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.

Community Paws

We have been a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit in Buckeye, Arizona since 2014. We are completely dependent upon local volunteers and rescue organizations to foster animals in need. We hold numerous events throughout the year to generate donations to help local animals and individuals in need. ​ One of our proudest achievements is partnering with Chewy.com since 2018 to redistribute pet food deemed unacceptable for resale to animal rescues and charities in need. To date we've provided hundreds of thousands, if not millions of pounds of pet food, one bag at a time.

Pepper's Pals Rescue

“Pepper” is the name lovingly given to the female AmBully adopted by the Langley family in 2013. Never having rescued a dog before, the Langley family were introduced to the world of dog adoption through Pepper. Birth of Advocacy After bringing home Pepper, the Langley family underwent training and research to become well-versed in canine physical/mental health, all-breed advocacy, and rescue dog ownership. Legacy Lives On This little AmBully awakened a love for helping rescue dogs find their forever homes. The need for a foster-backed rescue in the Northwest Phoenix was realized in Pepper’s Pals Rescue.

Heart of Infinity

VJ Ranch

VJ Ranch is a quiet, peaceful horse boarding and leasing facility in New River, Arizona. We border the Tonto National Forest for miles of trail riding! We provide a safe and comfortable environment for your horse and all the necessary accommodations for you. We are here to offer a helping hand if one is needed. We are also home to a dog rescue and always have wonderful dogs available for adoption! VJ Ranch is home to a dog rescue as well! We rescue all of our dogs and puppies from shelters when they are in immediate danger of euthanasia. All of our dogs live here at the ranch as part of our family until they find their forever home. We spay/neuter, vaccinate, deworm and microchip all of our dogs and puppies prior to them going home. We also work on housebreaking, crate training and socialization with them. Our goal is to find loving, forever homes for as many homeless animals as we can. Please schedule an appointment to come out and meet the gang.

Adopt A Dog Rescue

We are a non profit 501c (3) dedicated to rescuing homeless and abandoned animals, primarily dogs from high-kill shelters and owners who can no longer care for them. We put our heart and soul into giving these sweet innocent souls the love and care they deserve until they find their forever homes. We are a volunteer-based non-profit rescue dedicated to dogs and puppies left homeless for whatever reason. Our dogs come from the euthanasia list at MCACC but we accept dogs given up by their owners because of difficult circumstances and those in danger of abuse or neglect. We place dogs in loving, responsible, permanent homes and take considerable care in finding good matches. Animals in our care are spayed or neutered, microchipped, receive all appropriate veterinary care and treatment, and placed in nurturing foster homes while they await placement in their permanent homes. We assist dogs in distress without regard to age, breed or ease of placement.

Saving Orphan Souls Rescue

My name is Ro Perez and I am the CEO/Founder of Saving Orphan Souls Rescue, a 501c3 Non-Profit Cat/Small Dog Rescue based out of Glendale, Arizona. My goal, along with my volunteers and fosters, is to make a difference in each and every life that comes through our doors by showing them what LOVE and being cared for is all about. As a rescue, we cut no corners and provide extensive medical care, high quality food, supplements, toys, socialization and lots of time and love for each and every animal. Saving Orphan Souls Rescue is a no kill organization, and all our animals are placed into foster care while they await their "furever homes". All our foster homes are thoroughly screened, and unannounced home checks are done to ensure our animals are being well taken care of at all times. Our animals are introduced to other dogs, cats and children to ensure there are no behavioral issues, and we can place them with the correct adopters. Any animal that comes into our rescue is thoroughly assessed, vet checked and given ample time to adjust to their new surroundings so we can properly evaluate them. Our fosters provide a ton of love and compassion to these animals to ensure they become well rounded, and will make an outstanding family pet. Saving Orphan Souls Rescue is passionate about the homeless animals on the streets of Arizona. However, that same passion extends to members of the human community and we are glad to extend a helping hand to anyone in need by providing much needed supplies and owner education. Our rescue efforts extend beyond the borders of Arizona and we will take in animals from other states who are in dire need of rescuing. We partner with affiliates in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Utah and other surrounding states. Our goal is to get animals out of hoarding situations, puppy mills, off the streets of Mexico, and to give cats from Puerto Rico a chance to find a forever home. Without rescue from the island, they would only have a 10% likelihood of finding a loving home. No matter the situation, we are always ready, willing and able to help these innocent lives. RESCUE DOGS AND CATS MAKE THE ABSOLUTE BEST FAMILY COMPANIONS!

Peteys Playground

Help A Dog Smile

Help A Dog Smile is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. We find loving homes for stray dogs and dogs on euthanasia lists at kill shelters throughout the state of Arizona. Have you ever seen a dog running down the street with its tongue hanging out, its body too skinny, and its paws battered? We have too. And we couldn’t turn away. Which is why we started Help A Dog Smile. HADS, as we fondly call it, is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. We find loving homes for stray dogs and dogs on euthanasia lists at kill shelters throughout the state. Once we determine that the animal has no owner (if it is a stray) we place the dog in a boarding facility or foster home where the dog can receive the tender loving care he or she desperately needs. This always requires a veterinary check up, vaccinations, and usually a spay or neuter surgery. Once the animal is healthy, we seek a loving home where he or she can live out their life in happiness.

Love For Dogs

Love For Dogs is a rescue that consists of a system of volunteers and foster homes located in and around Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ. We focus on small dogs with medical needs, undersocialized as well as fospice. We are non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to rescuing dogs in need from our surrounding communities. These dogs may be shy, sick, injured, orphaned, or just old... all are at risk of euthanasia. We bring these dogs into loving and skilled foster homes where they receive the love and care needed to be adopted into wonderful forever homes, or to spend their final days. We also serve our community by providing resources and help on responsible dog ownership. We believe no dog should die in a shelter or be unloved - they have so much love to give. From the puppy to the hospice dogs, every dog deserves their own loving family. Our founder started fostering over a dozen years ago and fell in love with each and every dog that passed through their home. She helped run a rescue in California and now runs this one in Arizona. Our founder has a special place in her heart for fospice and under-socialized dogs.

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.

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 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.

Heart2Heart Animal Rescue

Heart2Heart Animal Rescue is dedicated to lowering the euthanasia rate in Maricopa County by rescuing dogs from the shelters and finding them adoptive homes. Many dogs do not show well when in a shelter, but will often blossom and become a whole different dog when they're no longer in that scary environment. Heart2Heart will give these dogs a chance to shine and show who they really are. Heart2Heart is a foster based rescue, which means the dogs in their care stay in homes and not cages. I believe this helps prepare dogs for their adoptive home by allowing them to learn house manners and introducing them to things they'd never experience in a shelter. Heart2Heart also has limited resources to take in pocket pets and birds to adopt out.

Sun Valley Animal Shelter

Sun Valley Animal Shelter, Inc., is an Arizona nonprofit corporation with 501(c)3 status which operates a No-Kill shelter in Glendale, Arizona, generally serving the western portion of the Phoenix metropolitan area. The organization was founded in 1991 by a group of Sun City area residents as a foster-based program to provide adoption opportunities for homeless and abandoned dogs and cats. The current facility was built in 1995 and can house 70+ dogs and 70+ cats. The organization receives no government funding and is supported by income from our thrift store profits, adoption fees, membership dues, donations and bequests. We recently received a grant to assist in the construction of a new medical/surgical center at the facility. The animals taken into our care are housed in a clean, secure environment and are spayed/neutered, microchipped, given all necessary shots and a physical exam. Dedicated volunteers are invaluable in assisting with the daily care and nurturing of our dogs and cats prior to finding a loving home. We are proud to note that in the last several years we have increased adoptions from approximately 150 animals per year to over 700 animals per year. Our History The organization was incorporated under the name of Sun Cities Animal Rescue (SCAR) on April 11, 1991 by its Founders, Karin Brittin and Virginia Hall of Sun City Arizona. Prior to incorporation, these ladies had been rescuing lost cats and finding homes for them. A group of Sun City volunteers was formed, and the goals were expanded to include both cats and dogs that had been abandoned or lost. This group of volunteers solicited enough seed money to contemplate the construction of a bona fide animal shelter which was a massive undertaking necessitating an immense effort. Meanwhile, SCAR established a voluntary network of foster homes to care for animals until permanent adoptive homes could be found for them. A Sun City bank fortuitously extended SCAR two loans in order to construct our present facilities which were completed for occupancy in 1995. What started out as two caring ladies in Sun City rescuing stray cats has evolved to an exceptional shelter facility that finds homes for over 1,000 cats and dogs every year. The name was changed to Sun Valley Animal Shelter in 2007. We are very fortunate to have wonderful volunteers who help our staff with the day to day operations. We don’t get any federal or state funding, and we rely upon 70% of our funding for our shelter from the generosity of the public.

Dawgz, Tailz & Wagz

Dawgz, Tailz & Wagz (DTW) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer-based animal welfare organization dedicated to providing resources for dogs in need and to support the local animal rescue community. Through a network of caring foster homes, volunteer advocates, veterinarians and trainers, our goal is to ensure that no dog in Maricopa County is left behind by an overburdened system

SOUL An Animal Rescue

Our amazing team of volunteers and fosters are committed to helping animals in our community. Our roots are in the veterinary medicine community and many of our fosters are veterinary students! Think you would be a good addition to our team? See our "Get Involved" page for more information on how to become a foster or volunteer! We are a foster-based organization operated out of Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding cities. We started as a small group of veterinary students with the hopes of offering a few kittens a second chance. We've grown considerably since then, all thanks to the helping hands of this amazing community

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.

West Valley Animal Rescue

West Valley Animal Rescue is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to rescuing, fostering and rehoming the abandoned animals around the valley. With your help, we hope to make a difference in the lives of these wonderful animals. We pull dogs from local shelters and county, as well as owner surrenders and strays. All of our animals are provided with veterinary care including sterilization, vaccination, deworming and microchipping. We help animals in our care find temporary home while being evaluated and eventually place them in their forever home.

Regal Dane Rescue

Established in March of 2019, Regal Dane Rescue has rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed a number of dogs, that without our help would not have survived. The dogs in our rescue are often pulled from high kill shelters in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Mexico. Another large number of dogs come from owner surrenders or are abandoned dogs. Many of the dogs we intake have medical or behavioral needs that go above the standard vaccinations, wellness checks and spays/neuters. Regal Dane Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We rely solely on the donations and partnerships of the community to fund the cost of the Great Danes in our care. All funds raised through raffles, fundraising events and donation drives go towards the medical, training and care of the Danes. Without the support of the community the rescue would not be able to save the lives of these “Gentle Giants”.

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.

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.

Rescue Street

Since Tiffany Street was kid she has rescued anything from loose dogs to uncaged iguanas. In 2022 she finally made it official (and following her life long passion) by founding Rescue Street in Glendale, AZ in 2022 with her husband Adam. There are so many adoptable dogs and cats that are lost, abandoned, mistreated, and put to sleep that don’t have to be. Rescue Street was founded to rescue and find loving homes for adoptable pets.

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.

Desert Dogs Rescue Inc.

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

Dogue de Bordeaux Rescue

We are a foster based dog rescue for the benefit of the Dogue de Bordeaux in the United States and Canada. Dogue de Bordeaux Rescue was originally founded in 1997 when a female Dogue de Bordeaux, later named Meg was found wandering the streets of New York and taken to a shelter. Since founded, Dogue de Bordeaux Rescue has gone through major changes. We have gone from being a 501(c)7 under the wing of the Dogue de Bordeaux Society of America, to being our own entity registered as Dogue de Bordeaux Rescue, Inc. With 501(c)3 charitable status in 2008. The rescue started as a smaller group of fanciers of the breed and one coordinator that handled a few dozen Dogues a year throughout the United States and Canada, to having hundreds of volunteers and followers who assist on average a hundred Dogues a year. We have grown to have a Board of Directors and Regional Directors each handling their areas of the country. We have established committees to handle different aspects of rescue such as fundraising, events, websites, and social media. Since our conception, we have remained 100% volunteer based and welcome other fanciers to join our team.

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.