The Best Utah Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

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.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Humane Society of Utah

Rescue Rovers

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

All Paws Count

All Paws Count is a passion project by owner Heathre Hone and her family. It is our mission to give hope to abandoned animals and a second chance for a loving furever home.

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!

Roosevelt Animal Shelter

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.

West Valley City Animal Shelter

Cavalier Crazy Rescue

Cavalier Crazy Rescue was founded in 2010. It started with one Cavalier that needed a home, and has just grown from there! As of 2015 we are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Talk to your accountant about your donations. We are dedicated to helping Cavaliers in need in Utah. All of our dogs live in foster homes, we do not have a shelter. We have our dogs health checked for heart and knee problems, they are spayed or neutered and are up to date on shots, have microchips and dentals are given when needed before they go to their new homes. We will adopt to out of state adopters, but only if you are willing to come to Utah. You must come to Utah to meet the dog you are interested in. We do not ship or transport. If you are in state we require a home visit, if you are out of state we require photos and/or videos of your yard, and may require a home visit if we have a volunteer in the area. We do not adopt to homes without a fenced yard! Adoptions to adopters in apartments and condos are on a case by case basis depending on the dogs needs. Adoptions to families in apartments depend on the dogs needs. We believe that adoptions are on a case by case basis and will work to find the right home for the dog. We require that our dogs come back to us no questions asked if things do not work out or your circumstances change. It is important for us that our adopters stay in touch and feel free to contact us with questions or concerns!

Rocky Mountain Dachshund Rescue

OUR HISTORY — Rocky Mountain Dachshund Rescue (RMDR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a mission to assist dachshunds in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the surrounding Rocky Mountains region, in finding loving homes. Originating in Utah, RMDR is dedicated to being a no-kill rescue, ensuring that every dachshund they rescue has a chance at a bright future. We operate with the support of devoted volunteers and fosters who provide compassionate care to the dogs in need. These fosters become the temporary families of the dachshunds, showering them with love and attention, taking them to veterinary appointments, enjoying walks and outings, and providing comforting cuddles. Their unwavering dedication plays a crucial role in helping these furry companions adapt to their new circumstances and embrace the positive changes in their lives. Our focus centers on dachshunds as a unique dog breed, and we are dedicated to providing the best possible support for them. RMDR works with most doxie mixes (small sizes), standard and miniature dachshunds, encompassing smooth, wire-haired and long-haired dachshunds. We actively share our knowledge with fosters and adopters who collaborate with our dachshund rescue. In our commitment to each doxie (or bonded pair), we work to find the best foster family, take care of their medical needs, and, when the time is right, help them find forever families! How Can You Help Our Dachshunds? By Adopting, Fostering, Volunteering or making a Donation. Today, Dachshunds Are Family — Once a hunting dog, the dachshund dog breed has shifted seamlessly into the role of family pet. With their charming personalities, expressive eyes, unwavering loyalty, and protective nature, these dachshunds also carry the endearing traits that once made them skilled hunter dogs. These traits include an amazing sense of smell, sweet & squishy paws that are great for digging, and a big bark. With these lovable features, dachshunds are here to stay! Together, we can help them stay on their paws.

Salt Lake County Animal Services

Salt Lake County Animal Services is dedicated to providing consistent, reliable, and professional solutions for animal related issues.

Utah Animal Adoption Center

Utah Animal Adoption Center (UAAC), a Utah 501(c), is a non-euthanizing animal shelter that rescues and finds homes for an average of 1,000 dogs and cats each year. Since 1983, we have dedicated ourselves to reducing the tragedies of pet overpopulation and the euthanasia of healthy adoptable pets. Our dogs and cats come from local and regional shelters. We partner with these shelters, rescuing pets from their euthanasia lists. Individual donors, corporate supporters, and private foundation grants fund our mission to save lives by supporting animal rescue and providing medical attention.

Animal Care of Davis County

Animal Care of Davis County is committed to promoting responsible pet ownership and compassionate animal care by fulfilling three goals: To serve and educate our community, to find homes for our homeless pets, and to support public safety Vision Find homes for homeless animals and educate the community about responsible pet ownership Values Davis County residents and their pets are our highest priority. We are proud to be a Socially Conscious Animal Welfare Organization™

Great Pyrenees Rescue Resources Utah Montana

Heber Valley Animal Services

The Heber Animal Shelter is a municipal shelter serving the residents of Wasatch County. Contact the main office at 435-654-5727 for more information about animals. HVAS only accepts animals into our shelter, that are from within the Wasatch County Boundaries. We are not accepting owner surrenders at this time. All others will be turned away. Heber Valley Animal Services will not accept any animal that has been adopted from a rescue. If you need to surrender an animal that was adopted from an established rescue group, please contact them to return the animal back to their organization. Most rescues have a clause in their adoption contract requiring the animal to be returned to them if the adopter is no longer able to care for it.

Lorelei's Legacy

We first met Lorelei when a local No Kill Rescue group took her in from an animal shelter that needed help with her care and placement. She was scared, malnourished, and had a bad case of kennel cough. She needed more care than she could receive at the kennel so she came to one of our board members as a "foster" puppy. Within 24 hours she was showing signs of Parvovirus-vomiting, diarrhea, depression, loss of appetite- all this on top of the kennel cough. She was one sick girl. Her foster family and the rescue worked with our vet to save her. She had antibiotics, a nebulizer and was being force fed. As she began to respond to treatment she had a bad reaction to one of the medications. The skin on her side started to die and slough off. Daily washing and bandage changes were added to her routine. All through this Lorelei would wag her tail when anyone came into her room. She was finally on the road to recovery when we noticed her abdomen was bloating. Back to the vet! After testing and an ultrasound she was diagnosed with an inoperable liver shunt. With the help of the vet and the rescue group we were able to find a treatment routine that stabilized her. Her foster family adopted her so they could deal with her ongoing care. All of this was expensive and time consuming. The rescue, the foster family, the veterinarian clinic and several very kind people contributed to help cover the costs. All of it was worthwhile when you watched Lorelei running with her doggy "siblings" and playing with her new "Mom and Dad". We lost Lorelei in the spring of 2013. She was 4 1/2 years old. She had a short life but she was a happy girl filled with fun and love. We all miss her. She was loved. We want to help more animals in similar situations. We want them to have a chance to have a loving home and a joyful life.

Utah Friends of Basset Hounds

Utah Friends of Basset Hounds started in the fall of 2002 by a group of five, Peggy Chudd, Jennifer Heighton, Toni Moore, Shawn Blaser, and John Nish. In the first two years, we had 15 adoptions. In the last two years, UFBH has had 175 Basset Hound adoptions and we continue to grow. We currently have over 75 dogs in our care, many of those permanent Forever Fosters who will remain with us until the end of their lives. Purpose Statement Serving our local and statewide communities, Utah Friends of Basset Hounds, Inc. provides: • Education to the public and prospective homes about the Basset Hound breed. • Shelter and care for homeless Basset Hounds. • Assistance, when needed, to anyone owning a Basset Hound so as to keep the dog in a good environment. • Placement in suitable foster and permanent homes for all dogs taken into our care. • Financial and emotional support, when needed, to our foster and adoptive homes using the dogs’ best interest as a guide. • Fundraising events in order to care for all dogs taken in by our rescue. • Education about spaying and neutering in order to decrease pet overpopulation and random breeding. • Placement assistance to state and local animal shelters for Basset Hounds and mixed breeds.

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.

Canines With a Cause

We are a registered 501c3 nonprofit that pairs rescued dogs with military veterans living with PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or Military Sexual Trauma (MST) to become psychiatric service or assistance dogs. Thanks to our generous donors, CWAC is able to provide training classes to veterans completely free of charge. Our classes are designed to give veterans the confidence to not only train their dogs but become experienced handlers. Canines With a Cause (CWAC) is proud to be an accredited member of the Association of Service Dog Providers (ASDP). Classes are currently being offered in Salt Lake City area, Northern Nevada, and Northern Idaho.

Wasatch Canine Camp

When Bethany was younger, she knew she needed to do something with animals. When she was 14 she got her first dog Jake, a German Shepherd. She had so much fun training him and working with him. He helped her to realize that working with dogs was what she was wanting to do with her life. After working every job she could in high school to save up and learn how to become a trainer, she finally was able to become certified. Shortly after she graduated high school, she was certified by Heather Beck. Bethany immediately opened Wasatch Canine Camp in the fall of 2007. She never imagined that her small dream of becoming a trainer would grow into such a full time business with a training center and staff. She is beyond grateful for every opportunity she has had to learn and grow, to help gain any knowledge possible in regards to dogs and dog training, as well as sharing that knowledge with her staff and her clients. Bethany’s goal when working with dogs is to communicate with them in the most clear and gentle way possible so that she can help them become the best dog they can be! Bethany met her husband Alan in high school, and they were married in 2009. In 2013, Alan joined Bethany full time at Wasatch Canine Camp.

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.

Best Friends Animal Society

Best Friends, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, operates the nation's largest sanctuary for homeless animals and provides adoption, spay/neuter, and educational programs.