The Best Idaho Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025

Meridian Canine Rescue

Saving lives through storytelling and education. We promote behavioral wellness through a holistic care approach for every animal in our rescue. Our life skill training curricula teach both dogs and humans how to live ‚and thrive together. The best way for us to help more animals is by sharing our knowledge and skills. We have several program to support our community with resources to reduce the amount of dogs with behavioral issues entering shelters in the state of Idaho. We also have a prison program (EPIC) where we also work with the incarcerated community and provide life skills to humans and dogs.

The Furry Farm Rescue

Our promise to our animals: We will love and protect you, provide an enriching and nurturing foster home, care for all your medical needs, give you the structure and training needed for success, and above all treat you as our own while you are with us. Our promise to our community: We will work together, we will be kind and considerate, we will educate, we will advocate, we will serve. We are a small rescue established in North Idaho with 501(c)(3) status. Our team brings years of rescue and animal welfare together to form a family who is here to provide safety for forgotten animals and help find their forever family. We focus on those who need help the most, our abandoned local shelter dogs needing medical and more. Furry Farm is a foster based rescue; with an application, home check, and a meet and greet process before formalizing the adoption of your new furry friend. If you see an animal you would like to meet, head over to our website at thefurryfarmrescue.org to complete and application.

Idaho Humane Society

The Idaho Humane Society is the largest and oldest animal welfare organization and veterinary charity in the state. We are a private 501(c)3 organization that relies on donations to provide programs and services that benefit animals in Idaho.

Take Me Home Dog Rescue

Founded in 2017, we are a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization that partners with high-kill dog shelters in Idaho and around the United States. We are solely volunteer-based, and rely on ongoing volunteers and fundraising to sustain our work. We utilize our foster homes located throughout the Treasure Valley to secure safe placement for adoptable dogs while they are in transition. We do not have a facility. We value being an inclusive organization and do not discriminate against the breed, age, or medical condition of any dog.

BnB Rescue

BnB Rescue was founded by a small group of people in 2017 who collectively have many decades of experience in dog rescue, transport, evaluation, training, care and placement. Our rescue team is comprised of all volunteers.

Moonsong Malamute Rescue

We foster our dogs from our homes. We are growing, and we need foster homes and volunteers to help care for our charges. All too often we do end up assisting senior dogs that have been “dumped” in shelters or abandoned by their owners. Many of these older dogs don’t find their forever homes, but spend the rest of their lives in loving foster homes and become “Forever Fosters“. If you would like to help with MMR’s efforts, please see our Foster and Volunteer sections. Moonsong Malamute Rescue, Inc. is organized exclusively for the purpose of rescuing, rehabilitating and permanently re-homing purebred Northern breed dogs and Northern mixed breed dogs. MMR is not a shelter or humane society. We are affiliated with the Alaskan Malamute Assistance League (AMAL), which is the national rescue organization recognized by the Alaskan Malamute Club of America. As an affiliate to AMAL, MMR operates under AMAL’s code of ethics.

Idaho Saint Bernard Rescue

Boise Bully Breed Rescue

Founded in 2009, determined to make a change. The core of our efforts is to bring awareness, educating the public regarding bully breeds, promote responsible pet ownership, promote spay and neuter programs, advocate against breed specific legislation and the inhumane activity of dog fighting. Through all of our endeavors we hope to display the conviction behind our beliefs and continue to save lives. Boise Bully Breed Rescue is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which means the rescue is dependent on generous tax deductible donations. The rescue relies on donations for funding medical, training and operational expenses at the rescue's Animal Care Facility. We rely solely on donations, volunteers, foster homes and community efforts to help the abandoned and neglected dogs that have run out of time in shelters. All tax deductible donations assist with medical, the Animal Care Facility and training for the rescue dogs. We are a group of volunteers devoted to re-homing unwanted bully breed dogs from shelters. We strive to place the best representatives of the breed into foster and adoptive homes that are capable of providing adequate care and training. We encourage BULLY BREED owners and lovers to unite to present a positive image of the breed and to clarify the controversy of negative press and stereotyping.

Pug Pals Rescue

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and placing Pugs in “forever homes.” At this time, we are a completely volunteer run organization and all Pugs are placed in foster homes until loving forever homes can be found. We rescue all Pugs regardless of medical needs and do our best to provide for them with our limited resources.

Second Chance Animal Adoption

SCAA has a wonderful shelter with a caring staff and all animals get excellent care during their stay at Second Chance. All our animals are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and de-wormed as needed before adoption. Second Chances goal is to help all lost and abandoned animals. We help lost dogs find their owners, and help stray or abandoned ones find new homes. SCAA’s shelter committee works VERY hard at matching the dog's or cat's with the right home. We accept applications for all animals that are available for adoption and strive to find a loving and forever home for each one. The SCAA Thrift Store in Bonners Ferry is our primary revenue source. The store is located at 6647 Lincoln St. Bonners Ferry, ID 83805. Please stop by and see the wonderful products that are available. We are a tax exempt 501(c)(3) charity, which means that anyone kind enough to donate to Second Chance Animal Adoption may deduct that donation on their taxes. For information on how to donate or volunteer to SCAA, please see click on our DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERING tab. Our History Second Chance Animal Adoption, Inc (SCAA) was formed in 1998 by Kate Turner and Alice Miller, along with 9 members of our community. They were volunteering at the City Pound in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Animal control was handled by law enforcement and they were overwhelmed by the number of lost, abandoned and homeless animals. The city pound was simply not big enough and they did not have the funding to house all the unclaimed dogs. As many pounds do,they were forced to euthanize due to lack of space, which was just not acceptable to Kate and Alice; therefore, the inception of SCAA. Being lifelong animal lovers it seemed only natural to assist with animal care and give the dogs of Boundary County a better chance at life. Alice and her husband, at their own expense, built kennels in their large indoor barn and soon were fostering dogs for the City Pound. Not long after, volunteers severed ties with the City Pound and officially became SCAA. Driven by its mission, SCAA is now a formidable force in Bonners Ferry. In 2010, the organization realized its dream of constructing a shelter to house dogs and cats and well as building a strong foster care program. SCAA's vision is to become more than an adoption agency, but also an animal resource and educational center for those living in Boundary County. SCAA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is governed by a board of directors. The Organization runs solely through the proceeds of the Second Chance Thrift Store, donations, philanthropy, fundraising, and grants.

Heart of Idaho Animal Sanctuary

Our shelter located in Challis, Idaho, our goal is to provide a safe haven for animals in need, providing them with individualized care and a healthy, clean, loving environment to live in while waiting for their forever homes. Young, old, special needs, angry or scared – at HIAS we believe every animal has a story. We take in cats and dogs locally, as well as dogs from high kill shelters outside our area as space allows.

PAWS of Teton Valley

PAWS was founded in 1999 as a community resource to help LOCAL PETS AND THEIR PEOPLE. Our first priority is to assist pets in Teton County, WY, Teton County, ID and Star Valley, WY. When we are able, we assist neighboring shelters, regional partners and residents from areas which don't have a shelter of their own. We do our best with limited resources and know that by focusing locally, we take care of pets and their people in need right here in our own community.

Mountain Humane

Every day we work to create new possibilities for homeless animals in our community. We are proud to provide innovative and industry-leading services to not only enhance the lives of the animals while they are at the shelter, but to support every adoption so each animal can thrive in their new forever home.

Snake River Animal Shelter

The Snake River Animal Shelter (SRAS) is the only no-kill non-profit animal sheltering facility serving all of East Idaho, located on the banks of the Snake River in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Our community needed a non-profit shelter that would offer education opportunities on the humane treatment of animals as well as implement innovative programs to alleviate the problem of too many unwanted domestic animals. All of the animals that come to SRAS are given an unlimited length of stay, but our primary goal is to find every critter in our care a forever home as soon as possible. The Snake River Animal Shelter’s vision is to be the leader in our region through operational best practices and impactful programs to increase the number of animal lives saved.

City of Jerome Animal Shelter

The City of Jerome Animal Shelter is a small facility that acts as a safe haven for lost/found, abandoned, and unwanted dogs within the city and county of Jerome. Our facility operates with one Animal Control Officer, one full time, and one part time Shelter Attendant. We have a 14-kennel facility and operate on a fixed budget. On average, our facility takes in roughly five hundred dogs a year. We cannot take in dogs from outside the city and county of Jerome. We also do not have the ability to facilitate any cats or exotic pets. We take pride in our facility, keeping it clean and fresh for our dogs and the public. We work extremely hard to reunite lost dogs to their owners, find loving homes for those abandoned, and find the right facilities for dogs with special needs and/or behavioral issues. We also try to help our community solve problems with their dogs by providing solutions such as referrals to expert trainers. We provide a pet food pantry for the community who struggle with feeding their pets. We work closely with our volunteers, rescues, and community to make sure every dog that comes into our care finds their way to their “forever home.” We believe every dog deserves a second chance. We operate heavily through Social media and word of mouth. With the combined efforts of our staff, volunteers, community and rescue/shelters we save many and find loving homes for dogs in our community. Through our efforts we strive to fight against over-population and disease outbreak in our area.

Lewis Clark Animal Shelter

Lewis Clark Animal Shelter envisions a time when our community celebrates the human-animal bond, embraces the mutual benefits therein and treats all fellow beings with care, compassion and respect; a time when LCAS is primarily a resource for health, education and recreational services for animals and people. Goals: • To return lost pets to their families and find safe and caring homes for homeless pets in our care. • To develop a strong board of directors which will set policy and provide oversight consistent with our mission. • To attract and retain capable, caring, professional staff and volunteers to achieve our mission. • To identify and secure resources to accomplish our goals and manage resources with wisdom and fore thought. • To provide information and resources to the community pertaining to the humane treatment of animals. • To provide programs that enhance relationships between people and animals. • To improve the level of animal care in the community and ensure the highest quality of care for animals within our facilities. • To reduce the serious cat and dog overpopulation problem within our community through spay neuter programs. Lewis Clark Animal Shelter has served the Lewis Clark Valley since 1950. The agency provides vital services to animals and people alike through sheltering and adopting animals, providing positive Fear Free Shelter approach to reinforcement behavior training for adoptable animals, foster kitten program, P.A.W.S. Training Program through the Idaho Correctional Institution - Orofino, reduced cost spay/neuter surgeries, support during animal cruelty and neglect, providing adult and youth volunteer involvement, sharing animals through pet-assisted therapy, and rescuing animals in emergency situations. A private nonprofit organization that relies on community support, contributions, grants, bequests, investments, fees for service.

MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter

In early 2022, the MCPAWS staff and leadership team went through the process of updating our mission and vision statement to reflect our growing capacity, including all of the branches that make up MCPAWS. Our new mission and vision encompasses how the shelter, thrift store, and veterinary hospital all work together, in unique ways, to achieve the common purpose of supporting our community and transforming lives by connecting pets and people. Vision A humane community where all animals are well cared for and loved We are excited to share this news with our supporters and feel that the current MCPAWS operating model fulfills our new mission and vision in a creative and sustainable manner – reflecting best practices and trends in the animal welfare industry. Anyone who has a pet in their life, knows how these animals can change our lives for the better. By shifting our focus to enhancing and supporting the connection between people and pets, we are able to offer mutually beneficial, holistic services that will better serve our community and broaden the positive impact of our organization. Our Values Shelter leadership, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders have come together to identify the following values that guide our work and strategic commitment to animal welfare in our community and beyond: • Respect for the animals and people we serve and also for the people who make it possible for us to accomplish our mission (donors, volunteers, staff, and clients). • Service to pets and pet owners in need as well as our community. • Excellence: We will strive for excellence and professionalism in the services we provide and the programs we administer. • Creativity: We will remain open to new ideas, stay engaged with new trends in the animal welfare field, and encourage our staff and volunteers to approach problems with fresh perspectives. • Compassion: We remain committed to holding the pets and people we serve in a compassionate and understanding light. • Inclusivity: We acknowledge the inherent joy and mutual benefits provided from the human-animal bond. MCPAWS will remain committed to offering services and administering programs that celebrate this bond and work to ensure that pets are placed or able to remain in loving homes, regardless of factors like income, geographic location, and social status. • Gratitude for our donors, volunteers, staff, and community – and to the animals we serve. • Leadership We will continue to lead in the field of animal welfare here in the West Central Mountain Region of Idaho as well as across our entire state. We remain committed to establishing working partnerships and providing resources when we can to other nonprofit organizations locally and regionally. We will remain an active participant in the Idaho Shelter Coalition and commit time and resources as we can to ensure its successful role in Idaho animal welfare. Our History McPAWs, McCall People for Animal Welfare, a volunteer, grass-roots organization, was formed in 1998 to assist the City of McCall with operation of the city impound facility for dogs. Dogs impounded by the city needed care the police didn’t have time to provide. In response, a small group of dedicated volunteers came together and made that care their priority— feeding, exercising, and providing clean quarters for the dogs; returning dogs to owners; finding new homes for those who had been abandoned. By 2000, it was apparent that the need in the regional community was far greater than facility could meet. We couldn’t take in dogs from outside city limits and couldn’t take in cats at all. In addition, the small structure which housed the dog pound was scheduled for demolition. It was clear a larger shelter facility was needed. The Leeta Anderson Animal Foundation (LAAF) stepped up to purchase and remodel the former McCall Veterinary Clinic as a new regional animal shelter. A Board of Directors was established and the acronym McPAWS was dropped to reflect the regional nature of the shelter operation. In 2001 we officially became MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter. On February 7, 2002 we opened our doors, transferring the two remaining dogs from the old facility. “Build it and they will come” might be our motto. Soon, kennels and cages were filling with dogs and cats from all over the county. In February, 2003 the LAAF generously donated the building and property to MCPAWS. Since 1998, MCPAWS had great expectations of realizing what had been just a hopeful dream – a shelter facility where the love of animals and a sincere commitment to their humane treatment are mandatory. So many years later, to look back at our humble beginnings, we at MCPAWS are so incredibly grateful to that small group of dedicated volunteers who came together, to ensure that companion animals in our community are cared for with compassion and humanity.

Fuzzy Pawz Rescue

Fuzzy Pawz Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to finding loving families for homeless dogs and cats in Idaho and Utah. We rescue “at risk” dogs/cats from shelters and animal control facilities. “At risk” animals are those who have run out of time at shelters, have medical conditions, are seniors or don’t stand out in the crowd (i.e. black animals). We work with many shelters and pounds throughout the 2 states but focus on rural areas that do not have the facilities to hold dogs for more than a few days and do not have holding facilities for cats at all. Our volunteers work to socialize our animals, work on minor behavioral and training issues and most of all provide them with loving care. Through our foster homes, we assess the dogs in a home setting, allowing us to better understand the kind of home and family the dog will need. All animals are screened by a veterinarian, vaccinated, neutered and given any other vet care they require. All applicants are thoroughly screened and a home check is preformed before an adoption can occur. We consider an applicant’s previous pet ownership history. We work hard to match the lifestyle and personality of the people to the temperament and energy level of the pet they are interested in. Our goal is for a pet to end up in the right home, not just the first home to come along. Our board of directors consists of 5 passionate women who between them have almost 75 years of animal rescue experience; these women saw a need in the Idaho/Utah area for an all breed rescue and stepped up. We have volunteers that are groomers, dog behaviorists, and animal nutritionists. We say “once a Fuzzy Pawz dog, always a Fuzzy Pawz dog.” Our volunteer base allows us to build lifelong relationships with our adopters so we can always be there for them to answer any questions and assist in any way we can to ensure their relationship with their adopted pet is always a great one.

West Valley Humane Society

West Valley Humane Society serves Canyon County, Idaho with a holistic array of services to people and animals that include: safe and secure temporary housing, medical care, food and nutritional support, enrichment, exercise, and behavioral modification for strayed, lost, and homeless pets. West Valley Humane Society also provides low-cost preventative care for its community such as: vaccine clinics, microchip clinics, spay/neuter services, and targeted humane education. West Valley Humane Society was founded in 2011 after Canyon County Animal Shelter became privatized as a charitable nonprofit entity. The organization serves thousands of animals in Canyon County and surrounding areas each year and continuously looks to provide support to network partners and the rescue community. West Valley Humane Society is a brick-and-mortar animal shelter that is a private, charitable, nonprofit Idaho 501(c)(3) Corporation.

Lake Lowell Animal Rescue

The Lake Lowell Animal Rescue began with one person—Melissa Blackmer—simply trying to rescue a couple cats that had been dumped at the refuge area in Nampa, Idaho. The first cat rescued (and the one Melissa says will forever be her favorite) is a young male she named Fergus. Fergus had been hit by a car and suffered from a fractured pelvis and femur. By posting the story on Facebook, Melissa was able to raise enough money to pay for surgery and follow-up care for Fergus. Today he is living a very happy life with three golden retrievers and the best owners a cat could want! After watching his incredible recovery and seeing him go from the tragic condition he was in when she found him to, literally, the best outcome that could be hoped for, Melissa resolved to do what she could to help other cats abandoned in the Lake Lowell area. The scope of the problem quickly began to sink in, however, as Melissa came to realize that abandoning all kinds of animals in this region is a common occurrence—and the animals generally don’t fare well. Amid cars, predators, and life-threatening frigid temperatures in the winter, “people don’t realize what the outcome for the animals will be when they ‘set them free in the wild,’” she says. She adds that most of the cats and dogs she rescues are friendly, and therefore at one time were likely someone’s pet. Melissa then decided to set up a Facebook page with pictures of the few cats she was rescuing, hoping to find good homes for them, but the outcome far exceeded her expectations. “Two days later I was contacted by local news station KTVB,” Melissa says. “Very reluctantly I agreed to do a ‘small’ story on the animal-abandonment problem at Lake Lowell. KTVB, though, ran it as the lead story that night, which launched the rescue efforts into a much larger program than I ever intended.” Click here to view the KTVB news report. As a result of the news story, a local family contacted Melissa and offered to help. The family is connected to a charitable giving foundation, and, obviously, huge animal lovers. “They helped move the rescue program into a facility that we can eventually expand and therefore rescue even more of these animals,” Melissa says. “Most of the animals we rescue are cats, so we’ve done some construction and now have three beautiful cat rescue rooms and the most amazing back porch that we screened in and turned into a catio. Walkways have also been built so the cats can move back and forth between the rooms and the outdoor patio.” Although a lot has been accomplished, Melissa says that much more needs to be done. “It’s a work in progress,” she says. To describe this journey as a dream come true is an “understatement,” says Melissa. “And we’re working hard to develop the rescue into something even better.” Melissa is not new to animal care. Her work for many years as a veterinary technician has helped prepare her for her additional role as an animal rescuer. Her network of other animal healthcare professionals and rescue workers has also proved to be an asset. Now an established animal program run by a seven-member board comprising local community leaders and animal healthcare professionals, Lake Lowell Animal Rescue, Inc is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Plans are also in place to renovate a separate building on the property to provide more living space for rescued animals and limited, on-site healthcare. “This has been an incredible blessing,” Melissa says. “It’s so rewarding to watch these guys come out of what are generally awful places and usually sick or injured from trying to fend for themselves, and then see them sleeping on fluffy cat beds, recovering at the rescue, and eventually getting adopted into wonderful forever homes. But I know all this wouldn’t be possible without the amazing support of so many people—including the many vet clinics and other animal rescue organizations in the area that have provided healthcare and other assistance for no or very reduced cost. I’m very grateful to them!”

Boxer Lovers Rescue

Pawsitivity Rescue Inc

Since 2018, Pawsitivity Rescue Inc. has been a beacon of hope for animals in Elmore County, ID , and its neighboring areas. As a locally owned and operated non-profit organization, we specialize in rescuing and nurturing both cats and kittens, providing fostering opportunities, accepting donations, and providing education - catering to animal enthusiasts. Our commitment to transparency and compassionate care has earned us the prestigious Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid.org. Join us in our mission to support and protect animals in need.

Idaho Domestic Animal Welfare Group

IDAWG (Idaho Domestic Animal Welfare Group) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation based in Nampa, Idaho. We've been in existence since June 2000 and are staffed entirely by volunteers. IDAWG supports southern Idaho animals in need, assisting both shelters and private citizens. Sometimes this involves transporting or organizing transports for dogs or cats, or sometimes birds or bunnies, to rescues or permanent homes in adjoining cities and states. IDAWG also offers financial assistance to senior citizens and others who need help paying for spay/neuter services for their companion animals.

Humane Society of the Palouse

The Humane Society of the Palouse was founded in 1978. The city of Moscow had a pound facility and the two organizations teamed up together for the betterment of animal welfare for animals residing within the Moscow city limits, as well as for those residing in Latah County. HSoP has a long history in our local pet community. We have been uniting pets with their forever homes for 45 years. We are dedicated to our mission and believe whole-heatedly in our practices. From a safe place that provides food, shelter and preventive care, to providing lifesaving surgeries, HSoP gives second chances to pets in need. The City of Moscow owns and maintains the HSoP facility. HSoP is directed under the Chief of Police and reports directly to a designated captain. The City of Moscow pays for HSoP utilities such as water, sewer and electrical. They also provide us with $2400.00 each fiscal year for facility upkeep and maintenance. The City of Moscow also provides the funds for one pay period per month. The City of Moscow provides 22% of our yearly budget. Latah County provides HSoP with 10% of our yearly budget. 35% of our annual operating budget comes from our generous community support through donations. For our 2016/2017 fiscal year, fundraising made up 8% and adoption fees contributed 10% of our budget. HSoP is a community center striving to provide humane education for local pet owners. HSoP with the assistance of volunteer dog trainers, provide our community with training classes that focus on positive reinforcement and learning how to communicate with your canine friends. HSoP also has a Facebook page and Website section dedicated to humane education. HSoP has a strict spay and neuter policy for any animals adopted from our organization. HSoP encourages national and local initiatives that reduce pet homelessness and resulting euthanasia. We believe programs like SNAP, as well as a strict spay/neuter requirement for animals adopted from HSoP, promote responsible pet ownership by reducing unwanted or accidental litters that contribute to the pet overpopulation crisis being experienced nationwide. An average cat has 1-8 kittens per litter and 2-3 litters per year. During her productive life, one female cat could have more than 100 kittens. A single pair of cats and their kittens can produce as many as 420,000 kittens in just 7 years.

Pocatello Animal Shelter

The Animal Services Department coordinates all animal control activities within the boundaries of Pocatello and manages the animal shelter located in Upper Ross Park where dog and cat adoptions are available. The animal shelter is open to the public Monday through Saturday and provides educational tours and volunteer programs for all age groups. Public presentations by employees can be scheduled and written information on animal issues is available by contacting the shelter office.

Hope's Haven Animal Shelter (Benewah Humane Society)

Hope's Haven Animal Shelter (Benewah Humane Society) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Click here to see our IRS Form 990 for 2016 return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax). We are the only animal shelter in the county (the area we cover is approximately 787 square miles). We are run by dedicated staff and volunteers who spend much of their own time and money caring for homeless pets. Our mission is to spay/neuter all animals, find homes for needy animals, and educate the public on pet care and spay/neuter programs. Millions of animals are needlessly euthanized every year, and we would like to lower these terribly large numbers. We are a "no-kill" shelter with a full house and a waiting list for incoming pets. Some of our volunteers foster animals in their own homes when we are too full to take any more animals. We assist law enforcement in investigating cases of suspected abuse or neglect. We rescue abandoned, lost, or animals in distress. Every effort is made to find the owners and/or find happy endings for these animals.

Bannock Humane Society

The Bannock Humane Society is a non-profit organization funded by private donations plus fund raising by its members. There are no paid employees and all funds go to help the animals. The BHS receives no money from any Government agency and is not a part of the Pocatello Animal Shelter. The BHS does work closely with the shelter on many projects to benefit the animals.

Lemhi County Humane Society Inc.

The Lemhi County Humane Society got its start when, in the early 1970’s, a local high school student voiced his concerns regarding the state of the local city animal pound to his teacher, Kay Stone. She listened and shared his concerns with other citizens of Lemhi County. Several locals then joined together to form the Lemhi County Humane Society (L.C.H.S.), which was incorporated in 1977. Initially there was a drive to raise funds but it was quickly recognized that there needed to be a continuous flow of income in order to run the Society’s animal shelter. It was decided that a thrift store would be a good money maker. A contest was held to name the thrift store, and it was a high school senior who suggested the winning name: Rags & Wags. Originally located in a shack on Shoup Street, the board of L.C.H.S. soon realized that a better structure was warranted. The board purchased a more suitable building closer to the downtown area, known as Old Blue, which is where Rags & Wags was located until recently. In the fall of 2009 L.C.H.S. entered into an agreement with the Odd Fellows Rocky Mountain Lodge #5 to purchase their Main Street building to serve as the new home of Rags & Wags. The Odd Fellows building is approximately 110 years old and has an interesting history of its own. It was built by men from the mining town of Leesburg, who would descend to the Salmon Valley on weekends to work on the building and then return to their mining jobs during the week. Construction began in 1897 and was completed in 1902. The original title on the building dates from a time when Idaho was still a territory. The Odd Fellow Building is on the National Register of Historic Places. In the 1980’s, L.C.H.S. and the City of Salmon entered into an agreement allowing the Society to build a shelter on city property. The Society leases the land from the city for $1 per year, but the shelter building and surrounding outbuildings are owned by the Society. As each year passes, additions have been made to improve the lives of the animals while in the care of the L.C.H.S. In recent years, a large Bark Park was built for the dogs and – thanks to a generous benefactor – a major renovation to expand the office and cat area was completed in the fall of 2010.

Heath's Haven Rescue

Heath’s Haven Rescue & Sanctuary is a home-based special needs rescue and sanctuary for dogs with neurological issues, spinal injuries, paralysis, and mobility issues. Heath’s Haven takes in dogs that are at risk of euthanasia in shelters as well as private parties. Each dog is given access to a specialist and provided with any recommended diagnostics (MRI, spinal taps, X-Rays, blood work, etc.) and surgical treatment. The dogs are then rehabilitated with an individualized program of hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and/or physical therapy. Once the dog is physically stable and cleared by their specialist, the are provided with the opportunity to find their forever family, no matter how long it takes. The dogs rescued by Heath’s Haven are never transferred to other rescues and they are never euthanized unless their quality of life is poor or euthanasia is medically necessary. Heath’s Haven takes pride in being committed to their special needs dogs from the moment they arrive at the rescue, until the moment they arrive in their forever homes. It is well known and understood that finding the perfect home for a special needs dog can take time, so the dogs are safe until that day arrives. Dogs that are severely medically challenged and dogs requiring hospice care, live out the rest of their years as a sanctuary resident with dignity and love.

Unega Mountain Dog Rescue

Unega Mountain Dog Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and rescue of Great Pyrenees & Akbash dogs in Idaho and surrounding areas. UMDR works tirelessly to spread their message of hope and compassion for Great Pyrenees & Akbash dogs that are considered at-risk for physical & mental injury, cruelty and abandonment, subjecting them to euthanasia and inhumane treatment due to the fact that they are classified as livestock in Idaho, which makes them unprotected from laws that protect all other dogs from mistreatment. UMDR has rescued dogs from the most gruesome of circumstances. They run a sanctuary for some of the dogs they have saved, while they rehabilitate and socialize others to help them get adopted into safe, healthy homes. We have been rescuing, raising, rehabilitating, socializing and placing these dogs into safe healthy homes for seven years. We currently have 10 of our own, along with many rescues. UMDR emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support the Great Pyrenees & Akbash breed and a desire for actions to speak louder than words. Established in 2015, we are an organization driven by progressive ideas, bold actions, and a strong foundation of support. Our rescues are large working dogs that have been either abandoned, injured, or lost by the local area sheep herds. We strive to save as many dogs as possible - young and old - giving them a second chance to grow old and to be happy and healthy. We are currently working with the local sheep companies in south central Idaho to better care for these beautiful animals. We are motivated to make an impact and believe that through all the hardships we were put on this earth to serve a powerful purpose. We will never give up! We are these dogs voice!