Finding the best dog rescues in New York City comes in a breeze. Plenty of charitable animal welfare organizations tender stray, homeless, abused, and neglected dogs in the area. They hope to transform their lives and give them a chance for a better future.
Most dogs from these rescues and shelters come from irresponsible breeding, surrendered by owners, or have come missing. Groups that care for these lovely fidos are run primarily by volunteers and function through community support and effort.
If you want a new family addition, adopting is the best choice. You’re rescuing a life and making room for another rescue. Stick to this guide and find out the 10 best dog rescues in New York City!
10 Dog Rescues in New York City Where You Can Adopt a Dog
Adopting a dog comes with a responsibility. Some dog rescue centers have specializations, which could be breed, age, or size-specific. Researching thoroughly where to adopt a dog is crucial. Learn which of them aligns with your goals and can give you the dog you want.
Here are the ten sources where you can adopt a dog if you live in or around New York City.
1. Social Tees Animal Rescue
Social Tees Animal Rescue is an adoption resource you cannot miss. Founded in 1991, this non-profit organization focuses on saving dog and cat lives around New York City.
They are a foster-based rescue. That said, the animals under their care are placed in nurturing, temporary homes with loving foster families before they’re rehomed permanently.
Most dogs improve socialization and proper training through foster-based rescues, while others can improve their behavior further. One of the advantages of a foster-based approach is that dogs will eventually find it easier to adjust to their new homes.
On another note, all animals they rescue are spayed or neutered, up-to-date with vaccinations, microchipped, treated, and more.
Most of the dogs you’ll find here are mixed breeds; they’re all equally adorable and suitable for the right person. Take time to get to know your prospective dog and fill out an application form as early as possible to make an appointment.
How to contact Social Tees Animal Rescue:
Website: Social Tees Animal Rescue
Address: 443 East 9th Street, Storefront West, New York, NY 10009
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
2. Animal Haven
Animal Haven is a 1967-established animal welfare organization that provides care to abandoned dogs and cats in the tri-states of New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
Dogs are provided with thorough behavioral training when needed, which helps their chances of becoming adopted. On top of that, they also conduct specific programs that encourage people and these animals to bond positively.
The dogs they home come from different walks of life. It’s usually a mix of small, medium, and large dogs, puppies, adults, and seniors. You might also come across a dog with special needs.
Determine what kind of pooch is suitable for your lifestyle and preferences. Ensure you let it be known through your dog application. They have a walk-in schedule around 2 to 6 p.m., but an appointment can also be made on Tuesdays to Sundays from 12 to 7 p.m.
How to contact Animal Haven:
Website: Animal Haven
Address: 200 Centre St., New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 274-8511
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram
3. Animal Lighthouse Rescue
Animal Lighthouse Rescue works with its sister shelter, El Faro de Los Animales, in Puerto Rico. Its main objective is to rescue stray dogs from the said country and transport them to New York City, where they’re set to have better lives with future adoptive families.
With the help of the local community in Puerto Rico, this organization receives regular tips directing them to the areas where an abandoned, injured, or dog in need of help is located. Once the dogs are under their care, they immediately receive treatments.
Below lists some of the necessary vet services they are granted with:
These dogs are also groomed and assessed behaviorally before they’re set up for adoption. It’s also part of the goal to ensure these fidos feel welcomed and loved.
On top of that, upon arriving in New York, they are also provided with wellness checks by their network of veterinarians and vet techs at Camp Canine. All this work helps improve the lives of these dogs and the community as a whole.
How to contact Animal Lighthouse Rescue:
Website: Animal Lighthouse Rescue
Address: 332 Bleecker St K41, New York City, New York, 10014
Phone: (212) 877-8795
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
4. Muddy Paws Rescue
Muddy Paws Rescue is another New York-based dog rescue that offers several opportunities for dogs in dire need of help. They are against euthanasia; hence, they provide many activities to further the chances of these dogs finding their forever homes.
To date, around 6,695 animal lives have been saved. This was primarily achieved thanks to their fostering, volunteering, and adopting programs.
With Muddy Paws Rescue, proactive plans and actions are taken for the welfare of the animals around the area. They also establish a good relationship with the community, provide education regarding responsible pet ownership, and innovate to have successful rescue models.
Make an impact and adopt a dog or two at Muddy Paws Rescue. If you’re unsure about having the total commitment of owning a dog, fostering is also an option.
How to contact Muddy Paws Rescue:
Website: Muddy Paws Rescue
Address: 821 9th Ave FRNT 1, New York, NY 10019
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram
5. Rescue City
Rescue City is a foster network where you can adopt dogs of any breed, size, and age. They provide great temporary shelter for the fidos they rescue and conduct a thorough match between their dogs and their prospective adopters.
Since this is a non-profit organization, Rescue City relies on the donations and support it receives from private individuals and the community. Every dog they care for is fully vetted, receiving microchips, deworming, sterilization, and vaccination treatments.
Get to know their dogs by checking their fidos’ profiles. You’ll find Rottweilers, Labrador Retrievers, other dog breeds, and mixed-breed dogs that come in different sizes, ages, and temperaments.
Another option is to make an appointment for an in-person visit. Other means to support Rescue City are volunteering, becoming a foster, donating, or shopping through their website. Any effort you make makes a huge difference.
How to contact Rescue City:
Website: Rescue City
Address: 8700 25th Ave Apt 2U, Brooklyn, New York, 11214
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
6. Sean Casey Animal Rescue
The Sean Casey Animal Rescue is the place to go if you’re looking for a rescue center with all varieties of pets. This non-profit, no-kill organization is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, and other small animals.
The Sean Casey Animal Rescue was established in 1998. Each year, an estimated 2,000 animals are welcomed in this rescue. From the Animal Care & Control (ACC) alone, 8,000 animals were successfully saved.
Scan through their list of adoptable dogs. Most are mixes and are equally loving, loyal, and fun to be with. Take time to know their personalities and needs, and see if you can responsibly own them.
If you’re still unsure or undecided, they prepared a series of questions you can ask yourself to determine if your home is ready for a fido. Make sure you don’t skip that one for a more successful relationship with your dog.
How to contact Sean Casey Animal Rescue:
Website: Sean Casey Animal Rescue
Address: 153 E 3 Street (Between Ft Hamilton Pkwy & Caton Ave), Brooklyn, NY
Phone: (718) 436-5163
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram
7. SPCA International
The first ever Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was established in England in 1824. Their primary focus during those times was to ensure that horses were freed from abuse and overwork.
When the first SPCA thrived in pushing for animal rights for horses, it also included dogs and other animals in the pursuit of fighting against animal cruelty. Their work has been known widely, and SPCA International has become one of the fruits of its labor.
Founded in 2006, SPCA International has one thing in mind: to advance the well-being and safety of animals. They encourage you to take action. Adopt an animal or one of their dogs, in particular, today.
When you get to know their dog’s story, you’ll understand even more the reason why volunteers work hard to secure these dogs’ future. If your home is open for a fido, giving one a space makes an entirely positive difference.
How to contact SPCA International:
Website: SPCA International
Address: P.O. Box 8682, New York
Phone: (888) 690-7722
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram
8. Animal Rescue Angels for Mistreated Animals
Another New York-based dog rescue you can visit is the Animal Rescue Angels for Mistreated Animals located in Brooklyn. They’re a no-kill, non-profit organization that continuously safeguards the welfare of the most abused, traumatized, and neglected animals in the area.
Since this was founded, countless injured, sick, maltreated, and nearly dying animals have been rescued. They house their rescues in a 1,200 square feet space. It has clean and neat enclosures and a fenced outdoor space.
Get to know each of their dogs. They have individual profiles you can look into to help you know if you’re the kind of owner their dogs need. Take time to learn their stories, some heartbreaking, and make a logical decision.
How to contact Animal Rescue Angels for Mistreated Animals:
Website: Animal Rescue Angels for Mistreated Animals
Address: 2815 Cropsey Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11214
Phone: (347) 448-5944
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram
9. Bobbi and the Strays
Bobbi and the Strays are founded to be a 100% no-kill, non-profit organization. They have always been to the rescue whenever they are called or come across dogs and animals in need, regardless of whether they’re from the streets, overcrowded shelters, or neglect and abuse situations.
Once the animals are under their care, they extensively provide them with medical services to ensure that their health is top-notch before they’re put up for adoption.
Some of the vet services these dogs receive are listed below:
- Vaccinations
- Spay or neuter
- Special care for those with special needs
Find out what dogs are available for adoption from the Bobbi and the Strays. You can also make an appointment and see them in person.
How to contact Bobbi and the Strays:
Website: Bobbi and the Strays
Address: 80-36 Cooper Avenue, Glendale, NY 11385 / 2 Rider Place, Freeport, NY 11520
Phone: (718) 326-6070 / (516) 378-4340
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, and Instagram
10. Homeward Bound Dog Rescue of New York
The Homeward Bound Dog Rescue of New York is a foster-based rescue you may also want to visit. That said, they don’t have a shelter or a facility. Their dogs are taken into the homes of foster families, where they receive lots of training, socialization, and love, most especially.
They thoroughly assess their dogs, more so when it comes to their temperament, their strengths, and their needs.
Most of their fidos have been surrendered by their owners, have come from puppy mills, or are turned over by other shelters.
If you want to meet one of their dogs, an adoption form must be filled out first. It takes them 5 to 7 days to respond, but feel free to contact them further through their socials.
How to contact Homeward Bound Dog Rescue of New York:
Website: Homeward Bound Dog Rescue of New York
Address: P.O. Box 5782, Albany, New York 12205
Phone: (518) 424-1738
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
All these dog rescues based in New York pass our standards. Feel free to return to this directory once you have adopted a dog rescue.
