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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In the name of Zoey

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.

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.

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.

Montgomery County Animal Shelter

Montgomery County Animal Shelter is located at 8535 SH 242 in Conroe, Texas near The Woodlands, Texas. At MCAS we are dedicated to engaging the hearts, hands, and minds of the community to help animals in Montgomery County. As such, we are devoted to the humane, efficient, high quality care of animals in our shelter. Our vision is to be the nationally recognized model of excellence in animal care and placement where humane organizations throughout the United States see MCAS as the beacon of best practices dedicated to delivering humane, efficient and high quality service. In addition, we long to see the day when shelter killing no longer exists.

DREAM Dachshund Rescue, Education & Adoption Mission

DREAM Dachshund Rescue, Education & Adoption Mission is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing abandoned Dachshunds and finding new homes for Dachshunds whose owners can no longer care for them. Our committed volunteers, working closely with local veterinarians, provide our Dachshunds with quality medical care and loving foster homes until they are adopted into carefully screened, permanent homes. We also serve as a resource to our community, providing information on responsible pet ownership, the importance of spay/neuter, annual vaccinations, heartworm prevention, positive behavior training, exercise, and good nutrition.

Loving Arms Pet Placement

Board of Directors: The members of the Board of Directors is comprised of three individuals, who decided to build the organization Loving Arms Pet Placement to address the problems of stray and abandoned animals in the Harris County region of Texas. They have many years of experience in the rescue and placing into permanent homes of stray or abandoned animals. Through experience they have learned that the shelters are overwhelmed and these particular animals rarely get adopted through the shelter network in the region. We support those compassionate folks who rescue an animal they see in need , we at Loving Arms Pet Placement give them an alternative by our fostering program to give the animal they took off the street a chance for a loving and permanent home. Our Program: Loving Arms Pet Placement is a non profit 501 (c)(3) organization supported entirely by private donations and the support of dedicated volunteers. When an individual rescues a companion animal we offer an alternative to taking the animal to a shelter. If our rescuer agrees to care for the animal’s essential needs such as food, cleanliness and shelter we provide the veterinary care needed to get the animal healthy enough for adoption. All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to being placed for adoption. We will provide organized adoption programs which include our website and arranging sites for the animals to meet the public. Loving Arms Pet Placement also provides humane education to support healthy and loving companion animal/human relationships, and to prevent cruelty of any kind. Loving Arms Pet Placement offers support to other animal welfare organizations and works jointly with other groups to address the problems of stray and abandoned pets.

Bay Area Pet Adoptions

Bay Area Pet Adoptions is a non-profit, 501(c)3 No-Kill shelter, pet rescue, and adoption organization that relies on donations from the public to house, feed, and medically care for the dogs and cats taken in our adoption program. Founded in 1967 as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Galveston County, we DBA as Bay Area Pet Adoptions and Bay Area SPCA. Our non-profit tax ID is 23-7011759. We are not operated or funded by any national animal group and must rely on contributions from the public to keep our shelter open. Donations made to national animal welfare groups do not benefit our organization or our animals. All financial contributions and in-kind donations are tax deductible. What We Do While at our shelter all animals are given a health check by a licensed Veterinarian and are periodically checked by the same Vet for the duration of their stay. They are spayed or neutered, receive full vaccinations, are given their rabies shot, and are microchipped. All animals are on monthly heartworm and flea prevention, and are de-wormed. Our felines are FIV and FeLv negative and our dogs are tested and/or treated for heartworm disease, making them heartworm negative prior to adoption. Socialization is another key to successful adoptions and to a great life outside of our shelter. Our dogs and cats are not kept in their kennels until someone who is interested in adopting them wants to spend time with them. Our dogs and cats are socialized daily in canine play yards or feline play rooms by staff and volunteers. Daily human contact and socialization with other dogs and cats is extremely important for these animals to successfully transition into a home.

Bayou Animal Services & Adoption Center

We envision a day when animals are cherished and no longer need us for protection or shelter. T.E.A.C.H. Values Trust We are trusted in the community because of our professionalism in every interaction – one conversation, one action, one follow-through at a time. Empathy We demonstrate genuine interest, care, and concern for animals and people. We treat all with respect and courtesy, regardless of our differences. Authenticity We are honest with ourselves and with others, and we take responsibility for our mistakes. Our values, ideals, and actions align. Compassion In the face of cruelty or neglect, compassion moves us to say out loud, “This is wrong” – and it drives us to take action to end the suffering. Honor We exemplify ethical and moral behavior.

RedCollar Rescue

REDCOLLAR RESCUE is often the last resort for animals who are left abandoned to die in high-kill shelters or on the streets. REDCOLLAR RESCUE is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3), non-profit animal welfare organization founded by Charlotte Liberda and a small group of passionate volunteers in Houston, Texas, in 2007. We are dedicated to rescuing and providing medical care, foster care, training, and adoptive placement to animals who have been abandoned to die in high-kill shelters or on the streets. REDCOLLAR RESCUE does not discriminate based upon breed, age or health of the animal. We assume full responsibility for all of the animals we rescue, and make every effort to ensure they are healthy and happy and placed into safe and loving forever homes. REDCOLLAR RESCUE is “foster-based.” We do not have a facility in which to house the animals we rescue. We depend on foster parents to provide loving temporary homes. When not enough foster homes are available, we must pay to keep the animals in private boarding kennels. REDCOLLAR RESCUE spends an average of $1,000 per dog and often much more due to the high number of critically injured, abused, and neglected animals we take into our program. We need assistance from the public in the form of volunteering, fostering, and financial help. Your tax deductible donation goes 100% to the animals care. REDCOLLAR RESCUE has successfully rescued, rehabilitated, and re-homed thousands of animals since inception in 2007.

Creo En Ti

"Creo en ti " is a cause close to my heart, driven solely by the desire to create a better world for all living beings. We are dedicated to rescuing animals from situations of violence, trauma, and danger, particularly those suffering on the streets or in overcrowded kennels. ​Each rescued animal is nurtured and prepared for adoption. We ensure they receive essential vaccinations, deworming, sterilization, and microchipping. By addressing the issue of overpopulation through responsible sterilization, we aim to reduce the suffering of animals living and breeding on the streets of Houston

Fort Bend County Animal Services

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.

Houston Cares Animal Rescue

Houston Cares Animal Rescue, formerly known as Westbury CARE, is more than just a 501c3 rescue, it's a community of animal lovers working together to make a difference for animals in Houston. What began as a small group of neighbors trying to help animals in the Westbury area quickly grew into a non-profit rescue because the need in Houston is so great. Despite its growth, Houston Cares has aimed to keep its community feel and is built on the idea that it will take a community of Houstonians to make change. We believe change will only happen through a multi-pronged approach including rescue, education, spay/neuter, and changes to our legislation. We believe that the more the rescue community works together and supports each other, the more the animals benefit and the more change will be seen. We are proud to be a small and growing part of the Houston rescue community. Beyond our foster and adoption program, we have other active rescue efforts. We have a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program helping to address feral cat colonies in SW Houston. We also speak to schools and other groups about rescue and are hoping to grow our outreach program.

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.

Fuzzy Texan Animal Rescue

Westie & Scottie Rescue Houston

We are an all-volunteer, donation-sponsored, non-profit organization dedicated to providing medical care, teaching socialization skills and finding permanent homes for Westies, Scotties, Cairns and small terrier mixes in the Greater Houston and Southern Louisiana area. We have been rescuing Westies and other terrier breeds since 2001 and currently rescue and re-home close to 150 dogs each year. History of Westie Rescue Houston Organization: Westie Rescue Houston is an all-volunteer, donation sponsored, non-profit organization dedicated to providing medical care, socialization skills, and finding permanent homes for Westies, Scotties and Cairns. We attained our non-profit 501(c) 3 status in 2006 but have been rescuing Westies and other terrier breeds since 2001. We currently rescue and re-home close to 100 dogs each year. Westie Rescue Houston operates solely with the help of over 40 dedicated volunteers throughout the greater Houston and Southern Louisiana area. How Our Organization Gets Our Dogs: Westie Rescue Houston receives dogs through multiple channels. Some are strays turned in directly to the organization. Some are from owners surrendering the dog due to finances, health, or family situations. We also receive dogs from over-filled animal shelters and from puppy mill and hoarder seizes. What We Do At Westie Rescue Houston: Westie Rescue Houston organizes dog adoptions, fostering, educational, and public awareness campaigns. We operate fundraising in order to cover the medical care and attention our adoptive dogs require. And finally, we help direct current owners with behavioral and/or medical issues of Westies and Scotties.

Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston, Inc.

Who we are Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston, or BTRGH, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, underpin by a group of volunteers and supporters who tirelessly donate their time and talents to the mission of rescuing Boston Terriers from Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Our goals BTRGH’s goal is to reduce the number of homeless, neglected and abused animals – an overwhelming problem in our country – and place them into responsible, loving furever-homes. What We Do When entering our care, all dogs are examined by our veterinarians, and are: ⁃ treated for any illnesses or injuries (most commonly heartworm and broken bones) ⁃ spayed/neutered ⁃ vaccinated ⁃ dewormed ⁃ bathed ⁃ placed on flea and heartworm preventative Once they have a clean bill of health, they are ready for their new furever-home!

Mr. K's Pet Shelter