Having a dog elevates the quality of life. A study shows that those who own a dog experience lower levels of blood pressure and improved stress response. This, in turn, gets them to live longer.
This is just one of the good things you’ll get out of having a Fido. Your family will experience what it feels like to be loved unconditionally alongside the fun and excitement any adventure may bring with a dog.
If your home is ready to welcome a new family addition, adopting is a great choice. More so, thousands are in search of a furever home in shelters.
So, I’ve made a list of the best dog rescues in Connecticut. Learn what makes them worth visiting.
10 Best Dog Rescues in Connecticut
1. Pack Leaders Rescue
Pack Leaders Rescue is a proud savior of thousands of dogs both locally and from the South. They show compassion toward those that have experienced neglect, abuse, and abandonment. Any dog rescue they come across is immediately sheltered in the facility for further assessments.
This started when the founders, Victoria and Americo, rescued a blind dog. From there came a spark to do the same to other dogs in need. They’ve opened their home as a sanctuary for all rescued dogs and cats and eventually established a facility.
Later on, a foster program commenced, which is ideal for most dogs that require extra care. To add, PLR maintains a relationship with adopters to aid them in their journey to having an adopted rescue dog.
How to contact them:
Website: Pack Leaders Rescue
Address: 1026 Tolland Street in East Hartford, Connecticut
Phone: 203-992-7225
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
2. Our Companions Animal Rescue
Our Companions Animal Rescue believes that all animals deserve respect and love. They’re brought into this world, and it’s just reasonable for us to be responsible for them.
However, homelessness is rampant, and other unfortunate circumstances are typical for these pooches. Thankfully, OCAR provides a 47-acre of land for rehabilitation and healing for all rescued dogs and even cats.
On top of that, the OCAR team also conducts activities and programs that inform the community about responsible dog ownership. A prevention program that aims to target pet overpopulation is also advocated.
If you’re interested in adopting a dog from them but don’t know which one is your perfect match, OCAR will help you out. The objective is not just to let go of a rescued dog but send it to the right home.
How to contact them:
Website: Our Companions Animal Rescue
Address: Manchester, CT
Phone: 860-242-9999
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
3. Save All Dogs Rescue
Though countless animal welfare groups and organizations are against euthanizing animals, the practice is still happening in some shelters. However, with the intervention of Save All Dogs Rescue, along with many other charity groups, dogs from high-kill facilities are gradually being saved.
SADR’s main goal is to get the Fidos rehabilitated and placed in permanent, loving homes. The Save All Dogs Veterinarian at Fenton River Vet in Tolland, CT is where they initially stay and get assessed until they’re qualified for adoption.
As a non-profit organization, its rescue program survives through adoption fees. These cover transportation, food, boarding fees, and vet costs which are all costly. They also lend a hand to other local shelters and rescue groups, which wouldn’t be possible without the community’s help.
Check out their available animals today and meet the amazing team that will help you choose your ideal four-legged buddy.
How to contact them:
Website: Save All Dogs Rescue
Address: 120 Hale Road Manchester, CT 06040
Phone: 860-706-9859
Email: [email protected]
4. Protectors of Animals
Protectors of Animals encourage you to be part of the solution. Adopting does help make a difference in the lives of unwanted pets. Every time a dog is adopted, the act gives room for a new rescue.
Aside from allowing you to welcome an adopted companion, POA also offers a spaying/neutering program at a very low cost to avoid unwanted pregnancies and accidental litter.
As this organization was formed in 1975, POA is undoubtedly a well-respected organization that continues to put animal rights as a priority. It’s a true haven for all stray cats and dogs, regardless of what their medical, physical, or behavioral conditions may be.
How to contact them:
Website: Protectors of Animals
Address: 144 Main St. Unit O East Hartford, CT. 06118
Phone: 860-569-0722
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
5. Danbury Animal Welfare Society
Sherrie Delaney and Anne Tracey led a group of volunteers in 1974 in the pursuit of improving the adoption prospects of the dogs in the Danbury Pound. They also aim to expand their services so that more and more stray dogs and feral cats receive proper care and treatment.
They progressed through the help of volunteers and their initiative to get the pets boarded in local vet offices and foster homes. Presently, they’re undergoing renovation, and they need your help!
Once this project is fulfilled, a better life quality for all dog rescues and cats can be established while they wait to be adopted. Last July 2022, around 54 cats were successfully placed, and 34 dogs and puppies found their furever homes.
Be the next success story or become a foster dog parent through DAWS.
How to contact them:
Website: Danbury Animal Welfare Society
Address: 147 Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801
Phone: 203-744-3297
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram
6. Halfway Home Rescue
Another Connecticut-based dog rescue center is Halfway Home Rescue. They save hundreds of dogs both locally and beyond, whether they’re homeless, abandoned, or abused.
Considering that these dogs may have bitter pasts, HHR’s team works hard to provide them with medical care and love. They also sterilize those that weren’t spayed or neutered to cure the overwhelming number of dogs in the area.
HHR also takes pride in its accomplishments which include being able to save around 5,000 animal lives since 2004. This will increase dramatically as their efforts to welcome dogs in need continue. Their ultimate goal is to find suitable homes that can provide for their needs with responsible owners.
Besides adopting, HHR urges the public to take part in improving the lives of these animals. You can donate either in cash or supplies such as bedding, food, and towels.
How to contact them:
Website: Halfway Home Rescue
Address: 400 Universal Dr. N, North Haven, CT 06473, United States
Phone: 203-985-8338
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
7. Furry Friends Foster & Rescue
Furry Friends foster & Rescue is an all-dog sanctuary in Connecticut. They are focusing on providing the needs of Fidos with medical and behavioral needs and are currently no longer accepting small animals of other species, cats, and wildlife.
Occasionally, they welcome owner-surrender pooches and continue the care these dogs deserve. Those that come from other states can also find refuge in this dog rescue site.
To help them in their noble cause, making donations and purchasing from their list of merchandise can go a long way. Adopting is also an encouraged option for those looking to own a dog.
Those that are up for adoption are already spayed and neutered. On another note, the process will only take around 1-2 weeks. There’s just a need to conduct home visits, vet references, and other important steps to ensure you’re the right fit for a particular furry puppy.
How to contact them:
Website: Furry Friends Foster & Rescue
Address: 39 Sunrise Terrace, Monroe, CT 06468, United States
Phone: 203-910-5693
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
8. Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter
Another sanctuary of all animals, whether they’re small, medium, or large, is the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter. They provide incredible animal care and assist each dog so they’ll become fit as adoptables.
Of course, the objective doesn’t just end there. Educating the community about responsible pet ownership is a huge influencer on the success of a dog and owner relationship.
You can also find different animals in the facility, such as ducks, guinea pigs, cats, and chinchillas which are used to provide education to children at the animal camp. Anyhow, the opportunities at DCAS involve either adopting, donating, or volunteering.
How to contact them:
Website: Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter
Temporary Address: 11 Cherry Hill Road, Branford, CT 06405
Phone: 203-315-4125
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
9. Brass City Rescue Alliance
With over a million pets, especially dogs that end up facing mercy-killing in various shelters across the US, Brass City Rescue Alliance works hard with its team to save those in line for euthanasia.
They also assist dog owners who can no longer properly take care of their pets, like those who are too old to provide their pooches an active lifestyle or families who move to a new home or apartment where pets are not allowed.
BCRA is driven to make a big difference in Connecticut. They focus on education, support, and life-saving. To get their dog rescues put out there for adoption, events are held every weekend.
Rest assured that these adoptables are behaviorally and medically healthy. They’re also trained so the transition from shelter to home becomes seamless and would have higher chances of success in terms of compatibility.
How to contact them:
Website: Brass City Rescue Alliance
Address: 2 Service Rd, Middlebury, CT, United States, Connecticut
Phone: 203-560-5056
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
10. Pawsafe
All dogs deserve to live in loving homes with families that can take care of their needs and required lifestyles. Pawsafe strives hard to get these pooches they’ve rescued meet the right adopter. Their vision primarily includes not seeing any more dogs depicted as disposable commodities.
They’re also working on getting all unspayed and unneutered dogs sterilized. One of the reasons why there’s a serious concern for pet overpopulation is due to owners not being able to afford the surgery.
Meanwhile, irresponsible breeders usually don’t see the need to do that when they can profit from every dog.
To help make the Connecticut community a better place to live in for dogs and humans, consider adopting a Fido. You can fill up an online application form after viewing their rescued dogs and continue showing your care to animals through volunteer efforts.
How to contact them:
Website: Pawsafe
Address: 110 Sandy Beach Rd, Ellington, CT 06029
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
How Much Would It Cost to Adopt a Dog in Connecticut?
The expected cost to adopt a dog in Connecticut usually has a standard fee that ranges from $350 to $750. This adoption fee covers a variety of required treatments and procedures, especially for puppies who are yet to be vaccinated and sterilized.
Meanwhile, senior dogs are only around $100, and adult dogs cost $300.
Though you’re paying as part of the adoption process, the dogs are in no way equivalent to being sold.
Is It Worth Adopting a Dog Rescue From Connecticut?
Adopting a dog rescue from Connecticut is absolutely worth it. Not only did you get a loyal and loving dog, but as well as giving way for a new rescue to be saved. You’re also cutting the costs if you compare the adoption fee to the required payment breeders would usually ask for.
Adopting is always an encouraged, fulfilling decision that benefits the world if more people do the same thing you did.
