The Best Atlanta, GA Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

Adopt a Golden Atlanta

Adopt a Golden Atlanta [AGA] is a volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to finding warm, loving permanent homes for Golden Retrievers [both purebred and high golden mixes] in order to prevent them from becoming strays or adding to the shelter overpopulation. If a non-golden is best friends with a golden who is surrendered to us, non golden will not be left behind and will accompany the golden into our program and placed with the golden to live together in their new home. Golden Retrievers, regardless of medical needs or age, will receive comprehensive evaluation, spay/neutering services, veterinary care, behavioral training if required, and safe passage into a permanent loving home. In addition to providing those services, Adopt a Golden Atlanta is intent on treating dog owners who are faced with surrendering their dogs with the utmost respect, understanding and compassion. It is also our obligation to educate and assist the metropolitan Atlanta general public, and dog owners specifically, regarding issues such as responsible pet ownership, spay/neutering, obedience training, and veterinary/specialists referrals. Our goal is to reduce the number of Golden Retrievers sent to shelters. AGA will never allow a golden to die in a shelter. AGA relies solely on donations and has a 501(c)(3) classification with the IRS. Your donation is tax deductible. We also meet the requirements for corporate matching, employee giving and volunteer grant programs.

Fulton County Animal Services

LifeLine Animal Project, a nonprofit ending the shelter euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals, has been managing the Fulton County Animal Services (FCAS) shelter since 2013. FCAS provides humane care for the animals at the shelter, veterinary care including spay/neuters, pet adoptions, animal reclaims, volunteer and foster opportunities and rescue group coordination. Also, we provide field enforcement services through our Animal Services Officers.

Tails of Hope

Tails of Hope was founded in 2020 as a 501(c)3 organization but the genesis began long before that. In 2013, their sister organization, Coco’s Cupboard, began partnering with a local group whose mission was to assist military service members and veterans to lead healthy, productive lives. We loved connecting those who are wounded or suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Brain Injury with ADA-compliant service dogs. Overtime, as our program grew, so began the start of the Tails of Hope journey. As our reputation in the local community grew, it brought many non-veterans in need to their door. Anxious to serve them as well, Tails of Hope Service Dogs was formed. We are now an all-inclusive organization serving anyone who could benefit from a service dog. Tails of Hope dogs do everything from monitoring a diabetic child’s blood sugar, “sweeping a room” for a veteran for PTSD, to helping a young autistic girl cope with bullying in her school.

Atlanta Humane Society

The Atlanta Humane Society is a no-kill shelter providing sheltering and adoption, veterinary care, and community outreach to the Atlanta Metro. As one of the oldest charities in Atlanta, Georgia, we have been caring for our community and animals for more than 148 years.

LifeLine Animal Project

Human Animal Support Services (HASS) is a new national coalition of shelters. They are reimagining sheltering by promoting community involvement and helping people and pets stay together. Our ultimate goal is to reduce the number of animals who unnecessarily enter the shelter by refocusing efforts, resources and support to offer community-based solutions. As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, LifeLine Animal Project, like many other shelters, was supported by animal lovers who fostered pets, adopted, helped lost or found animals get back to their homes. This support gave animal welfare organizations the opportunity to collaborate with our communities in new ways and has allowed us to create a better model of animal services.

Southeast GSP Rescue

We are a close-knit group of volunteers in AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC & TN. We find loving homes for GSPs in need, promote animal welfare & responsible breeding, and educate the public about this incredible breed that has brought us together.