City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue

What City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue does

City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue (CDCK) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 that operates a foster-based animal rescue serving the Washington DC metro area, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. The organization sources dogs and cats from overcrowded, high-kill shelters in Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia, then places them in volunteer foster homes throughout the DC region until permanent adoption. All rescued animals receive comprehensive veterinary care (transport, exam, spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping, and preventive treatments) before being listed for adoption. As of 2024, CDCK reports 14,000+ animals placed since founding and 1,200+ animals rescued annually, supported by a base of 500+ active volunteers.

The core service offerings are Dog Adoption Services, Cat Adoption Services, Dog Foster Program, and Cat Foster Program, supplemented by in-person adoption events at named partner venues and virtual meet-and-greet events livestreamed on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Technology is built around the third-party Shelterluv platform, which handles animal listings, foster applications, and adoption applications, with volunteer counselors conducting review, vet checks, and home visits. In September 2023, CDCK opened its first brick-and-mortar Operations & Intake Center at 1812 1/2 11th St NW, extending intake capacity beyond the foster-only model and housing features such as a Rainbow Bridge Memorial wall.

Revenue is generated through a mix of one-time adoption fees ($475 adult dogs/puppies, $225 senior dogs, $250 cats/kittens), tiered monthly recurring donations via the Guardian Angel program ($15-$100/month), general one-time and recurring donations (including DAFs, stock transfers, and the Combined Federal Campaign), corporate sponsorships, vehicle donations through CARS, an Amazon/Chewy supply wishlist program, and a Printify-based merchandise store. The organization is independently operated with no parent entity, no private equity or venture backing, and governance by a Board of Directors with Darren Binder identified as Co-Founder.

Name

City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue

Legal name

City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue

Website

https://citydogsrescuedc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foster-based animal rescue serving Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, rescuing over 1,200 dogs and cats annually from high-kill shelters and placing them through foster homes and adoption events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Rescue and Pet Adoption Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

Keywords

• Animal rescue services
• Pet adoption services
• Foster care programs
• Nonprofit animal welfare
• Pet adoption events

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Adoption Fees: One-time fees charged at adoption: $475 for adult dogs and puppies, $225 for senior dogs, $250 for cats and kittens. Fees cover transportation, veterinary care, spay/neuter, microchipping, and vaccinations provided before adoption.
2. Guardian Angel Monthly Donations: Recurring monthly donations at tiered levels ($15-$100/month) that sponsor specific foster needs including toys, vaccinations, preventatives, carriers, supplies, and vet visits.
3. General Donations: One-time and recurring donations via online portal, mail, stock transfers, Donor Advised Funds, and Combined Federal Campaign. Also includes car donations via CARS partnership and corporate sponsorships.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including shop merch through Printify and merchandise store, plus limited edition artwork prints.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CDCK rescues dogs and cats from overcrowded, high-kill shelters in Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia and places them in volunteer foster homes throughout the Washington DC metro area, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. The organization then facilitates permanent adoptions through screened applications, vet checks, home visits, in-person partner-venue events, and virtual meet-and-greets, with all pre-adoption veterinary care (vaccinations, spay/neuter, microchipping, testing) covered by the rescue.

Product overview

City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue operates as a foster-based animal rescue organization offering dog and cat adoption services through integrated programs. The core offering consists of Dog Adoption Services and Cat Adoption Services, supported by Foster Programs for both species. Additional services include Virtual and In-Person Adoption Events for community engagement, a Digital Window Display Program for business partnerships, and a Rainbow Bridge Memorial Program. Revenue generation is supplemented through a Guardian Angel Monthly Donation Program, Corporate Sponsorship Program, and Merchandise Shop. The organization relies entirely on foster homes rather than a physical shelter, with all medical care covered by the rescue until adoption.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dog Adoption Services Facilitates adoption of rescue dogs from high-kill shelters, including application processing, vet checks, home visits, and adoption contract completion. Dogs are placed in foster homes until adopted and receive comprehensive veterinary care before adoption.
• Cat Adoption Services Facilitates adoption of rescue cats from high-kill shelters, including application processing, vet checks, home visits, and adoption contract completion. Cats are placed in foster homes until adopted and receive comprehensive veterinary care before adoption.
• Dog Foster Program Places rescue dogs in temporary foster homes throughout the Washington DC metro area, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Foster families provide care while dogs await adoption, with CDCK covering all veterinary costs and supplies.
• Cat Foster Program Places rescue cats in temporary foster homes throughout the Washington DC metro area, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Foster families provide indoor-only care while cats await adoption, with CDCK covering all veterinary costs and supplies.
• Virtual Adoption Events Live-streamed virtual meet-and-greet events for adoptable cats and dogs, allowing potential adopters to meet fosters and ask questions remotely via Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
• In-Person Adoption Events Physical adoption event gatherings at various DC-area venues including Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream, Coldwell Banker, Brooklinen, Wunder Garten, and Room & Board, allowing community members to meet adoptable pets.
• Guardian Angel Monthly Donation Program Monthly recurring donation program with tiered sponsorship levels ($15-$100/month) supporting specific animal needs including toys, vaccinations, preventatives, carriers, supplies, and veterinary visits.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Business sponsorship opportunity allowing local businesses to support rescue operations in exchange for promotional mentions on the website and Facebook page.
• Digital Window Display Program Places small digital screens in partner storefront windows or countertops to showcase adoptable dogs and cats in real time, enabling customers to view available pets while visiting local businesses.
• Rainbow Bridge Memorial Program Personalized medallion program commemorating deceased pets, with medallions displayed on a Rainbow Bridge Wall at the CDCK office.
• Merchandise Shop Online store selling branded merchandise including apparel and accessories, with proceeds supporting rescue operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14,000+ animals saved since 2011
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Mt. Desert Island Ice CreamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner venue hosting CDCK Ice Cream Social adoption events. A portion of ice cream sales during events benefits the rescue. Located at 3110 Mt. Pleasant St. NW, Washington DC.
• Coldwell Banker Eastern MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReal estate office hosting regular adoption events for adoptable dogs on select Saturdays. Located at 360 7th St SE, Washington DC 20003.
• BrooklinenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLinens retailer hosting adoption events at their Logans Circle location. Customers can shop while meeting adoptable dogs.
• Wunder GartenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeer garden venue hosting adoption events. Allows adopters to enjoy drinks while meeting adoptable dogs. Located at 1101 1st St NE, Washington DC 20002.
• Room & BoardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFurniture retailer hosting adoption events on their patio at Logan Circle location. Events scheduled throughout fall months.
• ShelterluvcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology platform powering animal listings, foster/adoption applications, and matching. All adoptable animals and foster opportunities listed through Shelterluv.
• TD Bank Affinity ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTD Bank contributes annually to CDCK based on activity of participating account holders. Account holders can link their accounts to support rescue using code AF400.
• CARS (Charitable Adult Rides and Services)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVehicle donation program accepting cars, RVs, motorcycles, and other vehicles. 100% of proceeds go to CDCK.
• Chewy.com WishlistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline pet supply retailer wishlist where supporters can purchase needed supplies directly for the rescue.
• Amazon WishlistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon registry containing harnesses, gentle leaders, kitten supplies, pet medication, and other supplies needed for rescue operations.
• iGive.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShopping portal where a percentage of purchases from over 1,700 online stores is directed to CDCK at no cost to shoppers.
• Adoptapet.com (Rehome)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerResource for pet owners needing to rehome pets not adopted from CDCK. CDCK refers non-CDCK pets to this platform for profile creation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Humane Rescue Alliance: Washington DC-based animal welfare organization providing adoption, foster, and veterinary services. Most direct competitor in the same DC metro geography with overlapping dog and cat adoption programs.
• SPCA of Northern Virginia: Northern Virginia foster-based rescue serving the same DMV region with comparable dog and cat adoption services.
• Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation: Virginia-based foster-only rescue organization with similar volunteer-driven operational model and regional reach into the DC metro area.
• Homeward Trails Animal Rescue: Virginia-based nonprofit rescue operating a foster-based model for dogs and cats in the DMV region, directly comparable in foster network structure and adoption services.
• Animal Welfare League of Alexandria: Regional shelter and rescue serving the DC metro area with adoption and foster programs, operating in overlapping Northern Virginia territory.

Emerging players

• Wags and Walks: Los Angeles-based foster-centric dog rescue with similar volunteer-driven model, comparable in scale and operational philosophy to CDCK but in a different market.

Broad incumbents

• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill animal welfare organization with adoption, foster, and sanctuary programs. Broader geographic scope but overlapping mission and adoption marketplace.
• Washington Humane Society (HSUS DC): Large national animal welfare organization with significant DC presence and broader advocacy, fundraising, and adoption programs at greater scale.

Others

• Petfinder: Premier online adoption search platform listing rescue animals nationwide. Functions as a distribution channel and discovery layer for rescues like CDCK.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Online pet adoption marketplace that aggregates shelter and rescue listings. CDCK already partners via the Rehome platform, making it an adjacent ecosystem enabler rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CityDogsRescueCityKitties
• Facebookfacebook.com/CityDogsRescue
• Instagraminstagram.com/cdckrescue
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/city-dogs-rescue

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue