#46 in United States, #6 in California
n/a
https://www.betterworldrescue.org
Service areas:
San Joaquin & Stanislaus Counties
"Better World Rescue(BWR) matched my daughter with Delilah, her dog soulmate. We only met Natasha once but it was easy to feel her passion to help animals find a better life and, be default, help people find animals to love."
— sandra p.
Adoptee, Fan
"Great rescue, my brother fosters dogs from here. They have came out to train my dogs, I love this rescue."
— javier g.
Supporter, Fan
"Friendly staff and so helpful"
— georgina g.
Volunteer / foster
"This rescue has helped out so much. I was in a tough situation. I needed a place for the mom and kittens I'd found in my backyard and knew it would be difficult to find any help unless I agreed to foster. This rescue has been amazing. They are highly organized for one. They make sure that you are prepared to foster by going through trainings and meeting all the protocols. Then once you are fostering, they are very supportive by having you submit a google form every week to get reimbursed for expenses, submit pictures of your animals, and ask for any support as needed. Fostering is stressful and a huge commitment, but Better World Rescue definitely makes it easier because they have your back every step of the way."
— jill w.
Volunteer / foster
"They have went above and beyond to help me with feral kittens and others that have been dumped near me"
— scott c.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
"We were so impressed with all the work that BWR was doing in our community and we wanted to be part of that. My husband and I fostered a dog in January 2023 and have been big supporters for this great organization since then. They have successful fund raiser events that we gladly donate to and volunteer our time to help raise money. They provide training for the dogs during their stay and even after they have been adopted. Currently we are fostering a very sick cat that has full dedication from BWR. Wilbur is getting the best vet care, medications and good quality food. The staff are very caring and supportive to me and my husband when we foster and have become friends. They deserve nothing but the highest recognition. Thank you Curt and Cristi Wheeler"
— cristi w.
Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"Better World Rescue was incredible helpful and easy to work with when we needed to pull a shelter dog on the Euthanasia list. They coordinated everything, including transport and vet, swiftly and efficiently. They were incredibly friendly to work with and are great people, I would highly recommend this rescue organization!"
— scott h.
Adoptee
"Better World Rescue has made such a large impact to the community. We have helped hundreds of local animals every year to stay in their homes with the help of training, medical bill assistance, and spay/neuter assistance. We have also helped Manteca Shelter to achieve no-kill status for the first time ever, by helping to increase funding, directly rescuing many animals, helping to find homes for animals in their care, and bringing funding and programming issues to the attention to city council in order to improve/increase resources to the shelter. Last year, Better World Rescue directly rescued 284 animals from euthanasia lists. We also prevented 38 dogs from being surrendered with our shelter diversion training program, where the dogs got the training they needed so that their owners would keep them in their loving homes. We started a proactive group training program that is open to the public in addition to our fosters and adopters, which helps to set up any adopted dogs in our area for success. We helped 29 animals find their new homes in an owner assist rehoming program, where the dogs and cats went directly from their existing owners on to loving forever homes without needing to enter a shelter. We also spayed/neutered 108 public dogs and cats for owners who needed financial assistance to get the surgery done. We fielded over 638 community assistance calls, helping the community to navigate questions around stray animals, veterinary care, training, etc. Better World Rescue is 100% driven by passionate volunteers. We have an amazing, dedicated group of individuals that make all of this possible and we are so thankful for the positive impact we have been able to have on our community."
— natasha p.
Volunteer / foster, Staff member
"We adopted a 3.5 month old Rottie mix and she has fit into our family perfectly. Betterworld even included a 7 week puppy training class! The people at Better World are amazing and we love our big fur baby Mia!!"
— jennifer e.
Adoptee
"At the time, I was interested in volunteering for an animal rescue, my online search led me to Better World Rescue. The rest is history! I am so proud to say I volunteered and will continue to support BWR family- I am such a huge fan! The Better World Rescue family is unmatched. Behind the scenes of BWR is a group of some incredible women who are passionate and devoted to their rescue animals, volunteers, fosters and adoptees. BWR does their best to keep animals in their happy homes and help/ advocate for sheltered animals to find their forever homes. We wouldn’t have our Lita 🐱 if it wasn’t for Better World Rescue, she’s been the sweetest addition to our family. Thank you, BWR! ♥️🐾"
— kristin r.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
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.