This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in District of Columbia. These remarkable organizations have been recognized for their unwavering dedication to the well-being of countless dogs. We've compiled this list by gathering heartfelt testimonials from both the Sniffspot community and the wider public, ensuring a comprehensive perspective on these exceptional shelters.
#15 in United States, #1 in District of Columbia
German Shepherd, Pit Bull, Rottweiler
Washington
Laila's Legacy was founded with a mission to ensure dogs impacted by breed bias and behavioral or physical challenges have a chance at a better life. Laila, our name sake, was an incredible dog who had a behavioral challenge that caused aggression towards dogs. Laila loved her humans, and especially our Co-Founder, Ashe. She was a large bully breed so her size combined with local breed bias meant sometimes people were afraid of her. But that didn't stop her from winning people over with her goofy energy. The rescue she was with did not have the resources to support Laila and couldn't find a suitable partner to take on her care because of her size and breed. As a result she was euthanized. Laila's Legacy was founded to save dogs like Laila. We never want a dog to be euthanized because an owner, a volunteer, or an organization didn't have the resources or because breed bias stopped them from getting the help they deserved. Dogs like Laila deserve a chance at life and that's what we're here to do!
"Doing great work, really know what they are doing and stay positive doing it."
— sophia k.
Fan
"Doing great work with animals and Ashe is the best to work with"
— sophia h.
Fan
#156 in United States, #2 in District of Columbia
Washington
City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue (CDCK) is a nonprofit organization that rescues animals in overcrowded, under-resourced shelters. We are often the last hope for animals, many of whom would otherwise not be rescued due to injuries or other medical problems. We rely exclusively on donations to provide critical veterinary care and on passionate volunteers to provide foster homes and operational support. We find loving adoptive homes for dogs and cats in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, thereby enriching the lives of both humans and animals.
"I adopted my amazing dog from City Dogs and City Kitties 10 years ago and had an excellent experience. They..."
— sarah s.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"I got involved with City Dogs & City Kitties after a friend of mine kept sharing their posts on social..."
— megan e.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
Laila's Legacy was founded with a mission to ensure dogs impacted by breed bias and behavioral or physical challenges have a chance at a better life. Laila, our name sake, was an incredible dog who had a behavioral challenge that caused aggression towards dogs. Laila loved her humans, and especially our Co-Founder, Ashe. She was a large bully breed so her size combined with local breed bias meant sometimes people were afraid of her. But that didn't stop her from winning people over with her goofy energy. The rescue she was with did not have the resources to support Laila and couldn't find a suitable partner to take on her care because of her size and breed. As a result she was euthanized. Laila's Legacy was founded to save dogs like Laila. We never want a dog to be euthanized because an owner, a volunteer, or an organization didn't have the resources or because breed bias stopped them from getting the help they deserved. Dogs like Laila deserve a chance at life and that's what we're here to do!
City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue (CDCK) is a nonprofit organization that rescues animals in overcrowded, under-resourced shelters. We are often the last hope for animals, many of whom would otherwise not be rescued due to injuries or other medical problems. We rely exclusively on donations to provide critical veterinary care and on passionate volunteers to provide foster homes and operational support. We find loving adoptive homes for dogs and cats in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, thereby enriching the lives of both humans and animals.
Welcome to the 2024 District of Columbia Sniffspot Top Dog Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top rescues and shelters in District of Columbia chosen by the Sniffspot community and the public.
Sponsored by Sniffspot, the largest global network of private dog parks, each park offers secure, private bookings on private land, including fenced, water, indoor, and beach parks. As a hub for rescue dogs, our sponsorship underscores our dedication to supporting shelters and rescues. Explore District of Columbia dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.
We work with adopters to help them find a dog that is the right fit for them and their lifestyle! We do require pets in the home are altered and up to date on medical care, and require any animals we adopt to them are indoor only and have a training requirement to be started within a month of adoption. We don't require a yard but rather focus on a proper plan for mental, social, and physical enrichment.
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.
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.