The Best St. Louis, MO Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

Stray Rescue of St. Louis

What sets Stray Rescue of St. Louis apart in the animal welfare community near and far? We seek out and take in those who no other organization will help or would simply euthanize because they are too expensive to heal. We take the abandoned, beaten, bred, fought, injured, terrified, defeated and betrayed. We see beyond their brokenness and are here to pick up the pieces to make these special animals whole again. We see the individual and know that there's no one size fits all treatment plan. The minute they enter our doors, we look in their eyes and promise them ALL the second chance they deserve for health, home, commitment and love. Because these animals come in with a story that would give us all nightmares, it takes them longer to open up, trust and believe in humankind again. But with patience and time always on their unique schedule we see the light shine in their eyes again. Animals have an amazing ability to forgive which never ceases to amaze us.

Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue

Unchained Melodies rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes chained, penned, and abused dogs that have no voice. We fight for stronger laws and have many programs that benefit our community.

Center for Animal Rescue & Enrichment of St. Louis - CARE STL

We accept the homeless, abused, neglected, injured, and surrendered animals of the City of St. Louis into our care so they will be safe and loved until they can be adopted into loving homes.

APA Adoption Center

The APA is dedicated to bringing people and pets together, advancing humane education, and creating programs beneficial to the human/animal bond. To support this vision, we've adopted the tenets of a socially conscious animal welfare organization. That means we balance our commitment to animals with the St. Louis community, and consider the impact of our programs on the lives of both humans and pets. While we're proud that 6,000 animals found homes through the APA last year, we're also proud to continue supporting those families through spay and neuter operations, classroom initiatives, senior services, an on-site clinic, and many more programs. Each is designed to help people and pets bring out the best in each other for years to come.

Dirk's Fund

History of Dirk’s Fund Our story begins in the 1980s, when the founder and his wife started rescuing dogs. Through the popularity of their own Golden Retrievers, Sadie and Hannah, they were contacted by animal control regarding a Golden Retriever that was going to be euthanized. Her name was Jenny. They were able to find her a home and then replaced her with another homeless dog. This is the cycle that started Dirk’s Fund. They rescued rehabilitated and found loving homes for eleven dogs in the first year. The director and his wife used their own home, resources and personal time to make sure each and every dog’s life had a happy ending.

The Goode Life Rescue

Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue

Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue is a state-licensed 501(c)3 non-profit rescue organization founded in 2004. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, we do our best to assist dogs in Missouri and surrounding areas.

Even Chance Pitbull Rescue

PALS Animal Shelter

PALS is essentially a “no-kill” shelter. The only time an animal is euthanized is if it is too sick to be treated or too aggressive to be suitable for adoption. Even in these circumstances, the decision to euthanize is not taken lightly and must be approved by our Board of Directors. Other than for those reasons, a pet will have a caring home with PALS until adopted.

St. Louis Pet Rescue

St. Louis Pet Rescue is a non-profit rescue group focusing on saving pets from local animal control facilities and neglect situations. STLPR strives to end pet overpopulation and abandonment of unwanted pets through education about spay/neuter, pet behavior and training and other aspects of responsible pet ownership. All of the pets STLPR rescues are in loving foster homes. Foster homes provide love, care and training needs of the pets. To learn more about becoming a foster for pets in need, see our foster page. STLPR does not have a facility, nor any paid staff. STLPR relies on the generosity of others to donate funds and volunteer their time to help pets in need.

Camp Chaos Puppy Rescue

Camp Chaos Puppy Rescue is a small foster based puppy rescue that saves animals from rural areas and local high kill shelters. We specialize in the care and rescue of pregnant mothers and litters of puppies. We are not equipped to take in or care for adult dogs, especially large breeds, other than the pregnant females and mothers of the puppies in our care. On rare occasion our organization will take in other puppies and dogs in need based on foster home availability. Our goal is to place homeless pets in the best home possible and to see to it that they are spayed/neutered to eliminate their ability to add to the over population of unwanted and homeless pets. Our rescue is "Foster Based," meaning all of our dogs live in the homes of our foster families throughout the week, we do not have a shelter/institution.

On My Way to Furever Rescue Inc.

On My Way To Furever Rescue Inc is a 501c3 non-profit, fully foster based rescue, licensed through the Department of Agriculture. We are based in St. Louis County, Missouri. On My Way to Furever Rescue Inc. is a nonprofit animal rescue dedicated to finding homes for pets in need. We are a foster based rescue that works to prepare the pets in our care for life in a forever home. We provide needed medical care, socialization, and love while looking for a home that matches their needs. We work with adoptive families to help them find the perfect fit for their family. We also work to reunite lost pets with their families and educate owners on care, training and keeping their pets secure and safe in their own homes.

Hootie's Rescue Haven

Hootie’s Rescue Haven is a not for profit no kill animal shelter. We care for unwanted and seriously ill pets. Our goal is to rehabilitate and adopt out the animals we take in to our shelter. We will leave a solid foundation for this rescue to be built on by future generations. With your support we placed 38 dogs and 10 cats in loving homes in 2019. We provide emergency medical care, medication and food supplies to animals in need.

Great Pyrenees Rescue of Missouri

Great Pyrenees Rescue of Missouri is a nonprofit organization supported fully by volunteers and donations. Without the help of generosity - be it time, support or monetary - we would not be able to rescue the dogs that we do. We rescue, foster, and find new homes for dogs in Missouri and surrounding states - Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. our story Rescue has always been a passion of ours. Being able to help animals in need is one of the most rewarding ways to give meaning to life. We are dedicated to rescuing as many Great Pyrenees as we can, providing them with love, safety and a second chance at finding happiness with a forever home. In 2019, we started fundraising for a family that did not have the means to care for their sick Pyrenees and realized how much of a need there was for a Great Pyrenees Rescue in the Midwest. What started out with 2 rescue dogs and one foster family has quickly turned into over 350 successful adoptions, at at any given time about 15 foster families, and between 20-40 dogs in rescue awaiting their forever homes. If you would like to join our growing Great Pyrenees Rescue Team, please fill out a volunteer or foster application.

Five Acres Animal Shelter

Five Acres believes in the power of pets and seeks to enrich the lives of pets and their owners. Our values include:  Community – Five Acres exists to serve its community. This includes not only reducing the number of pets in need by finding them homes, but also supporting the pet owners in our community.  Lasting Relationships – Whether you adopt, foster, volunteer, donate, attend an event, or spread the word about our mission, you are a part of the Five Acres Family! We love creating relationships with our community, and we especially love to witness the new and strengthening bonds between humans and their pets.  Safe & Thriving Environments for our Animals – The safety and well-being of our animals is of the highest importance to our organization. We want the spaces in which our animals live to not just be safe and clean, but enriching and relaxing as well. Providing this for our animals is the top priority of our team.  Enriching the Lives of Pets & People – We believe that pets are better off with people, and people are better off with pets! Everything we do is to improve and foster the connection between humans and animals, but it doesn’t end with just adoption. It includes a robust foster program, impactful volunteer opportunities, community events, our AniMeals Food Pantry, and so much more. In 2022 our values led Five Acres Animal Shelter to the strategic decision to move toward the Human Animal Support Services model (often referred to as HASS), focused on not only finding homes for pets in need in our community, but also promoting a lasting and healthy relationship between pets and their owners. Our History Five Acres Animal Shelter formed in 1973 as the St. Charles County Humane Society, by a small group of individuals dedicated to animal welfare. Five Acres utilized volunteer foster homes for animals in need of adoption until the first shelter opened in 1988. In 1996, Five Acres acquired the current property on Pralle, operating the only no-kill feline house and canine shelter in St. Charles County. We added the Ruth Anne Scheidegger Canine Adoption Building in 2012, and the Kathryn Favre Kitty Cottage was completed in 2016. Five Acres remains free and clear of debt, and in 2021, we took in 1,691 animals. We adopted out 1,435 and reunited 270 animals with their families in that same year.

American Eskimo Rescue

Welcome to American Eskimo Rescue (AER) of St. Louis. We are a group of dedicated volunteers, working together for the benefit of helpless and homeless Eskies. Our program is funded by donations and adoption fees. Our volunteers spend endless hours of rescue work which involves transporting, fostering, and networking to save American Eskimo lives. Adoption from American Eskimo Rescue includes medical attention that each rescue dog deserves, including all vaccinations, spay/neuter, fecal check, heartworm check, and microchip. These rescue Eskies are then placed in loving foster homes until their forever home is found. Rescued animals often make the best pets. Pets from American Eskimo Rescue seem to understand they have a second lease on life. In return for a little affection and attention, these remarkable animals reward their new owners with a love and loyalty unmatched anywhere.

Pet Rescue Network

Pet Rescue Network, is a 501(c)(3) all volunteer organization licensed in the state of Missouri. It is comprised of dedicated and experienced volunteers determined to positively impact the lives of animals in need. We serve St. Louis and surrounding rural communities. Many PRN volunteers have 10 to 15 years experience in animal rescue activities. PRN strives to meet both the medical and psychological needs of animals who have suffered abuse, neglect, or abandonment through no fault of their own. What We Do Pet Rescue Network places unwanted and neglected pets in loving forever adoptive homes. While awaiting their permanent home, pets reside in loving foster homes and are treated as cherished family members. In order to secure the most permanent placements possible, PRN is committed to public education and thoughtful selection of potential families. Every rescued animal receives appropriate veterinarian care. PRN stresses the importance of spaying and neutering. We are strongly committed to promoting this throughout our community in an effort to reduce the number of unwanted pets. PRN participates in community outreach programs assisting citizens in finding low cost spay/neuter services when needed. PRN provides education to families regarding ways to provide structured, consistent, safe, and loving environments for all pets. We also provide education on the benefits of ongoing socialization and training for the family pet. By adopting from PRN, you can be assured that your new pet has been given the best of care. All animals reside in foster homes while awaiting adoption. They are socialized and assessed for behaviors, quirks and special needs PRIOR to being listed as “available” on our site. Since our adoptees are in homes, we usually know quite a bit about each pet’s individual personality. We can introduce each pet with information such as who does or does not interact well with other cats, dogs and children.

St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center

The St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center opened in November 1999 as the home to the Division of Humane Services. Since that opening, the division has been dedicated toward improving the lives of animals in our community by: o Sheltering and adopting animals into loving, forever homes. o Working with prospective owners to enhance animal welfare. o Reuniting lost pets with their owners. o Enforcing St. Charles County's Animal Control Ordinance. o Fostering community engagement with the Pet Adoption Center. Open Admissions Shelter The St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center is an Open Admissions Shelter, which means that we accept authorized stray animals regardless of their adoptability. Owner-relinquished pets are individually assessed based on current shelter resources at the time of surrender. All stray dogs and cats are required by law to be held for a minimum of five business days, and 10 business days if the animal has identification. Once that legal hold time has been satisfied, we make all healthy, behaviorally sound animals available for adoption. Time Limit We do not give adoptable animals a time limit. We make them available for as long as we have space, and as long as they remain physically and mentally healthy. We also work with other area shelters and rescue groups, and have a very active foster parent program, which helps us to place more animals - including those with special needs.

4 Paws 4 Rescue

4 Paws 4 Rescue is an all foster home rescue. Since 2009, we have been dedicated to saving animals that are in need, whether from high kill shelters, strays, abandoned animals, or owner surrenders. We strive to find suitable permanent homes for our animals and to help eliminate animal overpopulation through spay and neuter programs. 4 Paws 4 Rescue a 501c3 nonprofit rescue organization.

City of Saint Charles Animal Welfare Services

The City of Saint Charles Animal Welfare Services focuses on the care of all animals in our City, through our Animal Control Division. The City of Saint Charles Animal Control Department is responsible for: 1. Enforcing pet ordinances 2. Investigating animal abuse/neglect cases 3. Issuing commercial permits for animal-related businesses 4. Managing animal capture and/or impound 5. Performing bite investigations

Pet's Second Chance, Inc.

Pet's Second Chance, Inc., founded in St. Louis, Missouri in 2000 by Linda Moore as a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization, rehabilitates and re-homes abandoned Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis, as well as Corgi mixes. Linda is a member of the The St. Louis Herding Club, The Gaitway Agility Club, The Greater St. Louis Agility Club, and she serves on the Board of Metro Animal Resources. Pet’s Second Chance is a member of the Nestle-Purina Pet Lovers Coalition, which works to end euthanasia in the Greater St. Louis Area. PSC accepts Corgis from Missouri, Northern Arkansas, and Southern Illinois. Our dogs range in age from puppies to seniors. We rescue Corgis abandoned by their owners due to divorce, relocation, financial difficulties, the birth of a child, and any number of reasons for which a family may no longer be able to keep their Corgi. Many come to us from shelters. We accept all Corgis regardless of their age or physical condition, and many Corgis who come to us suffer from the following medical issues: heartworms, dental carries, internal parasites, urinary tract infections, fleas and ticks, and even lice. Some have broken bones or cancer. Nearly all suffer from broken hearts and broken spirits. We don’t have a shelter affiliated with our rescue. Our Corgis receive proper medical care and rehabilitation in loving foster homes with other Corgis or Corgi mixes. Adoption requires an application, an interview, and a contract. We make home visits before and after placing our dogs and continue to provide support post adoption; you’ll not only acquire a Corgi but also a Corgi family. Basic obedience with an approved trainer is also required for adoption. Corgis, a highly intelligent breed, want to learn and to work. Easily bored, Corgis will find their own job if one’s not provided for them, which can lead to trouble. No matter what breed you are looking to adopt, research the breed’s temperament. The right dog placed in the right home leads to a happy dog and a happy family. We don’t pride ourselves on the number of dogs adopted; instead, we focus on matching each Corgi with a family who will provide the dog a forever home. Not all rescues have the same philosophy. Before you adopt, contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture, 573-751-3076 to ask questions about a specific rescue organization. Rescues in Missouri must be licensed and inspected at least once a year. We strongly encourage anyone planning to adopt to consider the true cost of dog ownership. It’s not a one-time adoption fee. Routine physicals, monthly heartworm, periodic dentals, and unplanned veterinary care or medical emergencies cost money. High quality food and training are also an investment. A pet savings account or pet insurance can help.

Jefferson County Animal Control

The Animal Control Division is committed to the enhancement of responsible pet ownership for all animals. We respond to requests for service regarding dogs and cats running at large, animal neglect and abuse, injured animals and wild animals inside the living areas of a home. Roles We investigate neglect and abuse allegations, investigate and quarantine animals for potential rabies exposure, while also providing adoption services in our shelter. We inspect and license dog and cat boarding and breeding facilities, as well as animal rescue facilities and foster-care homes. We maintain a "lost and found" canine and feline list of animals reported to us. We also operate the Animal Resource Center as a rabies quarantine facility and temporary housing facility for dogs and cats available for rescue and adoption. Enforcement The Animal Control Division enforces Chapter 215: Animal Control Order to protect public health and safety. Awards Jefferson County Animal Control has been awarded the No-Kill award from the Best Friends Animal Society for 2022 and 2023 due to having a live release rate of 90% or greater. This means that animals are only euthanized if medically necessary or due to severe behavioral issues. Jefferson County Animal Control is proud to say that we have not euthanized an adoptable animal in over seven years.

Missouri K9 Friends

Missouri K9 Friends is a 501(c)3 non-profit volunteer led organization. We rescue dogs in need, advocate for animal welfare, and promote ending breed discrimination

Lucky K9 Rescue - St. Charles, MO

Lucky K9 Rescue is a non-profit, volunteer dog rescue organization serving local communities of St. Louis/St. Charles, Missouri. We are dedicated to rescuing dogs left homeless for whatever reason – dogs in public shelters where they are at high risk of euthanasia due to pet overpopulation, dogs given up by their owners because of difficult circumstances, and those in danger of abuse or neglect. We place dogs in loving, responsible, committed permanent homes, following a comprehensive adoption process which includes taking considerable care in finding good matches and educating prospective adopters about the responsibilities and costs of bringing a dog into their homes and lives. Animals in our care are spayed or neutered, receive all appropriate veterinary care and treatment, and placed in nurturing foster homes while they await placement in their permanent homes. We assist dogs in distress without regard to age, breed or ease of placement. To the extent our finances allow, dogs in the greatest need take priority. We are determined to keep administrative expenses extremely low so that virtually every dollar taken in goes directly to the care of the animals. Our group remains interested in and committed to the welfare of the dog beyond the adoption process. Finally, we strive to work with area shelters and other rescue and humane organizations to develop a network of supporters and volunteers in order to create a better world for homeless pets.

Faery Tails Corgi Rescue of St. Louis Inc.

Country Acres Rescue

Founded in 2000, Country Acres Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, St. Louis based organization whose primary concern lies with the over population and unnecessary suffering of domestic animals in our community. We are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, socialization and placement of homeless, abandoned and abused/neglected cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies.

All About Paws

Nonprofit Providing a Safe Haven for Animals All About Paws is a 501c3 group of volunteer animal lovers whose mission is to rescue, provide sanctuary, and ultimately re-home abandoned, stray, and neglected companion animals. All animals in our care are spayed or neutered and receive the necessary medical attention. The All About Paws foster home system provides a safe haven for the animals until they can be placed in carefully screened forever homes.

Furever Shih Tzu & Companion Dog Rescue

Furever Shih Tzu Rescue is a nonprofit 501c organization that is dedicated to placing unwanted and abandoned purebred dogs into new homes. All donations are tax-deductible.

Franklin County Humane Society

FCHS is a privately run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, tax ID 43-1244655, dedicated to serving the homeless, abandoned, and lost dogs and cats in our area. We incorporated in 1981 and operated as a foster network for homeless pets for 13 years. In 1994, we opened our current shelter location in Union, Missouri. FCHS is an open-admission animal shelter, which means we schedule intake of stray dogs and cats brought to us and provide them the opportunity of adoption into forever homes. We do not accept feral cats brought to our shelter in a trap. Feral cats are not adoptable as pets. We are the only open-admission animal shelter within a 40-mile radius. Each year we serve thousands of pets in Franklin County, Missouri and surrounding areas including: Augusta, Gerald, Hermann, Labadie, New Haven, Pacific, Robertsville, St. Albans, St. Clair, Sullivan, Owensville, Union, Washington and more. It costs over $1,800 a day to operate our shelter. We are supported by donations, fundraisers, grants and fees. We do not receive funding from Humane Society of Missouri, the United Way, federal, state or county governments or any animal welfare organizations.

Lucky Chance Rescue

Lucky Chance Rescue is a foster based rescue located near Lake St. Louis, Wentzville, O’Fallon, MO. We help families in St. Charles, St. Louis, Missouri & surrounding areas find their furever best friend.