The Best Houston, TX Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

Friends For Life Animal Shelter

We're here for the undercat and underdog, regardless of their breed, age or condition. Houston-grown, we're here to help our neighbors care for the pets they love. We're not done until every animal has a safe home. Until then, we'll be innovating, improving and tracking results to find the most effective ways to save lives.

THREE LITTLE PITTIES RESCUE

Three Little Pitties Rescue is a non-profit, 501c3 all-breed dog and cat rescue dedicated to saving animals out of desperate situations, primarily in the Houston, Texas area. From 2018 to 2024 the rescue has saved 13,000+ animals and delivered them to better lives up north.

Donna's love pet rescue

Our charitable, tax-exempt mission is to save as many lives as possible by giving homeless and lost animals a warm and special touch to show them that they are loved so they can trust again and return that love. I served in the military (Navy) from 1989 till 1993. My passion in life has always been to work with and care for animals. I have 7 dogs of my own (Palen, Rocsco, BK, Chico, Beau, Star and Annie). All of my dogs, except Palen, were found and taken in by my facility, The Dog House Pet Salon. If I could take every rescue home with me, I would. We have taken in over 290 homeless and lost animals since we opened our doors for business at The Dog house Pet Salon in 2009. We have re-homed 289 of them. Dash has been with us for one year. Dash needs a little more training to become confident and trust humans again. If I cannot re-home one of my loved ones, they will stay with me and live a good life. We believe that every lost animal with a microchip, rabies id/vet tag number or a name tag should be able to be identified and the parents contacted in a matter of seconds. We created the innovative My Pet Credentials mobile app for that very reason ‚an easy to use digital platform to empower the parents of lost pets with a means to find their lost pet quickly and efficiently without the need of calling, faxing or emailing. Pet owners, pet salons, rescue shelters and veterinarians can download the MPC app or register at www.mypetcredentials.com. The cost to pet owners is $16.99 annually. The platform is free for pet salons, rescue shelters and veterinarians. I am most proud of the lost and found function that is part of the MPC pet service platform. Pet owners enter the microchip number or rabies id/vet tag number in their pet's profile. If someone finds the pet, they can use the MPC mobile app or go to www.mpclost.com to identify the lost pet by entering any one of three tracking numbers. The MPC platform will immediately display: A picture of the pet (front, left and right Image) The pet's name, age, gender, breed, color and markings The pet's most current vaccinations A button to contact the owner who will receive a text, email and mobile app notification with the good Samaritan‚ name, phone number, email and message When someone finds a pet, MPC‚ lost and found function assists in reuniting the lost pet with their family, quickly and efficiently, by giving the Samaritan the ability to enter the lost pet's name, age, gender, breed, color and any markings along with any microchip, rabies id or vet tag number (tracking numbers) and upload an image of the lost pet. Once the tracking information has been entered by the Samaritan the family of the lost pet will be able to go to our universal lost and found website, www.mpclost.com, to input their pet's tracking information and our platform will display to the family an image of their pet, the pet's name as reported by the good Samaritan, age, gender, breed, color and any markings and the name, address and phone number where the pet can be reunited with their family. This innovative process reunites lost pets found with a microchip or rabies id or vet tag number with their families quickly and efficiently by eliminating the need to post lost and found flyers or waste time calling animal shelters, city pounds or veterinarians to locate their lost pet. I could go on about all the features of the MPC platform such as transfer of ownership, vaccination records storage, vaccination reminders and scheduling appointments with your pet salon. We created Donna's Love Pet Rescue for people who want to help end homelessness for animals and provide an easy to use digital platform to help identify pets, contact owners of lost pets quickly and efficiently and allow owners of lost pets with a microchip or rabies id or vet tag number to be registered with MPC for a quick and joyous reunion! The donation we receive from you helps with. Vetting Food Training Fostering Transportation Spay and neuter Our goal is also to educate the community on the importance of spay and neutering, having dogs vetted and properly trained and provided with appropriate identification markers. Animals are family too. To make a tax-deductible donation by mail: Donna's Love Pet Rescue 5917 Richmond Ave. Houston, TX 77057

Texas Sled Dog Rescue

Texas Sled Dog Rescue is a small rescue focusing on finding fur-ever homes for sled dog types (Siberian huskies and Alaskan Malamutes, and mixes). While in rescue, we will place them in foster homes, provide basic training as needed, and vetting which includes vaccinations, spay or neuter, microchip and other medical services as needed. Our volunteers are involved in all facets of rescue including but not limited to fundraising, transporting, evaluating dogs, respresenting the rescue at local dog events, fostering, etc.

Caitie's Foster Fam Rescue

Founded in May 2021, we are a non-profit 501(c)3 rescue made up of animal-loving individuals. Our team consists of animal rescuers who have been making a difference in the lives of homeless pets for over a decade. We each started as volunteers and fosters, specializing in medical needs cases. Because of the high demand for more medical fosters and rescuers, we decided to join together and start our own non-profit rescue. We are an entirely foster-based organization, so we do not have a physical shelter. All animals are kept in loving foster homes. Our founder, Caitie, has been fostering medical cases in the Houston area for over ten years.

Corridor Rescue

Corridor Rescue was born in 2009 when Deborah Hoffman, while driving through the area to work, realized there was a horrible problem with abandoned and stray animals. Her tenacity and love for the dogs would not allow her to stand by and watch...Corridor Rescue was conceived! Corridor Rescue is named after a 14 square mile area of Northeast Houston dubbed ‚'The Corridor of Cruelty'. The sheer number of dogs abandoned, dumped and allowed to roam the streets in this area is mind boggling. But sadly, the Corridor area is known for animal cruelty. The animals are unwanted, seen as a nuisance, and in some cases wrongly thought of as aggressive. People hit them, throw things at them, shoot them, fight them, and even deliberately run them over. Corridor Rescue has grown phenomenally over the last decade. What started as a one-woman show now has multiple volunteer teams and a kennel facility where we are able to take our rescued street dogs directly off the street for rehabilitation. The facility can house up to 30 dogs and is staffed with two Veterinary Technicians and three Kennel Technicians. The dogs receive medical care and enrichment to begin healing and to put them on the road to their forever home. Corridor Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is solely funded by the generosity of our wonderful donors and supporters. We are a volunteer-based organization, always looking for enthusiastic, outgoing, motivated, and animal loving volunteers to join our team. Corridor Rescue has a number of areas that you can help save lives.

Wag Again Rescue

Wag Again is a section 501(c)(3) foster based dog rescue group with years of animal and rescue experience amongst our volunteers. Wag Again is committed to helping the neediest, as well as the readily adoptable, among our community's most vulnerable creatures. We are a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to restoring the dogs under our care to physical and emotional health as they await placement in loving, responsible homes. Virtually all donated funds will be spent directly on the care of the animals. Wag Again stands ready to help you, the prospective adopter or foster home, find a companion who will thrive in your home. We are here to assist you in every way possible throughout the adoption process and will continue to be a helpful resource after you have welcomed your new pets into your life.

Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue

Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue is a Houston area 501(c)(3) non profit organization dedicated to rescuing homeless and abandoned puppies and dogs from high-kill shelters and owners who can no longer care for them. By working with committed volunteers, foster homes, local veterinarians, trainers, and boarding facilities, we are able to rescue countless animals every year, provide them with loving foster care, and ultimately find them well-matched, carefully screened forever homes. We also plan to serve as a resource to our community and all pet owners by providing education and information on responsible pet ownership, including the importance of spay/neuter, positive behavior training, and good nutrition and care.

Adopt A Rescued Friend

We rescue animals from the street, pull animals from local shelters and accept owner surrenders. AARF Houston not only rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes these animals; we also provide support to our Veterans and low income community to vaccinate, spay and neuter their family pets. Contact us for more information.We specialize in animals that have been hurt, or are ill. Our army of veterinarians are some of the best and step up to help when we find an animal in need. AARF Houston has worked with some of the best Veterinarians in Texas. Some of our rescued dogs participated in a blood donor program to provide life sustaining blood and plasma. Our Orthopedic surgeons have repaired broken legs, hips and faces. We have several dogs with successful hip replacements. We have an unbeatable success rate for Parvo and Distemper. Of course, our vets provide every day care for our rescued animals as well. It takes a team! Texas has an animal homeless problem. In 2023, it was estimated that there were over 1 million homeless animals in Texas with 3.1 million nationwide. Non Profit Rescue Groups are an integral part of the solution. We rescue animals from the street, pull from local shelters and accept owner surrenders. AARF Houston not only rescues and rehomes these animals, we also provide community support to spay and neuter families that are in need of help. We specialize in animals that have been hurt, or are ill. Our army of veterinarians are some of the best and step up to help when we find an animal in need. AARF Houston has worked with some of the best orthopedic surgeons to provide hip replacements, cure Parvo and distemper, and provide basic health care. Some of our rescued dogs participated in a blood donor program to provide life sustaining blood and plasma.In order for AARF Houston to help these abandoned animals, we need donations, sponsors and dedicated volunteers.

In the name of Zoey

Lola's Lucky Day

Lola's Lucky Day strives to make a positive impact by rescuing animals that otherwise would not have a chance in Texas. We rescue pups from the streets and shelters, get them healthy, fully vetted, spayed/neutered, and network with our partner rescues in Wisconsin to match them with loving families.

Forgotten coast animal rescue

Our co-founders Rachell Jones and Courtney Lomelo met in 2019 where all good rescue ladies hang out: Facebook groups dedicated to rescuing dogs. Although Rachell lives in Florida, and Courtney in Texas, together they networked and found a home for their first dog together! His name was Ryder. Courtney began rescuing street dogs in 2011 and Rachell entered the rescue world in 2018 inspired by countless dogs displaced by Hurricane Michael in Florida. The duo went on to network several more dogs on high-kill Houston shelters' euthanasia lists. They got to know each other over late night calls and Facebook messages. A true modern friendship! Finally, they decided to officially form a rescue together and Forgotten Coast Animal Rescue was born. Forgotten Coast Animal Rescue was named for Rachell's home coast in Florida. Presently, FCAR operates primarily in Houston, Texas. We hope to expand to North Florida, the forgotten coast, in the coming years to care for Rachell's home state.

Rocio’s Rescues

Our Rescue is very small and operated by only volunteers that have also full time jobs and families and dedicate their free time and personal resources to rescue animals in need. We are located in Houston, TX, normally our dogs travel to foster homes in the MA and CT area before going to their forever homes, but because of the demand in the adoptions this year our dogs are traveling in foster to adopt now, this means our dogs travel directly to adopters who pick them up from transport in East Hartford CT when they leave their Texas fosters. Our dogs travel in Professional pet transport to the arms of their loving prospective adopters. After the dog arrives we usually wait 2 to 3 weeks before we finalize the adoption. We want to make sure the dog is happy and the new family is too! Rocio’s Rescues works very hard to make perfect matches between families and rescue dogs and cats. Filling an application is the first step in that process followed by a phone call and a Facetime call with the dog or cat and the adopters. Five out of seven pets are re-homed in their lifetime. Rocio’s Rescues wants to change this model for the lucky few we save, finding LOVING, COMMITTED FOREVER HOMES.

Sunnyside Street Dogs

At Sunnyside Street Dogs, we believe every dog deserves a loving home and a happy life. We rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome street dogs, ensuring they receive the care and love they need. Our mission is to create a world where every dog is valued, protected, and cherished.

Greater Houston German Shepherd Dog Rescue

is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization founded in 2008. We are a breed-specific organization dedicated to rescuing and rehoming German Shepherds in Houston, Texas and surrounding areas. GHGSDR is guided by three core values: dedication, integrity, and compassion. We are devoted to finding homes for our GSDs with people who want to continue our mission of giving these dogs a better life and a second chance. Our GSDs are obtained from public shelters after they have completed a stray-hold period or they are surrendered to us directly by their owners. We strive to ensure that each dog in our care is given the love, attention, and medical care they need to thrive. We believe that every dog deserves a second chance at a happy life. All of our rescued German Shepherds are placed in a foster home while we work tirelessly to find loving, forever homes; carefully matching each dog with an adoptive family who will provide them with the love and care they deserve. We attribute our success in rehoming German Shepherds to our wonderful volunteers. We have many volunteers who have been with us since inception, which gives us stability and a sense of history. We also have newer volunteers who bring enthusiasm and new ideas to our group, which is essential for us to continue our mission. As an all-volunteer run organization, we all hold different jobs in our actual lives. We are not professionals in animal behavior, training, or health, but we work closely with local veterinarians, trainers, and other animal welfare organizations to ensure that our dogs receive the best possible care and support.

IDOG Rescue, Inc.

WHO WE ARE • IDOG Rescue, Inc. was created in 2006 as a national not-for-profit 501(c)(3) foster-based rescue dedicated to the protection of Doodles. • We have foster homes throughout the U.S. • IDOG has successfully assisted over 3,000 Doodles find their forever homes since 2006. WHAT WE DO RESCUE • We work with shelters around the country to ensure that Doodles are pulled as quickly as possible. • We also accept owner-surrendered Doodles. • We accept Doodles regardless of color, coat type or heartworm status. Doodles with other medical issues or behavioral issues are considered based on our ability to treat and successfully place them in a foster home and eventually an adoptive home. REHOME • We offer our rehoming services to owners who need to find their Doodle a new home. • We work hard to find a good fit where the dog and the adoptive family thrive.

Central Texas Dachshund Rescue

Central Texas Dachshund Rescue was started in September of 2000. Our membership has grown yearly, providing more foster families and volunteers to help find loving, forever homes for our dachshunds. We were incorporated in September of 2001 and we received 501(c)3 status in February 2003. And, despite our name, we are no longer only in Central Texas, but have members and volunteers throughout the state.

Save Some Souls

Pura Sanguine

We’re a group of dedicated animal advocates and experienced veterinary industry professionals who are determined to save as many lives as possible. Our animal care technicians, veterinary technicians, attending veterinarians, and company leaders believe that heroes are not just found on the pages of comic books.

Jade's Legacy

John is a one-man show. Crazy multilingual dog training dog rescuing MBA Buddhist rugby playing distance running music enthusiast guy who abandoned the corporate grind to work with dogs. Our History Jade's Legacy was sprouted from Zen Dogs, John's boarding and training business. For years he was rescuing so many dogs, and all those vet charges and transport fees and food costs were eating at the business's bottom line. So he filed for the 501c3 at the end of 2019.

Gulf Coast and Southern Texas Animal Rescue Services (Gulf Coast STARS)

All Border Collie Rescue

All Border Collie Rescue ("ABCR") is a registered 501c(3) non-profit volunteer-run organization dedicated to the rescue of border collies across Texas. Founded in November of 2008, ABCR has rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed over 1,500 border collies. The dogs we rescue come from many different sources, including shelters, owner relinquishment, abandoned strays and sometimes even other rescues that aren't well equipped to work with this breed. Many of our rescues come to us emaciated, mistreated/abused, HW+, and with numerous other health and behavioral issues. These dogs are placed into our experienced foster network of volunteers, many of whom have had decades of experience with border collies. In these foster families, the dogs are loved, safely nurtured back to health and become family-ready companions with new leases on life.

D&A Animal Rescue

D & A Animal Rescue is a no kill, foster based non – profit organization just outside of Houston. At D & A we wish that no animal endures the pain and suffering of a life on a chain, abandonment, abuse, or neglect. Our volunteers work to support and preserve the precious lives that are in our care regardless of the mountains we must climb to get there. We assist dogs in distress without regard to age, breed, or ease of placement. All animals in our care are spayed or neutered, receive all appropriate veterinary care and treatment, micro-chipped and placed in a nurturing foster home while they await adoption to their permanent homes. Our adopters must have a home that is loving, responsible and committed. We have a comprehensive adoption process which includes taking considerable care in finding good matches and educating prospective adopters about the responsibilities and costs of bringing a dog into their homes and lives. Education is key to combating this epidemic in the animal welfare community.

Rosenberg Animal Control & Shelter

Rosenberg Animal Control and Shelter is a managed-intake Animal Control facility for stray, lost, and surrendered animals from within the city limits of Rosenberg. Our aim is to place as many adoptable animals into responsible and loving homes, while protecting public safety. Through extensive adoption efforts and networking, our shelter commits to achieving, and exceeding, a 90% live-release rate. With the help from our community, animal welfare partners, and grantors, we strive to ensure every possible positive outcome for our homeless pets.

Big Love Rescue

The Charity's specific purpose is to rescue lost or abandoned dogs from shelters, from the streets or from owners who are no longer able to care for them. Our goal is to prevent further euthanasia of these animals. All dogs receive medical care and behavioral training as needed to prepare them for a new home. ​We do not have a facility. All of our dogs are in foster homes. The charity will also focus on efforts to educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering their animals to prevent the overpopulation of animals in Texas.

Angleton Animal Services Adoption Center

The Angleton Animal Services Adoption Center is located at 535 South Anderson. It is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. Please contact Animal Services at 979-848-5696 for staff availability. Pet Adoption Program Angleton Animal Services Adoption Center has a pet adoption program, offering a nice selection of small, medium and large dogs, plus a variety of cats and kittens for adoption into good homes. To make the adoption process more efficient, download the relevant application form. Please click here for the dog form or here for the cat form. In accordance with Texas State law, all animals adopted from Animal Control must be spayed or neutered and given all required shots and vaccinations.

Belle's Buds Rescue

Belle’s Buds Rescue is passionate about making a difference in the lives of people and dogs. We want to save dogs of all sizes and breeds. We envision a day where every adoptable dog has a loving, safe, forever home, and is no longer suffering alone on the streets. We rescue, heal, foster, and adopt dogs in need. Belle's Buds Rescue was co-founded by Tammy Livingston and Julia Stanzer, neighbors and best friends that share a love and passion for dogs and animals alike. Belle's Buds Rescue was formed to carry on the memory of Tammy's beloved dog Belle. Belle had a caring spirit, a calming manner and the dedication to care for every person and animal that crossed her path. Belle was not only an amazing therapy dog who changed the lives of many people, she was truly an angel on earth to many furry friends as well. While Belle can never be replaced, Tammy was left with a hole in her heart after she survived two floods at her home, lost her husband, and then shortly after lost Belle in December 2017. Tammy and Julia ventured together on-line and at shelters to give another loving dog a forever home. It was at that time they learned about the severity of the stray dog problem in Houston and they also wanted to make a difference in the lives of abandoned dogs by offering foster homes. ​ In April of 2018, Julia was on her way to work when she saw a dog running across a Farm-to-Market road and suddenly get hit by a truck. The driver of the truck never hit his breaks and kept on going leaving the dog crying in agony. Without even thinking, Julia ran to the dog, picked him up and put him in her truck. After calling animal control and even going to the police station but not getting the answer she wanted to hear, she called Tammy and they both agreed they need to just take him to the vet. She picked up Tammy and together they took him to the closest vet where they put him on oxygen and offered to give him the best care while they searched for his potential owners. Miraculously he had no broken bones! After posting on social media looking for owners and asking for help, an amazing Good Samaritan called the vet and paid the entire bill so they could bring Adam home. It was at that pivotal moment when they both agreed it was time to start their own dog rescue; so they took Adam under their wing and started calling themselves Belle's Buds Rescue. Fast forward to June 2020, BBR opened a NorthEast hub with co-leaders Lia Post and Michelle Sayer primarily based in Upstate New York (Rochester area) and Jen Foster joined our team Winter of 2022. Today and thousands of dogs later they have truly found their calling matching dogs with their forever homes and making a difference in the lives of so many furry friends and people alike.

Pasadena Animal Shelter & Adoption Center

At Pasadena Animal Shelter, we care about people and pets. In fact, we assist more than 7,000 animals annually. As a function of the Pasadena Public Health Department, preventing the spread of disease is our number one mission. But we strive to achieve so much more.

Rescued Pets Movement

Tragically, thousands of homeless dogs and cats are needlessly euthanized in the Greater Houston area each year simply because of pet overpopulation. Rescued Pets Movement Inc. is a 501c3 organization that provides a second chance for thousands of homeless dogs and cats through rescue, rehabilitation and transport to forever homes in communities throughout the United States that have a demand for adoptable pets. Since starting operations in late 2013, Rescued Pets Movement has saved the lives of nearly 87,000 homeless companion animals by rescuing them from area shelters and transporting them to their new forever homes via our reputable rescue partners across the U.S..

Animal Rescue Kingdom (A.R.K.)

Animal Rescue Kingdom (A.R.K.) is a small rescue group. We save dogs out of high kill shelters and off the streets in Texas and transport them for adoption up North. We have been rescuing dogs in Texas for over 17 years! We are a registered 501c3 organization.