There are 65 million dog lovers in the USA and there are literally thousands of businesses, charities, clubs and other organizations across the nation that are all about dogs. We have reached out to some of them to find out what they do and the number of replies we have had back has blown our minds.
We decided to collate all those responses into what we hope will be one of the most comprehensive resources for dog owners. And we have decided to start at the beginning with those organizations that help dogs to find their forever homes and humans to make that first canine connection.Â
Dog shelters and rescue centers carry out an amazing role, giving dogs that have had a tough start a second chance. The people who work at these shelters often witness the worst of human nature and its impact on our canine friends. Where would we be without their dedication and compassion?Â
If you represent a dog shelter or rescue center that we have not mentioned, please get in touch and we would be delighted to add you.
The Scituate Animal Shelter has been helping Massachusetts pets and the people who love them since 1992. Each year, the shelter finds homes for an average of 500+ animals and reunites dozens of lost pets with their grateful owners. Their pets come from every corner of the state and stay as long as they need. The shelter does not – and has never – euthanized for length of stay or shelter space.
At Joybound, they believe everyone can benefit from the unconditional love and acceptance of dogs and cats. Every day, the team strives to improve and innovate through programs that bring people and pets together for a lifetime of health and happiness.
From evacuating animals impacted by natural disasters, to developing innovative safety net programs designed to support struggling pet guardians and keep pets out of shelters, to vocational training to bring more diverse talent into the animal wellbeing sector, they strengthen and multiply human-animal bonds through programs for children, seniors, Veterans, and animal guardians struggling to keep their pets. Joybound is headquartered in Walnut Creek, CA and serves Contra Costa County, the Bay Area, and beyond.
Etowah Valley Humane Society (EVHS) exists for the purpose of preventing cruelty to, relieving the suffering of, and providing humane treatment for animals in need. EVHS serves as the adoption/rescue transfer outlet for animals taken in by Bartow County Animal Control. Since the current administration took over in 2010, adoption/rescue numbers are up 300% and the euthanasia rate is down over 90%. As a result, Bartow County is nearing its sixth consecutive year of “no-kill” (sub 10% euthanasia) status for the entire county!
The only SPCA animal shelter in rural Essex County, N.Y, in the Adirondack Park, North County SPCA is a no-kill shelter that provides refuge to over 400 dogs and cats each year. Animals arrive at the shelter in a variety of ways. Some are brought in by owners who can longer care for them. Others are strays found by animal control officers. Many are rescued by attentive neighbors who notice a homeless dog or cat in their neighborhood. Numerous animals, especially cats and kittens, are left on the doorstep in the middle of the night and law enforcement officers bring in many animals that are victims of unspeakable abuse.
NCSPA treats every cat and dog with loving care. They thoroughly assess, socialize and train every animal to give them the best opportunity for a new life. The dedicated staff and cadre of volunteers work tirelessly to make the shelter the best possible alternative until a permanent home can be found, providing top quality food and medical care, including inoculations, diagnostic tests, and spaying or neutering.
Independent Animal Rescue‘s dog adoption program is run by a group of volunteers. The team works day in and day out to help dogs and puppies in North Carolina’s rapidly growing Triangle region to find their way to a loving forever home. IAR primarily partners with local shelters to take in dogs and puppies who have nowhere else to go.
When dogs come into the adoption program, they are assigned a foster who cares for them and gets to know their personality and special needs. This allows the pup to feel safe and loved, receive medical care, work on needed skills and training—in short, to blossom! Twice-monthly adoption events, held at fun venues across the Triangle, provide great opportunities for the pups to socialize and to meet potential adopters. Volunteers also leverage social media to help the pups find their perfect match. IAR also has a cat adoption program as well as programs focused on spay/neuter, community education, and economic assistance to community members to allow them to keep their beloved pets.
Great Pyrenees Rescue of Atlanta – GPRA – rescues the neediest Great Pyrenees in the southeast. Started almost 15 years ago, GPRA is approaching 3,000 rescues and averages almost $2,300 on medical per rescue. GPRA’s main mission is to find the right permanent home for Great Pyrenees in distress, whether they are strays or from an overpopulated kill or no-kill shelter. It doesn’t matter how old they are or what their medical condition is because they receive a comprehensive medical evaluation, spaying or neutering, and even behavioral training.
Pets for the Elderly’s mission is to provide companionship and health benefits to older adults through pet ownership and animal care assistance, while saving the lives of homeless shelter animals. Medical research supports that companion animals reduce loneliness in older adults, while providing numerous health and well-being benefits. Pets for the Elderly is also committed to reducing the number of shelter animals waiting for loving homes, thus they have tied the two together and offer our services to people aged 60 and over when they visit one of the 58 shelters in their program.
Blind Dog Rescue Alliance is a group of volunteers throughout the United States and Canada dedicated to helping blind and visually impaired dogs by rescuing them from shelters, assisting blind dog owners, and educating the public. They formed in 2009, and because of their amazing donors and volunteers, they have been able to help more than 900 dogs! They are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group, and donations are tax deductible.
Piney Mountain Foster Care is a small, all volunteer, non-profit skilled care facility located on four acres of mountainside property in Edwina Tennessee. Their primary mission is to help rescue dogs from kill shelters. Many need health care. Most need training. They offer medical rehabilitation and behavioral modification in a tranquil setting.