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

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!

Humane Society of Utah

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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™

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.

Paws for Life Utah

Paws For Life Utah is a publicly recognized non-profit organization pursuant of IRS Section 501(c)3. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. We respect and are committed to protecting your privacy. Personal information will not be shared with any individuals or organizations. We will not sell your personal identifiable information to anyone.

Herding Haven

Herding Haven provides refuge and rehabilitation for herding dogs with special needs so that they may become more adoptable. Vision To rescue and rehabilitate herding dogs with physical, emotional and behavioral limitations and help them find forever homes. Guiding Principles •Kindness •Compassion •Leading by example •Understanding •Transparency

Community Animal Welfare Society (CAWS)

CAWS is a no-kill, volunteer, and foster-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to work with the community to help animals. As Utah’s oldest animal rescue group, our ongoing rescue, foster, education, and adoption programs help animals whose time is up at shelters, those who are abandoned, and as our resources allow, those whom their owners can no longer keep. We are committed to saving the animals that are often overlooked and under-appreciated at local shelters; this includes, the sick, injured, senior, and neonatal kittens, and their mothers. CAWS is dedicated to helping those special needs animals to find their forever homes. Our rescue and adoption process is sustainable, innovative, and effective. We have rescued and adopted over one thousand dogs and cats from shelters throughout the state of Utah every year since 2015.

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.

Happy Tails at Pegasus

We are dedicated to assisting animals in need with transitional housing and when necessary permanent sanctuary

South Jordan Animal Services

Great Pyrenees Rescue Resources Utah Montana

Second Chance for Homeless Pets

At Second Chance our priority is finding the best match for each animal. Like people, animals are individuals and have different needs for a successful adoption, according to their personalities. Acting in partnership with many animal controls across the state; Second Chance acts as an extension of local shelters, providing the extra time and resources needed in re-homing animals, therefore reducing the need for euthanasia. Second Chance rarely takes owner releases. Instead we prefer to use our resources for the animals in danger of being "put down"at open admission shelters/Animal Controls. Second Chance for Homeless Pets was created in 2000 when its founder, Rhonda Greenhalgh (DeMars-Hughes), who at 19 years old, drove all night to save a deaf Boxer from being euthanized at a High-Kill Los Angeles shelter. At the time no one was interested in adopting a deaf dog. The Boxer, who was named Storm, was adopted and resided in the home that Rhonda found for her until she past due to old age. Since 2000 Second Chance for Homeless Pets has gone on to rescue over 6,000 animals (and counting) from high euthanasia shelters in Utah and adopted them out to loving families in the Salt Lake and surrounding areas. That was the labor of love Rhonda began at the age of 19 and continues to be the mission of Second Chance and its dedicated volunteers. Second Chance for Homeless Pets is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and relies on private donations to operate its shelter with all proceeds going to rescue and care for unwanted animals. It does not receive money from any government entity or local and national animal rescue organizations. The animals are cared for by volunteers until they are adopted into a good home, regardless of the time involved. Second Chance has a small foster network who provide bottle feeding and foster care for infant animals. With the rest of the animals for adoption being housed at the Second Chance for Homeless Pets Adoption Center in Salt Lake City. All animals are examined by a local veterinarian, who donates her services. Second Chance also pays for vaccinations, spay/neuter and microchips prior to adoption, along with any other medical care the animal may need. These services are included in the adoption fees. Food and other supplies for the shelter are either donated by individuals or purchased with donated funds. The shelter’s funding is acquired through individual donations as well as participation in various local fundraising events. See our “Events Page” for more information and dates. We encourage you to donate what you can on our “Make a Donation” page. Second Chance also offers low cost vaccination days and education programs to help the public.

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.