always do exactly what you ask! Even take you off the trail and into the woods!

Submit adoption application

Refuge Adopt a Sled Dog Application Form

Hello! Thank you for your interest in adopting a retired sled dog. There are a few things that are very important to us when we are considering a home for our dogs:

We look for people who live in a cooler climate. These dogs generally are not happy in South Florida, for example. Some of them are thinner coated, but please understand we will take what we know about these dogs individually and as a breed into account over your desire to do your best for a dog in an undesirable climate.

We look for people who lead an active, outdoors-y life. Though these dogs are “retiring” they still have a lot of energy and regular exercise and a very stimulating environment. We need to know that you can provide that for a sled dog and then bring them in to sleep on a nice soft bed or doghouse at the end of the day.

We strive to pair the right dog with the right family and will keep these applications on file for years if necessary!

Please fill out the form: