"Little Big Paws helped us rescue a medical dog Luna from Carson Shelter. Luna had ACL issues and they stepped up-when no one else would-and helped us rescue her and get her to her foster. Luna had mere hours left before she would lose her life. Little Big Paws stepped up in such a big way. Moreover, the foster failed..and she has found a home. Little Big Paws has heart and deserves many accolades. I will always appreciate what you did for us and for Luna. You saved her life and gave her a wonderful home."
— georgia m.
Supporter
"The folks running this rescue aren’t afraid to do the hard stuff! I was so impressed with the wonderful catio! The kitties all looked so healthy and happy. I brought home the most delightful and affectionate little cat. I would have happily taken several! Highly recommend these folks!!"
— tori o.
Adoptee
"1 year ago I saw Little Big Paws post a loving 2yr old Shepsky who was going to be put down. We offered to foster but were 3 hrs away for the weekend. LBP staff offered to hold the dog for one day until we were back and drove the dog 2 hours from Modesto to San Francisco to being him to us and save his life. LBP has a keen eye for picking deserving, loving dogs, and the Shepsky (Bo) that we saved was exactly that. LBP offered us a crate and paid for the food to foster Bo. After one week we knew we had to adopt him. LBP brought me my best friend and did so much extra leg work to save Bo’s life. They are miracle workers"
— logan s.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"Our Siberian husky Katie Bee was rescued by Little Big Paws. Katie was on the euthanasia list last March and because of this organization she is alive and well, living her best life on the East Coast. Thank you Little Big Paws"
— briana k.
Adoptee
"I adopted my dog from little big paws and it has changed my life for the better. Brittni is so kind and caring and gives her all to help every dog find it’s forever home! I also have volunteered with them to transport a dog and they made it very easy and straightforward, making me want to continue helping. There is no better shelter than little big paws!"
— becca m.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"They are wonderful, always want to help and responsive."
— meghan m.
Supporter
"This rescue is amazing always going above and beyond to save red list dogs in the shelters all over California. I helped foster with this rescue a dog that a couple months after was adopted. We couldn’t have done it without the teamwork together."
— jocelyn a.
Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"The love, time & dedication LBP puts into rescuing cats & dogs is off the charts! This amazing small rescue has saved lives, and found forever homes for countless cats & dogs. Big purrs & 4 paws up for Little Big Paws!"
— terri b.
Supporter, Fan
"Little Big Paws is my favorite rescue ever! I’ve been able to almost obtain 2 cats from them (foster failed one and am about to foster fail another). Brittni, founder and owner of LBP is truly the kindest, most selfless woman ever. She is always so quick to respond to any and all of my questions, especially when I was a first time cat owner. One thing that really struck my heart with her is that on mother’s day, I found a distressed stray that was fighting for its life. I tried calling local animal shelters and private rescues (I live in San Jose and Brittni lives 4 hours away from me) but no one answered except Brittni. She dropped everything to talk me through what I needed to do to help the cat. She’s truly the most selfless, kindest woman ever."
— christine n.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"Little Big Paws is a local rescue to my area. I have seen firsthand what they do and the animals they have rescued and saved. I also had an event with them to help with donations and love working alongside them. They are a huge help to our local cat colonies and also our overpopulated dogs too. I live supporting them however I can."
— shannon t.
Supporter
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.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
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.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
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.