Rescues by Region
Adopting a pet requires patience, thought, and research. You may have a specific breed of dog in mind because of specific household needs or conditions, or you may be looking for a companion of any breed. Whatever the case, make sure you adopt from a reputable and trustworthy shelter or organization and be sure you understand where the animals in that shelter or organization originated, as well as how they are treated during their time in the
shelter or organization.
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Jump to Northeast Region
Jump to Mid-Atlantic Region
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Jump to Southwest Region
Jump to West Region
Northeast
SNARR
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Special Needs Animal & Rescue and Rehabilitation, otherwise known as SNARR, is a large 501(c)3 organization based in Westchester County, serving much of the Northeast. SNARR war founded in 2011 by Courtney Bellew, and focuses on rescuing senior dogs, as well as those with advanced medical conditions, such as blindness/deafness, paralysis, orthopedic issues, and neurological deficits, but will never turn down an animal in need. This is, personally, one of my favorite organizations as I adopted my dog Shelby from here! Visit the SNARR website to learn more about their mission and available animals!
NORTHEAST ANIMAL SHELTER
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Located thirty minutes north of Boston, Northeast Animal Shelter has served approximately 145,000 cats and dogs since its establishment in 1976. Northeast Animal Shelter is one of the largest no-kill shelters in New England and oversees many enriching programs, such as Saving Homeless Pets Across America, the Community Pet Food Bank, Foster Care, and Senior Visitation. Each dog receives all necessary medical attention and training/socialization prior to adoption. Check out this incredible shelter and the available animals!
WORCESTER ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE
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The Worcester Animal Rescue League, also known as WARL, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding loving and safe homes for dogs and cats throughout Central Massachusetts and the surrounding Boston area. WARL was founded in 1912 by a group of women seeking to provide a safe refuge for abused and neglected horses, but now provides care and finds new homes for all many different types of animals. Check out the Worcester Animal Rescue League to view all of the wonderful animals available for adoption!
CONNECTICUT HUMANE SOCIETY
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The Connecticut Humane Society, or CHS, is a nonprofit organization with three locations throughout Connecticut. CHS was founded in 1881 by a Hartford High School student by the name of Gertrude O. Lewis whose goal was to support animals in her community. Each year, CHS serves approximately 10,000 animals in need in Connecticut and beyond. Visit this amazing shelter to learn more about their mission and about the incredible animals available for adoption!
HELPING HOUNDS DOG RESCUE
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Helping Hounds Dog Rescue, also known as HHDR, is a nonprofit rescue organization located in Syracuse, NY, whose mission is to provide a home for dogs specifically in overcrowded shelter systems. Too often shelters that become overcrowded resort to mass euthanization in order to make room for new, younger, and possibly more "adoptable" dogs. Thus, HHDR strives to create a safe and loving temporary home for these neglected dogs. Check out HHDR's website today for more info!
HEART ANIMAL RESCUE
& ADOPTION TEAM
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HEART Animal Rescue & Adoption Team is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, no-kill rescue organization serving Western New York State. HEART focuses on saving the most difficult cases--the neglected, injured, orphaned, sick, and abused dogs. HEART does not have an official shelter facility. Rather, each dog is immediately placed in a suitable foster home until finding its forever home. All dogs are seen by the organization's veterinarians and are properly socialized during their time in their foster homes. Visit HEART today to learn more!
Mid-Atlantic
MORRIS ANIMAL REFUGE
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The Morris Animal Refuge was established when Elizabeth Morris began housing and caring for animals in Philadelphia in 1858. It is America's first animal shelter ever! The Morris Animal Refuge works to promote education and high-quality care for members of the community and the animals, respectively, and provides adoption services for homeless animals. Visit this incredible organization for more information!
FAITHFUL FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY
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Faithful Friends Animal Society is a nonprofit animal welfare organization in New Castle County, Delaware. This organization oversees a community veterinary clinic, in addition to an adoption program. Faithful Friends Animal Society's primary mission is to expose the mass killings of cats and dogs that enter Delaware's public shelters and to save thousands of easily adoptable cats and dogs from this unfortunate fate. Learn more about Faithful Friends on their website!
PRECIOUS PAWS ANIMAL RESCUE
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Precious Paws Animal Rescue, or PPAR, is a nonprofit corporation founded in 2001 in Franklin, PA. All adoption efforts through PPAR are coordinated fully by a group of dedicated volunteers. PPAR believes that all animals deserve the right to live a life free of cruelty and abuse, and strives to create a safe and clean space for homeless animals while they await their permanent homes. Check out PPAR's website to learn more!
DEFENDERS OF ANIMAL RIGHTS, INC.
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Defenders of Animals Rights, Inc., located in Pheonix, MD, was one of the first animal rights organizations in Maryland to establish a shelter and a large-scale adoption program. The organization's mission is to alleviate the suffering of neglected animals. Many animals that Defenders of Animal Rights receives are in terrible condition, but its dedicated staff nurse each and every animal back to health in order to find them the perfect home. Visit Defenders of Animal Rights, Inc. today!
BARC SHELTER
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BARC Shelter is a no-kill animal shelter based in Brooklyn, NY whose primary goal is to provide a safe space for abandoned and neglected animals until they find a forever home. BARC Shelter also provides these animals with any necessary medical attention and socialization upon their arrival at the shelter, and throughout their stay, and has found permanent homes for thousands of animals since its establishment in 1987. Visit the BARC Shelter to learn more!
COMPANIMALS PET RESCUE
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Companimals Pet Rescue started with the rescue of two needy cats, Leticia and Jezabel. Since then, Companimals has rescued hundreds of unwanted animals, specializing in difficult cases, such as those with developmental disabilities, illnesses, mental disabilities, etc. Nonetheless, the shelter would never turn away perfectly healthy dogs or cats. Each animal that enters the shelter is socialized and evaluated for the perfect home conditions for them. Check out their website to learn more!
Midwest
BEST PALS ANIMAL RESCUE CENTER
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BestPals Animal Rescue Center is a no-kill, non-profit animal shelter located in Holland, Michigan. BestPals was founded by Michelle Kenant, who had always dreamt of starting her own animal shelter to help those in need. BestPals relies entirely on the incredible efforts of its dedicated volunteers, as well as generous donations from individuals, businesses, and grants. When space and resources are available, BestPals takes in surrendered cats and dogs and provides them with food, safety, and warmth. Visit their website to learn more!
THE BABINSKI FOUNDATION
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The Babinski Foundation is a private 501c3 animal rescue organization located in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. This organization was established by Donald Babinski in 2010. However, the facility was completed and opened in 2017. The Foundation's mission is to provide animals in need with a safe and warm place to stay while they look for their forever home, and will take in abandoned, surrendered, and stray animals and work to find a new home for each. This organization also has a stray animal drop-off facility, as well. Visit their website for more info!
TURTLE MOUNTAIN ANIMAL RESCUE
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Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue is an animal rescue organization located in Rolette County, North Dakota. TMAR was founded by Keith Benning and operates in a community in which access to adequate veterinary care is in short supply. Each year, TMAR has saved thousands of animals in need and works to advocate for the humane treatment of animals through community outreach. Over 100 volunteers have provided necessary veterinary care and shelter for over 5,000 animals over the course of TMAR's 5-year history. Visit their website to learn more!
OPEN DOOR ANIMAL SANCTUARY
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Open Door Animal Sanctuary, which was established in 1975, is the largest no-kill animal shelter in the St. Louis area. By caring for stray, abused, neglected, and unwanted animals, Open Door hopes to provide homeless cats and dogs with a better quality of life and a second chance at finding their perfect home. Each day, Open Door cares for more than 300 cats and dogs and provides them with the necessary socialization and medical care in order to get them adopted. Visit their website for more information!
KC PET PROJECT
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The KC Pet Project is a nonprofit organization that operates the KC Campus for Animal Care in Kansas City, Missouri. Across its 14 locations in Missouri and Kansas, the Project cares for more than 10,000 animals, and oversees many programs advocating for animal welfare and care, such as Keep 'Em Together and various pet initiates such as microchipping and pet identification. KCPP's mission is to create a safe and loving community for animals and people through providing educational programs and community resources. Learn more on their website!
ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF MARSHALLTOWN
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The Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown is a private, nonprofit animal shelter located in Marshalltown, Iowa, that was established in 1948. The Animal Rescue League takes in stray and unwanted animals from the surrounding area, and strives to find suitable homes for each. Each month, the organization cares for 150-200 animals. Visit the Animal Rescue League's website below for more information!
Southeast
EARS ANIMAL RESCUE
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EARS Animal Rescue is a nonprofit, volunteer-based animal shelter located in Englewood, Florida, with the mission of caring for abandoned, abused, lost, and stray animals until they find their forever home. EARS was established in 2001 by Peggy Hauptman, who had a vision and a desire to care for the animals in need in her community. Cats and dogs at the shelter receive all necessary medical attention before being adopted into a new home through the dedicated efforts of local veterinary clinics. Visit EARS's website to learn more.
ABANDONED PET RESCUE
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Abandoned Pet Rescue (APR) is a nonprofit organization located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida that takes in abandoned and abused dogs and cats in an effort to find them new and loving homes. Since its establishment, APR has cared for 6,800 dogs and cats and has helped countless more cats through its trap-neuter-release program. Each year, APR takes in 330 cats and dogs and adopts out approximately 270 of these animals. With an on-site clinic, all animals entering the shelter are guaranteed ongoing medical care, including vaccinations and spaying/neutering. Learn more below!
NORTH FLORIDA ANIMAL RESCUE
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North Florida Animal Rescue is an animal rescue organization based in Wellborn, Florida that is dedicated to providing medical care and shelter for dogs, cats, and horses in need. North Florida's mission is to provide a better quality of life for needy animals in the local community through accessible veterinary care, rehabilitation facilities, and animal welfare programs. North Florida Animal Rescue was founded by Anthea Duron, who always dreamt of a world where animals lived free of abuse and neglect. Visit their website to learn more!
ONE LOVE ANIMAL RESCUE
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One Love Animal Rescue is a nonprofit rescue organization in Savannah, Georgia whose mission is to assist abandoned, neglected, and unwanted animals in the community by fostering partnerships with shelters and rescue groups in the area in order to find these animals loving homes. One Love hopes to save the lives of countless animals by promoting shelter adoptions and by raising awareness about animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. For more information, visit their website below!
ALL 4 PAWS
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All 4 Paws is a nonprofit animal rescue organization based in Georgetown County, South Carolina that was established in June of 2011. This organization's mission is to save as many homeless and abandoned dogs and cats as possible in the local community. Since many animals that enter this specific shelter are special needs, the Compassion Fund was established in 2013 in order to help cover the cost of caring for these animals. All animals entering this shelter are well cared for, socialized, and always receive any necessary veterinary attention. Visit their website for more information!
ROYAL ANIMAL REFUGE
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Royal Animal Refuge is a nonprofit organization that aims to rescue homeless and neglected animals in Peachtree City, Georgia. Royal's goals include promoting animal welfare and responsible pet ownership in the community, finding homes for unwanted animals, educating the surrounding community, and providing the animals entering the shelter with veterinary attention they may need. For more information, visit Royal Animal Refuge's website below!
Southwest
THE GOOD DOG RESCUE
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The Good Dog Rescue is a rescue organization located in Westminster, Colorado, whose mission is the save dogs from high kill shelters by providing them with safety and security through a volunteer-driven foster home system until they are permanently adopted. All dogs at The Good Dog Rescue receive any necessary medical attention, and all are spayed/neutered. In addition to the aforementioned fostering program, The Good Dog Rescue also leads training programs that are free to all dog owners whose dogs were adopted from The Good Dog. Thus far, over 1,100 lives have been saved, and the number is only increasing. Visit The Good Dog Rescue's website below for more information!
CONNOR AND MILLIE'S DOG RESCUE
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Connor and Millie's Dog Rescue is a rescue organization located in Las Vegas, Nevada that seeks out and accepts senior and special needs dogs, in the hopes of providing them with a brighter future and a permanent home. Connor and Millie's was named after two senior dogs by the same names, whose legacy lives on through this organization. CMDR runs a fostering program in order to find each senior and special needs dog the perfect home, and many of the daily events at CMDR are run by dedicated volunteers. CMDR has rescued hundreds of dogs in need and continues to rescue new dogs each day. Check out their website below for more information!
THE ANIMAL FOUNDATION
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The Animal Foundation, located in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a low-cost veterinary clinic and a nonprofit animal rescue organization, whose mission is to save all healthy and treatable animal by finding them permanent homes, although they take in any animal, no matter how sick or injurered. The Animal Foundation was established in 1978 and in 2020 alone saved over 15,000 animals that were lost, homeless, and mistreated. The Animal Foundation has a dedicated leadership team and a group of volunteers that work to rescue these animal each day. The Animal Foundations also works to provide affordable and accessible veterinary care to the surrounding community. Learn more below!
FOOTHILLS ANIMAL RESCUE
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Foothills Animal Rescue is an animal rescue organization located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Foothills Animal Rescue was established in 1995 as a foster based organization, but has since evolved into a larger adopting center in 2010 thanks to the hard work of the staff and volunteers. Between its multiple locations throughout Scottsdale, Foothills Animal Rescue is able to provide animal in need with a shelter, socialization, and nutrition until they find their forever homes. Foothills believes that all companion animal play an important role in our lives, and advocates against animal cruelty. Learn more below!
SPECIAL PALS RESCUE RESOURCE CENTER
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Special Pals is a non profit animal rescue and welfare organization located in Houston, Texas, founded in 1979. Special Pal's mission is to rescue as many animals in the Houston area as possible, through the efforts of the organizations staff, volunteers, and in cooperation with local rescue organizations. In addition, Special Pals hope to raise awareness about animal cruelty and the importance of animal welfare in the local community and beyond. Special Pals also provides low cost veterinary care to those in need. Find out more information on their website below!
NOAH'S ARC ANIMAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION
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Noah's Ark Animal Welfare Association is an animal welfare association in Trinidad, Colorado. Noah's Ark's mission is to increase the life-saving capacity of animals in the local community and beyond while providing these needy animals with safety and security in the meantime. Noah's Ark was established in 1998, but has since expanded by taking over the daily operations of the City of Trinidad Animal Shelter. While only 75-100 dogs enter this shelter on a monthly basis, the impact of this organization's efforts has been tremendous, from animal welfare advocacy to the adoption program. Learn more below!
West
LANGE FOUNDATION
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The Lange Foundation is a nonprofit pet adoption service located in Los Angeles, California. It was established in 1993 by Gillian Lange, who also established the Amanda Foundation in 1975. Together, the two organizations have rescued over 27,000 cats, dogs, and horses who were neglected and mistreated. The Lange Foundation is operated by a group of dedicated staff and volunteers who work to find permanent homes for countless animals every day. Los Angeles has historically had a large population of homeless animals, and the Lange Foundation hopes to spread awareness about this issue of overpopulation in the city. For more information, visit their website below!
OREGON DOG RESCUE
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The Oregon Dog Rescue is a nonprofit animal rescue organization in which every animal that enters stays until they find a home. The Oregon Dog Rescue was started in 2007 and works to specifically rescue dogs coming from overcrowded local shelters and dogs who have been abandoned. The Oregon Dog Rescue is operated by a team of staff and volunteers who care for over 175 dogs per month. The dogs are this organization are socialized in the doggie playrooms, are spayed and neutered upon arrival, and are microchipped, dewormed, treated for fleas, and brought up-to-date on their vaccinations. In 2020 alone, the Oregon Dog Rescue found permanent homes for over 1,700 dogs. Learn more below!
PAWS COMPANION ANIMAL SHELTER
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PAWS Companion Animal Shelter is an animal welfare and rescue organization located in Lynnwood, Washington, whose mission is to help companion animals and wildlife alike go home. Through adoption programs, rehabilitation efforts, community outreach, PAWS spread awareness about animal welfare issues, and help wild and domestic animals heal and return home or find their permanent home, respectively. Since its founding in 1967, PAWS has found loving homes for more than 130,000 cats and dogs and has rehabilitated over 140,000 wild animals. To learn more about their rescue efforts and mission, visit their website below!
HEARTLAND HUMANE
SHELTER & CARE
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Heartland Humane Shelter & Care is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that works with Benton County, Oregon to ensure a safe and healthy home for every pet. Heartland Humane was founded in 1966 with the mission of spreading awareness about animal welfare issues such as animal homelessness through the operation of a pet adopt service, as well as local community outreach and educational programs. Each year, Heartland Humane rescues over 1,500 pets per year. In addition to low-cost adoptions, Heartland Humane runs a trap-neuter-return service and works to spay and neuter animals at other local rescue groups. For more information, visit their website below!
YAKIMA HUMANE SOCIETY
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The Yakima Humane Society is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that was founded in 1904 and has served the Yakima County community for over 100 years. The Yakima Humane Society spreads awareness about the issue of animal cruelty and promotes the message of the importance of reducing animal overpopulation and responsible pet ownership. The Yakima Humane Society also operates a pet adoption service and provides all animals in need with veterinary care. Each year, the Yakima Humane Society rescues over 5,000 animals. Learn more about their mission and animal welfare message below!
PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER
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The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is a nonprofit animal rescue organization, founded in 1996, whose mission is to transform the lives of companion animals through veterinary care and advocacy. The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is an open admissions municipal shelter and works mainly with the city of Palm Springs and animals across the Coachella Valley. Palm Springs Animal Shelter hopes to create a world in which animal is treated respectfully, and works to spread awareness about the importance of the humane treatment of animals. In addition, the Palm Springs Animal Shelter hosts community outreach events in which 100% of the meals served are vegan. Learn more below!