#84 in United States, #9 in California, #4 in San Diego
https://amazingstraysrescue.org
Service areas:
San Diego county and various parts of Southern California
"Amazing Strays Rescue is truly unlike any other rescue I’ve encountered. We are so thankful they agreed to help our dog, who is a former mama found by someone on a street corner in Tijuana during a heavy rain. She had cancer (TVT), yet they were willing to take her into the program, provide medical care including chemotherapy, and give us guidance every step of the way. From the founder down to volunteers, no one is above rolling up their sleeves and doing what needs to be done to help the dogs most in need. Now as a foster and alumni-owner, I continue to be thankful for their constant advice and advocacy. I cannot fathom how they accomplish everything they do -- they deserve all of the recognition and contribution that helps them to continue to do incredible work."
— alexandra w.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"Amazing strays posts the cutest dogs on their insta. Every time i see them at an event their volunteers are courteous and kind. I look forward to seeing which dogs they help find homes"
— travis r.
Supporter, Fan
"The people I've met really care about animals. They are upbeat, positive and attentive to the needs of the little beasties."
— doug r.
Fan
"Amazing Strays Rescue has made such a huge impact on so many animal’s lives. I helped volunteer, foster and eventually became an adoptee. The team goes above and beyond to save every helpless animal. When it comes to finding the right home, they’re selective and want to ensure that it’s a good fit. Many thanks to Amazing Strays for all their help!!"
— amy c.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"My sweet dog’s life took a complete turn from the time he was rescued by Amazing Strays in Dec 2022 and I adopted him in Feb 2023. He was found in a dirty box on the side of the road in Tijuana, had been hit by a car resulting in permanent neck tilt and crushed front paw. It was rainy, freezing cold -he was malnourished and infected with giardia. Amazing Strays paid for rehab at a local vet until he was well enough to cross the border into San Diego and a bright new future. They called him Goofy but I renamed him Hershey because of his half chocolate face…and because he’s so sweet like Hershey candy! I am so thankful to Amazing Strays…can’t imagine my life without him."
— lenora y.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
"We adopted two beautiful puppies that are well behaved and very loveable."
— larry n.
Adoptee
"Hello, My name is David and amazing stray rescue has changed our family’s life. We finally took the leap to adopt a puppy this march 2025 and we were impressed on how seamlessly easy the process was. Everyone one was very helpful and kind when we asked questions. They were very responsive and have been to this day. I have nothing but good things to say about them and if you’re in need of adopting a new family member, I highly recommend amazing stray rescue."
— david s.
Adoptee
"We adopted our perfect pup Pepper through Amazing Strays. They did a responsible home evaluation and helped us get her transitioned into her new life with us. I am so grateful for their ethical, kind, and heart-filled work to rescue dogs from all sorts of bad situations."
— leilani g.
Adoptee
"February 9, 2024 I met Liberty (renamed her Blu) and fell in love with her. Amazing Strays Rescue made the adoption process so easy. The fact that the puppies are fostered in homes is one of the reasons I selected her. Everyone from the foster family, Devon and all the other volunteers really care about the adoptee and puppy. Blu comes to work with me every day and she loves everyone she sees. I tell everyone that she was adopted from Amazing Strays Rescue. The love and attention she had before I got her really made a huge difference is her behavior."
— johaunna t.
Adoptee
"Amazing strays is an amazing rescue group! They take dogs from unknown environments, with unknown backgrounds, unknown behavior issues, unknown medical, etc. They then do whatever it takes to get them placed into an appropriate home! There's not an existing hurdle I have not seen them jump! I adopted both of my dogs from them, and both are absolutely amazing! I've worked with this rescue as a trainer for many years, and the amazing animals they rescue are....well...amazing! I have loved working with them!"
— tomas n.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Staff member
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
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Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
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Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.