The Best Phoenix, AZ Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

Sky Sanctuary Rescue

Sky Sanctuary specialize in the humane capture and rescue of stray, fearful and injured animals from the streets of Phoenix, Arizona, the surrounding desert areas and local shelters. We often rescue the abandoned, lost and forgotten animals. Fiercely advocating for the animals in our care. Often our animals have extensive and complex medical needs that require a profound level of specialty medical care. Not only do we invest in our animal's physical health, we utilize a trusted group of trainers to build confidence, empower and improve our animal's mental well-being in order to live peaceful, happy lives in family homes. We are very different from other animal rescue organizations. We are "boots on the ground" in our community while passionately fight for the dogs and animals no one else has the courage to take on. We have a knack for finding ourselves in pretty breathtaking scenarios- some call it divine intervention, others call it luck. We live by the mantra "if not me then who?". We are funded solely by public donations through social media. We are grateful for the opportunity to help these animals. We would go to any length to #SAVETHESTREETDOGS

Almost There: A Mom + Pups Rescue

My name is Geri Hormel and I am the founder of Almost There Rescue. What do we do at ATR? We save bitches. No, we don't go around seeking out malicious, unpleasant women and try to convince them to change their ways (although someone should!). We save dogs. Specifically, homeless, pregnant, large-breed dogs. We scoop those gals up from less than ideal situations and give them a place to birth and raise their pups. We work our tails off to give our pups the medical help, enrichment, socialization, and love that they need on their journeys to finding forever homes.

Puppy Luv Animal Rescue

Foster based, all breed, all size dog rescue.

Animal Rescue Friends, Ltd

Animal Rescue Friends, Ltd (ARF) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. Animal Rescue Friends, Ltd is a no-kill, foster based, all-breed dog and cat rescue serving the greater Phoenix, AZ metropolitan area. We are a 100% volunteer-based organization committed to reducing the number of animals euthanized at county shelters by rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming homeless pets in the valley of the sun. We believe it serves the animals best to reside in a safe, comforting home environment while awaiting adoption. Thus, our pets reside in private homes where our loving fosters care for them like one of their own until the happy day when these precious pets can be placed with their new forever families. We do not have a facility. You can meet our pets at local adoption events or at a private meet & greet scheduled after your adoption application has been approved. ​ In 2015 ARF extended our outreach to include rescuing dogs in need from Tipton County Tennessee.

Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary

Our sanctuary serves a public need by housing a limited number of senior dogs. This provides relief to local shelters, which are often overcrowded. FLPS works with local animal rescues and shelters to identify senior dogs in need. Unfortunately, euthanizing senior animals at county shelters is common due to lack of space and a focus on younger, “more adoptable” dogs. We provide a variety of services: • Adoption services • ‍Foster homes • Hospice foster program • Education for animal caretakers • Medical/financial assistance for some fosters or adopters • Training for the dogs

Peteys Playground

Paw Kindness Animal Rescue and Sanctuary

Paw Kindness is a 501(c)(3), no-kill organization. Our mission is to reduce euthanasia of homeless animals through rescue, adoption and education about responsible pet guardianship.

Mini Mighty Mutts

Mini Mighty Mutts is a nonprofit, 501(C)(3), all volunteer, limited admission small dog rescue organization funded by private donations and adoption fees. We are a group of individuals who are dedicated to rescuing small breed dogs who have been abandoned, abused, neglected or left behind by their former owners. Our belief is that companion animals are living beings who are not merely "pets" but family members. We strive to find homes for them who share this view. We are committed to providing them with a temporary home where they receive veterinary care, including spay or neuter, socialization, exercise, love and good nutrition until their forever home can be found. We do not discriminate against small dogs based on breed or physical disability. Mini Mighty Mutts is a limited admissions rescue. We can only take in as many animals as our foster homes can safely and responsibly care for. We do not euthanize animals to make room for more. We simply stop taking in new animals until we have room. Each homeless dog will remain in our care until he or she finds a new home.

Four Peaks Animal Rescue

Four Peaks Animal Rescue is predominately driven by the commitment of volunteers to minimize, if not eliminate the suffering of animals who, by virtue of their domestication and subsequent abandonment, are completely dependent upon others for their care and sustenance. We are a no-kill rescue organization seeking to accommodate all species of domestic pets. While many rescue services are reactive to the problem of animal abandonment, Four Peaks Animapic_dogandcat.jpgl Rescue is proactive in providing the education to the consumer designed to help break the cycle of abandonment. We are passionate in our belief that animal care education is the foundation for a rewarding interaction and lasting relationship. Education provides better communication and understanding between a guardian and a companion animal. Aspects of a prospective owner's education should include (without being limited to) an animals proper feeding, grooming, and medical care as well as its introduction to family and other pets, housebreaking, and obedience training.

AZ Husky Rescue

A 501c3 non-profit helping the huskies in Arizona that need it the most. We intake from high-kill shelters within our state and provide medical care, rehabilitation, breed education and successful outcomes.

HannahPearl Rescue

We are a non profit animal rescue located in Scottsdale. We rescue dogs that have been abandoned, abused, are at risk of euthanasia or have medical issues from the shelters here in Arizona. We also rescue many dogs in need from a small rescue in Mexico with our team of dedicated animal advocates that help us with the transportation and initial medical intervention. We are a foster based rescue so all the animals we take in go to loving temporary homes so that we can continue to provide their medical treatments. Fosters are critical in our mission and they provide a safe place for our rescues to heal physically, emotionally and mentally. Most of our Mexico rescues were initially street dogs that have been subjected to the most inhumane treatment by humans and have never been in a home environment. A lot of the animals in our care are in need of extensive medical intervention due to sickness, old age, disease or being abused. We pride ourselves on being a small rescue that go above and beyond and believe in quality over quantity to provide each individual rescue we take in all of the necessary vetting and rehabilitation they need to become adoptable so that they can be placed into loving forever homes. Once our rescues are medically cleared they are adopted out through HannahPearl or our trusted rescue partners. Once they are adopted we also provide additional guidance and anything else that is needed to help them adjust in their new homes. We always stay connected with our adopters and continue to get updates on their progress. We are lucky enough to have even made lifelong friends with some and we still get to see our rescue babies which is everything to us.

Humane Society of Wickenburg

From a humble beginning in 2004, of volunteers taking care of lost and abandoned animals in a few barn stalls in downtown Wickenburg, a dream was born to have a local shelter facility house the animals to provide exceptional care for them. Construction began and the shelter opened in February of 2009. The Humane Society of Wickenburg’s 6,707 square foot facility anticipated that the multi-room plus kennel facility would meet the needs of the community, and that the community would continue to donate generously to the facility’s day-to-day operation. That dream became a reality of those volunteers and is still going strong! The Humane Society of Wickenburg is proud to serve the animals of the community and surrounding rural areas both with shelter space and community services.

The Pet Knot

The Pet Knot was forged to combine efforts of like-minded rescues and volunteers humbly striving to make a dent in the urgent pet over-population crisis. Our talents and strategies promote animal adoptions through online, in-store, and boutique-like options for adopters. All animals receive the highest level of medical care and grooming. Animals also receive appropriate adjustment time and basic social skills in foster homes in preparation for a new home environment. We help all animals including seniors, special needs, and those seemingly 'unadoptable' cases and work diligently to place each in the most appropriate permanent home possible no matter how long it takes. We call ourselves The Pet Knot because not only do we connect people with pets, we keep people with pets.

Better Days Rescue

We’re a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Scottsdale, Arizona, and we are all volunteers. Your donation goes to the care of the dogs, never to employee salaries. It’s about the dogs! We use a detailed application to identify potential adopters, and we place the needs of the dogs above all else. Happy Dogs = Happy Adopters. We strive for lifetime matches. We promote responsible dog ownership by educating the public on the selection, care, and training of dogs. Our dogs live in private foster and boarding accommodations, and are re-homed in the Phoenix metro area via an application process. Requirements vary by dog, and the adoption fee is $400. We help dogs of all ages; many or most are active breeds. We often take on urgent or complex medical cases, as well as dogs who require behavioral help before joining their new families. Our donors, volunteers, foster parents, and adopters, together with our veterinary team and professional trainers, help us to save dogs with confidence that we can provide the help they need.

Starting Rover Rescue

Luv of Dogz Fund, Inc

Luv of Dogz Fund Inc. is a 501 C-3 corporation which provides advocacy and resources for rescued/abandoned/homeless dogs and to the people who rescue and care for them. We are all volunteers and have full time jobs; rescuing needy dogs is our passion. We are actively involved in helping people who rescue dogs who are in many sad situations or turned in by their owners and helping unclaimed strays find loving, forever homes. We manage this funding and resource effort solely on DONATIONS to help cover complete medical care and foster care of rescued dogs. Adoptions from Luv of Dogz Fund occur only in Arizona. We are a group of dog lovers, rescuers, and foster home providers who are working together to find safe emergency foster homes and crisis services for homeless/abandoned/rescued dogs. We can assist with spaying, neutering, emergency surgeries and health supplies if we have the resources at the time. It is something that we do without getting paid at all, so please realize that we are all volunteers with full time jobs and families. Therefore, please be patient and allow us the courtesy of 24-48 hours to respond to you.

Heidi's Village

Heidi’s Village operates using an innovative sheltering model that brings the animal welfare community and all necessary services under one roof. We partner with existing animal welfare organizations, most of whom are foster based, to expand and compliment their operations to save more pets together. We achieve this by providing: • Low-cost boarding to expand our Rescue Partners ability to say “Yes!” to pets in need when their network of fosters is full. • Affordable medical care at our on-site Veterinary Clinic to empower our Rescue Partners to accept animals in critical need of treatment without having to worry about cost. One partner rescue saved $25,000 in just 6 weeks by utilizing our Clinic instead of a private Veterinary office. We don’t just board for other rescues, we also have our own life-saving programs! • The Smitten Kitten Nursery – the cutest room in the entire Village! Our Nursery lovingly rescues and raises neonate kittens that require delicate 24/7 care. Core Values • Commitment: We execute our mission with an unwavering commitment to our community, our partners, each other, and the animals in our collective Village. • Harmony: We strive for an environment where collaboration, inclusion, diversity, and an openness to a broad range of ideas, backgrounds, and experiences are celebrated and recognized as necessary for our success. • Accountability: We expect excellence from ourselves and each other, holding each accountable for the unrivaled standards we strive to exemplify as an organization within, and for, our community. • Respect: We respect each other, our community members, and the animals in our care equally, recognizing that differences of opinions and methods are necessary to achieve innovative results. • Trust: We are both trustworthy and trusting of each other in words and deeds, honoring a firm belief in the good intentions, capabilities, and strength of humans and animals alike. • Safety: We are steadfast in our dedication to the safety of our people, our community, and the animals in our care.

Heart of Infinity

AZK9 Rescue

Kira's K9 Rescue

Kira’s K9 Rescue was founded in 2018 as a foster-based, non-profit organization located in Phoenix, Arizona that provides shelter for stray, abandoned, and surrendered dogs, regardless of age, breed or temperament. We focus on rehabilitation in the preparation of finding them suitable and permanent homes; for however long that may take. In addition, we select particular dogs to be trained in becoming therapy / emotional support dogs for special needs children and adults.

Fedwell Farm Rescue

Fedwell Farm Rescue Inc, a 501(c)3 non profit organization, specializes in the rescue, adoption and rehabilitation of the Herding Dogs, with the occasional hound included.Fedwell Farm Rescue has moved to South East Arizona. Formerly we were located in North Scottsdale (Rio Verde), we are keeping our North Scottsdale address for mailing purposes only. Fedwell Farm Rescue, has been saving dogs since 2004 and has adopted out over 1800 dogs over the years. Our dogs come from shelters throughout Arizona, most from the euthanasia lists of county shelters. Typically, a county employee calls and asks for help with one of our breeds. If we have space, we send transport immediately and bring the dog to safety. We have picked up dogs in Nogales, Douglas, Wilcox, the Navajo Reservation, Yuma, Page, Kingman and Winslow for example.Once the dogs arrive, we treat any physical or psychological issues, spay/neuter and do whatever is necessary to prepare the dog for his or her forever home. Fedwell Farm does not "kennel" dogs and and they learn to socialize. Our dogs are ready for their forever home when they leave our care. We believe in a low stress environment and a low key adoption. Our motto is a happy adopter means a happy dog. We do everything in our power to help even after the the adoption. Every Fedwell Farm Dog will always be a Fedwell Farm Dog and we will work with the adopter to remedy any issue. If things don’t work out, we ALWAYS take our dogs back.

Stay With Me Animal Rescue

Established In 2022, Stay With Me Animal Rescue Is A No-Kill Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Dog Rescue That Primarily Operates Within The State Of Arizona. We Are A Small, Foster-Based Organization Who Prides Itself On Quality Over Quantity, Educating The Public On Issues Surrounding Dog Ownership/Rescue, And Simply Helping Our Community Of Animal Lovers In Any Way We Can. We Save Canines Regardless Of Their Color/Breed/History, And We Base Our Ability To Intake An Animal Solely On Our Ability To Give That Animal What It Needs To Thrive.

Medical Animals In Need (M.A.I.N.)

The M.A.I.N. Team is an Arizona based, all volunteer group focused on identifying, transporting, aiding and promoting animals from Arizona shelters who need immediate and often costly medical attention the shelters are unable to provide. M.A.I.N. works very closely with shelters around Arizona. In order for our relationships to stay strong, for the animals, no negativity of any kind will be tolerated on our site. We are seeking positive solutions to the current overpopulation problem we face in Maricopa County.

Home Fur Good Animal Rescue

Home ‘Fur’ Good is a 501(c)3 no-kill animal rescue organization whose mission is to eliminate the euthanasia of adoptable homeless cats and dogs in Maricopa County by providing quality medical care and adoption placements, as well as promoting spay/neuter procedures and providing outreach education for pet owners.

Poverty's Pets

Phoenix Animal Welfare Solutions (P.A.W.S.) consists of a group of concerned citizens who believe the state of animal welfare in the City of Phoenix to be inconsistent, insufficient and neglectful. Animal abuse continues to go unchecked in our underserved communities. We are advocating for cost effective changes regarding how the City of Phoenix addresses animal abuse, neglect and suffering in these communities. Our objective is simple: pet-owners must be held accountable, but this is only possible with adequate laws, enforcement, and joint efforts across departments. Poverty’s Pet was founded in 2006 by Kate Sivolella. As its name indicates, Poverty’s Pets aims to improve the lives of companion animals in low-income and under served communities. With a focus on free spay and neuter clinics, Poverty’s Pets continues to work to bring an end to animal suffering. In 2008, “The Columbus House” was established, earning its name after Kate’s first rescue dog, Columbus. This safe- house has seen nearly 1200 dogs pass through as they made their way to forever homes. Today every dog is cared for by Connie and Josh, who live at the house and love each dog as their own as they transition from stray to being adopted. Once castaways, to a beloved family member.

Stealing Hearts Rescue

Stealing Hearts Rescue was founded with the goal of making a difference in the lives of large breed shelter dogs. It is our mission to save the lives of many stronger breed dogs that are often overlooked and provide them with the opportunity to become loved and cherished companions. Stealing Hearts strives to save dogs from euthanasia, dogs that other shelters are unable to adopt including sick, pregnant, nursing moms and breeds of dogs often ignored by our communities. We feel as we educate people about these amazing breeds not only do we save that dog’s life, the new knowledge acquired by the owner is shared and we are able to reach many more. By saving one, we save many.

Paw Town Angels Rescue

Paw Town Angels Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dog rescue organization based in Phoenix, Arizona. Paw Town Angels Rescue saves dogs that are abused, abandoned by their owners, and put on the euthanasia list in Maricopa and other surrounding counties. The Angel Army helps these dogs in need find their perfect forever (or should we say furever) home. We accomplish this goal by placing the dogs in foster homes to help rehabilitate them and get them ready to be a member of some lucky new family. We also believe it is our responsibility as pet owners and rescuers to do our part to ensure the health and safety of all the precious dogs that pass through our doors. All of our dogs are vetted, spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots, and micro-chipped. Before one of our precious pups can be adopted, a home check and trial adoption period is required. We are a foster based rescue and rely on our volunteers and donations in order to continue to save lives. We are always looking for new fosters to give our dogs a temporary loving home while they wait to find their forever home. Volunteers help at our adoption events and with transportation of the dogs when needed. Donations fund the rescue so we can make sure all of the dogs we save are healthy and ready for their second chance. Paw Town Angels was founded by Callie Maxwell and Donita Willard, who are all avid animal lovers. Our Mission is to provide the highest quality care for our rescue dogs. Our dream is to one day have a facility that will allow us to save a greater number of homeless animals.

The Barking Lot Dog Rescue

We are a newly formed 501(c)(3) dog rescue in Maricopa County, Arizona. We are a group of very determined women with over 60 years of combined experience in the animal rescue community. We came together to start our dog rescue, The Barking Lot Dog Rescue, with the intention of giving unwanted or abandoned dogs and puppies a chance at a forever life by giving hope and filling hearts through rescue, adoption, and community education. Currently, we are a foster based rescue. We depend entirely on volunteer foster homes that graciously and lovingly provide a temporary resting point until permanent homes are found for each canine.

Animals Benefit Club

ABC specializes in the most severe abandonment, neglect and abuse cases. Many animals within our facility were rejected for treatment and rehabilitation by other facilities and arrive severely ill or injured. We give them a chance at a normal life and a happy, forever home. ABC also rescues dogs and cats from the streets of Phoenix, drastically reducing the number of homeless animals and suffering. Since these animals are almost never altered, they would have continued to breed, creating thousands more starving, homeless dogs and cats. All of our funding comes from donations and grants. 100% of every donor dollar is used for animal care and support and our administrative staff is made up entirely of volunteers. We are always looking for people who are passionate about animals, apply to be an animal caregiver or learn how to become an ABC volunteer.

Paw Placement

Paw Placement is a non-profit 501(c)(3), no-kill organization. Our mission is to reduce euthanasia of dogs and cats through rescue, adoption, and education about responsible pet ownership. Paw Placement is an all-breed rescue, which means that we save everything from Pitbulls to Papillons! Our dogs are all in loving foster homes, we don't have a boarding facility. You can rest assured that every one of them is safe and loved until we find the perfect forever home. We know our pups very well, and we do everything we can to make sure they go to a home that is correctly equipped to handle the unique needs of each particular dog.