Find your new best friend
Thousands of shelters and rescues are looking for loving homes.
Animal shelters & rescues by country
Adopting from a shelter or rescue gives a dog or cat a second chance. Choose a country to find organisations near you — then contact them about adopting, fostering, volunteering or donating.
United Kingdom
26 shelters & rescues
in 21 regionsIreland
5 shelters & rescues
in 4 regionsUnited States
3497 shelters & rescues
in 55 regionsCanada
52 shelters & rescues
in 5 regions
Before you visit
- Check the shelter's website or call ahead — many work by appointment only.
- Some rescues have no kennels: their animals live in foster homes, so adoption starts online.
- Expect a home check and an adoption fee that covers vaccinations, microchipping and neutering.
Not sure which dog suits you?
Shelters can tell you a lot about each dog's personality. Our breed guides help you know what to ask about energy, grooming and life with children or other pets.
Take the breed quiz →Directory compiled from Dogs Trust, Battersea and RescueGroups.org, with regions from OpenStreetMap. Listing is not an endorsement — details can change, so please confirm with the organisation.