The Best Oakland, CA Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025

Pack Lyfe Rescue

Dedicated to saving animals who are unwanted, abandoned, abused or on the euthanasia list and finding them the best suitable homes possible. All these amazing efforts are made through volunteers and foster homes! We are a non profit 501c3 animal rescue group. EIN 86-2134552

Berkeley Humane

Berkeley Humane is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization governed by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors that work on behalf of Berkeley Humane and the animals in our community. We have provided over 125 years of trusted service and dedication to Berkeley and the East Bay.

Underdog Animal Rescue

Underdog Animal Rescue is a foster based rescue serving the Bay Area of Northern California. Since our start in 2014, we have built an outstanding team and have grown into a strong network of volunteers dedicated to saving the Underdogs in our shelters and community. We have dedicated our efforts to giving a second chance to the dogs that are most in need (medically or behaviorally) and the dogs that have been overlooked for too long.

Humane Society Silicon Valley

We are committed to saving healthy and treatable animals in shelters in our community and across the nation. By leveraging our expertise and building partnerships with under resourced shelters, we are saving more lives together.

Oakland Animal Services

Oakland Animal Services is Oakland's only ‚open admissions‚ shelter: We accept all of Oakland's homeless, injured, orphaned, unwanted, lost, abandoned and mistreated animals, regardless of age, breed, temperament or medical condition.

BADRAP

BADRAP was formed in 1999 to tackle the difficult issues that had been bringing suffering and early death to San Francisco bay area pit bull type dogs. We soon developed into a nationally recognized resource for both dog owners and shelters, offering desirable pets for adopters, training classes for dog owners and presentations and professional consultations to animal welfare leaders around the country.

German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California

German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California (GSRNC) regularly adopts dogs to residents of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties. We also consider, resources permitting, potential adopters in other Northern California counties. GSRNC regularly rescues dogs from shelters in Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties. We also consider, on a case-by-case basis, dogs from other Northern California counties. Our educational outreach extends to anywhere in Northern California.

Tri-Valley Animal Rescue

Tri-Valley Animal Rescue, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is run solely by volunteers dedicated to placing homeless animals. Through the commitment of our volunteers, TVAR works to ensure services such as: • Fostering at-risk adoptable and/or treatable animals • Providing our foster animals with routine and special-needs medical care • Public education about spay/neuter and responsible pet ownership • Adoption events to match our animals with suitable new owners We also provide volunteers to the East County Animal Shelter in Dublin. These volunteers socialize the animals and interface with the public to facilitate adoptions. Our shelter program includes a teen/junior component, allowing young people in our community the opportunity to help animals in need and learn about responsible pet ownership.

Dirty Paws Animal Rescue

Dirty Paws Animal rescue is a non-profit animal rescue organization. Located in the Contra Costa County we are here to provide services to the East Bay. Dirty Paws Animal Rescue exists to provide a better life for adoptable companion animals and to assist the public in the effort to limit the overpopulation of these animals through spay & neuter programs.

California Pit Bull Rescue

Established in August 2012, CPR is a 501(C)3 all-volunteer nonprofit rescue organization with headquarters in Richmond, CA. 100% of our proceeds go toward our mission goals including awareness initiatives and providing food, supplies, housing, training and medical care for the dogs we take into our rescue program. We strive to house our dogs in foster homes where they can decompress and learn how to be loved and secure family members. They remain under CPR's wing until they find the most appropriate permanent guardian with whom they can happily and peacefully live out their lives.

Animal Rescue Recon

Animal Rescue Recon, Inc. was established in September 2012 by a group of dedicated, hard-working animal lovers, all with a passion to make a difference and give unwanted dogs a second chance. Based out of Oakley, CA, Animal Rescue Recon serves East Contra Costa County - an area that has minimal options for homeless or abandoned animals. Animal Rescue Recon is focused on providing high-quality rescue and adoption services for dogs to East Contra Costa County and surrounding areas. We do everything we can to help give homeless dogs another chance at a long and healthy life in a loving home environment. Our all-volunteer group has various levels of experience in the field of animal rescue, but all have a heart for helping to find forever homes for our voiceless, furry friends. We have no paid staff - we operate solely on volunteers and services donated by members of the community and local businesses. With a variety of dogs to choose from, we're sure you'll find the perfect pet for your family. Take a look at our available pets and if you have questions or see someone you would like to meet, please feel free to contact us. Regretfully, we are unable to assist in cat rescues or rehoming and are only equipped to handle dogs at this time. Please refer to our PARTNERS & HELPFUL LINKS page for groups who may be able to assist you with cats or kittens.

Tri-City Animal Shelter

The Fremont Police Department's Animal Services Unit manages the Tri-City Animal Shelter which shelters animals found in Fremont, Union City and Newark. Union City and Newark have their own Animal Services Officers who respond to animal related concerns within their city. Tri-City Animal Shelter staff reunite lost pets with their owners, provide care for injured animals and license pets residing in Fremont. Animal Services Officers respond to animal-related calls for service from citizens of the City of Fremont.

Homeless Animals' Lifeline Organization (H.A.L.O)

Homeless Animals' Lifeline Organization (H.A.L.O) leads the way as the oldest and most successful all-breed cat and dog rescue on the eastern side of Contra Costa County. To date, H.A.L.O. has successfully placed over 10,000 dogs and cats into loving homes, since 2001, giving these wonderful animals, and their humans, new lives. H.A.L.O. is an all volunteer organization. All cats and dogs are lovingly cared for in our fosters' homes. H.A.L.O. is committed to working with local communities to help provide information and education about pet care and rescue. We have a large group of volunteers of all ages and work with schools to help educate local youth about the importance of pets in our lives and on how to properly care for them.

Jameson animal rescue ranch

Founded in 2014, Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch, now Jameson Humane, was named in honor of Jameson (pictured above), a brave Great Pyrenees that was rescued in Chicago by Co-Founder, Monica Stevens. A few years later in 2006, Monica and Jameson moved to Napa Valley. At 180 pounds and quite handsome, Jameson was somewhat of a celebrity in Napa Valley and years later inspired the spirit and mission of the nonprofit and brought immeasurable companionship and love to Monica and David's lives. It was through Jameson's own rescue story that Monica and David saw beyond the traditional path of animal rescue by listening to the community and responding holistically to the needs of the animals and their human guardians. With that came the realization that as a nation, we cannot rescue our way out of the plight animals face, hence the inspiration for the animal sanctuary and rescue. Jameson lived to a beautiful age of 14.

510 Paws Rescue

We are a group of volunteers who are on call 24/7 to help the voiceless find their voice. Please note all of us work full time jobs and try to be as responsive in a timely manner as possible.

The Perfect Dog Rescue

The Perfect Dog rescue works hard to save at risk dogs from local animal shelters who otherwise wouldn't have a chance. We give those dogs the chance they need when no one else will step up or help them. We take on a lot of special needs cases, both behaviorally and medically. We then work to rehabilitate them. This costs the rescue volunteers a lot of time and money. The rescue spends more in vet bills than we are able to recoup from the adoption fees alone, so we rely on your donations to continue our hard work and be able to continue to save lives.

Umbrella of Hope Rescue Group

Umbrella of Hope Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in East Contra Costa County, California, which is funded, in large part, by donations from members of the community. Our main focus is on the rescue, rehabilitation, and placement in forever homes, of animals who are in danger of losing their lives in shelters.

SPCA of Solano County

SPCA of Solano County is a privately funded non-profit animal shelter founded in 1974. SPCASC is dedicated to finding loving responsible homes for adoptable animals in Solano County.

Humane Society of the Northbay

animal care services for city of berkeley

The Berkeley Animal Shelter provides a safe haven for homeless pets from the cities of Berkeley, Albany, Piedmont, and Emeryville. The City's animal shelter provides adoption services, advice on animal-related topics, lost and found pet reports, and free or low-cost spay/neuter vouchers for Berkeley residents' dogs and cats.

Bay Area Siberian Husky Rescue

The Bay Area Siberian Husky Club (BASH) is dedicated to the Siberian Husky Breed and provides a forum where Siberian enthusiasts can work and show their dogs as well as participate in a variety of fun activities. BASH Club members enjoy all kinds of activities with their Huskies. The club organizes instructional meetings, hiking, camping, and winter trips. The club also has a specialty dog show, fun match, and parades to let everyone know that huskies are special. The club also sponsors a rescue effort to save Siberian Huskies that otherwise may be turned out on the street or face euthanasia in shelters. Founded in 1987, the efforts of those volunteering their time to Siberian Husky rescue in the bay area have been exceptionally successful‚ finding homes for the Siberians that we have rescued.

East County Animal Shelter

The Milo Foundation

The Milo Foundation is an established 501(c)(3) non-profit, no-kill organization providing a second chance for homeless pets throughout California. We rescue dogs and cats from high-kill animal shelters and adopt them to loving homes best suited to provide lifetime care. We offer sanctuary to those pets who are not ready for adoption and educate the public about responsible pet guardianship, including spay/neuter.

Special Paws Animal Rescue

Special Paws Animal Rescue is small, non-profit organization serving Contra Costa, San Joaquin & Alameda Counties. SPAR is an all volunteer local animal rescue group emphasizing in special needs cases, including but not limited to all other animals in-need of rescue from the community, off the street and from local area shelters. SPAR was inspired by a group of people who met while volunteering with other rescues and became friends, and shared the same goals and passion for rescue and decided to come together to form a project of their own. SPAR is a 501c3 tax exempt organization.

Friends of the Animals (FOTAS)

STRATEGIC Focus: Since 1991 when, Friends of the Animals (FOTAS) was established we have been providing volunteers to help Jackson County Animal Shelter animals get adopted faster, while improving the quality of life while they wait. Now, we are also focused on reducing the number of animals entering shelters at all. Of course, FOTAS will continue to support Shelter animals, but we know the community needs much more. Our strategic focus is to expand spay and neuter options to decrease “accidental litters,” provide nurturing “homes-between-homes” before adoption, contribute toward pet safety, and create strong partnerships with other rescue organizations. All to help more animals and owners in the Rogue Valley. SHELTER focus: Historically, 200+ FOTAS volunteers donate an average 50,000 hours of their time to supporting JCAS animals. Based on a recent study, this is the equivalent of 11 full-time employees, which saves Jackson County a significant amount in staffing costs. Additionally, over the years volunteers have opened their homes as foster parents to shelter animals. In 2022, more than 400 cats and dogs spent time in a loving FOTAS foster home for a variety of reasons: (1) animals experiencing kennel stress, (2) animals too young to be spayed/neutered, and (3) animals recovering from injuries/surgeries. Fostering saves lives! Throughout our 30+ years, FOTAS has also provided significant financial support to JCAS. From 2011 to 2022, FOTAS donated more than $347,000 for animal medical expenses alone. FOTAS also raises funds to provide supplies, food, and to subsidize low-cost adoption events. PREVENTION Focus: FOTAS has known for years that the solution to pet-overpopulation is prevention. We have been strategic in our efforts to move in that direction by adding veterinary resources on our board and in our staffing to help facilitate expansion into a new Friends of the Animals Community Spay & Neuter Clinic. The building, previously a veterinary clinic, has been leased and we are diligently at work preparing the building, gearing up clinic staff and finalizing our service offerings. Our experience over the past several years purchasing, staffing and operating the FOTAS Spay/Neuter Mobile Unit has not only jump-started our equipment inventory, but also given us valuable hands-on experience – completing 533 spay and neuter surgeries for the Jackson County Animal Shelter, and an additional 70 surgeries for local rescue organizations. With the new facility, we will be able to service the tri-county area, offer spay/neuter support to Shelters and rescue groups, and provide our services on a sliding scale for qualifying clients. Please visit our Friends of the Animals Community Spay/Neuter Clinic website for more information. RESCUE Focus: Over time, FOTAS has expanded our services into the community with the creation of the Working Cats Program (fixing and relocating feral cats), and the Street Dogs Program, serving pets of homeless and low-income residents. The Working Cats Program has grown and is now operated through Feral Cats Advocacy. To date, over 500 cats have been rehomed through the work of FOTAS and the FCA. The Rogue Valley Street Dogs Program has expanded into its own non-profit organization and continues to grow its services. During Kitten Season, FOTAS partners with other feline-rescue nonprofit organizations in our community to help an even greater number of cats/kittens by providing these organizations with foster families and medical and spay/neuter support. FOTAS’ cat program now includes monthly adoption events coordinated with the other cat rescue groups. With five organizations participating, we have been averaging 30 – 50 cats and kittens at each monthly event. For updates on these monthly events please visit the FOTAS Feline Fair website. PET SAFETY Focus: In 2023, FOTAS took over the coordination of the monthly Low-cost Vaccination and Microchip Clinics that had been held at the Shelter for many years. The program has been expanded in services and scope, and now accepts appointments from all neighboring counties. FOTAS averages over 300 appointments per month–helping keep the pet community healthier, supporting an increase in dog licensing and expanding the number of animals microchipped. Schedule an appointment here.

BrokeTail Rescue and Sanctuary

We are an amazing team of volunteers who are committed to helping the animals in our community. We focus on the animals deemed "broke". This includes the animals that are sick, injured, pregnant, shy, or elderly. We take action to help these animals heal so they can be adopted into loving homes. We are not only a rescue, but a sanctuary as well. Please go to the tab labeled "Sponsor A Sanctuary Dog" to find out more ways to help the sanctuary aspect of our organization.

K911 Rescue

911 is a non profit animal rescue that rescues abandoned and displaced cats & dogs who would otherwise remain on the streets and/or be euthanized. Because of our home-based foster volunteers we can help give abandoned, abused and displaced cats and dogs a chance at forever homes. By educating the community we reduce the number of senseless deaths by pet overpopulation and disease. K911 pays for all the necessary vetting of each animal prior to adoption. Every K911 pet is spayed/neutered, micro-chipped, and vaccinated with age appropriate vaccines.

East Bay SPCA

East Bay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (East Bay SPCA), founded in 1874, is proud to be one of the oldest shelters in the country and one of the most innovative in our region. Our mission is to transform the lives of cats and dogs by enriching the human-animal bond through respected and accessible expertise. We are a local non-profit that is not affiliated with any national organization.

Family Dog Rescue

rom the underdogs of California's overcrowded municipal shelters to the street dogs of Mexico, Family Dog Rescue gives dogs in need a second chance. We welcome these dogs into our Sonoma shelter and foster program, providing them with medical care, temperament analysis, spay/neuter, vaccinations and finally, a loving family of their own. Family Dog Rescue is proud to save dogs of all kinds, including puppies, adults, mixed breeds, purebreds, and dogs with disabilities.

Joybound

Supporting the Connection Between People and Pets Through a Lifetime Partnership We are Joybound People & Pets, formerly the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF). Headquartered in Walnut Creek, CA, Joybound is committed to forming, supporting, elevating, and celebrating the human-animal bond through cat and dog rescue and adoption and services such as training and veterinary care, food and supply assistance, therapy and service-animal programs, and rich learning resources for all pet families. Our goal is for every adoption story to become a lasting tale of friendship, love, and mutual happiness.