This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in Portland, ME. 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.
#116 in United States, #1 in Maine, #4 in Portland
Portland
Welcome to our page! We are a 501c3 nonprofit foster based dog rescue located in Maine. We strive to provide more than just a new family member. We provide links to other businesses that support our mission. We provide training tips and how-to on helping your new pet (or even a current one) live their best lives. We have testimonials from some of the wonderful families that we have impacted with our rescue.
"I adopted a young rescue dog from Blessed Be the Bullies sister rescue, Pulled from the Pits, and have been..."
— nichole s.
Adoptee, Supporter
"Blessed be the bullies does so much amazing work for dogs that other shelters would put down. Katie loves them..."
— justin c.
Supporter
#266 in United States, #2 in Maine, #7 in Portland
Portland
Rescue Charlie's Friends was established in 2018 because we love dogs and want them to have the best life possible. Many dogs lost their homes due to fire, floods or hurricanes. Others have been abandoned, neglected or abused. Whatever the cause, our mission is to rescue them and match them with a loving forever family. Most of our dogs come from high-kill shelters. The shelters do the best they can but due to limited facilities, dogs can't stay long. Dogs must be moved out quickly or be put down. These are Charlie's Friends. These are the dogs that we focus on. We stay in touch with shelters and volunteers in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and elsewhere. We bring the dogs to Maine where Fosters care for them until they are adopted. We rescue as many dogs as we can but we always need more help.
"I have adopted three Britney's and am thank for the rescue centers. One came from Texas,another Missouri,and the third Tennessee...."
— dale l.
Fan
"Three Times the Love, Thanks to Rescue Charlie's Friends! I always knew I wanted to open my heart and home to..."
— ashley f.
#266 in United States, #2 in Maine, #7 in Portland
Portland
The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland nurtures the connection between people and pets to advance animal welfare and improve the quality of life in our community.
"Great folks loving up the pets!"
— jj j.
Supporter, Fan
"ARLGP cares so much for every animal that comes their way. Everything from dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, rats,..."
— leah p.
Volunteer / foster
#361 in United States, #4 in Maine, #10 in Portland
Portland
"Midcoast Humane is just the BEST."
— amy r.
Adoptee
#600 in United States, #6 in Maine, #12 in Portland
Portland
We believe rescue is traumatic and often an overload on an animal who relies heavily upon their senses. No matter what the dog's origin, the past was their home and was what they knew. Rescue pulls the animal from a familiar place, vets, spays and neuters, puts them in vehicles, crates and kennels, and immediately places them in a new environment. Even in the best of circumstances any human or animal would suffer a sensory shock at all this imposed change. Our ultimate goal is to remain conscious of the senses of the dogs as we move them to a better life.
#600 in United States, #6 in Maine, #12 in Portland
Portland
Ellie's Legacy Animal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, volunteer-run, foster- based dog rescue organization based out of Southern Maine. Our ability to help dogs and to continue as an organization relies totally on the generosity of public donations. We are passionate about pet adoption and place our rescued animals in responsible, loving, forever adoptive homes. Our area of focus for helping dogs in need is currently Texas. Yes, there are dogs in need of rescue everywhere, but we are drawn to helping Texas dogs due to the sheer numbers of homeless, abused, and neglected animals located in this state. We have been able to build a wonderful network of local Texas rescuers, fosters, veterinarians, and transporters to aid in our rescue. Our dogs are mostly stray animals found by Texas locals, dogs from Texas shelters, and some owner surrenders. We quarantine our dogs a minimum of 30 days in a Texas foster home and give appropriate veterinary care before they are transported to their Maine adoptive homes. We comply with all the health requirements mandated by the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.
#600 in United States, #6 in Maine, #12 in Portland
Portland
In 1990, a dedicated group of Old Town/Orono citizens, concerned about the well-being of homeless cats and dogs in their communities, founded The Animal Orphanage. Thousands of lost or abandoned animals have found food, shelter, medical treatment and the comfort of a caring staff at the Orphanage over the years. Every effort is made to reunite the animal with its loving owners or arrange adoption into a new home.
Welcome to the 2024 Portland, ME Sniffspot Top Dog Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top rescues and shelters in Portland, ME chosen by the Sniffspot community and the public.
This list is sponsored by Sniffspot, the largest global network of private dog parks. Sniffspot offers 7 private dog parks in the Portland area, including fenced, water, indoor, and beach parks. As a hub for rescue dogs, our sponsorship underscores our dedication to supporting shelters and rescues. Explore Portland dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.
Ordered alphabetically, only included states where there is enough data to compile a list
Blessed Be the Bullies certifies that all dogs that have been imported into the State of Maine will have been tested for heartworm, ehrlichia, Lyme, anaplasmosis and intestinal parasites. They will have received vaccines against the following: Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Infectious Tracheobronchitis, Canine Parvo Virus and Rabies. This may not apply to puppies that were not old enough at time of transport to be tested or given all shots. BBTB is not responsible for other diseases or issues that may arise after the quarantine period, as we have no way of foreseeing or controlling those situations. If adopting a puppy, adopters should be aware that they may be responsible for completing series vaccinations or vaccinations that couldn't be given before the time of adoption due to age. All animals are also treated topically for fleas and ticks, but please keep in mind that it can take up to three weeks to take care of any issues that may be present. In the case of puppies, we may not have been able to treat them due to age. We do our best to prevent the spread of fleas and ticks. Also, in the case of puppies, most under the age of 6 months are likely to have parasites, despite being dewormed. It takes regular deworming to eliminate parasites, so the adopter should plan on getting a fecal test done shortly after adoption to see if there are lasting parasites. As for older dogs, they are required to have a fecal test before transport, but they may need another round of testing and dewormer as well, depending on the life cycle of the eggs, as the test only detects active parasites, so it may take another dose to dispel them all. It is the responsibility of the adopter to provide this care and respective treatment if necessary.
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. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular 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. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.