The Best Pittsburgh, PA Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

National Brittany Rescue and Adoption Network

National Brittany Rescue & Adoption Network (NBRAN) is an alliance of dedicated Brittany rescue volunteers who share a deep love for the breed and who will work to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home Brittanys in need, whether abandoned, lost, stray or surrendered to rescue for placement. As volunteers united in a common cause, we are committed to the care of these dogs in foster homes, and providing for their physical and emotional needs. We are committed in our endeavor to help them with all the resources we have available. We pledge to maintain a community of volunteers who treat each other, and the dogs they rescue, with respect, courtesy, kindness and love. We will seek always to lend encouragement and to support one another, and to facilitate friendly collaboration and cooperation between our volunteers. We believe that by building a supportive, dog-centered organization founded on respect, honesty and integrity, we will always remain focused on the welfare of the Brittanys entrusted to our care and hold their interests uppermost in our hearts and minds. Our mission is to place these dogs in safe, loving and permanent homes with approved applicants, and to provide a supportive network for our volunteers, who after all, make our goals possible.

Bridge To Home Animal Rescue

Bridge To Home Animal Rescue is a non-profit 501c3 dedicated to helping homeless, unwanted, and abandoned dogs. We are dedicated to helping dogs find their forever homes. We have no facility. Our dogs are kept in our homes until the perfect forever home is found.

FurKid Rescue

Furkid is a foster network rescue meaning all of our rescues are temporary members of our families. Our fosters can give you insight into the personality and needs of our FurKids because they are in our homes, versus you meeting them in a stressful environment where they haven't had a chance to let their fur down and their true personalities shine through. We officially started in 2008 rescuing Pit Bulls because they needed to be rescued the most. However over the years with the increase in puppy mills and backyard breeders, we have become an all-breed rescue because we want to save all dogs. We don't discriminate. We take dogs that other rescues won't. We have rescued and rehabilitated pups starved from the brink of death, pups with parvo who were given almost no chance, dogs who have been shot, dogs with disabilities or mange that are deemed undesirable, or not worth saving. We rescue elderly dogs left on chains for the majority of their years, puppies with minutes to spare before being euthanized for no reason other than no one is paying attention. We love and rescue them all. Please understand that we do not have a physical location. We try to give our animals the best foster experience possible, not only for their comfort, but to implement positive reinforcement training methods and to make sure they are getting the best care imaginable. We work on a volunteer basis and this rescue work takes time away from our families, friends, and pets. Our strength to continue rescuing animals comes from finding one of our adoptable dogs a forever home where they will be loved, cherished and treated as a member of the family. It is those moments that make our hearts full and give us the drive to continue.

Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh

Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh (HARP) is one of Pennsylvania's largest non-profit organizations dedicated to the welfare of animals, pet owners and the community. HARP operates two low-cost, high quality veterinary medical centers. In an average year, over 6,500 animals are treated and more than 7,000 spay and neuter surgeries are performed in these facilities. In addition to caring for domestic animals, the organization remains committed to indigenous species. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is a fully licensed wildlife facility that specializes in caring for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. Annually more than 4,000 injured wildlife of over 100 unique species are admitted and treated by the Center. Among them are more than 2,300 mammals, 1,700 birds and over 50 reptiles.

Biggies Bullies

Our mission is to rescue and re-home pit bull type dogs in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas. With love, care, and humane training, we ensure proper placement by making appropriate matches to the right families and remain a lifelong resource for those families. Biggies Bullies is a non-salaried 501(c)(3) non-profit charity registered with the Internal Revenue Service and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. We are 100% volunteer developed and staffed.

Butler County Humane Society

A non-profit animal shelter, the Butler County Humane Society (BCHS) has been serving the Butler community for more than 120 years, converting to a no-kill shelter in 2000. Contrary to popular belief, our shelter is not supported by taxpayer dollars, and for the bulk of our funding we instead are dependent on the support of generous community members.

Senior Pet And Animal Rescue

Jen and Laura dreamed of a safe haven for senior animals that are generally considered "less adoptable" or "difficult to place." As owners and lovers of elderly pets, they realized these animals needed their help and homes. Senior Pet and Animal Rescue (SPAAR) transformed that dream into a heartfelt reality. SPAAR is committed to educating the public about the advantages of adopting a senior animal and on the importance of spaying and neutering their pets. We work directly and individually with pet owners to help keep senior animals with their families and in their homes, reducing the number of senior animals that are surrendered to shelters. At this time, SPAAR is a 100% foster-based, 501(c)(3) animal rescue organization located in Pittsburgh, PA. While our long-term plan includes a safe, comfortable space dedicated to senior animals, currently all of our animals, including those in hospice care, reside in foster homes. To learn more about fostering, click here.

Pennsylvania Great Dane Rescue

WE ARE JUST A HANDFUL OF NORMAL FOLKS WHO LOVE GREAT DANES AND WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR THE BREED. WE ARE A MEDICAL REHAB AND RESCUE NOT A BEHAVIORAL REHAB. CURRENTLY WE CAN NOT TAKE IN BITE CASE DOGS. BUT PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL WE MAY STILL BE ABLE TO LEAD YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

Familiar Hearts Rescue Society

Familiar Hearts Animal Society is small but growing. We're focused on quality of care for our animals so you know the pet you adopt is fully ready for your home. While we have fewer animals than larger rescues, we still need loving foster and adoptive homes for those in our care because there's always that next animal in need who we want to help. If you can't foster or adopt today, please donate any amount to support our work.

Hound Haven of Lone Pine

We are a small (15-20 dog) in-house 501c3 nonprofit canine rescue and sanctuary specializing in hounds and beagles

Animal Friends

For more than 80 years, Animal Friends has been saving, impacting, engaging, enriching and affecting the lives of the pets and people of our region. Since our humble beginnings in 1943, we have grown into a full-service companion animal welfare organization serving the pets and people of Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. With our progressive programs, Animal Friends is leading the way toward making our community a safer and more humane place. Simply put, we are thinking outside the cage!

Philly Rescue Angels

Philly Rescue Angels Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in the state of Pennsylvania. Our Mission is to save the lives of dogs and cats that have been abandoned, abused, or neglected. Our organization allows us to rescue, evaluate, and rehabilitate animals, and place them into forever homes through our program. Our rescue and behavioral training programs maintain relationships with adopters to ensure successful placements that last a lifetime. PRAI is 100% donor funded. We receive no funding from federal, state, or county governments. As a result, we rely on the generous donations from our supporters and the adoption fees for each dog in order to save the dogs and cats in need that join our rescue organization.