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

Muttville

dogs in good health with wonderful personalities are euthanized. Why? Because they're older, and not considered adoptable. A dog is brought in because he can't jog with his guardian anymore. Or he needs a little time to get up the stairs. Or he's simply not a puppy. In some cases, dogs are moved from loving homes to concrete cages because their guardians have died or simply can't care for them anymore. We reach out to senior dogs at risk, give them the care they need, and find them loving forever homes. If we had our way, no dog would spend their last days in a shelter. There is so much love and joy in these dogs!

Rocket Dog Rescue

Rocket Dog Rescue saves dogs from abuse, neglect, and death at overcrowded shelters and places them in loving homes. We support pet owners in need in our community, and serve as first responders in emergency animal situations and natural disasters. Funded entirely by donations, we are a volunteer-run, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Learn about what we do or apply to adopt a dog in the San Francisco Bay Area

DogZone Rescue

DogZone Rescue is a registered 501(c)3 Non- Profit who saves unwanted, abused and abandoned dogs and places them in loving and responsible forever homes to live out their lives as cherished family members. We would love for you to join us by adopting a dog, volunteering as a foster parent or donating your time for other needed volunteer positions with the rescue.

Bay Area Alliance for Animals

Bay Area Alliance for Animals (A4A) is a 501c3 non-profit officially started in 2012 by Alexandra Kay and Adriana Ludé. After years of taking in, neutering, fostering and adopting homeless cats and dogs, Alexandra and Adriana were looking for a way to make a bigger difference in the lives of these animals. They came to the realization that the most vital impact could be made by starting an organization that would form a bridge between local non-profits and the county animal shelters. With the help of awesome volunteers with so many varying areas of expertise, we believe that that a No Kill Bay Area can be achieved! Check out our programs for more specific information!

Friends of Contra Costa Animal Shelters

Friends of Contra Costa Animal Shelters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed in 2018 by a dedicated team of volunteers committed to raising much-needed funds to support the animals at Contra Costa Animal Services. FOCCAS has no paid officers or staff.

Paddington Station

Paddington Station rescues at-risk animals from municipal shelters that are overseen by local Animal Control. These animals are surrendered to the shelter, are brought in as strays, or occasionally are confiscated from poor living situations. They are kept at the shelter for any mandatory periods ("holds"). Shelters vary widely in resources and in population of animals served, but virtually no shelter can care for and place every animal it takes in. Many U.S. shelters euthanize a horrifying number of animals, sometimes for health or behavioral problems, often for simple lack of space. Many shelters too are striving to earn the "no kill" designation. The shelter system coordinates with private, non-profit public charities such as ours, corporations devoted to animal rescue. We accept transfer of ownership for a limited number of animals, and those animals become our responsibility. We make an initial assessment and determine what medical care or behavioral assistance the animal requires. We then place the animal in an appropriate foster home. We do not have a kennel or other boarding facility - all our foster animals are cared for as family members until placement. We run a small, closely coordinated, all-volunteer rescue, with a limited number of foster homes. Throughout their foster period, we continue to evaluate our animals carefully, and rehabilitate them as needed. We post these animals as "available" when they are ready to leave their foster homes. At the human end, we work with potential adopters to ensure the best possible match of animal and new family. After placement, we keep in touch with and continue to support our adopters. Although we take in many different dogs and cats, we intend to focus on livestock guarding dogs, such as Great Pyrenees, Kuvasz, Maremmas, and Akbash. These gentle giants have been bred for centuries to work and think independently, rather than responding to cues from humans. They are bred to perform a critical job, guarding flocks of sheep, goats, and other livestock from predation by lions, bears, and so on. They must be fiercely protective of their flock, yet exquisitely gentle with, for example, baby lambs and goat kids. These exceptional dogs make wonderful family companions as well as life-protecting ranch guardians. All breeds have their own peculiarities and special skills; livestock guardians are perhaps more different than most others. Their people must have an understanding of the dogs' unique skills and instincts. Our careful placement process ensures that these dogs will be granted that understanding, as well as awed appreciation of their powerful graceful bodies, courageous temperaments, and loyal hearts.

Grateful Dogs Rescue

Grateful Dogs Rescue ‚ a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization ‚ was founded in 1990 by Michelle Parris, a former SF Animal Care & Control (SF ACC) volunteer. She made it her mission to rescue SF ACC shelter dogs not made available for adoption, and we continue that mission today. Rather than letting these dogs be euthanized, Grateful Dogs Rescue saves as many as possible by fostering them until loving homes are found. In recent years we have expanded our mission to include other Bay Area shelters. GDR is the oldest all breed rescue group in the San Francisco Bay area. The Grateful Dogs Rescue adoption procedure is designed to find a good match between the dog and adopter.

Bull Terrier Rescue, Inc.

Bull Terrier Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization managed wholly by volunteer board members and officers. We are active in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Our TIN/FEIN is 68-0272385.

Welcome Home Sanctuary

We are a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit rescue based in San Francisco that take dogs most in need and immediately put them in foster care so they don't ever have to be in a shelter environment again.

SEN Foundation Animal Rescue

SEN Foundation Animal Rescue is a volunteer-run foster-based rescue dedicated to saving the lives of injured, sick, abandoned, ownerless animals, as well as preventing animal cruelty and neglect. We passionately believe that people help animals and animals help people through trust, unconditional love, and respect. We believe that animals from shelters and animals with special needs also deserve a chance. Sharing this philosophy with others, we inspire and teach locally and internationally, the importance of the animal-human bond, responsible and humane treatment of animals, adoption of animals from shelters, and animals with special needs.

Contra Costa Humane Society

Contra Costa Humane Society was established in 1991 as the result of the merging of two former longstanding Contra Costa County animal welfare groups — Stop Pets’ Annual Yield (SPAY) and Animal Protection Bureau (APB). Since its formation, CCHS has been in a few locations around the East Bay and in Fall 2023, we expanded our office space to accommodate our growing programs. Kitty Corner, our free-roam space for cats and kittens in our program, doubled in size in 2023, enabling us to rescue more animals! Our space can house up to 25 adult cats in our “big room”, plus a dozen kittens between two smaller rooms. We have a quiet room to provide isolation if needed or use for acclimating a cat or kitten not quite ready to join the others in Kitty Corner. A special space is also available for hospice cats and kittens where we can provide the comfort of home and give special medical attention while in our care.

Companions In Waiting

Companions in Waiting began in 2003, and was incorporated as a 501(c)3 California non-profit corporation in 2007. Companions In Waiting works to help dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies become welcomed members of a family. Each animal goes through a program of "in home" socialization, animal good manners, beginning obedience training and other therapies designed especially for them that will nurture their physical and mental well-being while in our care. Potential adopters will be given guides to support, develop and enhance their relationship with the new member of the family. Follow-up communication will increase the likelihood that these companion animals will stay in a stable, loving home their entire lives. Companions In Waiting is a California corporation for charitable and educational purposes. The corporation has tax-exemption status under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Your donations to Companions in Waiting are tax-deductible.

Friends of Berkeley Animal Care Services

Friends of Berkeley Animal Care Services (FoBACS) is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting Berkeley Animal Care Services (BACS), the municipal open-admission animal shelter that serves the communities of Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Piedmont, CA.

Doggie Protective Services

Doggie Protective Services is a non-profit, volunteer-driven animal rescue organization. We are a 501(c)(3) rescue that was incorporated in 2001. We rescue dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes. Since our creation, we have helped over 12,000 dogs and cats find their forever homes. We do not have a facility, so we rely on our foster homes located throughout California. Anywhere from 100-200 foster homes are active at various times in some capacity, whether they are long-term, short-term or overnight fosters. Most of our fosters are also involved beyond just fostering - they come to events, transport our animals, do post-adoption outreach and help spread the word about DPS! We also rely heavily on volunteers, and are lucky enough to have a supportive group of dedicated friends who help assist in everything from writing bios for dogs to promoting them on their own social media to help them get adopted! While our name may be Doggie Protective Services, we also rescue cats as well! We have a small, vibrant group of cat fosters who take in our rescue cats and kittens. For cat owners requesting re-homing assistance, we also assist if they can foster their own cat while we work to find a perfect forever home. Approximately 30 shelters throughout Southern and Northern California partner with us in our rescue efforts. We are contacted by shelters and asked to help with overpopulation by taking in specific dogs who otherwise may not be adopted or who have been at the shelter for an extended period of time. We take in dogs who do not thrive in a shelter environment or who need medical or behavioral attention outside of the facility. Our partnership with a rescue group in Korea helps us fully realize the impact of a highly dedicated, global network of volunteers. Our Korean rescue partners save dogs who are sold to the meat markets or who are in danger of ending up at the meat markets. We also have a partnership with a rescue in China who sends us dogs she would not be able to place in her country. It is our strong belief that because we have the resources and the ability to save highly adoptable dogs from certain death, that we should do so. It doesn't matter if the dogs in need are in the Bay Area, LA, or as far away as Korea. Our philosophy is simple: If there is a need, and we can and want to assist, then we will.

Partners in Animal Care & Compassion

We are a group of former Peninsula Humane Society (PHS) volunteers and animal rescue advocates who have over 40 years combined experience in animal welfare. Having worked extensively with the animals coming into San Mateo County's Coyote Point shelter, we have witnessed first hand the shortcomings of an outdated animal warehousing model. ​ PACC Board Members successfully forced the county to open the $6.6M, FY21-22 San Mateo County Animal Care, Control and Sheltering Services contract for bid - something that had not been done for 69 years, which is illegal. ​ Predictably the county re-awarded the contract to PHS despite a strong and viable alternative application PACC submitted in partnership with Pets in Need. ​ The county is crystal clear in its complacency around PHS's outdated animal sheltering model sending a clear message that mediocrity is worth $6.6M of your taxpayer dollars. If the regular, premature death of healthy, adoptable animals concerns you, join us in being the voice they don't have.

All Beings Cooperative Animal Rescue

We believe that in order to achieve peace of earth, we need all being to cooperate! Animals instinctively cooperate in nature! Our pets live to give us love, protection, healing and companionship. Therefore it is our duty to provide equivalent support to our animal brothers and sisters. We believe that when all being cooperate, we can achieve happiness for everyone, and are excited to do our part! After many years of collaborating with rescues all over the bay area, fostering, rescuing animals from individuals and off the streets, we have established ourselves as an official 501(c)3 nonprofit charity organization in Bay Area, CA - with the continued support of other rescues, veterinary hospitals and animal shelters in the area. Saving lives is everyone's duty! Our organization has been rescuing animals internationally for over 20 years! All types of animals in need are welcome at our sanctuary. From birds to livestock, reptiles or puppies & kittens - we welcome the opportunity to alleviate suffering and loneliness for our voiceless wards.

A Better Chance Rescue

1. We are an international non-profit dog rescue organization. 2. We do not have a facility to hold all dogs. 3. We have some dogs that are being fostered in the Bay Area, California. 4. We review all applications. However, our organization is run by dedicated volunteers. Therefore, we may not be able to answer all emails or calls. If your application is approved, we will reach out to you for further information. Moving forward, we will schedule a meet and greet and home visit to ensure your home perfectly matches your potential puppy. 5. We can only adopt our dogs to BAY AREA families because our adoption process requires a home visit and follow-up after the dog is being adopted (sorry we are unable to do it virtually). 6. If there are kids in the household, they MUST BE OVER 10 years old. 7. If you have experienced difficulty in submitting an application online, kindly download the application form and email it directly to [email protected]. 8. We highly appreciate your interest and understanding. 9. Thank you for considering adopting from A Better Chance Rescue.

Beyond Rescue

At Beyond Rescue, we’re committed to ensuring that you and your dog are family forever so we're here for you through the entire process. From adoption, to socialization and training, to providing the education and support, we want your household to be comfortable and happy. And if you find yourself facing challenges that might lead to having to give up your dog, we try and offer solutions that hopefully help you keep them. We promise any dog that comes into our care will never end up homeless during their lifetime. Beyond Rescue understands that adopting a dog is where the relationship starts, not where it ends. Our community of dog-loving people goes beyond rescuing dogs—we work to provide a safety net that helps to ensure that adoptive families have the ongoing support, education, and services they need to keep their dog happy and healthy and home. Forever.

Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc.

GGLRR is an all-volunteer, nonprofit tax-exempt organization in the greater San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California. We've been placing unwanted Labs in loving homes since 1986! Our Lab Rescue team saves purebred Labrador Retrievers and Lab mixes from shelters, as well as assists people giving up their dogs for adoption. We provide foster homes, veterinary care, and rehabilitation when needed, and place them with loving, forever families. While GGLRR focuses on rescuing and rehoming Labrador Retrievers, some of our dogs are Lab mixes. Sometimes we know what they are mixed with; most times we do not. We may even have a dog up for adoption that has some physical resemblance of a Lab but turns out not to be a Lab at all (per a DNA analysis performed by the adopter). We endeavor to rescue/rehome Lab mixes that look mostly like a Lab and have the personality/temperament of a Lab. The younger a dog is, the more difficult it is to tell how Labby a dog will be when it is fully grown. We realize that people come to us to adopt a Lab. GGLRR cherishes the opportunity to provide new forever homes for all of the dogs that come into our program.

Adopt a Doggie

Adopt a Doggie is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit dog rescue organization that has been committed to rescuing, fostering, and finding forever homes for dogs in need since its inception. Our EIN is 47-1384002. Our team, led by Mary Choi in Taiwan and Laura Shelley as Adoption Manager in the US, has dedicated countless hours to saving and improving the lives of thousands of dogs.

Fairy Tails

One of the ways in which we educate and spread awareness, is through our podcast Fairy Tails Dog Rescue. Our podcast is your window into the rescue world. Tiffany Montesano and Louise Wernvik are sharing their everyday challenges and victories in running a nonprofit dog rescue. The podcast puts a face to rescue workers and a gives a voice for homeless dogs. We want to share what we do - but also how we do it. This way our cause can inspire dreamers, rescuers, volunteers and dog lovers in San Francisco and other kingdoms far far away. We provide foster homes for dogs in need. Many rescue dogs leave the shelter with experiences that will haunt them forever.

Contra Costa Animal Services

The Animal Services Department has a long history in Contra Costa County. In 1959 Animal Control (as it was called then), consisting of five employees, was re-assigned from the Sheriff's Office authority to the County Agriculture Department. Animal Services became its own County department in 1985. The original shelter was located one block from where we are now on the eastern edge of Martinez. In May 2005, a beautiful two-acre state-of-the-art shelter complex and six-stall barn with open corral area, totaling more than 38,000 square feet, was dedicated by the Board of Supervisors and local dignitaries. Our 75 employees and over 150 volunteers take great pride in serving our community, work very hard to care for the animals, and are eager to show you what we have to offer. We invite you to visit us soon. Who knows, you may find your new best friend at the Animal Services Shelter!

FurEver Animal Rescue

Tailchaser Rescue

Tailchaser Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit, no-kill, animal rescue organization based out of the Bay Area, CA, dedicated to rescuing cats and dogs (and sometimes more) from shelters where they are in danger. We believe in removing barriers to adoption and educating pet owners and potential adopters about responsible pet ownership and the importance of spay / neuter. We are a foster-home-based organization and we do not have a shelter or physical location that adopters can visit. All of our rescued animals are cared for by volunteer foster families in their homes. This allows us to get to know the animals better, and helps us assess what type of home environment they will do best in. Tailchaser Rescue was founded in 2008.

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA

The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (PHS/SPCA) is a local, private, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to animal welfare. Among our major programs, PHS/SPCA adopts fully 100% of the healthy, adoptable dogs and cats in our care and also, through our charitably funded Hope Program, make well and find homes for thousands of animals who come to us sick, injured, or too young to survive without supportive care. PHS/SPCA is truly an open admission shelter, not only accepting many pet animals who might be refused at other shelters, but also taking care of injured and orphaned native wildlife. Our work means almost 5,000 lives saved each year. PHS/SPCA has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, and we’re a Platinum-level GuideStar Exchange participant

Hella Dam Bitches n Queens Rescue Inc

We are dedicated to saving, protecting and caring for cats and dogs while helping end euthanasia due to overcrowding. As an independent nonprofit that receives no federal, state or local funding, nor funding from national organizations, we rely on donations from our supporters to provide our care and services.

Companion Animal Community Center

The Center was founded in 2021 by a group of animal advocates on the San Mateo Peninsula, with the goal of rescuing animals in need of loving homes by engaging community members in our lifesaving efforts. Our Team has over 50 years experience that includes foster and adoption programs, behavior and training, fundraising, medical and veterinary care.

Transform A Street Dog

Transform a Street Dog has been on the ground in Ukraine supporting independent animal rescuers and rescuing homeless animals since 2018. After the war began, we switched gears, and started to organize mass evacuations of animals to enable them to escape the war and be adopted. Please help us to support pet owners, abandoned pets, neglected shelter dogs and suffering street dogs in Ukraine that have all been affected by the senseless Russian invasion of Ukraine and its people.

Love Dogs Rescue and Foundation Inc.

Love Dogs Rescue and Foundation is a federal income tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Founded in 2019, we seek to end the killing of homeless dogs through two avenues: adoption and free or low cost spay/neuter.

SF SPCA

The SF SPCA is an independent nonprofit supported entirely by our community. We exist to ensure every companion animal has access to quality medical care, compassionate shelter, and a loving home.