The Best Utah Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

Underdog Animal Rescue and Rehab

Underdog Animal Rescue and Rehab is a nonprofit headquartered in Moab, Utah. We are dedicated to caring for the estimated 500,000 stray dogs from Native American reservations of the Four Corners area of the Southwest United States. Working with reservation communities, we provide transportation, veterinary care, spay/neuter and vaccination clinics, and adoption services. Underdog Animal Rescue & Rehab is the only organization in the state of Utah that exclusively serves the Native American reservations. In our first 5 years the Underdog Rescue team has rescued 3,322+ dogs, and our numbers continue to grow as we establish ourselves as an ally and resource for the Four Corners reservations. Our Vision Underdog Rescue envisions a time when all reservation animals have homes and access to food, water, and veterinary care. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the Navajo Nation, Utah and the Western Slope to not only reduce the stray animal population, but to provide education and resources to help the Navajo Nation establish a sustainable pet health care system of their own. Our Work Underdog Animal Rescue & Rehab is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on helping the reported 500,000 stray companion animals on the Native American Reservations of the Southwest United States. Through transport, vet care, and adoption services, Underdog Rescue helps to combat the overpopulation of stray and owned dogs of the Four Corners area. Our Rescue Ranch is headquartered in Moab, Utah. Katy Gullette, Founder and CEO of Underdog Rescue, has been involved in animal welfare for over 30 years. She founded Underdog Rescue in 2017 after experiencing the immense need firsthand during her frequent travels through the Four Corners reservations.

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Moab City Animal Shelter

In August of 2007, the City of Moab opened the doors to the City of Moab Animal Shelter. The facility houses the animals that are impounded by Animal Control until claimed by an owner, or potentially adopted out. Facilities The Shelter consists of a kennel area, cattery, separate cat and dog isolation rooms, grooming room and an exam room, as well as kitchen and laundry areas. The kennel area includes ten kennels with outdoor access. Most of the time, the dogs can be seen in the outdoor play areas. The Cattery features kitty condos, a type of enclosure allowing the cat to pass through spaces in the top, or sides as allowed for more space as it is available. DUTIES The Animal Control Division of the Moab City Police Department has a big task. Two Animal Control Officers, who are civil service employees, patrol and respond to animal problems throughout Grand County. Animal Control Officers respond to complaints about unsecured pets, animals in trouble, dead animals on roadways and other animal control issues. These officers are trained in the care and security of animals and hold a deep concern for the animals they try to assist. The city has two animal control vehicles equipped with cages for the animals while they are transported to the shelter.

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Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

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Weber County Animal Services

Our Vision A humane community for every animal and every owner practices responsible pet ownership. Our Values We value positive relations with the public, volunteers and employees as we work together to become a No-Kill Community. We value each individual animals’ life, and dedicate ourselves in providing compassion, care and assistance to the animals in our community.

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Mountain Guardians Animal Alliance

At Mountain Guardians Animal Alliance, we believe pets are cherished family members, offering unwavering companionship. With each adoption, we create bonds that last a lifetime, nurturing the understanding that pets enrich our lives in countless ways. Join us in celebrating the joy of adoption and the lasting impact it has on both humans and their beloved animal companions. • No Kill Philosophy • Community Enrichment & Education • Animal Advocacy & Empowerment • Lifelong Partnerships

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Cache Humane Society

Cache Humane Society has been helping animals in Cache Valley for over 40 years! We were established in 1976 by local animal-lovers who fostered animals in their own homes. After much fundraising, hard work and community support, we opened a new shelter in 2008. Two years later we added a Community Spay/Neuter Clinic to provide affordable services for family pets. We have expanded into a 5,000 square foot facility, with dedicated space for clinic services, education programs, and an outdoor play park for our shelter animals. As we’ve grown, we’ve built a family of animal-lovers that includes over 30 staff and hundreds of volunteers. Our Vision Statement Cache Humane Society will provide: • A safe environment, healthy nutritious food, clean water, and love and attention for all animals housed in our facility • Professional and thoughtful service to individuals relinquishing animals for any reason • Fun and educational programs designed to promote responsible pet ownership and compassionate stewardship of companion animal welfare • A Community Spay/Neuter & Vaccination Clinic committed to reducing the number of homeless pets in Cache Valley and supporting healthy companion animals • Recognition of the valuable service of the many volunteers and diligent staff who ensure the shelter remains a place of respect, dignity, and caring Our Values We believe all companion animals deserve to be treated with dignity and compassion. We believe our facility provides a joyful, safe and welcoming place to find a new pet or to receive pet services. We believe our education programs help nurture the next generation of loving pet owners. We support an innovative, courageous, and thoughtful family of staff and volunteers and strive to share our ethic with the greater community.

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Y-Not Save a Sam Rescue

Y-Not Save a Sam Rescue is an all-volunteer, 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2012 to rescue the Samoyed breed in need, whether they are in shelters, found on the streets or an owner surrender. We are open to saving dogs in all geographic areas (both in the United States and abroad), of all ages, and in all health conditions, as funding allows. Y-Not Save a Sam Rescue operates independently and must generate our own donations to fund operational costs including veterinary care, travel expenses, boarding, and training. We try to help dogs that no one else will, and that can be a heavy burden on our finances. Y-Not Save a Sam operates independently and must generate our own donations to fund operational costs including veterinary care, travel expenses, boarding, and training. We do what we can, and always wish we could do more. From time to time, the rescue groups that we work with will have other breeds in need of loving homes. Even though we are a breed-specific rescue, we try to help them out when we can. (It's just the right thing to do.) To stay true to our mission, those dogs will always have dedicated fund-raisers and are not directly funded by our Rescue.

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Carbon County Utah Animal Shelter

We oversee adoptions, foster to adopt, animal care, investigate animal cruelty, neglect, dog bite cases and general animal control issues.

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Humane Society of Utah

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Outreach Pawsabilities

Welcome to Outreach Pawsabilities, where compassion meets action in the quest to rescue, rehabilitate and find furever homes for dogs in need. Founded in 2018 by Kim Mikesell, our non-profit organization has been steadfast in rescuing dogs that come from dire situations. The impact is not only experienced locally, but Kim travels to other areas to rescue dogs who would otherwise be euthanized. Kim Mikesell: Journey of Transformation with Dogs At the helm is Kim Mikesell, our Executive Director, whose profound journey fuels the heart of our mission. Kim’s life reflects a tapestry of transformation, from her challenging past to her inspiring turnaround. Her commitment began with a personal pledge to alter her life’s course, an awakening that unfolded within the walls of a prison. There, Kim discovered her calling while training service and therapy dogs, a path that led her to obtain an AA in psychology and multiple certifications, including AKC evaluator, obedience trainer, and service and therapy dog trainer. A Vision Born from Personal Triumph Kim’s passion blossomed into a lifelong vocation, driven by the understanding that hundreds of thousands of dogs are euthanized each year and that number continues to grow. These dogs that are broken have experienced abuse or neglect by their previous owners. She has witnessed the miraculous change in these little breathing, living creatures after showing them love, kindness, compassion, and training. With over twenty years of experience, she has witnessed this incredible change within these dogs. It was her recognition of this that sparked the creation of Outreach Pawsabilities.

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South Utah Valley Animal Shelter

South Utah Valley Animal Shelter serves the communities and animals of southern Utah County; Elk Ridge, Mapleton, Payson, Provo, Salem, Santaquin, Spanish Fork, Springville, and Woodland Hills. We try to reunite lost animals with their owners. For dogs, cats, and other animals that are not reclaimed, we work to find them homes through our adoption program and by partnering with local rescues. Services • Animal care and sheltering for lost and abandoned pets • Dog licensing • Online animal licensing • Pet adoptions and placement of animals with rescue groups • Volunteer and foster programs • Community education

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Bulldog Club of Utah/Rescue

The Bulldog Club of Utah Rescue Committee is composed of volunteers who are working toward these objectives: 1. To accept Bulldogs whose owners can no longer keep them and find responsible, stable, loving new homes for them. 2. To rehabilitate Bulldogs before placement by providing necessary medical treatment and training to increase the chances of successful placement. 3. To help reduce the population of unwanted pets by ensuring that all rescued Bulldogs are spayed/neutered before being placed. 4. To screen applicants thoroughly before making placement decisions. 5. To inform prospective adopters about the rescue program and the requirements for taking care of Bulldogs. The majority of the English Bulldogs rescued are surrendered by their owners who can no longer keep them. About one third of our rescue dogs come from local animal shelters and humane societies. The average age for the dogs that fall under our care is between 3-5 years, although 7+ has been the norm for some years. When adopting an older dog a period of adjustment is expected. The vast majority of our rescue dogs adapt very well regardless of their age. They seem to have an amazing ability to know when they found a good home. The Bulldog Club of Utah does not have a set fee for placement since the needs of dogs vary greatly. All Bulldogs must be spayed or neutered prior to placement. Some have medical problems that need treatment. The veterinary expenses incurred in rehabilitating the dog are passed along to the new adoptive owner.

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Ruff Patch Rescue

We are a non-profit organization focused on finding forever homes for pets in need. All of our rescues come from animal shelters or are directly surrender by their owners. We place each pet in a foster home where they will receive the attention and special care they deserve. We’re working hard to give every abandoned, homeless, abused, and neglected dogs and cats (and sometimes bunnies, goats, or lambs!) a second chance with a loving family. If you’re looking for a companion who will return your devotion and compassion tenfold, you’ve come to the right place!

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Roosevelt Animal Shelter

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Fullmer Menagerie Animal Rescue

Wags to Riches Doggie Daycare & Boarding is our new, purpose-built facility to provide our customers with an affordable, clean, safe and fun environment that their companions can call their home - away from home. Along with boarding and daycare, we offer a variety of services to keep your companion feeling clean and healthy. From our outdoor play area complete with a pool and our daily adventure walks, to our line of complete grooming services, your companion will leave our facility with their tail wagging. A portion of every sale through Wags to Riches goes back into our rescue program to further assist us in achieving our goal of creating second chances for all kinds of animals.

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Arctic Rescue

Arctic Breeds Rescue has been rescuing animals in Utah and the surrounding states for over 20 years. We specialize in rescuing Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes. Many of the dogs we take into rescue are deemed "unadoptable" by shelters or local government and have no other options other than to come to a breed specific rescue who can find them a home where they can be set up to succeed. The purpose of the Organization shall be: To rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome arctic breed dogs in need, including but not limited to breeds such as Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds and mixed breeds of the aforementioned. To provide basic medical care, spaying/neutering, and vaccinations to rescued dogs. To educate the public about responsible dog ownership, including breed-specific needs, training, and the importance of spaying/neutering. To positively impact the community through community and/or youth outreach by sharing the inspiring stories of rescued canines.

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South Jordan Animal Services

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Humane Society of Northern Utah

The Humane Society of Northern Utah was started in 2008 as the Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary. Over the years our focus expanded and we became the Humane Society of Northern Utah. We are a 501(c)3 non profit organization.

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Rescue Rovers Dog Adoptions

Since our inception in February 2013, Rescue Rovers has saved over 10,000 dogs Rescue Rovers is an all-volunteer foster-based rescue. Our fosters volunteer their homes, their time and their hearts to care for dogs of all breeds and ages. We pull dogs from high kill shelters in Utah and surrounding states. Occasionally we take dogs from further away. We’ve been lucky enough to rescue dogs from as far away as Kansas! How do we get our dogs? When a shelter is full or when dogs are approaching their “due out” date a shelter contacts a rescue for help. Rescue Rovers has a strong working relationship with many shelters and we often pull up to 100 dogs in a month. The dogs are placed in crates and driven (sometimes flown) to safety. Those trips range from one hour to 15 hours or more, and sometimes the dogs arrive a mess. They are often stressed, exhausted, carsick and disoriented…but they are also aware that they are now SAFE. The dogs lean into their rescuers, gaze at them with those classic puppy-dog eyes, and trust them almost immediately. Love and Rehabilitation Each foster picks up the dog(s) that they have committed to and takes them home to bathe them, feed them, comfort them and begin rehabilitating them. We clean and sooth small sores, remove ticks, scratch behind ears. The first night in a foster home is the first sleep many of these dogs have had on a soft bed in a quiet home in weeks or months…or ever. Most of the dogs we pull were strays, picked up by animal control. Many of them were someone’s pet at some point, abandoned or run away. Some come from hoarding situations or were bait dogs. All of them need someone to love them, care for them, and work on behaviors that will make them a suitable family pet. Over the next few days we take care of them medically. Vaccinate, microchip, spay or neuter. We pull dogs that have mange and need medication, dogs that need eye surgery, amputations, tumors removed and biopsied. Some of our dogs require more medical work. Whatever their issues are, we make sure they are in good health before they are available for adoption. In the weeks following we work on behavior. Since our dogs live in foster homes we are able to potty train and crate train most dogs almost immediately. Then we begin working on behaviors such as jumping up or resource guarding. Dogs that have more difficult issues are placed with our more experienced fosters and work with trainers. Eventually they are ready for adoption. Some will always have quirks, but there’s a family out there for all of them. We advertise them online and take multiple applications for each dog, then we choose the family that’s the best fit. What’s really amazing is to pull a dog that was literally hours from death in a shelter and have 2 or 3 families vying to be the one that gets to take him home.

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Nuzzles & Co.

We’re Nuzzles & Co., a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) no-kill organization located in Summit County, Utah. In 1990, a group of volunteers founded our organization, originally known as Friends of Animals Utah, so we could come together to find homes for animals in need. Since then, we have found homes for over 25,000 pets. In 1990, when a group of animal lovers in Park City, Utah, discovered that the county’s only resource for unwanted pets was a shed holding eleven dogs (with no room for cats), they decided to lobby for a new shelter and form a rescue group that would foster and find homes for abandoned dogs and cats. Starting with only twelve people, the group quickly grew by raising money with bake sales, selling t-shirts, putting donation jars in stores on Main Street, and the start of what was to become their signature fundraiser, The Barking Ball. With media support from The Park Record and radio station KPCW, which showcased dogs and cats in the shelter and foster care, adoptions increased and membership in this new organization expanded. Deer Valley Ski Resort employees hailed Summit County Friends of Animals (FOA), now Nuzzles & Co., as it’s favorite charity and many local businesses contributed to its burgeoning success. FOA successfully lobbied Summit County to build an animal control shelter and in 1995, Summit County opened the county-run shelter in Wanship, Utah. FOA supported the shelter, finding loving forever homes for the cats and dogs housed at the county shelter. In 1998, FOA was named the first, local non-profit Citizen of the Year by Park City Rotary. A year later, FOA joined the newly formed No More Homeless Pets in Utah Coalition. The Humane Society of Utah and Best Friends Animal Society also provided invaluable support and practical information on starting and operating a rescue organization. In 2003 Summit County Friends of Animals was presented with the opportunity to open “Furburbia,” a retail pet center, in the outlet mall at Kimball Junction. Furburbia forever changed the nature of FOA by giving the organization a permanent face and place in the local community. It propelled the group into a full-time rescue organization with paid employees. Having a permanent facility also gave FOA a place to showcase its cats and dogs. Cats were able to be housed at Furburbia at night, but FOA still had to move dogs back and forth to kennels at night because dogs were not allowed to stay overnight due to zoning requirements. By 2005 FOA moved the community closer to its goal – which was to make strides in preventing healthy, adoptable pets from being euthanized at both the Summit County and Heber shelters. By 2007, over 800 dogs and cats were adopted from Furburbia in that year alone. We were saving animals from Summit County and all over Utah. So, we changed our name from Summit County Friends of Animals to Friends of Animals Utah (FOAU). Additional programs were added for the first time, including dog obedience classes, youth camps, and a feral cat trap, neuter, and release program. While all these changes were positive, it became evident that the facilitating foster homes and kennels for dogs each night were becoming a challenge; it was clear that a full-time facility was needed. And then came the rescue ranch In 2006 and 2007, FOAU acquired 100 acres of land in Brown’s Canyon. By 2010, FOAU completed a 16,000 square foot multi-use building and named it the Rescue and Rehab Ranch. The Ranch had space to build out a state-of the-art medical suite and was built to house up to 85 dogs and 60 cats. The building also incorporated an education and outreach center, as well as a large relief area that could serve as ‘ground zero’ in the event FOAU was asked to care for a large number of animals in a disaster situation. This new facility allowed a 28% increase in adoptions to nearly 1,000 animals a year. It also provided a place for our dogs that were not in foster homes to stay at night. The educational area also allowed for new therapy programs, as well as the popular Critter Care youth summer day camps. More than 600 cats each year enjoyed a sunny, healing environment with cat condos and pampered care from “Kitty Socializers” who prepared them for their forever homes. One of the most important additions was next installing a state-of-the-art surgical suite and quarantine area where spay-and-neuter procedures, vaccinations, micro-chipping, and even dental treatments are performed.

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Sevier County Animal Shelter

Sevier County Animal Shelter (SCAS) is the county animal shelter and adoption center serving Sevier County, UT under the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. We provide homeless animals with shelter and care while working to find them new homes. SCAS serves approximately 800 animals each year, brought in by municipal animal control officers and surrendered by local residents.

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Washington City Animal Welfare Services and Shelter

Washington City Animal Control restricts animal nuisances that impact community lives and safety. If your animal is found wandering the impound fee is $25 for the first offense and $10 per day of impound. Please contact us right away if your animal is missing! All dogs in the city must be licensed. Licenses are valid from January 1st through December 31st, expiring on December 31st regardless of the time of year purchased. A $10.00 late fee per animal will be charged after February 28. Rabies shots are required every 3 years to license the animal. There is a discount for licensing pets that are spayed or neutered. Please bring in proof of rabies vaccination and spay/neuter certification. Part-time residents who are in the city longer than 30 days are required to license their dogs.

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RSQ

RSQ is run solely on volunteers and donations with no paid staff. And we couldn’t continue the work we are doing without our incredible supporters. RSQ started in 2017 (as RSQ Dogs+) when our founder and director, Kelli Stokes, saw a need for help in the rural communities surrounding St. George. The rural areas we serve have limited resources and often no options for their unwanted and stray animals. We not only rescue animals from these underserved areas, but we also provide pet food for families in need, and offer low cost or free spay/neuter services when possible. We have also done fundraising to improve the living conditions at the Hildale city impound with insulated dog houses for unclaimed animals during their mandatory stray hold time. Another thing that sets RSQ apart from other organizations is that we specialize in taking on extreme medical cases. It is important to us to give animals a chance when in other situations they would often be euthanized. Many animals that we rescue have serious medical needs, whether it’s from injury, old age, or other conditions. We have seen amazing outcomes when these animals are given a chance. Every year, we rescue around 500 animals and that number is continuing to climb. And that’s not just dogs and cats! If you come for a visit, you may find pig friends, rabbits, or even ducks! Most of our animals are at our adoption center, but many are in foster as well.

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St. George Animal Shelter

The St. George Animal Shelter is a city-owned and city-operated animal shelter in St. George, Utah. We try to find good homes for animals that are brought into the shelter. Our employees are city employees and part of the St. George Police Department. Animal Service Officers patrol our city and respond to calls for service while our Shelter Technicians tend to the needs of the animals in the shelter. St. George Animal Shelter has many wonderful cats, kittens, dogs and pups. All animals adopted are already spayed or neutered and current on vaccinations. Dog adoption fees include a mandatory microchip fee. The animals who are adopted from the shelter receive a free health exam from participating veterinarians in our area within 5 working days of adoption. The adoption fee for any of the shelter animals is $60 for dogs and $50 for cats, contact us for other animal adoption fees and specials

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Because Animals Matter

Because Animals Matter (BAM) was founded in March 2006 by J Schilling after she recognized a need in the community for an animal welfare organization. BAM serves Southwest Utah and beyond as a resource for many companion-animal-related issues. All BAM programs and services are fully funded by donations, wills, and bequests, and through the dedication of volunteers. BAM operates a small adoption and community outreach center in addition to a network of foster homes to assist pets in need of finding their forever homes. BAM functions as a network of volunteers supporting community programs that focus on building strong humane relationships between people and their pets.

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Cedar City Animal Adoption Center

Cedar City Animal Adoption Center is the municipal animal shelter and adoption center serving Cedar City, UT. We provide homeless animals with shelter and care while working to find them new homes. Cedar City Animal Adoption Center serves approximately 1000 animals each year, brought in by municipal animal control officers and surrendered by local residents.

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Color Country Animal Welfare

Color Country Animal Welfare (CCAW) was born from founder Dottie Weaver’s lifelong passion and love for animals. After retiring from a career as a registered nurse, Dottie raised horses and volunteered with rescue dogs. She lived in Wayne County from the 1970s to her passing in 2015, and Dottie’s home in Torrey became a refuge for homeless and abandoned dogs and cats. As others learned of Dottie’s work, they pitched in to help. In 2009, they began CCAW, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Color Country is the only organization in Wayne County and the surrounding areas that provide services, education resources, and financial support to promote the humane treatment of animals. CCAW has a working board of volunteer directors, all of whom live in Wayne County and share Dottie’s passion for this place and its inhabitants. These days, CCAW serves roughly 300 animals each year, mostly through our spay/neuter and foster and adoption programs. Wayne County is a wild and wondrous place, and very remote. There are no public animal services other than Color Country Animal Welfare. We offer assistance to residents and tourists to keep animals safe and try to ensure all animals have a good home. We were founded by Dottie Weaver in 2009 with the help of her neighbors and friends, many of whom are still involved in CCAW. Sadly, Dottie passed away just before we purchased our land, but we know she’d be proud of what her passion for animals has sparked. CCAW’s current board of directors is comprised of Wayne County residents who dedicate their time and talents to improving the lives of animals.

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