There are countless best dog rescues situated in the state of Indiana. Yet, while it seems like there are endless options, knowing what they specialize in will help you choose the right dog companion.
Whether your family is looking to adopt an energetic puppy or a laid-back pooch like a Beagle or a Mastiff, there’s a good chance you’ll come across an available one waiting for its furever family.
Know where to start looking for your ideal fido by following this detailed guide on where to adopt.
11 Best Dog Rescues in Indiana
1. Furever We Love
Furever We Love offers several opportunities for dog lovers around Indiana. You can adopt or foster one or more of their dogs. And, either of these decisions has a huge impact on the organization and especially on the Fidos.
Fostering is a good start if you’re unsure about permanently bringing home a dog. This will help you determine, even more, both of your compatibility. The FWL provides the food and supplies needed and what you can contribute are love and shelter.
Donations are also welcome. This helps FWL continue running and save more dog lives.
In the US, the ASPCA estimates that around 3.1 million dogs end up in shelter homes yearly. This concerning statistic requires dog rescues to accumulate more help from the community as much as possible.
How to contact them:
Website: Furever We Love
Address: 6110 W. 25th St. #24503, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, Indiana
Phone: +1 765-410-0206
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
2. Rosie’s Southside Animal Shelter
Rosie Ellis is the founder of Rosie’s Southside Animal Shelter. She was already saving animal lives even before this organization was established. Her work started when she brought stray kittens home; the rest was history.
Since the government does not fund the RSAS, the financial aspect relies heavily on fees, donations, and grants.
Donating whatever amount certainly helps. This keeps dogs continuously receiving their required health check-ups and other prerequisites, so they become adoptable again.
Labrador Retrievers, Beagle mixes, Great Pyrenees dogs, and more are found in this lovely shelter. Also, every fido is ensured to have received vaccinations, deworming and other preventative treatments, sterilization, microchipping, vet wellness exam, and a bag of food.
How to contact them:
Website: Rosie’s Southside Animal Shelter
Address: 1614 W Edgewood Ave, Indianapolis, IN, United States, Indiana
Phone: +1 317-781-0755
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
3. Canine Castaways Rescue, Inc.
Situated in Fountaintown, Indiana, is the Canine Castaway Rescue, Inc. This independent animal welfare charity focuses on giving castaway dogs a brighter future. They welcome all dogs of any breed, regardless of age or health conditions.
According to BMC veterinary research, around 3-4 million animals are euthanized yearly, and one of the primary factors for this is shelter overcrowding. Hence, the CCRI also focuses on dogs at risk of being put down.
They pull them out, evaluate, rehabilitate, and provide an extensive adoption process to find the best, suitable homes.
Most of the dogs available are mixes, and all deserve to be treated humanely with love and respect. To extend more help, consider volunteering and donating today for the sake of these wonderful fidos.
How to contact them:
Website: Canine Castaways Rescue, Inc.
Address: 10879 N 200 W, Fountaintown, IN 46130, United States
Phone: +1 317-345-6578
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
4. All 4 Animals Rescue
All 4 Animals Rescue started way back in 2007. From being a small home-based foster rescue, A4A turned into a much more significant help in reducing the number of dogs in line for mercy-killing each year.
Their work is done with the help of volunteers, fosters, and transporters. As they just purchased their first building, you are welcome to adopt one of their amazing dogs and become part of their team.
They also encourage you to be part of improving the lives of all unwanted, homeless, and neglected dogs that they’ve rescued, either by donating supplies or providing monetary assistance.
How to contact them:
Website: All 4 Animals Rescue
Address: 2300 W 6th Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544
Phone: 574-520-1313
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
5. Pals For Paws
So far, Pals for Paws have saved an estimated 20,000 dog lives. This has been attained through the dedication of their all-volunteer team; who have put their passion for dogs into something much nobler.
They put importance on providing foster care to their dog rescues since this enables each puppy to transition into their new home easily.
Moreover, they emphasize the importance of neutering/spaying programs. This is to avoid unwanted litter and to reduce pet overpopulation.
Adopting a dog from PFP starts with a thorough application. This helps the organization determine whether you’re fit for a four-legged buddy and if one of their dogs suits your preferences and lifestyle.
How to contact them:
Website: Pals For Paws
Address: 268 E Alto Rd, Kokomo, IN 46902, United States
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Twitter
6. Grateful Rescue & Sanctuary
Grateful Rescue & Sanctuary is a haven where all unwanted dogs can experience love, care, and hope. They are provided with a greater chance to be adopted and to be with responsible families that can provide them with their needs.
As a non-profit organization, the GRS relies on what the public can offer as help. Its team functions by providing rehabilitation, fostering the fidos, and eventually finding them the right furever homes.
On top of that, they also provide outreach programs such as free animal therapy services for people in hospices and nursing homes. They also offer free boarding and daycare for the pets of people who meet their certain specifications and sterilization surgeries that are affordable.
The GRS aims for bigger goals. Once their construction is completed, more programs will be conducted to become the largest animal sanctuary of its kind in the eastern US.
How to contact them:
Website: Grateful Rescue & Sanctuary
Address: 4220 N. CR 500 W. Muncie, IN 47304
Phone: 844-728-3255
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
7. Fat Heads Rescue
If you have a deep interest in owning a bully breed, the Fat Heads Rescue would be your top choice. Established in 2014, this bully advocate organization works hard to create a positive image for these dogs, which were, in the past years, put in a bad spotlight.
Since then, around 1,000 dogs of this kind have transformed their lives. Owning a pooch is more than just having them around as companions. Training your fido is essential for a successful relationship.
Hence, the FHR provides training tips and recommends dog trainers to assist you and your dog in the transition. Also, as you adopt a dog, several others are still left behind.
Another best way you can do to help is shop at their website, donate, or foster to increase the likelihood of the other dogs becoming adoptable in the future.
How to contact them:
Website: Fat Heads Rescue
Address: 4510 Charlestown Rd., 241, New Albany, IN, United States, Indiana
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
8. It Takes a Village No-Kill Rescue
It Takes a Village No-Kill Rescue commenced in Evansville, but their work goes beyond this area. Their focus is to help unwanted animals, which has continued since 2010 through their dedicated volunteers.
ITV was once a foster-based rescue without a facility. Still, eventually, through community effort, they won a $25,000 grant. They used this to find an appropriate building for the ITV Center.
Currently, around 150 animals are available for adoption. They need food, veterinary care, and, most of all, a home that can let them in, eventually.
ITV does not discriminate, especially when it comes to dog breeds.
However, they prioritize the bully breeds, which are often faced with prejudice. And, the American Psychological Association agrees that this is a sad reality for such dogs. They also welcome black dogs and those with medical conditions.
How to contact them:
Website: It Takes a Village No-Kill Rescue
Address: 1417 N. Stockwell Road, Evansville, Indiana 47715
Phone: 812-909-1306
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
9. Ark Animal Rescue and Adoption
The Ark Animal Rescue and Adoption has a mission to rescue large dogs, small dogs, and any animal needing help. Meanwhile, they dream that one day, they won’t have to rescue more dogs.
While this may seem too ideal, it’s not entirely impossible. Through animal advocacies and other beneficial services, such as the sterilization of pets, pet overpopulation will no longer be that overwhelming in the coming years.
At the AARA, you can adopt a dog or a cat. And, you may have to fill out the application separately if you want to take home two kinds of pets. Their dog has a typical adoption fee of around $100 to $200, while senior dogs have reduced pricing.
Check out their gallery of adoptable dogs and cats and find out which one captures your heart the most.
How to contact them:
Website: Ark Animal Rescue and Adoption
Address: 530 E 300 S, LaGrange, IN 46761, United States
Phone: +1 260-463-4142
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
10. Heartland Small Animal Rescue, Inc.
Located in South Bend, Indiana, is the Heartland Small Animal Rescue, Inc. They specialize in rehabilitating small house pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs. Later, they expanded by welcoming cats, dogs, and reptiles.
You’ll find different kinds of pets in this humble sanctuary. When there is available space, they also take care of pets that their owners have surrendered.
As the number of animals they save grows, so do HSARI’s needs. Be part of the team; volunteer, or become their new foster dog parent. You are also encouraged to donate to help the team continue the mission they’ve started.
Adoption also makes a big difference, as taking home a puppy means making room for another rescue.
How to contact them:
Website: Heartland Small Animal Rescue, Inc.
Address: 4540 Grape Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545, United States
Phone: 574-400-5633
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
11. Heaven After Hell Rescue
Heaven After Hell Rescue is another awesome shelter. It serves as the voice of all abandoned, unwanted, mistreated, and neglected dogs. It believes they deserve to end up in happy homes, which is why they work hard to match them with the right families.
You can find different dog breeds in their gallery, from Presa Canarios to Chihuahuas, which all have wonderful personalities and lovely dispositions.
Everything is set once their dogs are about to be brought to their furever home. They’re usually vaccinated, spayed/neutered, socialized, and fully rehabilitated. The adoption fees vary depending on what medical care has been provided for the fido.
Typically, the range is $30 to $300. On another note, HAHR doesn’t take in owner-surrendered dogs. They focus more on rescuing those canines that are at risk in high-kill shelters.
Be part of their success stories and adopt a dog today. Their hours of operation are based on appointments. So, fill out an application as early as possible. Moreover, consider volunteering and donating to help HAHR expand its work and reach greater heights.
How to contact them:
Website: Heaven After Hell Rescue
Address: 6819 West 21st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46214
Phone: +1 317 455 5758
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
Check out more lists of dog adoption places here.
