#141 in United States, #18 in California
N/A
Service areas:
San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles Counties
"Mad mutts rescues & rehabs so many dogs from shelters. She gives all dogs a chance & finds wonderful homes for them. We don’t get a lot of rescue support for our shelter but mar mutts always supports our pups!"
— marissa l.
Volunteer / foster
"They are an amazing rescue and fabulous advocate for animals. I have enjoyed any interaction with them, and they have always been so open and warm!"
— daniele m.
Volunteer / foster
"Made Mutts have saved hundreds of dogs that were about to be euthanized in shelters across California. They have stepped up so many times for dogs that have had no interest by adopters or rescues. They are very transparent about how they spend their donors money and how the dogs are coming along in their care . I would highly recommend anyone who is looking for a dog to adopt to inquire with them because they have lots of great dogs up for adoption."
— jo a.
Supporter
"Mad Mutts is an amazing rescue that is run by an amazing woman. Mad Mutts rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes dogs at risk of being euthanized at shelters in the Southern California area. Mad Mutts will even rescue a dog on the day that it is scheduled to be killed. Mad Mutts does not shy away from dogs that have medical or behavioral histories and they are especially good with the pit bull-type mixes that are often stigmatized and overlooked. Not only does Mad Mutts directly rescue dogs, but they also support other rescues in doing so. Mad Mutts uses their network to help other rescues find homes for their dogs, and they have hosted events with a local bully breed group to bring people together for the good of the dogs. Mad Mutts also shares educational information with the community on how to properly care for a rescue dog and dog welfare in general. Mad Mutts has also used their resources to help out a former foster youth whose dog was hit by a car. Mad Mutts truly helps all dogs no matter what and any funds received will save several lives."
— madison m.
Supporter
"We adopted our dog Penny three months ago from Mad Mutts. Sheila made the whole process so smooth and pleasant. She talked to me for weeks about dogs and what would be a great fit for us before we adopted. She even brought three different dogs to our house to meet. I had my eye on a couple different dogs than the one we ended up adopting. Sheila ended up choosing a different family for the first dog because of the dog’s specific needs which was completely understandable and respectable. The other dog I had asked to meet ended up being more energy than our household needed so we ended up choosing Penny which was one of the dogs Sheila brought over additionally because she thought Penny would be a better fit. And boy are we glad she did. Penny is the perfect dog for us! Mad Mutts not only pulls dogs who are on the euthanasia lists at shelters (like our Penny) all across southern California but she gets to know each dog and is able to give fosters and adopters really important information to make sure it’s the best fit for both dogs and people. We are so grateful to have worked with Mad Mutts and will always recommend and adopt through this organization in the future."
— brittany l.
Adoptee
"Mad Mutts has gone above and beyond to help save countless dogs from euthanasia at some of CA top high kill shelters. She is one rescue who continues to advocate for her dogs even once they have left the shelter! Her dogs are often seen at numerous events, and provides so many awesome updates of these babies living their best lives of freedom! Mad Mutts has also saved TriPawds & medical dogs- giving them a true second shot at life! She supports her fosters and friends in rescue! We love Mad Mutts❤️🐾"
— hailey w.
Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"Sheila is the best person ever she helped me so much wit my dog that got hit by a car if it wasn’t for her help i wouldn’t of been able to get him the help needed"
— naadiya a.
Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"Sheila embodies what a rescue founder and animal advocate is - she works tirelessly to save dogs from high kill shelters, running around after her career job wraps up in the evenings, and all weekend in her “free” time, literally driving hours to get to the areas of most need in SoCal, going above and beyond to place them in homes that are the right fit for them. I’m writing this with my Mad Mutts dog fat head snoozing on my lap, because she drove to our house in LA from San Diego with several kid friendly dogs to meet w our toddlers, when she knew how important the right fit with kids would be. Our dog was a Mad Mutts foster fail that I never would have met if she didn’t make all the extra effort she does to pull from shelters hours from her home because they are so overwhelmed, then getting to know the dogs and her fosters as well as she does. She takes the time to assess the dogs as much as possible and takes every step to get them into the right homes. I’m in awe of all she juggles and the big heart she has!"
— jana b.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"Mad Mutts is an amazing rescue. Their founder Sheila is truly tireless in her efforts to rescue and rehome the dogs. We put in an application for the dog we ended up adopting - I received a call within an hour where she discussed our lifestyle and the dogs they currently had in their care that sounded like they would be ideal for us. All while she was on the road to bring back a previously-adopted puppy that was not working out in the adoptive home (no fault of the dog). This is a small local rescue that deserves its flowers!"
— alison a.
Adoptee
"I have worked with Sheila on many occasions, she is the president and founder of the organization. When I say she is the goat, I just don’t throw that word around. She is an advocate for getting her dogs seen, making sure they go to the right home, and does all of this while also working another full time job. She is wonderful and her group deserves all of the recognition and praise. The world needs more of them."
— dana s.
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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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