The Best New York Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

Homeward Bound Dog Rescue of New York

Homeward Bound is a not for profit volunteer organization. We are not a shelter and we do not have a facility - all the dogs in our program live in foster homes; We take our dogs into our homes and care for them as if they were our own until they go to their forever homes. The time we spend with them helps us to learn more about them, which allows us to be able to provide applicants with an accurate assessment and the dog's individual strengths and needs.

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Mohawk Hudson Humane Society

Founded in 1887, the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society (MHHS) is the oldest and largest animal protection organization in New York's Capital Region, serving Albany, Rensselaer and surrounding counties. In addition to providing shelter and care for stray, abused and unwanted animals, we provide an ever-increasing array of services for animals and those who care for them. These programs contributed to a 93% live release rate in 2023, and include low-cost spay/neuter and wellness services, vaccination and microchip clinics, stray housing for municipalities, dog training, a pet food pantry and humane education programming for all ages.

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Companion Animal Placement Program

Villalobos Rescue Center(VRC) first began as a wolf/wolf hybrid rescue in the 90's back in California long before there was a TV show. Tia Torres was the contracted dog trainer for the City of Los Angeles Animal Services for 11 years. VRC began employing parolees in 2006. VRC relocated to Louisiana in 2011 due to economic reasons and major changes in county laws making it nearly impossible to function as a non-profit business. Now in Louisiana, VRC has a location in the city of New Orleans and in the rural/country environment of Assumption Parish (an hour and a half outside of New Orleans). VRC now has a location in Northeast Texas for wolfdogs (wolf/dog mixes) ONLY. Due to the overwhelming need to help other dogs, VRC has now become an all-breed rescue with the main focus still being on Pit Bulls. Now that we are in the South, we have to deal with heartworm disease. This means that 99% of the dogs we take in, enter our facility with this pre-existing condition. It not only takes three to six months to cure but costs up to $500 per dog. Our yearly vet bill is almost half a million dollars. That's $500,000.00 The cost per day to run VRC varies, but it averages $10,000.00. That's $70K a week, $280,000 a month approximately $4 million a year to run the rescue. We take in approximately 40 dogs a month. We adopt out approximately 40 50 dogs a month. We adopt dogs all over the country (the lower 48 states). We DO NOT adopt outside the country with the exception of Canada. We are no longer able to adopt to the state of Colorado due to state restrictions. Placing or giving up a dog: Whether it be yours personally or a dog that you have found, unfortunately with our relocation to Louisiana, we are no longer able to take dogs from out of state. The amount of dogs in our local area that need our help is OVERWHELMING and for the past 3 years, we have taken on the responsibility of working with animal control in our rural/country location of Assumption Parish where by parish guidelines, no dogs can be turned away from within the parish. We get approximately 100 requests per day to take dogs from all over the country and this is simply not something that we can physically and financially keep up with. If you email our placement box on our Contact page, you will receive an auto-response with suggestions on where else you can find assistance. There are many other wonderful Pit Bull rescues around the country. Showing up at our facility, unexpected and outside the tour times with the expectation of seeing Tia Torres or trying to drop a dog off from out of the state of Louisiana: Probably the two most common problems we have. To keep it simple, more than likely neither will happen. Tia Torres does NOT live in New Orleans and her schedule is very hit & miss. To have people showing up at our facility in the middle of the night, yelling and screaming for Tia (sadly it happens all the time) will only grant you a visit from NOPD. So you've been warned. As we stated in #13, we can no longer take dogs from out of state. For the record, this does not mean that by you bringing a dog from let's say California and by driving it across the country into Louisiana.this does not constitute an in-state dog. You will be turned away and referred to a group closer to the area you just came from. We can only do so much and if we took in every dog we got a call or request for, we would be taking approximately 700 dogs a week and this is literally impossible. Please be respectful of the limitations we have had to impose. Each dog that comes through our gates, is an initial and up-front cost of $1000 PER DOG to Villalobos (medical intake, vaccinations, heartworm disease, spay/neuter, etc) Again, we NO LONGER are able to take dogs into our facility from other states but we are NOT the only Pit Bull rescue. Please Google for other organizations. They do exist.

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Out of the Pits, Inc.

Out of the Pits is a not for profit organization that was founded in 1994. We seek to educate the public about the true nature of the American Pit Bull Terrier and to make them aware that they used to be one of America's favorite breed of dogs. Our efforts are aimed at restoring the breed to its former position of esteem in the hearts and minds of people everywhere. Person holding a Pitbull puppyOur main focus is education. We visit dozens of schools with our certified therapy Pit Bulls to teach humane education throughout the New York Capital District, as well as nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut. We are also a rescue organization. Since our inception, we have successfully rehomed over 3,000 dogs, and helped many more stay in their homes.

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Free To Be Me Rescue

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Train & Friends K-9 Rescue

TRINA & FRIENDS K-9 RESCUE is a (501c3 organization) volunteer, charitable dedicated to rescuing and providing care for homeless shelter dogs in need. Founded upon our love and admiration for the German Shepherd Dog, Trina & Friends works to help sick and injured dogs as well as rehabilitate abused and neglected dogs with emotional or behavioral issues.

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Stay Wild Rescue

STAY WILD is a small rehabilitation center in Trumansburg, New York. Jane George (DEC Wildlife Rehabilitation License) and Dan Soboleski care for the animals in their home and in the barns around their home with the help of local volunteers. We rehabilitate small and large wildlife mammals and orphaned kittens and cats. We do not have a shelter or use cages; all of the kittens and cats are rehabbed in our home or in foster homes. The wildlife is mostly raised in our outer buildings.We work with orphaned neo-natal and juvenile or recovering adult wildlife. We are working to become a Non-profit Organization and we count on volunteers to help with all aspects. We accept volunteers of all ages to assist with many different aspects of our work. See the Volunteer page for more info. We rely on donations to care for all the animals. Please consider making a financial donation or see our Support Us page to see our Amazon list or to drop off needed items. Most kittens and cats in our care are very sick or injured and require extensive care and multiple vet visits to diagnose and treat their individual conditions. Each one is spayed or neutered and fully vaccinated before being adopted into their forever home. Applications for adoption are available on the Adopt page. The wildlife need much less in the way of medication but often come in with broken limbs and severe malnourishment and dehydration and require species-specific food and milk formula. The juvenile wildlife in our care are raised to the individual ages at which they typically become independent of their parents which can vary from a few weeks up to a year of age.

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SPCA of Westchester

SPCA Westchester is one of the oldest humane societies in the Unites States. It was founded in 1883 by Ossining resident Mary Dusenberry after she observed horses being abused as they delivered heavy loads of coal. Together with caring friends, Mrs. Dusenberry obtained land in Briarcliff Manor on which to build the Society's first home and established a fund to be used to prevent cruelty to animals. Originally affiliated with the ASPCA, the SPCA became an independent organization in the 1920's and does NOT receive funding from any national animal welfare organizations. Today, the SPCA supports more than 5,500 animals a year and is recognized as the largest No-Kill Rescue Center in Westchester County. We are committed to finding homes for all adoptable animals regardless of space or length of stay. In 2021 we proudly opened the doors to our new, 27,000-square-foot Animal Rescue Center. Our former buildings hadn't been updated since the 1950's and were cracked and crumbling. Our modern home accommodates more orphaned dogs and cats in need, making a huge impact on Westchester County animals and beyond!

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WaggyTail Rescue

It all began in 2004 when founder Holly DeRito showed up at NYCACC looking for a buddy for her dog. A staff member took her into the back where all the dogs that were going to be euthanized the next day were. The dogs the public didn't see. That night, she went home with seven dogs. From there, Holly began building her own rescue and network through housing these dogs with friends and family. After a few years, ACC had seen a huge improvement, so Holly expanded to transports with the help of some rescue friends. Waggytail Rescue now has partners in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, San Diego, Florida, and even Tijuana. Our team of volunteers, fosters, adopters and partners continue to grow and we would love for you to be a part of the journey!

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Paws Crossed Animal Rescue

Paws Crossed is a no-kill animal rescue. Through rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming, advocacy, collaboration and education our mission is to 'Rescue One By One Until There Are None'.

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City of Buffalo Animal Shelter

The City of Buffalo Animal Shelter is a municipal agency under the City of Buffalo Public Works Department. The Shelter provides the community with many services such as: Caring for injured, abused, lost, and abandoned animals such as dogs and cats by giving them food, care, shelter, and comfort Finding loving and responsible homes for animals Reuniting families with lost pets Keeping potentially dangerous animals off the streets Friends of the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter (Friends of CBAS) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 2011 and is comprised entirely of Shelter volunteers. The primary mission of Friends of CBAS is to raise funds and financially support the shelter, including: Critical and preventive veterinary care Subsidized adoption rates for senior and special needs animals; Training for shelter dogs in need; In addition, Friends of CBAS provides support to the Shelter in the following areas: Pet foster care Hospice and palliative care Management of the volunteer program Promotion of adoption of shelter dogs Community outreach and education

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Diamonds in the Ruff Animal Rescue

Diamonds in the Ruff is a foster and volunteer based rescue organization mainly in Niagara and Erie counties. DITR was formed in 2011 by a group of like minded individuals with one goal in mind - to help and save the voiceless. What started as a small group of dedicated men and women has grown since then. We have a large core of volunteers from many different backgrounds and situations, each one bringing something amazing to our table.

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Buddy's Second Chance Rescue

Established in 2013, our non-profit dog rescue is nestled in the heart of Western New York, with a mission to save as many innocent dogs as possible from from shelters in Buffalo, the south and even other countries. All dogs no matter location deserve a second chance. Our heartwarming story was unleashed when Buddy, a courageous canine faced the grave prospect of euthanasia inside a shelter in West Virginia. However, luck intervened before his scheduled euthanasia, and Buddy was given a second lease on life when he was placed in Julie Starr's home as a foster until he found his furever home. As Buddy flourished under Julie's care, she couldn't help but see the sparkle of hope return to his eyes. That's when she decided that EVERY dog in need deserved the same chance at happiness. So, with passion and determination, Julie teamed up with the equally devoted Jenn Manz, and they set forth on a pawsome journey to establish Buddy's Second Chance Rescue with one puptastic motto in mind:

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Nickel City Canine Rescue

At Nickel City Canine Rescue, the heart of our work is to rescue displaced and unwanted dogs at risk of euthanasia. We're committed to providing them with stable care, basic needs, and the kind of love that makes their tails wag again! We pride ourselves on being an all-breed dog rescue. We are a 50l(c)(3) organization and 100% of the money we raise goes towards the rescue and rehabilitation of the dogs in our care. Nickel City Canine Rescue does not receive any funding from the county, city, state, or federal governments. Our rescue does not receive tax dollars of any kind . . . we're only able to assist the people and pets in need thanks to donations from the community.

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CH Boxer Rescue

CH Boxer Rescue is a 501(c)3. A non-profit dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating Boxers, Bulldogs & assorted breeds in the northeastern US. We save dogs from puppy mills, shelters, and the streets, as well as accept owner surrenders. We strive to take dogs of ALL ages and do not shy away from medical emergencies. Established in 2015.

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New York Bully Crew

The New York Bully Crew is a non-profit that pulls bully breeds from kill shelters, rescues them from the streets, provides them with all their necessary medical care, and then works tirelessly to find loving homes for them. NYBC also hosts dogs from other shelters and foster homes that are looking for a forever home. They work hard to get each dog adopted by loving families who will appreciate their intelligence, personality, and spirit.

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Bideawee

One of our country's first no-kill animal welfare organizations, Bideawee is 100% reliant on private support to fuel our lifesaving work. Explore the many ways you can support Bideawee today!

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NYC Second Chance Rescue

NYC Second Chance Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2009. With the help of our community of donors and supporters, we have saved over 15,000 lives from an unimaginable fate. We concentrate our efforts on large breed dogs and cats who need critical life-saving care. These two criteria make up most of the euthanasias in the United States.

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Last Chance Animal Rescue

Last Chance Animal Rescue is a charitable, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, created to save the lives of animals. We are grateful for our dedicated community of adopters, fosters, volunteers, sponsors and supporters. Without you we could not achieve our life saving mission.

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A Good Dog Rescue, Inc

I started this rescue in 2018 to save really good family dogs at risk in high kill shelters. We are community based and have hundreds of volunteers. We use a common sense approach to rescue and always, always take our dogs back.

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Muddy Paws Rescue

Muddy Paws Rescue is a completely foster-based dog rescue operating in New York City, with a mission of building and supporting a thriving pack of dog-loving humans dedicated to ending unnecessary euthanasia of companion pups. Founded in 2016, Muddy Paws has helped more than 7,700 puppies and dogs find loving homes. Partnering with open-intake shelter partners in New York and across the country - Muddy Paws works with a foster network of more than 2,000 homes, and practices a conversation-based, open adoption model to save more than 1,000 lives each year. Muddy Paws operates out of their Hell's Kitchen-based Headquarters - a space that centers and strengthens their #MuddyPawsPack community and lifesaving efforts. For more information, visit muddypawsrescue.org or follow them on Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok and Twitter.

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NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE AMERICA

As the leader in the no-kill movement, North Shore Animal League America is committed to saving and rehabilitating the lives of homeless animals and educating the public about the joys and responsibilities of rescue. Founded in 1944, we're one of the world's largest, most comprehensive no-kill rescue and adoption organizations. We are headquartered in Port Washington, N.Y. with 2,000 shelter partners across the country and around the globe.

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Badass Animal Rescue

Badass Animal Rescue is a 501(c)3 dog rescue based in Brooklyn, NY. As a leader in responsible rescue, we rescue the most vulnerable dogs regardless of their breed, age, size, and medical history from underserved shelters and communities in the United States. Upon rescue, all our dogs receive comprehensive veterinary care including spay/neuter, vaccinations, deworming, heartworm testing and treatment, and flea/tick and heartworm preventatives. In some cases, this includes surgery and other specialist vet care. Badass does not have a shelter and relies on foster families to provide care, training, and ultimately improve successful adoption outcomes. The more foster homes we have, the more dogs we can save!

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Pitbulls and Addicts

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Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF Beacon)

Animal Rescue Foundation, also commonly known as ARF, is a Federal 501(c)(3) non-profit, no-kill, 100% volunteer animal rescue located in Beacon, NY. Our dedicated volunteers are driven by their love for animals and their desire to improve the lives of the cats and dogs at ARF. Since 1986, we've rescued, rehabilitated, sheltered, and found loving homes for thousands of cats and dogs. Every step is taken to assure that animals go to good and appropriate adoptive homes. Even those who aren't chosen by a family experience unwavering love and care from our devoted volunteers, creating a forever home right here at ARF.

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Animal Farm Foundation

Animal Farm Foundation (AFF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization built on the principle that all dogs are individuals. Our Foundation relies on science-based information on animal behavior and public policy, including breed-specific legislation and housing insurance discrimination, derived from our subsidiary National Canine Research Council, a think tank for science and public policy. AFF's team offers regional and national initiatives that support dogs and the people who care for them in their communities. Current AFF programs include our Old Friends program, which is an onsite and foster-based program that gives senior dogs in shelters across the country an opportunity to live out their lives in a loving home. Additionally, we have dogs on the younger side that are also apart of our adoption program, who've come to us to await their new homes while enjoying the farm life. Our Family Pantry program recognizes pets as family and, especially during tough times, provide a way to help pets stay with their families. Furthermore, AFF staff consult with animal shelters across the country on evidence-based, progressive and inclusive enrichment, training, marketing and adoption policies. We also provide toolkits and resources for best practices to governments and community organizations as well as animal shelters and individual dog owners.

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Companion Animal Rescue Efforts [CARE] of Dutchess County

Compassionate Animal Rescue Efforts of Dutchess County (CARE of DC) is a No Kill non profit pet adoption agency formed in the Poughkeepsie area in 2016. We are located in Wappingers Falls, New York. Pursuant to Article 26-A, Section408 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, this registrant is authorized to operate as a registered pet recue, in compliance with such law, at this location. Founder Karen LeCain established CARE of DC after many years of successful animal rescue and placement. She has developed relationships with the area's finest Veterinarians, sponsors, non-profit organizations, and more. Karen has dedicated her life to ensure that all animals are given a chance at life, whether they're found sick and afraid, injured or abandoned. She is advanced in properly selecting the right applicants for the animals being adopted, in the best interests of the pet's health, wellbeing, welfare, and happiness.

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Humane Society of Walden

Since 1974, the staff and volunteers of the Humane Society of Walden have provided quality care for many companion pets while they wait for their forever homes. The Humane Society of Walden is a no-kill, 501(c)(3) non-profit safe haven dedicated to helping stray and abandoned cats and dogs. Our animal shelter serves the communities of Montgomery, Walden, Maybrook, Crawford, Wawarsing, Shawangunk, and Mamakating, but will not turn away pets from across the country in need.

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Bleu's K9 Rescue Inc.

Bleu's K9 Rescue Inc is Non-profit Animal Rescue Organization. We are 100% foster and volunteer based throughout the Hudson Valley. We are dedicated in saving dogs of all sizes and all breeds by placing them into loving, forever homes. We do not have a physical shelter. Instead, we operate primarily through our foster homes, online databases and at adoption events/fundraisers. We are committed to providing the dogs that come into Bleu's K9 Rescue with the best possible care in foster homes as they wait for their forever homes while providing the appropriate veterinary care needed. We also serve our community and adopters by educating and encouraging responsible pet ownership with an emphasis on the need for spaying and neutering. We also do our best to break down the stereotypes of many bully breeds.

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Operation Freedom Ride

Operation Freedom Ride is a 100% foster based non-profit dog and cat rescue located in Rochester, NY. All of our animals are being cared for in foster homes until they find their forever homes. We rescue dogs and cats locally from our local shelters, strays and owner surrenders. We also rescue dogs from overcrowded kill shelters in the south.

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Lollypop Farm

Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, has been helping animals and people since 1873. Support from the community enables around 115 staff members and more than 800 volunteers to care for around 10,000 animals each year and makes possible a variety of programs to address issues that contribute to the surrender of unwanted animals.

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Beverly Animal Shelter

Originally founded in 1958 by Gladys Schultz (and fondly known as Schultz's, the Beverly Animal Shelter is located in Waterloo, New York. Since Glady's passing in 1991, the shelter was purchased and operated by Dallyn Jenkins, President of the Board of Directors. At that time the shelter was named after Jenkins own mother Beverly, an animal lover and Glady's friend. In 2008, the Beverly Animal Shelter was designated a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The BAS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and no-kill facility. Only animals that are too aggressive or that are terminal and in pain are humanely euthanized. The shelter utilizes local vets for medical care and advice for its animals. We do not euthanize and animal to make space, nor do we pick or choose optimal animals to take in. For this reason many animals may spend their entire life at our shelter. These are the special animals that many other shelters deem un- adoptable and would put down or not accept due to their behavioral or medical conditions.

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Fetch A Friend Rescue

Fetch A Friend Rescue was started April 2015. Owner Jamie Hughes has been in love with dogs since she received her first one 25 years ago at age 6. In 2005 Jamie started volunteering at the local animal shelter and began to spend every day of the week there working with the dogs and running their website. In 2011, she and a friend saw the need for more facilities for dogs in need of homes and they began 2nd Chance Dog Rescue. From March 2011-December 2014 they rescued and placed over 750 dogs in their forever homes. Rescue and caring for dogs are Jamie's passion and she couldn't imagine not being able to work with them on a daily basis. With the support of her family and friends Jamie chose to pursue her dream on her own and opened a new boarding facility and rescue in Seneca Falls, NY. Opened in February 2016, Phoebe's K9 Resort offers dog and cat boarding, doggy daycare, and grooming. It is also home to Fetch A Friend Rescue. Jamie lives in Seneca Falls with her 6 dogs, Abby, Tucker, Phoebe, Lily, Fritz & Rocky. Volunteer and Adoption Coordinator Kate Larham has been with us since day one caring for the dogs every day of the week, all while maintaining a full time job. Kate is our prime caregiver, transporter, enrichment leader, adoption facilitator and an advocate for the voiceless. Kate is instrumental to the rescue and loves every dog as though they were her own. She ensures each dog is spoiled beyond measure and shown love every day they are with us. Kate lives in Geneva with her husband and 3 dogs, Sheldon, Leena & Max.

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Verona Street Animal Society

Rochester Animal Services (RAS) is a municipal animal care and control organization. It serves Rochester's people and animals to create safe neighborhoods, support the human-animal bond, and save and enhance lives.

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HumaneCNY

Since 1966, HumaneCNY has been CNY's oldest and largest no-kill animal shelter. We receive no financial support from any governmental agencies or national agencies with similar names and solely survive on private donations from our community. We take in approximately 1,000 animals a year and perform nearly as many adoptions.

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Second Chance Canine Adoption Shelter

Second Chance Canine Adoption Shelter runs completely on donations to help care for the dogs found in the city of Syracuse. All of our dogs are fixed, up to date on shots, heart worm tested and on preventative care while in our shelter. We pull these dogs from the over crowded city shelter to help free up much needed kennel space and prevent them from being euthanized due to overcrowding.

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Helping Hounds Dog Rescue

HHDR is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization funded by donations, fundraisers and adoption fees, that works to find forever homes for rescue dogs in the Central New York area. HHDR is located at 7268 Caswell Street, North Syracuse, NY 13212. Our team of dedicated staff is well supported by an army of volunteers and as a result we are able to successfully place over 1,700 dogs annually into loving homes.

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Chenango SPCA

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Room For One More

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