#66 in United States, #2 in New York
54 Simmons Lane Beacon, NY 12508
"I have volunteered at Animal Rescue Foundation for 31 years. I love the fact that it’s a no-kill shelter and 100% volunteer. Most of the volunteers work a full time job besides volunteering. We are there because we love animals. There are volunteers 365 days a year. We’re a real devoted team of caring individuals. The annual meals are treated as if they are our own. They get playtime in the big backyard and walked twice a day. Speaking for myself, I feel each one of the dogs is my own dog."
— ann j.
Volunteer / foster, Staff member
"I've been volunteering at ARF for 7 years. During that time I've seen an amazing # of dogs find good homes. They work with the dogs to help make them adoptable, and sponsor a number of wonderful community and fundraising events, such as a rabies clinic, 5K run, and (my favorite) pictures with Santa around Xmas. It's all- volunteer, no-kill. Both of my dogs are ARF rescues!"
— craig b.
Volunteer / foster
"We adopted our first cat from ARF in 2021 and we adopted our second cat in 2023. Every time we have had the pleasure of working with ARF, it has been an amazing experience. They truly care about the animals and ensure they go to a loving caring home. They have helped save countless dogs and cats, and we are so lucky to be a part of the ARF family. We love ARF so much that we began volunteering for their events such as their annual 5K run in the spring and pictures with Santa around the Holidays. Not only do they care about the animals, but they bring everyone together with events that help better the community and raise funds for ARF. They are truly amazing!"
— emily w.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"Got my girl Remi from ARF Beacon and they were so lovely! I love Remi so much and they took such good care of her while she stayed with them! Thank you ARF for rescuing my baby!"
— victoria w.
Adoptee
"Best shelter in the area!"
— victoria w.
Volunteer / foster
"I feel so lucky to have found Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in Beacon. My husband and I moved to the area and I was able to easily reach out and connect about volunteering. This has been my first volunteer opportunity at an animal shelter and it has brought my life so much joy. I primarily care for the cats, but greeting and loving the dogs every week as well is so special. Every volunteer and team member I have meet has been just as wonderful as the next. We are so lucky to help give these animals a comfortable home until they may be able to find their forever home. ARF does such an incredible job loving on and adopting out these incredible cats and dogs! Being at ARF is without a doubt, the highlight of every week!"
— andie g.
Volunteer / foster
"We adopted our special needs puppy Pepper at ARF, and both my wife Sarah and I volunteer there. They are such wonderful people and always help out in the community."
— colin c.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Fan
"I started volunteering at arf about 2 years ago. I automatically felt welcomed and everyone there is nice and helpful. The rescue is very caring and knowledgeable. They go above and beyond for the animals. They take the time and care to get to know each animal individually so they can get them adopted to the proper homes. I am truly grateful to be part of such a great rescue."
— stephanie h.
Volunteer / foster
"As a volunteer at ARF, I get to see first-hand how loving, gentle, and respectful everyone who helps at the shelter is towards the animals in their care. It is inspiring to see so many people giving their time and energy simply because they care deeply for animals in need. At ARF, we love the animals with our whole hearts, even if it means feeling a tinge of sadness — along with a lot of happiness — when they find their forever homes. Because ARF continues to provided support when needed after animals are adopted (I'm reminded of a recent fundraiser for a dog who incurred some unexpected medical bills), I think the volunteers remain a part of their forever family. I feel incredibly grateful to have ARF in my life."
— kelly c.
Volunteer / foster
"ARF does a great job matching cats and dogs with their forever homes. They post daily on social media which makes it easy to know the personalities of the animals in the shelter. I would highly recommend ARF to anyone who is looking to rescue an animal—they are amazing!"
— jennifer a.
Adoptee
Discover the Jack Russell Terrier, a breed celebrated for its intelligent and affectionate nature. Recognized as a small dog, Jack Russell Terriers have their origins in England, where they were initially bred for fox hunting and vermin control starting in the 19th century.
Discover the Dalmatian, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, trainable, and loyal nature. Recognized as a medium-sized dog, Dalmatians have their origins in Croatia, where they were initially bred for coaching (running along carriages), guarding, and hunting starting in the 16th century.
Discover the Bernese Mountain Dog, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and playful nature. Recognized as a large dog, Bernese Mountain Dogs have their origins in Switzerland, where they were initially bred for guarding livestock and droving work starting in the 1st century.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Albuquerque? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in Duke City.
44.5 percent of all American households share life with a canine companion. Pet professionals like dog trainers, veterinarians, and veterinary behaviorists are more important than ever as our modern society becomes increasingly difficult for four-legged friends to navigate—dog reactivity, anxiety, and general stress from lack of proper enrichment are on the rise in domestic dogs.
In our modern, human-centric world, it can be hard to find spaces for your pup to safely play off leash—especially if they’re a flight risk. Dogs who might run off after interesting smells, prey, or simply because they feel the whim can be a hazard in unfenced areas. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best securely fenced dog parks throughout the United States!
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Considered a medium-sized dog, American Staffordshire Terriers were originally bred in the United Kingdom for baiting bulls, fighting, and hunting beginning in the 1800s — though they're known as gentle, playful lovers today.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, a breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were originally bred in the United States for herding beginning in the 1950s.