The Best Riverside, CA Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

Yucaipa Animal Placement Society (YAPS)

Yucaipa Animal Placement Society (YAPS) is a no-kill nonprofit dog and cat rescue based in Yucaipa, CA. Our mission is to strive to prevent the euthanasia of dogs and cats throughout the region by providing them a temporary safe haven until a permanent and loving home can be found.

Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (MSRPAC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit charitable organization committed to giving homeless cats and dogs another chance for a healthy and happy life by finding them good, loving homes. MSRPAC is supported solely by private donations and fundraising projects. As a limited-entry companion adoption center, the Pet Adoption Center takes in healthy, adoptable cats and dogs from owners who can no longer care for them. As space allows, we also select healthy, adoptable cats and dogs from other local animal welfare agencies. Pets that are accepted into our center must pass health and behavior evaluations. All animals stay in our care until a good, loving home is found. No healthy, adoptable animal is ever destroyed. If space is not available to admit a pet, or if the pet cannot be accepted due to any other reason, owners are referred to other facilities and organizations. All pets while in our care receive food, a comfortable environment, medical attention and loving socialization from both staff and volunteers. Our staff and volunteers monitor the physical, emotional and mental health of the animals daily. A progressive “stress reduction” program helps keep our residents healthy, happy and adoptable. All animals are vaccinated, micro-chipped and spayed or neutered. For animals that are too young to be adopted, volunteers offer temporary homes through our pet foster care program. More on volunteering » Our Adoption Counselors assist in finding the right pet based on personalities and lifestyle. Individuals who adopt our animals go through an extensive adoption process where they are counseled on the medical, physical and emotional needs of the particular dog or cat they are adopting. After the adoption, the staff and volunteers at the center are always available to help with any questions or issues that may arise. Caring for homeless pets is not all the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center does. MSRPAC is very active in promoting animal welfare and positive human-animal relations through community-service programs which include humane education, pet behavior counseling, and support of pet overpopulation education and programs. More than 100 years of caring The Riverside Humane Society was established in 1897 for the purpose of preventing cruelty to children and animals. The first shelter was dedicated in 1917 and housed dogs, cats, horses, cows, birds, chickens and more. The society was incorporated in 1929 and in 1956 moved to 5791 Fremont Street. RHS provided complete animal control services such as licensing, impounding stray animals, accepting owner turn-ins, and investigating animal cruelty and aggressive-animal reports. Then in 1995, the society relinquished all animal control responsibilities to the County of Riverside Dept. of Animal Services and reorganized as the Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center. In January, 2008 RHSPAC relocated to a newly constructed, 17,000 s.f. facility at 6165 Industrial Avenue. On March 3, 2010 the Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center officially changed their name to the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center.

ALMA Rescue Foundation

Erin Riley-Carrasco and Suzie Williamson, lifetime friends, have a shared passion for animal advocacy. Suzie founded a Spay and Neuter Campaign in her hometown of Vizcaino, Mexico and teaming with several veterinarians, has spayed and neutered over 5000 dogs in her hometown. She has also fostered, rescued and found homes for countless dogs in the area and Southern California. Erin has been an animal activist since the age of 19 and has been involved in dog rescue for 30 years. In 2015 she worked closely with a group of dedicated volunteers to get nine city ordinances passed in Southern California, banning puppy mill pet stores in the area. She also volunteered with “Social Compassion In Legislation,” flying to Sacramento and testifying in favor of AB485 which ended up passing, ending puppy mill pet stores in the state of California. Together, this dynamic duo hopes to make an impact on the lives of needy animals by providing networking, transport, veterinary care, fosters and homes for neglected and abused dogs and cats. They truly believe that animals are someONE not someTHING and that every animal deserves a chance and a forever home.

Animal Lives Matter Inc

Animal Lives Matter is a section 501(c)(3) no-kill rescue group, incorporated in March 2017, with years of animal and rescue experience amongst our founders. We are committed to helping the most needy, as well as the readily adoptable, among our community's most vulnerable creatures

Lucky Chi Dog Rescue

We are a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) that helps prevent the suffering and neglect of Chihuahuas which are second-most euthanized breeds in the shelters. Our primary focus is subsidizing Spay and Neuter programs to prevent the needless suffering of unwanted dogs. We also support foster programs by funding medical and dental, along with pain meds for dogs in most need to alleviate suffering. To date, we have fostered hundreds of dogs and spayed and neutered thousands of dogs here and in Mexico over the years. We continue to do spay and neuter events, support fostering to find loving homes, and subsidize medical expenses to relieve extreme suffering of shelter animals. We also promote humane education for the betterment of the lives of companion animals.

Dream Team Angels Rescue

Dream Team Angels Rescue is a group of women who volunteer 100% of their time to helping homeless, sick, and injured dogs find their forever homes. Our history Dream Team Angels Rescue has been operating as a small federally recognized non profit rescue 501(c)(3) since 2018. Collectively, we have been helping our local pet population for more than 25 years!

Support 4 Paws

Support 4 Paws is a 501c3 nonprofit ​organization supporting animals and their ​guardians through community outreach, ​medical assistance and educational ​programs. Our mission is to keep animals in ​their homes, out of shelters and off the ​streets by providing much needed services ​to their owners. Thereby, we are “rescuing ​before rescue is needed.” If we can keep animals at home with their ​owners then they don’t end up in ​overcrowded shelters at risk of euthanasia

Code Red K9 Crew

Foster Army Animal Rescue

Redlands Humane Society

The Redlands Humane Society generally has a varied selection of pets available for adoption. Cats and dogs, pure breeds and mixed breeds, large and small, young and old. All waiting for that special person or family to love and be loved by. We operate an “all breeds” pet rescue and adoption program. We do not operate a shelter and never euthanize a healthy animal. All of our animals are in volunteer foster homes until they find good adoptive homes. We have no paid staff, this is an all volunteer organization. While this gives our pets a more caring environment, it also limits the number of pets we can take into our system at a time. If you are interested in more information on becoming a volunteer foster, please see our page for volunteer opportunities. We are the oldest Humane Society operating in California, with over 100 years of history. This history pre-dates the annexation of Redlands as a city. Our historical documents are on display at the Smiley Library in Redlands. Our current program, “Operation Second Chance” has been our focus since the 1990s.

The Animal Rescue Center of California

The housing crisis of 2008 created a wave of stray street dogs as owners lost their homes and moved to apartment buildings. With county shelters over-capacitated and animal control inundated, we saw an urgent need for help and stepped in immediately. With the help of private rescue organizations and low-cost spay and neuter programs, we have been able to rescue hundreds of animals off the street and find them loving permanent homes. There is a great deal more to do! Our vision moving forward is to continue helping animals in urgent need with a stronger support network and a greater capacity to rescue. Our ultimate intention is to create an animal campus in the eastern Coachella Valley to house rescued animals while finding suitable adopting families. Until then, we will continue our mission to help animals as we build The Animal Rescue Center of California.

Laguna Beach Animal Shelter

PUP Laguna Beach, a non-profit corporation, is the fundraising arm of Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, dedicated to bridging the gap between City funding and the special needs of our animals. PUP Laguna Beach directs fundraising efforts to ensure that the animals receive the best care possible including medical attention, neutering/spaying and behavioral reinforcement before they are adopted. In addition to fundraising, we are involved in animal issues that are brought to the attention of the City Council, along with working with the Police Department and Animal Control concerning any animal problems within our communities of Laguna Beach and Laguna Woods. PUP Laguna Beach is made up of a small board of directors who are active volunteers and staff members at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter. Each member can attest to the heartwarming experience of pairing a once-abandoned dog with new loving “parents” and witnessing tears of joy that often follow. There are also many heartbreaking stories about neglected and abused animals who find their way to the shelter. The Board is privileged to experience firsthand how fortunate we are in the City of Laguna Beach to have a quality, clean and humane shelter providing extraordinary services every day.

Huey's Rescue

We are a Non-Profit Organization inspired by the loss of a beloved cat, Huey, that is here to help local shelter pets in need. Our rescue is located in Temecula, CA and we focus our efforts on helping our local animal shelters (Animal Friends of the Valleys and Ramona Humane Society). We take the unwanted, sick and injured kittens, cats, puppies and dogs as well as small animals from these shelters. We place these animals into loving and experienced temporary foster homes until they are physically and mentally healthy enough to find their forever homes.

Doggie Bonez, Inc.

Doggie Bonez was founded by Jacqueline aka Jackie. She has a passion for dogs that started at an early age. Instead of playing with dolls, she enjoyed playing with all of her animals. Jacqueline’s first rescue was more than 18 years ago. She hasn’t looked back since, except to fondly remember all of her successful adoptions! Doggie Bonez is run by a group of volunteers, who provide their time, effort, and their love of all dogs. Doggie Bonez would not be as successful as it is today without all the help of these special people. If you would like to volunteer to help these great people and care for these great dogs & puppies, please Contact Us. We would be forever grateful for any and all help you could provide.

Unconditional Rescue

Desert Paws Sanctuary

Desert Paws Sanctuary is committed to the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of abandoned animals. Our mission is to establish a sanctuary for these animals while also offering educational resources and support to low-income communities in the area of animal welfare.

Compassionate Animal Rescue for Medical Aid

Compassionate Animal Rescue for Medical Aid is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) founded by veterinary professionals dedicated to enhancing the lives of people in our community through our love for animals. Our purpose is to rescue sick or injured animals, provide them with necessary medical care and place them into caring homes if needed. CARMA continues to be an all-volunteer organization so that 100% of the money raised through adoptions, merchandise sales, and from our valuable individual and corporate donors and sponsors goes towards the animals we rescue.

Promise 4 Paws

I.C.A.R.E. Dog Rescue

Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter

The story of the Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter began in 1972 amidst a growing crisis of homeless and abandoned pets in the Morongo Basin. It was Kay Baker, a dedicated animal lover and the operator of Hi-Dez Kennels, who donated a 3.5-acre property in Joshua Tree to the newly formed Morongo Basin Humane Society. This generous act led to the shelter’s official opening in 1981. Over the years, despite facing challenges, the shelter has thrived with the support of our community, evolving into a recognized no-kill shelter in 2005. Today, we stand proudly as the Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter, a testament to our enduring commitment to saving lives and nurturing the bond between humans and animals.

Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire

Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire was founded through the collaboration of multiple city governments that recognized the need for a centralized resource to care for stray, abandoned, and surrendered animals. By working with our community, we are committed to enhancing the well-being of animals across Ontario, Chino, Montclair, and nearby unincorporated areas of San Bernardino.

Animal Authority Rescue Team

Luna Siberian Rescue

Luna Siberian Rescue is a small but mighty 501c3 non-profit Husky Rescue located in Southern California near Joshua Tree National Park. Our first husky Luna inspired us to try and help other huskies in need. We especially love to help the underdogs that many overlook.

Pet Place International, Inc.

Pet Place International, Inc. (PPI), is a 501c(3) non-profit animal rescue, sanctuary, and therapeutic riding program (Great Strides) located near Joshua Tree, California. We live at the rescue ranch along with all of our animals. In addition to scheduled adoption events, we utilize all genres of media, including appearances on K-Cal 9 and KTAL News, local radio programs, newspaper, magazine write-ups, and social media to find homes for our rescued animals. Our founder and president of PPI, Joan Grandizio started actively contributing to animal welfare needs while operating a dog grooming business. She created a wall calendar featuring her groomed dogs, the sales of which garnered funds to donate to various animal rescue organizations. How did we get our name? Joan Grandizio created an Animal Product Directory designed to help raise funds for rescue. It was called Pet Place International Pet Directory. In 2008, PPI became a non-profit, boots on the ground, hands-on animal rescue! Since its inception, PPI has rescued and placed thousands of animals. We currently provide a healthy, loving environment to dogs, cats, pigs, horses, and a donkey — and the new kids on the block (See below). Until they get their forever home, they are safe, healthy, loved, and happy with us at the PPI Rescue Ranch. As animal stewards, it is our goal to educate, help prevent cruelty and neglect to animals, and bring awareness to children and all members of the community regarding animal welfare issues; and to provide for the health and well-being of animals with an emphasis on saving lives, and spay/neutering to help eradicate pet overpopulation and euthanasia. In a struggling economy, many horse owners cannot afford to properly care for their horses; and horses that are not winning on the track are eventually auction and slaughter-house bound. These regal animals deserve to live out their lives with dignity and respect. PPI rescues these at-risk horses, restoring their health, training them, and making them ready for placement into qualified forever-homes. Love 1 Love All - photos of puppy, baby pig, baby lamb, and calf. As vegans, our concern reaches beyond companion animals. We lobby and advocate with fervent activism to educate the public and bring about change regarding the cruelty of factory farming. Consuming factory-farmed animals is not only unnecessary to sustain one’s health (to the contrary), it is harmful to our planet. We encourage everyone to sign every petition that advocates for ethical, compassionate, and dignified treatment of all animals world-wide; and to adopt a plant-based vegan diet. It’s our job to make the world a better place; moreover, it’s our job to be an attentive, caring, voice for the voiceless.

Greendog Foundation

We are passionate about caring for those who need an extra hand (or 5!). We believe that everyone (and every animal) deserves a chance to be their best, and we try our best every day to make sure that all of our animals can find a forever home. The opportunity for an animal to have a second chance at life would not exist without the extraordinary generosity of our donors. Every dollar raised provides care, medical services and the opportunity for an animal to have a loving and permanent home.

Loving All Animals

Loving All Animals was incorporated at the end of 2008 to fill a void in the animal welfare community within the Coachella Valley. The agency sought to be the conduit for the welfare of the valley’s animals. Lindi Biggi, founder of Loving All Animals, believed that if all of the shelters and rescue organizations could work cooperatively, the animals would be the ultimate beneficiary. In 2018, the Pet Rescue Center, a 501(c)3 charity, based in Coachella, CA, was gifted to Loving All Animals. The Pet Rescue Center had been founded and continuously managed by Christine Madruga for 21 years. In 2018, the Pet Rescue Center’s Board elected to transfer the entire charity to Loving All Animals, and Christine retired. Loving All Animals provides animal sheltering, adoption, training, support, humane education programs to our community.

Muttly Crew

Our goal at Muttly Crew, Inc is to rescue animals from harm many of which have been abandoned, hurt, or abused. We are a non-profit 501c3 organization committed to the care and re-homing of all the dogs that we save. Our goal is to help them heal, get needed veterinary care, neutered/spayed to make them ready for a forever home.​ We count on volunteers to help support our rescue efforts, involving immediate rescue from harmful situations, and trapping of abandoned animals to get them off the street. We are strictly a volunteer-based organization that relies on fundraisers, collecting donations, silent auctions, raffles; etc. to support our rescue efforts.

Apple Valley Animal Services

The Animal Services Department consists of Field Services and Shelter Services, working together to protect public safety and provide humane animal care through sheltering, pet placement programs, education and law enforcement. Our philosophy is to promote responsible pet ownership, compassion toward animals and safe human-animal interactions. We celebrate partnerships with various individuals and rescue organizations that allow us to increase placement of adoptable animals into permanent loving homes. Working together, we all can provide a "Better Way of Life" for the animals in our care - four paws at a time.

All Things Pups Rescue

All Things Pups Rescue was founded in 2020 by celebrity dog trainer & behaviorist Kaelin Munkelwitz. Growing up, Kaelin always had a deep connection with dogs and developed a passion for fostering and rescue. When Kaelin moved to California, she was devastated by the number of sweet and healthy dogs being euthanized due to overcrowding in California shelters, especially pits and other large breeds who had been labeled as “aggressive dogs”. Over the years, Kaelin has poured her heart into saving these dogs through training and education and has built a reputation within the rescue community as a "miracle worker" with aggressive and reactive dogs; so much so, that she is considered the 'go-to' trainer for aggressive dogs on the verge of euthanasia among rescues she partners with. Kaelin’s ultimate goal was always to start a rescue but saw it as a long-term goal. However, a puppy named Kuma came into her life changed everything… Kuma first entered Kaelin's life in 2017 when he was a 3-month-old training client and started having seizures and high fevers under her care. After rushing him to the vet, Kuma was given less than a 10% chance of surviving the next 24 hours, and his owners were ready to give up on him. But recognizing Kuma's strength and love of life, Kaelin knew that Kuma had more to teach the world. She begged his owners to surrender him to her so that she could give him a second chance. And so began their incredible journey together. He was given a prognosis of around a year, and Kaelin was ready to do everything she could to give Kuma the best life with the time he had. Kuma’s condition included spiking fevers as high as 106 degrees and painful joint flare-ups about twice a week that lasted throughout the night. The disease was managed by high dose steroids, countless medications, and long nights of constant cold water baths, enemas, and fluids that Kaelin would administer herself until 2, 3 or sometimes 4am in the morning before going to work that morning to help other dogs. But beyond his terrible disease, Kuma was full of incredible happiness and powerful, unconditional love. He fought every single day of his life, always with a smile and a wagging tail, showing the world what true strength is. And Kaelin fought right alongside him, making sure he always knew he was never alone through any of it. At the age of 11 months, Kuma crossed the rainbow bridge in Kaelin’s arms. While Kuma may be physically gone, his story lives on, teaching others what unconditional love and true strength looks like. After going through this experience with Kuma, Kaelin was inspired to act on her dreams of starting a rescue to save other dogs like Kuma who are looking for someone to give them a second chance. All Things Pups Rescue’s ultimate goal is to give abandoned dogs like Kuma a second chance and decrease the number of dogs euthanized in local shelters by showing our community that you can find wonderful dogs of all ages, breeds and sizes through rescue. All Things Pups Rescue is lucky to have an incredible team of dog-loving, loyal and intelligent people that share Kaelin’s undying passion for doing whatever it takes to save dogs and educate the public on how to become better dog owners. As Kaelin knows the importance of training and owner education, every All Things Pups Rescue dog receives individual training to ensure we know the best fit for our dogs and can ensure successful adoptions.

Hope Ranch Animal Sanctuary

Hope Ranch Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit organization; obtained our 501(c)3 in 2011 - ID #27-810495 Located in Anza, CA In 2003 Kathy Haley moved to Anza, California in hope of providing sanctuary for large abused and neglected animals such as donkeys, llamas, alpacas, pigs, and many more. At the time, she was also volunteering for a dog rescue and after learning about the importance of rescue work, Kathy saw an opportunity to help by employing her own ideas about animal welfare, rescue and care taking the whole animal mind, body and spirit into consideration. A few years later, she met Lisa Ashe. Kathy and Lisa had so many ideas, dreams, and goals in common. They instantly clicked and that was when "Hope Ranch Animal Sanctuary", a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was born in 2011 and have been going strong since. Lisa passed away in 2017 from Cancer but to this day, is still a major inspiration to Hope Ranch and always a part of our team and family. She helped saved countless lives. At Hope Ranch Animal Sanctuary, we are dedicated to taking in abused, neglected, and euthanasia listed animals that deserve a second chance and need us the most.