The listed best dog rescues in Maine will help you find the right dog for your family. Adopting one will help teach your kids what it’s like to receive unconditional love and enable them to be responsible regarding animals.
If your home is open to welcome a pooch, you’re practically saving a life and giving room to a new rescue.
With plenty of dogs being euthanized due to the lack of space or insufficient funds to get them treated, your kindness goes a long way, helping lower the unfortunate statistics.
Are you ready to spend time with a fido? Make time to visit the best dog rescues in Maine.
13 Best Dog Rescues in Maine
1. Harvest Hills Animal Shelter
Harvest Hills Animal Shelter accepts all animals that need help. Mostly, their residents are cats and dogs. At times, they also take in owner-surrendered dogs.
As a non-profit organization, their work is mainly driven by the efforts made by dedicated volunteers. And to further their mission, they assist other struggling shelters and provide a safe place for those that would otherwise be euthanized or deemed unfit for adoption.
Since its conception in 1992, the HHAS has placed around 17,000 dogs and cats into furever homes. Those still under their care, including the ones they continuously welcome, are provided with the best treatment and care until they get adopted.
How to contact them:
Website: Harvest Hills Animal Shelter
Address: 1389 Bridgton Road, Fryeburg, ME 04037
Phone: 207-935-4358
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
2. Give a Dog a Home Rescue
A lot is going on in improving animal lives, and Give a Dog a Home Rescue participates and goes beyond in reaching this goal.
What they do to make the community a better place for dogs are:
- Educate
- Adoption
- Provide a shelter
- Offer spay/neuter services
- Conduct community outreaches
On top of that, they also acknowledge that some pet owners may struggle to take care of their dogs. Hence, the GDHR helps distribute food, clothing, essential supplies, housewares, toys, and more.
On another note, those who live in Canada can adopt a dog from this sanctuary. As long as you pass all the requirements, your chosen fido will be on its way to meeting your entire family.
How to contact them:
Website: Give a Dog a Home Rescue
Address: 187 Downs Road, Sebec, ME 04481
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
3. Greater Androscoggin Humane Society
Established in 1885, the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society continuously assists over 3,500 animals yearly. They address their specific needs and provide the best care for all animals.
You’ll meet guinea pigs, small animals, working cats, and dogs in this haven. If you’re particularly into dogs, they have a lot of Beagles, Rotties, Cane Corsos, and mixed-breed dogs with awesome personalities and gentle dispositions.
The adoption fee ranges from $80 for senior dogs, and this increases the younger the dog is. Puppies are $399. This cost is more affordable than spending thousands of dollars for a puppy from a breeder.
How to contact them:
Website: Greater Androscoggin Humane Society
Address: 55 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston, Maine 04240
Phone: 207-783-2311
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
4. Underhound Railroad
HumanePro says fewer than 750,000 healthy cats and dogs are euthanized yearly. These alarming statistics are what prompted a group of friends to establish the Underhound Railroad.
Their goal is to rescue the innocent hounds at risk of facing euthanasia in Connecticut Shelters. As this dog rescue grows, they have expanded to serve Maine, Rhode Island, Utah, and North and South Carolina.
Their group ensures that every rescued dog receives proper treatment, whether it be medical, behavioral, or emotional. They also take advantage of foster homes, which are useful in setting them up for their forever homes.
How to contact them:
Website: Underhound Railroad
Address: Camden, ME 04843
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
5. Pope Memorial Humane Society
With the rampant homelessness of animals, the Pope Memorial Humane Society commenced itself as a dog rescue to provide protection, care, and adoption opportunities for these companions.
With the help of like-minded, animal-loving individuals, the PMHS successfully acquired a 10,000-acre property in 2015, which was renovated over time and became a sanctuary of thousands of animals.
They don’t euthanize animals due to time or space, but only when there’s incurable behavioral tendencies, which don’t often happen.
How to contact them:
Website: Pope Memorial Humane Society
Address: 25 Buttermilk Ln, Thomaston, ME, United States, Maine
Phone: +1 207-594-2200
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
6. Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills
The goal is to save animals and serve the community. The Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills provides a compassionate, loving environment for cats and dogs until they find their permanent homes.
This non-profit organization maintains a no-suffer experience in its sanctuary. They prioritize the welfare of all their pet companions, which sets them to a better future with a willing, responsible family they match with.
They cooperate with several area towns, encouraging them to let in strays and owner-surrendered dogs.
How to contact them:
Website: Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills
Address: 9 Swallow Road, South Paris, ME 04281
Phone: 207-743-8679
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
7. Midcoast Humane
Midcoast Humane is one of the largest operating shelters in the State of Maine. With their dedication, around 3,500 animals are yearly provided with the utmost care, and hundreds more are served through their programs.
To keep their life-saving work going, MH has a second-hand store in Boothbay Harbor, Creature Comforts Thrift Store.
Consider purchasing their items here, as the profits go directly to the expenses made for each dog that needs help, either in behavioral or medical aspects.
Of course, they also have various dogs that are up for adoption.
How to contact them:
Website: Midcoast Humane
Address: 27 Atlantic Highway / P.O. Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556
Phone: 207-449-1366
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
8. SPCA Hancock County
The SPCA Hancock County is an independent organization that functions primarily to do the following:
- Protect animals
- Shelter all animals
- Promote animal welfare
- Place animals in loving homes
They focus on their local community and have, by far, saved 507 pets in 2020 alone.
If you are interested in adopting, you’re given the assurance that the dog you’re about to get has received all required medical treatments, such as:
- Sterilization
- Microchipping
- Up-to-date vaccinations
- Flea and tick preventative treatments
Meanwhile, their affordable adoption fees range from $100 for seniors and $400 for puppies. Young dogs are $300, while adult dogs only cost $200. These adoption fees initially cover all expenses, especially their vet trips.
How to contact them:
Website: SPCA Hancock County
Address: 141 Bar Harbor Rd, Trenton, ME, United States, Maine
Phone: +1 207-667-8088
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram
9. Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland
The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland helps enhance the relationship between man and animals. Their work starts by focusing on improving the quality of life of the area’s strays, abandoned, and relinquished companionable pets.
Knowing how rampant it is to eliminate a dog’s life due to the surge of animal intakes, advocating and educating the public on responsible pet ownership, spaying/neutering pets, and the like help in lowering the number of euthanized animals, according to a study.
Hence why the ARLGP is on board with achieving these programs. All the dogs and other types of pets they care for are given a life-changing chance regardless of their breed, color, and age.
How to contact them:
Website: Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland
Address: 217 Landing Road, Westbrook, ME 04092
Phone: 207-854-9771
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
10. Paws Adoption
Paws Adoption is another Maine-based sanctuary that takes in both cats and dogs. Its ultimate goal is to get them placed in permanent, loving homes where they can strive and live as normal pets.
Many of their dogs are of mixed breeds, but they’re just as sweet and loyal as any other purebred dog. A meet-and-greet appointment is set after you’ve applied for an adoption application.
However, if you are unable to adopt, you can still foster one of their pets. They need your hand to reach out to more canines and felines in need.
How to contact them:
Website: Paws Adoption
Address: 123 John Street, Camden, Maine 04843
Phone: 207-236-8702
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
11. Fairy Tails Rescue
Another worth visiting dog rescue in Maine is Fairy Tails Rescue. Its group is composed of individuals who have long been advocating for animal rights and welfare. Since they once volunteered for rescue transport in 2011, they know the importance of rescues.
They believe that in order to be successful in their mission, their work shouldn’t be just about taking in and saving lives but as well as providing support to the community they live in.
They’re the voice of those that cannot speak. All dogs, in their eyes, deserve a fairy tale ending, especially after what they’ve been through with their previous owners.
How to contact them:
Website: Fairy Tails Rescue
Address: Bethel, ME, United States, Maine
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
12. Kennebec Valley Humane Society
Kennebec Valley Humane Society serves many town areas to expand their work and achieve greater heights. They help in nurturing the animal-human bond and enrich lives through adoption opportunities.
Since this was established in 1927, countless animals have already been given a second chance to live. It was due to the generosity of several humanitarians that this organization finally had its own facility.
This is ultimately one of the best dog rescues where you can find your new best friend. Get to meet several mixed breeds that have lively personalities. Of course, all of them are vet-treated. They’re all set for a new home like yours.
How to contact them:
Website: Kennebec Valley Humane Society
Address: 10 PethavenLane, Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: 207-626-3491
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Twitter
13. Tall Tails Beagle Rescue
The Tall Tails Beagle Rescue isn’t just about rescuing Beagles. They’re into helping all types of hounds in the State of Maine. This non-profit organization has already helped hundreds of dogs while working with overcrowded shelters in the south.
Owner-surrendered dogs also have a special place here. Amazingly, they also help out stray dogs in Puerto Rico find their loving homes in the United States.
Most of the dogs you’ll find here are floppy-eared fidos, such as the Beagle, which the American Kennel Club describes as merry, friendly, and curious. Listen to their unique bay and howls unique to this breed and fall in love with their adorable appearance and sweet disposition.
On another note, the TTBR holds certain events, and they invite you to come and participate. Getting yourself involved will allow you to see the kind of work they do. It’s always a rewarding experience, especially when you’re part of solving the problem.
How to contact them:
Website: Tall Tails Beagle Rescue
Address: Mechanic Falls, Maine, United States
Phone: 207-333-0040
Email: www.talltailsbeaglerescue.org
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
Check out our list of more dog adoption places in various areas.
