This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in Montana. 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.
#266 in United States, #1 in Montana
Bozeman
Heart of the Valley, Inc. (HOV) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit animal shelter located in Bozeman and serving the Gallatin and Madison Valleys. Our primary service area includes Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks, Big Sky, West Yellowstone. HOV also has contracts to serve as a stray holding facility for Gallatin County, City of Bozeman, City of Belgrade and the Town of Manhattan. HOV is an open admission shelter which means we accept any dog or cat brought to the shelter regardless of condition or circumstance. In addition to reuniting lost pets with their families and finding new homes for homeless animals, HOV serves as a resource for the community by providing programs and services designed to help bring people and pets together. We offer humane education programming, canine training classes and behavioral consultations, special adoption programs for senior adults and military veterans, low cost micro-chipping, ID tags, pet licensing and a no cost Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP).
"Rescued my cat from Heart of the Valley four years ago and they took great care of him and he..."
— toni s.
Adoptee
"Beautiful and caring no-kill shelter in Bozeman, MT. I spoke with a volunteer who has been there for many many..."
— chelsie g.
Fan
#361 in United States, #2 in Montana
The Humane Society of Western Montana was incorporated in 1963 as the Missoula Humane Society. At that time, our community had a considerable overpopulation of pets. So much so that thousands came through our doors and difficult decisions were made. Fast forward to the present and there is much to celebrate. Our community embraced spay/neuter programs and as a result, the sheer volume of pets coming through our doors for rehoming dropped from over 8,000 to approximately 1,400. HSWM is grateful for the work of all our volunteers and staff over the years. We wish our work was done. However, in many ways it is just beginning. When we consider pet welfare across the state, there are many areas where spay/neuter has simply been an unavailable and unaffordable service. There are communities where pet populations are at unsustainable levels and dogs and cats go hungry. People and pets in those areas need our help. And, as costs rise, many here in Missoula are now finding they cannot afford care. This is why we offer free vaccine clinics, low cost spay neuter services and travel long distances to provide care to underserved clients and pets. Through our programs, which include a robust foster care system, food pantry, behavior hotline and veterinary care, we serve more animals outside the shelter than within our walls. And we are growing.
"HSWMT does so much good for our communities and the animals here. They put on free/low cost immunization and spay/neuter,..."
— kris b.
Fan
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Billings
Janeen’s Catahoula Leopard Dog Rescue (JCLDR) is a 501c3 nonprofit dog rescue, consisting of volunteers who worked together successfully in years past for other rescue organizations. JCLDR was officially organized in 2014. After being in rescue 15 years, serving in the capacity of Coordinator at Large, in-house behaviorist and Vice President, Janeen Jackson pulled together trusted volunteers to create JCLDR, sharing 40 years of experience and expertise with the Catahoula breed. Our goal is to be a help to the staggering numbers of dogs being thrown away, traumatized, and euthanized. We wish to aid humans in keeping their commitments to dogs, through education and support. We offer a proven Board of Directors who are compatible in rescue and skilled in business operations. In spite of hectic lifestyles, we each share part of the load as volunteers, seeking no reward or benefit for ourselves except giving life another chance. Dogs are not unfeeling pieces of furniture, and they deserve love, dignity, and a second chance. We are passionate about our mission, and for many of us it is a personal one. We understand that sometimes all people really need to inspire them to give a dog another chance, is to hear someone say, “I can help. Together we can make it work; I believe in you.” We strive to build a bridge of trust.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Governed by a Board of Directors, HSNWMT is a private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) limited admission, no-kill organization that focuses on finding caring, loving homes for orphaned cats and dogs and ending the destruction of healthy adoptable pets. Our Board of Directors consists of Flathead Valley residents who are concerned about animal welfare and who live and work in the area. The HSNWMT staff consists of a dedicated team of animal care and administrative professionals. On behalf of the orphaned animals that we serve, thank you for the opportunity to acquaint you with our life saving organization. Located between two of the fastest growing cities in Montana, Whitefish and Kalispell, the Humane Society of Northwest Montana is home of the Charlotte Edkins Animal Adoption Center. Our facility which opened its doors to the general public on July 1, 2004 sits on fourteen acres and it is built in the shape of a horseshoe. Our original architectural design resembled a rectangle and was approximately 10,000 square feet in size. Due to budget constraints at the time of construction however, we had to sacrifice the amount of kennel space for dogs and decrease overall dimensions. After completion of our cost-cutting concessions of approximately 3,000 square feet in the final build-out, the result was 39 kennels for cats and 17 kennels for dogs.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Billings
Founded in 2006, Beartooth Humane Alliance is the only animal welfare organization in Carbon and Stillwater counties. Our mission is to help our community help animals. From its inception, BHA has been responsive to community needs, assisting in adoptions, lost and found pets, spay/neuter and humane education. Our work started in 2003 when an informal group of concerned community members held Carbon County’s first ever spay/neuter clinic, dubbed Operation Nip & Tuck. With the help of generous donors and more than 100 volunteers, 332 dogs and cats were spayed or neutered at no cost to their owners. Operation Nip & Tuck continued every year through 2015 before transitioning to a by-appointment model. Since the program started more than 5,000 dogs and cats have been spayed/neutered. Unlike other animal rescue organizations, BHA does not operate a shelter. Instead, we rely on a network of foster homes that house homeless pets until they are permanently placed. BHA is a 501(c)3 non-profit tax exempt corporation and operates entirely on donations.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
RezQ Dogs is a non-profit organization, located in north-central Montana, committed to helping the unwanted and abandoned dogs from the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. RezQ Dogs' facility is open by appointment only. We respectively ask that ALL visitors request an appointment at least 24 hours in advance of their visit by emailing rezqdogs@gmail.com. Due to the unpredictable nature of our work we do not have set hours of operation. Please be patient with us and we will return your email as soon as possible. RezQ Dogs receives no governmental or tribal funding and operates solely on private donations, fundraisers, adoption fees, and grants.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
The Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center is located at 900 25th Avenue NE in Great Falls, MT. The 13,600 square foot facility provides temporary shelter to cats and dogs in a safe, pleasant and humane environment. Training and education areas provide space for humane education (including kids camps) and training courses. Facility Areas Include: • Public reception, viewing, and visiting areas with an appealing atmosphere to maximize adoptions • A variety of housing options for animals • Indoor training/exercise areas for dogs • Communal space for cats • Outdoor space for cats and exterior kennels for dogs • Grooming facilities – 90% of groomed animals are adopted • Education areas • Future Development: Memorial gardens to honor pets The Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center is a privately run, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization receiving no funding from tax dollars or government entities. The mission is to foster a caring community for animals by providing shelter, advancing animal welfare, and promoting the bond between animals and humans through innovative programs, education and service. Building the Center was a long-range goal for the Animal Foundation of Great Falls, founded in 2002 by a group of dedicated volunteers. The facility was built in August of 2015 and named in honor of Margaret J. Maclean, whose estate gave $400,000 in matching funds to the Animal Foundation. The match was successfully met in the fall of 2005. Maclean was raised on a family farm and ranch west of Conrad; she died in 1997 at the age of 83. David and Tanya Cameron first gave to the Animal Foundation of Great Falls in February of 2005. From February 2005 to April 2017, the Cameron’s gifts totaled approximately $175,000. Then, in January of 2018, they made a gift as a family, in conjunction with Dave’s sister, Nancy Cameron, of nearly $580,000 to the Center’s GOOD (Get Out of Debt) capital campaign. As a result of this gift, the Maclean Animal Adoption Center was renamed Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center (a DBA of the Animal Foundation of Great Falls).
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Bright Eyes Care & Rehab Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to animal care and protection. Our goal is to promote responsible animal ownership within the community and to assume those responsibilities when others are unable or unwilling to do so. All of the programs that we offer are supported by contributions from the public and members of our organization. Those programs include pet adoption, humane education, pet therapy, spay/neuter assistance, obedience training, and any information requested by pet owners.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
We are a small animal rescue in Central Montana, proudly serving Chouteau County and surrounding areas. The Dedman Foundation is a non-profit animal rescue that has been in business for over 25 years. Our main goal is to bring people and adoptable animals together while also ensuring our animal family have a happy, clean, comfortable and loving place to call home no matter how long or short their stay. History Florence Dedman Florence Dedman had a vision of an animal rescue in Fort Benton, MT. She wanted the rescue to exist to help the abandoned, abused, and neglected animals of this area, giving them a second chance at a wonderful life with human companionship. At Florence's bequest, a no kill animal rescue was established in 1993 and has been in operation since. Florence didn't expect the small refuge to "last forever", but wanted the rescue to "last as long as it can". We like to think she would be thrilled with the way the rescue (which bears her name) is going, becoming well known throughout the state and still serving animals in need throughout the area. Florence saw a need and provided a way, effectively leaving it up to us and others to continue this service. It is only with the generosity and kindness of heart that this journey is possible and has been able to grow into the wonderful place that it is today. We operate entirely on donations, gifts, grants, adoption fees and fundraisers. We employ one full time manager, one full time employee, and one part time employee along with many wonderful volunteers. We are a 501(c3) and our board of directors are volunteers throughout the area.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Billings
We are Freckles and Tomcat Rescue A non profit animal rescue that treats unwanted animals like family. Since 2016 we have dedicated ourselves to rescuing, rehabilitating and homing as many needy animals as possible. Our Initiatives Rescue With our mission always in mind, we strive to rescue and rehabilitate as many animals as possible. Contact us to learn more about our teams hard work and commitment to this cause. Advocacy We support responsible spay and neutering and host several free clinics yearly. This is by no means an easy feat, but through cooperation and community involvement, we believe we can facilitate progress in this area. Rehabilitation On this point, we will not waiver. We believe every life has value. Our goal is to support the welfare of animals in need. With the support of our dedicated volunteers we do everything we can to help every animal. Learn more about this initiative and how you can help.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
**Rescue German Shorthair Pointers (GSPs) and other pointing breeds from shelters in Montana and surrounding states. **Provide a loving and caring home for them during the re-training process
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
We are a no-kill shelter. There is no judgment if you need to drop off a stray that you've found, or a beloved pet that is no longer able to stay with its family, no matter the situation. We serve several different counties around Southwest Montana, and network with other shelters in the Southwest Montana, working together to help the animals in our care get the best chance of finding a new home.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Billings
We are a foster home based 501 (c)(3) rescue located in Billings, Montana helping rescue stray dogs on Reservations in south central Montana. We get them spayed or neutered, puppy/dog vaccines, good food and loving. Then we find them wonderful furever homes. Consider adopting a rescue dog today!
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Billings
Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2007 and officially took over the sheltering of the City’s companion animals in 2009. It is a common misconception that Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter (YVAS) is a division of the City of Billings. While we do maintain a contract with the City to care for Billings’ lost/stray animals, we are separate entities. In fact, our City contract accounts for less than one-third of the shelter’s annual income, leaving us to raise the remainder of our budget through other means. YVAS also maintains contracts with the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and the Laurel Police Department to house and reunite lost dogs. YVAS hopes to one day provide an open-door policy to County cats. We will accept cats from outside Billings city limits on a case-by-case basis, depending on adoptability and availability of space. Over the last decade, YVAS has grown to become the largest shelter in Montana, intaking over 5,000 animals every year. YVAS has also made many changes over the years; ever-evolving to provide the best care for animals and the people of the Billings community. Our current shelter programs include reuniting lost pets with their owners, adoption, foster care, volunteer, outreach & education, low-cost spay & neuter clinics, and our life-saving Working Cat Program. We have recently partnered with the University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program to increase our lifesaving capacity and improve the health and well-being of the animals in the community.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Life Savers Animal Rescue is a foster based rescue located in Polson, Montana. Our mission is to compassionately foster lost, abandoned and surrendered dogs and place those pets into caring adoptive homes, thereby enriching lives through adoption. We are an all volunteer 501(c)3 organization and 100% of our income goes to programs to help the animals and people that love them. Programs include adoption, low cost spay and neuter assistance, pet rehoming and assistance in keeping a pet in the home. Our wonderful foster homes are the backbone of our organization and we would not be able to function without them! Because we are a private non-profit rescue, not affiliated with city or county government, our rescue dogs come from a variety of places. Our priority placements are dogs in need right here in our community, and we take in strays (please see our stray policy below) and owner surrenders as we have room and an appropriate foster home. We also work with rescues in Texas and California that save dogs from euthanasia at high kill shelters to bring those adoptable dogs to Montana.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
RC’s story begins on Sunday March 4, 2007 at the Valley of the Moon Recreation Area along Rock Creek near Missoula. On that day, ARC’s founder took his two shelter mutts on a Sunday morning walk. On that fateful morning, Cupcake was killed by a beaver trap. The trauma of trying to rescue his dog set our founder on a path, which would ultimately, many years later, lead to ARC. "Rez Dogs"? ARC's founder sought healing through employment at the Humane Society of Western Montana, where he strived to help other animals and people. It was there that he had his first encounters with what others around him were calling “Rez Dogs.” He noticed the occasional tendency of some animal advocates to attribute the plight of these very special canines to indifference and cruelty in Tribal communities. He didn’t quite feel the same way, recognizing there was more to the story. He also recognized that these dogs held a special, gentle power. His experiences were already inspiring thoughts about the links between helping people and animals. An Idea Shortly thereafter, our founder was recruited to be the Executive Director for a fledgling nonprofit working to reform trapping regulations in Montana. During this time, while thinking about the confluence of funding, strategic planning, and mission-driven marketing, he spontaneously jotted down a project idea of creating a sanctuary on a Native American Reservation that would rescue dogs while providing healing to people. He had no idea where, how, when, or whether this idea would ever come to life, but it seemed like a good idea. ARC Finds a Place Some years later, having just finished a short stint as an Animal Control Officer, our founder found a job ad for an ED position with the Mission Valley Animal Shelter (MVAS) on the Flathead Reservation. He never imagined the amazing stories and relationships that would grew out of his time on the Reservation. And he certainly could not have predicted that, upon finishing his time with MVAS, the project that he had long since filed away in the dustbin would suddenly find a place, a time, a purpose, and an amazing community of support. And thus, ARC Becomes a Reality... Our founder witnessed much while doing grassroots rescue work on the streets of hard-hit reservation neighborhoods. In one of these neighborhoods he met Gunner (a Reservation mutt with an endearing underbite and deformed leg) and his human family. Gunner’s owner was a single mother living in poverty who faced a difficult situation and sought help for her dog, who limped around the streets dodging traffic. Rehoming was not a good option, because the mother's ten-year-old son had a strong bond with Gunner and relied on his companionship. Help was arranged, but, tragically, shortly thereafter the ten-year-old boy took his own life. This event was a real shock. Not only did it reaffirm a commitment to confront the inevitable links behind animal and human trauma on the Reservation, but it also spurred a realization that it was time to dig that old project out of the dustbin. Beginnings Since October 2018, many discussions have taken place with amazing people about the extraordinary potential of ARC. Pieces began to fall into place. ARC was incorporated in early August 2019. Bylaws drawn up. A project proposal took shape. A logo and website were conceived. A work plan was drafted and the early steps implemented. ARC initially served as a fiscally sponsored subsidiary program of the Missoula Urban Indian Health Center (now known as the All Nations Health Center), but gained its own 501(c)3 status in November 2019 and launched independent operations in January 2020. A fabulous, Tribal-majority Board of Directors was recruited. Initial discussions with the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) inspired interest in collaboration. In early 2020 ARC applied for and was awarded two year-long Americorps VISTA positions who have since worked hard to develop the young organization's capacity. Plans for launching ARC's pilot programs and fundraising events in 2020 were postponed due to Covid-19, but since then our work has taken off!
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Bozeman
We are a non-profit animal sanctuary & rescue organization located in Park County, MT. Our mission is to place amazing animals in amazing homes.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
The City of Great Falls Animal Shelter (GFAS) is an Open Admission Municipal animal shelter serving the citizens and domesticated animals of the City of Great Falls. The Mission of the Shelter is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the domesticated animals and citizens of our community through education about responsible pet ownership. We use many resources to re-home every adoptable animal through adoption, rescue partners, and adoption events. By utilizing these resources and with the help of the Great Falls Community we do not euthanize domestic animals due to space or length of stay at the City of Great Falls Animal Shelter. The City of Great Falls Police Department handles all Animal Control issues, the GFAS houses and cares for the domestic animals only.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Rescuing Cujo…the name could raise eyebrows, make the mind wonder, or just be confusing. I wanted to name the dog rescue, Rescuing Cujo, to not only honor my first dog, Cujo, but also to help people learn that even dogs who might have a look or reputation of a “Cujo” can be rescued and adopted into loving homes. My Cujo was found wandering the streets of Los Angeles at four months old by a friend of mine. Since I was a fan of Stephen King novels, I decided to name him Cujo, despite knowing the name could be concerning. Cujo was a lab/pit mix, and as he grew into adulthood, he became a big boy, topping out at 85 pounds. His size, appearance, and deep bark scared some people, mostly those who feared pit bulls. I put him through several levels of obedience training because I wanted him to disprove the stereotypes that surround a dog with his size, color and "look". Cujo grew up to be such a friendly, fun dog, who loved people and playing with other dogs. He showed me how dogs are a great source of love, happiness and companionship. It was because of Cujo that I decided I wanted to start my own dog rescue…he showed me just how wonderful dogs can be, even those who cause fear because of their size, look or breed.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Pronking Pastures Rescue and Sanctuary (PPRS) is a small rural all volunteer/foster based rescue just West of Missoula. PPRS has been rescuing animals for over ten years, but recently became a 501 c 3 nonprofit in 2020. ‘Pronking’ means the ‘happy run’ of an alpaca, and alpacas were the first animal that the rescue/sanctuary started to work with. We found out quickly that there are not a lot of livestock rescues in the state of Montana and we found our niche; PPRS wanted to become a haven for livestock that have been abused and neglected. In 2019 we started to focus our rescue on rescuing dogs and cats that met our rescue’s criteria. PPRS wanted our rescue to be a place where all animals can ‘happy run’. The veteran community is also something we are very passionate about. One of Pronking Pastures Rescue and Sanctuary founders, Travis Williams, lost his Marine squad in Iraq in 2003. When he came back to the United States, he found purpose in rescuing and working with unwanted animals as this became therapeutic. Most of all the volunteers at PPRS are veterans or have ties to the veteran community. PPRS wants to offer a comfortable and inviting spot for our fellow comrades.
Janeen’s Catahoula Leopard Dog Rescue (JCLDR) is a 501c3 nonprofit dog rescue, consisting of volunteers who worked together successfully in years past for other rescue organizations. JCLDR was officially organized in 2014. After being in rescue 15 years, serving in the capacity of Coordinator at Large, in-house behaviorist and Vice President, Janeen Jackson pulled together trusted volunteers to create JCLDR, sharing 40 years of experience and expertise with the Catahoula breed. Our goal is to be a help to the staggering numbers of dogs being thrown away, traumatized, and euthanized. We wish to aid humans in keeping their commitments to dogs, through education and support. We offer a proven Board of Directors who are compatible in rescue and skilled in business operations. In spite of hectic lifestyles, we each share part of the load as volunteers, seeking no reward or benefit for ourselves except giving life another chance. Dogs are not unfeeling pieces of furniture, and they deserve love, dignity, and a second chance. We are passionate about our mission, and for many of us it is a personal one. We understand that sometimes all people really need to inspire them to give a dog another chance, is to hear someone say, “I can help. Together we can make it work; I believe in you.” We strive to build a bridge of trust.
Founded in 2006, Beartooth Humane Alliance is the only animal welfare organization in Carbon and Stillwater counties. Our mission is to help our community help animals. From its inception, BHA has been responsive to community needs, assisting in adoptions, lost and found pets, spay/neuter and humane education. Our work started in 2003 when an informal group of concerned community members held Carbon County’s first ever spay/neuter clinic, dubbed Operation Nip & Tuck. With the help of generous donors and more than 100 volunteers, 332 dogs and cats were spayed or neutered at no cost to their owners. Operation Nip & Tuck continued every year through 2015 before transitioning to a by-appointment model. Since the program started more than 5,000 dogs and cats have been spayed/neutered. Unlike other animal rescue organizations, BHA does not operate a shelter. Instead, we rely on a network of foster homes that house homeless pets until they are permanently placed. BHA is a 501(c)3 non-profit tax exempt corporation and operates entirely on donations.
We are Freckles and Tomcat Rescue A non profit animal rescue that treats unwanted animals like family. Since 2016 we have dedicated ourselves to rescuing, rehabilitating and homing as many needy animals as possible. Our Initiatives Rescue With our mission always in mind, we strive to rescue and rehabilitate as many animals as possible. Contact us to learn more about our teams hard work and commitment to this cause. Advocacy We support responsible spay and neutering and host several free clinics yearly. This is by no means an easy feat, but through cooperation and community involvement, we believe we can facilitate progress in this area. Rehabilitation On this point, we will not waiver. We believe every life has value. Our goal is to support the welfare of animals in need. With the support of our dedicated volunteers we do everything we can to help every animal. Learn more about this initiative and how you can help.
Heart of the Valley, Inc. (HOV) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit animal shelter located in Bozeman and serving the Gallatin and Madison Valleys. Our primary service area includes Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks, Big Sky, West Yellowstone. HOV also has contracts to serve as a stray holding facility for Gallatin County, City of Bozeman, City of Belgrade and the Town of Manhattan. HOV is an open admission shelter which means we accept any dog or cat brought to the shelter regardless of condition or circumstance. In addition to reuniting lost pets with their families and finding new homes for homeless animals, HOV serves as a resource for the community by providing programs and services designed to help bring people and pets together. We offer humane education programming, canine training classes and behavioral consultations, special adoption programs for senior adults and military veterans, low cost micro-chipping, ID tags, pet licensing and a no cost Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP).
We are a non-profit animal sanctuary & rescue organization located in Park County, MT. Our mission is to place amazing animals in amazing homes.
Tiny Tails is a 100% volunteer group that works from foster homes. We do not have a facility. Our rescues usually come to us needing special care and we find that providing that care in a home, rather then a kennel works best for our rescues. Petco & Petsmart adoption partners and Petfinders.com partners
Welcome to the 2024 Montana Sniffspot Top Dog Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top rescues and shelters in Montana 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 Montana dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.
https://myhswm.org/dogs/
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.