The Best San Diego, CA Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

Bunny's Buddies

Bunny's Buddies works tirelessly to save dogs from slaughterhouses, the streets and kill shelters in Asia and the USA.

The Animal Pad

The Animal Pad is a non-profit, all breed dog rescue that focuses on saving dogs from high kill shelters and the streets of Mexico. We get them vet care, place them in foster homes and then find them loving forever families. A few years ago, we turned our attention to the street dogs of Mexico as there is very little help for them. Since then, we have developed a large rescue network in Baja California and we have a sister shelter in Ensenada that we focus on taking dogs from whenever funds allow.

A Way Home For Dogs

We are a free Pet Recovery Service assisting owners on a global scale. We also secure evasive street strays primarily in the San Diego are (occasionally Riverside). If the strays are not claimed at the local shelter systems and are in danger of being euthanized, we become their safety net pending kennel space. We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome when the dogs are ready and safe to do so.

Amazing Strays Rescue

From day one, our goal has been to help all dogs who need it. Big, small, medical cases, senior or puppy; ASR stands by our commitment- Lisa, Our Founder

The Liberty Dog Network

The Liberty Dog Network was established in 2022 and is a small, Southern California based dog rescue. We rely on fosters/people to open their home to care for the dogs we rescue. We provide all medical care and supplies to our fosters, they provide the home and supply the love.

The Barking Lot

Located on 10 acres in San Diego County, we adopt to anywhere in the US and Canada. It's our goal to find an excellent match suited to both you and each of our Temporary Barkers. Having rescued over 9,000 dogs since our inception in 2006, we are primarily volunteer run with a soft spot for the underdogs. Our Temporary Barkers come from all over the world as we have partnerships with Soi Dog Foundation in Thailand, Four Paws in Cambodia/Vietnam and Ark119 in Korea from which we've taken in over 1000 dog meat trade survivors. We also rescue heavily from Mexico where the abandoned dog population is extensive, the neglect is vast and the stories are heart wrenching.

It's The Pits

It's The Pits is a 501c3 canine rescue that coordinates the fostering and adoption of dogs that haven't yet found their permanent home. We specialize in American Staffordshire Terriers (Am Staffs), Staffordshire Bull Terriers ("Staffy's"), and American Pit Bull Terriers, but will do our best to help all breeds, often by referral to other local rescues that specialize in that type of dog. You can find many of these on our links page. We are located in San Diego county, as are all of our foster homes. We work alongside our fosters to give the dogs a temporary and loving home before they are placed into permanent homes. We rescue dogs from various shelters, evaluate them, ensure they are healthy, and then match them with the appropriate family. We take pride in matching the best dog for the individual family that contacts us. We do this by matching the activity level of the dog to the family's needs, as well as making sure that the other pets in the home work well with the new addition to the pack.

Mad Mutts

Our goal is to assist in the rescue and rehabilitation of at-risk dogs from shelters that need a little more time, a more home-like environment, more individualized support, and/or have minor medical issues. So many AMAZING dogs just simply do not thrive or show well in a kennel environment. We aim to help rehabilitate and rehome these dogs with the goal of quality homes over quantity of placements. Our small rescue works with local shelters and rescues in Southern California to network, transport, foster, and adopt.

Tragic to Magic

We are in the Baja California region and see first hand the homeless, hungry, scared and sometimes sick dogs on the streets. We take the animals in and keep the animals in our homes until they are fully vetted and ready to find a new home. We are just 3 people doing the actual rescue so we attempt to operate on a one-in one-put bases. Therefore, we work very hard doing adoption events, networking with other rescues and using social media to find them homes. We have saved over 120 animals in 2017.

Heart of Gold's Shelter

Heart of Gold Legacy was established in December 2005 with the purpose of providing assistance to various organizations that promote the general welfare of animals. Gertrude Sissy, McGill, the benefactress of Heart of Gold Legacy, has given financial contributions to organizations that provide shelter and care to animals before the inception of the foundation. Sissy has been an active supporter of animal welfare all her life. With the help of Teresita Bacani, a long-time friend and business partner, Sissy's vision of helping the animals through the foundation came to fruition. A legacy has been finally fulfilled. To this date, many animal welfare organizations in the United States have benefited from the goodness of the heart of the foundation.

Frosted Faces Foundation

FROSTED FACES FOUNDATION IS A 501(C)(3) NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT DELIVERS THE PROMISE OF FAMILY AND QUALITY VETERINARY CARE FOR SENIOR ANIMALS WHOSE LOVE AND LIVES ARE IN JEOPARDY.

Mutt Scouts

Mutt Scouts is not a breed specific rescue. We're dedicated to saving every dog we can, regardless of age, breed, medical or behavioral needs. We are transparent about our Mutt's needs with fosters and potential adopters to ensure that once a dog becomes a part of our organization, they will know nothing but love and safety for the rest of their lives.

Mission Bay Puppy Rescue

Rescue orphaned puppies, pregnant and their litters. We partner with amazing rescue teams in Bakersfield CA, the San Diego Humane Society and Country Animal Shelters across California as well as others to save as many pups and mamas as possible.

San Diego Humane Society

San Diego Humane Society, an open-admission shelter, is creating a more humane world by inspiring compassion and advancing the welfare of animals and people. Our lifesaving safety net has helped San Diego become the largest city in the U.S. to keep healthy and treatable shelter animals from being euthanized. We are a private, independent, nonprofit organization that is not affiliated with any other humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. With campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, Ramona and San Diego, we provide animal services for 13 cities within San Diego County. We not only care for more than 40,000 animals in our communities annually, but also share the expertise we have gained through our innovative programs with shelters nationwide so they can save more lives in their communities. While our influence is expanding nationally, our top priority is meeting the needs of San Diego. We provide exceptional care for all animals through world-class veterinary medicine, shelter and most of all: love.

Second Chance Dog Rescue

Second Chance Dog Rescue (SCDR INC, dba Second Chance Dog Rescue) is a non-profit 501c3 (#26-3642128) organizations dedicated to saving homeless dogs. We rescue, rehabilitate and re-home dogs, primarily from local shelters, as well as dogs surrendered by their owners for various reasons, and dogs from Baja California, Mexico. Once we receive a dog, we provide medical care, including spay and neuter, and any necessary rehabilitation.

Chihuahua rescue of San Diego county

Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego County is a non-profit 501(c)(3) animal welfare group that was formed as a network of foster homes in response to the overwhelming number of unwanted and abandoned Chihuahuas in the San Diego area. Today, we help to place all types of Chihuahuas into caring homes.

Animal Rescuers Without Borders, Inc.

The A.R.W.O.B. group is based in San Diego, CA and operates primarily in Mexico but also Southern California. We will come to the aid of any animal in need that crosses our path. Our belief is to do what we can in order to “Make a difference in their lives.” There is ongoing and tremendous need in Baja, however, we extend our outreach north of the border by accepting relinquished family pets, providing foster care for both dogs and cats from the full shelters in San Diego and of course by working in conjunction with other animal rescue groups in the community. The A.R.W.O.B. family believes in opening our hearts and homes to the abandoned and unwanted dogs and cats of both Mexico and Southern California, irrespective of age, sex, breed or size. Our rescued and fostered animals go through a period of quarantine which will last 3 weeks before they are placed onto the adoption list. Insuring our foster pets' health is priority #1. Our rescues also receive veterinary care both south and north of the border, socialization and training in the hopes that they will be placed in a “forever” home. We are also focused on educating foster parents, adopters, school children and others especially in Baja, Mexico on the care, feeding and prevention of unwanted litters of both dogs and cats (both pure or mix breeds)

San Diego Animal Sanctuary

Based in San Diego, our aim is to create a loving sanctuary for animals we come across. San Diego Animal Sanctuary shines brightly for its remarkable focus on high-kill animals, tirelessly rescuing dogs at risk of euthanasia. Their dedication transforms despair into hope, showcasing that every life, regardless of circumstances, deserves a chance at love and a forever home.

Helen Woodward Animal Center

Helen Woodward Animal Center, established in 1972, is an organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” This unique nonprofit organization benefits the community by providing educational and therapeutic programs for people, as well as humane care and adoption for homeless animals. Helen Woodward Animal Center is a unique, private non-profit organization in San Diego County that has been committed to the philosophy of people helping animals and animals helping people for over 50 years. Located on 12 acres in Rancho Santa Fe, California, our nationally recognized Center provides a variety of services that benefit the community through educational and therapeutic programs for people, and humane care and adoption for animals. We are a no-kill facility that receives no government funding and relies heavily on tax-deductible contributions from private donors to continue our life-saving mission. Helen Woodward Animal Center is an organization in Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council since 2022.

Red Barn Rescue

Red Barn Rescue is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming, abused, neglected, and unwanted animals in San Diego, CA and Baja, Mexico. We also focus on educating the public about the importance of spaying & neutering pets as well as the benefits of adopting a rescue - not only for the lucky animal, but for the adoptive family as well as the community. We partner with approved fosters in our area to provide a loving and caring safe haven until a forever home can be found.

Grandma Betty's Animal Rescue

Foundation for the Care of Indigent Animals

The Foundation for Care of Indigent Animals (FCIA) is a small 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is staffed 100% by dedicated volunteers. FCIA was founded in 1982 by Penny Adams, who, for the following 25-plus years, tirelessly committed herself to the rescue and care of companion animals in need. FCIA takes in small adoptable dogs in need of care that would have otherwise been euthanized. Animals come to us from many sources. Some have been rescued from San Diego County shelters. Others have been abandoned or relinquished to us as the result of a family facing the loss of their home, or due to the illness or death of the primary caregiver. We provide these dogs with medical care when needed, compassionate foster homes, and plenty of love and attention. We work very hard to find devoted forever homes for our animals. The FCIA also assists low income individuals with emergency veterinarian services. The majority of our annual spending is for this part of our mission. We also pay for veterinarian care required for animals at County shelters, over and above that which shelters are able to provide so that these animals can be placed into adoption at the shelter or go to a rescue group. We work with almost every animal rescue group in San Diego County and some beyond the borders.

Forgotten Paws Animal Rescue

Forgotten Paws Animal Rescue is a California 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Pets by the thousands are being left homeless for a wide variety of reasons. We do not judge how these adorable and deserving souls get into our arms, just that we welcome them. Our Commitment is to find them loving and lasting forever homes using the most responsible and safe rescue means possible. Our Passion is to rescue red-listed animals from high-kill shelters. These animals enter the shelters as strays or are surrendered by their families after tragic family events. All of these animals are very scared. We also have owners relinquish their pets into our care. Our Goal is to rescue these animals and prepare them for their new lives in their loving forever homes. We have Fosters and Adopters from all walks of life. Our network of volunteers assist us by fostering animals, helping at our adoption events, photographing our dogs and getting the word out on social media. We have no paid employees and do not receive funding from any government agency. All funds obtained by the rescue come from tax deductible adoption fees, tax deductible donations and fundraisers.

The Rescued Dog

Saving Pets One at a Time

SPOT, Saving Pets One at a Time, is a leading San Diego County all-volunteer rescue organization whose main focus is to save dogs and cats in shelters who are at risk of euthanization and to help other dogs and cats in need as well. Our goal is to save treatable, trainable, manageable and misdiagnosed dog and cats. We rescue them and provide foster homes in order to give them the care, medical, behavior and training, they need until we find them their forever loving homes. Our ultimate wish is for all shelters to be empty ‚ meaning that no animal is abandoned, and no shelter kills one animal to make room for another. We promote and advocate for spay and neuter programs in addition to Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) programs for feral cats.

Glad To Be Saved Rescue

We are a no kill foster home base rescue with an amazing team of volunteers that are committed to helping animals. Seeing a nonprofit to support our community's animals, we formed our organization to provide sensible solutions. We've grown considerably since then, all thanks to the helping hands and foster homes of this amazing community!

Second Leash On Life

Save the Dalmatians & Others Canine Rescue

Save the Dalmatians and Other Canine Rescue, Inc. was founded in the late 1990s, and became an official 501(c)(3) charity in 2001. We are dedicated to taking in dogs from shelters, owner relinquish, and through coordination with local authorities. As is indicated in our name, our primary focus is Dalmatians, but we also take in other breeds when possible. We also try to provide a better education about the Dalmatian breed, as not all dogs are right for all people/families.

The Barking Lot Rescue

We're passionate. We're non-profit. And we're volunteer-run. Since 2010, we've rescued over 5,000 dogs, finding happy homes for abandoned dogs scheduled for euthanasia at other shelters. In November 2016, we started our partnership with Soi Dog Foundation based in Thailand. We've rescued and flown in one group of dogs per month since, all survivors of the illegal dog meat trade.

Thrive Animal Rescue

Thrive Animal Rescue is the brainchild of Cece Durante Bloum and Georgia Spogli. Cece, a lifelong animal lover, equestrian, and founder of Newmarket Farm, sought a way to incorporate her love for animals with her desire to give back to the community. Being a dog lover first and foremost, Cece began finding dogs in shelters for friends who wanted to adopt but could not bear the heartache of searching through shelters to find the right match. Cece realized that shelters are filled with dogs who have been abandoned for reasons having nothing to do with serious health or behavioral issues. Georgia had completed similar rescue work on the East Coast and successfully placed several dogs in the loving homes of friends and associates in the equestrian world. Georgia felt a calling to do more and joined forces with Cece in 2014. They recruited more dog loving friends from the equestrian world, applied for non-profit status, and Thrive Animal Rescue was born! Cece Bloum and Georgia Spogli. A dynamic duo who turned a dream of helping dogs into a reality that has saved thousands of sweet and deserving souls. As of late Thrive Animal Rescue comes to the aid of abandoned and discarded dogs of all breeds, ages and situations. Our goal is to prepare each individual dog for placement in their forever home by providing medical aid, love and support. We consider suitability a vital part of the process of placing a dog in a loving forever home and believe this diminishes the likelihood that a dog will become displaced or rehomed again, thereby reducing the number of viable dogs being euthanized.