The Best San Antonio, TX Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025

San Antonio pets alive

San Antonio Pets Alive! is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Due to alarming euthanasia rates, San Antonio Pets Alive! (SAPA!) was founded in 2011. SAPA! is unique, it is the only high-paced, high-volume rescue in San Antonio, saving 5,000 at-risk cats and dogs from euthanasia annually. Since its inception, SAPA! has saved more than 70,000+ dogs and cats. SAPA! provides safety nets for the dogs and cats that fall through the cracks of all other lifesaving options and end up on the euthanasia list at the city shelter, often with just hours to be saved. SAPA! promotes the availability of these dogs and cats to other rescues, adopters, and fosters.

SNIPSA

Our mission is fourfold: to Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Rehome adoptable animals from high kill shelters and the community, and to encourage Responsibility within the pet owning population. By providing rescue, adoption, and offering low cost spay/neuter options, we are able to connect with our community and enrich the lives of our pet population.

Humane Society of the New Braunfels Area

While we are not funded by the city, the county, or any national humane organizations, the Humane Society of New Braunfels, a 501c3 non-profit, contracts with the City of New Braunfels and Comal County to house stray animals brought in by their Animal Control Divisions. We also accept stray pets brought in by citizens and if space allows, pets whose owners can no longer care for them. A small portion of our operating budget comes from the city and country contracts. We handle approximately 4,000 animals a year and at any given time care for approximately 100 cats and 100 dogs. The revenue we collect from our contracts covers approximately three days of care per animal and their intake vaccinations. If the animal stays longer, or needs any veterinary care, we rely on donations and adoption fees to cover those costs.

Petunia's Rescued Friends

Formed in 2016, Petunia's Rescued Friends is named after a very special Opossum named Petunia. Petunia was rescued in Southern California as a baby, and was unable to be released. She was an amazing educational ambassador for all Opossums! Opossums do have very short life spans, but we were happy to have her in our lives for 3 years. Petunia absolutely loved educating the children who attended the Priceless Pet Rescue annual Pet Mania Kids Summer Camp Program. We have volunteered and fostered for Priceless Pet Rescue for many years....and consider them family. We moved to the city of San Bernardino, California...and our lives changed forever. The need for street rescue was downright overwhelming. We asked Priceless Pet Rescue for help. We are proud to say that hundreds of animals were saved off the streets because Priceless Pet Rescue said yes. We were, and still are absolutely blessed to have our Priceless Pet Rescue family in our lives. Now that we are here, living in beautiful Castroville, Texas...we want nothing more than to be a valuable resource to our city, and beyond. We want to help with the over population of street animals, and find them forever homes. All of our adoptable animals receive needed medical care, are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated.

Canyon Lake Animal Shelter Society

Canyon Lake Animal Shelter Society is a 501 (c) 3 non profit, no kill, limited admission animal shelter which enhances the quality of life and adoptability of animals abandoned, neglected, or at risk of being euthanized by other local facilities. All animals receive appropriate medical care, love, and the best care possible for however long it takes to find them a loving family and home. The ultimate goal is to ensure each animal placed in the care of CLASS is cared for with dignity, professionalism, compassion, and humility. CLASS is determined to make a positive impact and change the lives of the animals in it's care. Our efforts include: • Saving animals at risk of being euthanized at local facilities • Providing basic medical care prior to adoption and ensuring all animals requiring further care receive treatment • Performing temperament testing to better understan

Converse Animal Shelter Inc

In 1982, Casi began rescuing and re-homing dogs and cats as one of the first no-kill shelters in the San Antonio area. Our shelter was build on land donated by George Ammeman, with donations, volunteers and lots of hard work. Since then over 20,000 helpless, abandoned, unwanted, sick, and lost animals have come through our gates. We offer people a way to find a new best friend while saving a life. We also provide opportunities and community support events that advance responsible pet ownership and the humane treatment of pets. Please help us help these needy pets with a donation. No amount is too small. Visit our how you can help page for more ways you can help the Converse Animal Shelter.

Roxy's K-9 Rescue

We're a home-based rescue, which means all of our dogs are in foster homes learning how to be family members and loving companions. Roxy's K9 Rescue is a 501c(3) non-profit is run by volunteers saving dogs off the streets of San Antonio, TX since 2006.

Friends of Dogs Corporation

We are Friends of Dogs Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit foster-based rescue located in Seguin, TX. Our goal is to network the dogs at the Guadalupe County Animal Control and find them forever homes. There are 2 parts to what we do at Friends of Dogs Rescue. 1. We are a team of volunteers that network the dogs that come into GCAC. We vaccinate, deworm, & give flea/tick preventative. We assess the dog for age, heartworm status, temperament, whether spayed/neutered and any medical issues. We video and take pictures that are used for networking to the public and rescues. We fund vet appointments such as skin scrapes, xrays, & more emergent situations. We have a team of transporters who aid in getting the dogs to partner rescues. 2. We are a foster based rescue. We will pull these dogs into our rescue if we have a foster step up. From there, we finish the vetting, prepare the dog for adoption, post profiles of the dog, and get the dog adopted into a happy forever home. Here we will share the monthly numbers of what we accomplish with our volunteer team, our amazing social media followers, and our foster team.

Animal Defense League of Texas

The Animal Defense League is supported through adoption fees, donations, grants, bequests from individuals, and special events to raise needed funds. Directed by a volunteer board and operated by a professional management and veterinary staff, ADL provides programs and services that strengthen the bond between animals and people. Through grassroots advocacy, education, and rescue, the Animal Defense League is the leading voice for dogs and cats in crisis. ADL Operates as San Antonio's largest and oldest true- no-kill shelter. This means that no animal is ever euthanized if it can be treated and returned to health. If the shelter reaches its maximum capacity of 400 animals, no additional dogs and cats can be taken in but no animal will ever be euthanized to make room for others. Animals can be brought in and cared for only as others are adopted.

Helotes humane society

The Helotes Humane Society's mission is to promote the benevolent treatment of animals and provide humane education. Our group takes in neglected, abandoned, and unwanted dogs and cats. We spay and neuter them, medically treat them, and get them ready for adoption. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to placing unwanted animals in Helotes, Texas and the surrounding San Antonio community into loving, forever homes. You can help by adopting a dog or cat, donating or volunteering!

Kendall County Animal Shelter

Our shelter opened its door in 2010 and since then we continue to strive to give every animal in our care the best opportunity for adoption.

TracysPawsRescue

Cowboy Capital Pet Assistance League

The Cowboy Capital Pet Assistance League, Inc. (C.C.P.A.L.) is a no-kill, 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization serving all of Bandera County, Texas. Our primary purpose is to provide safe, loving, permanent homes for the county strays & for those already in foster homes. C.C.P.A.L. seeks to reduce the enormous problem of pet overpopulation in Bandera County. We promote low-cost spay/neuter programs; advise on basic health care & proper shelter for pets & offer excellent dog obedience classes several times each year. Our fostering program & training classes socialize pets & help make them more adoptable. Since our inception in February 2002, C.C.P.A.L. has rescued nearly 5,000 animals. We currently house 100+ dogs and puppies and are in constant need of foster homes for these pets until we find them permanent homes.

Society for Animal Rescue and Adoption (SARA)

SARA stands for Society For Animal Rescue & Adoption. Founded in 1996, SARA has grown into one of the largest sanctuaries in the world, with no fewer than 700 animals in our care at any given time. ​ When outside adoption is not possible, our animals live at the sanctuary for the duration of their natural lives. Euthanasia is only employed in the true sense of the word: when an animal is suffering with no chance for recovery. No animal is ever killed for convenience. ​ Our slogan has always been “Unconditional Life” and by that we mean that SARA seeks to save as many animals as possible regardless of species, special health needs, or temperament. SARA is a 501 C 3 Non-profit organization. DLN 74-2790363.

Atascosa County Animal Control

Bee Pawsitive Husky Rescue

At Bee Pawsitive Husky Rescue we save huskies & large breeds on the euthanasia list or dogs that are in need of URGENT help! Here at Bee Pawsitive Husky Rescue, we know that sometimes all it takes to change the world is a little support. Since our founding in 2022, we have been determined to make an impact. The core of our efforts is to save huskies and northern breeds from the euthanasia lists in shelters and abandon dogs. Through all of our endeavors we hope to display the conviction behind our beliefs.

Hay Dude Critter Rescue

We are a nonprofit animal rescue organization located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country! Because we are a Public 501(C)3 organization we rely solely on the generous donations of are residents and other animal loving individuals that want to help! My name is Jessica Minarcin, and I have had a passion for animals since I was a kid. A lot of children outgrow the animal bug, but I never have. I grew up in New Mexico competing on performance horses, taking home every stray I could find much to the dismay of my family. Like many people, I truly thought that the only animals that ended up unwanted were old, crippled, crazy, or unmanageable. How wrong I was! Once I discovered how many sound, sane and well trained animals were in need of new homes, I knew something had to be done. I have been involved heavily in dog rescue as fosters for a while. We have worked hand in hand with some amazing animal rescues, and felt a calling to start something of my own to help those in need. Along with some of my closest friends and family, we are now Hay Dude Critter Rescue! The rescue is located in the Texas Hill Country, just a few miles outside of San Antonio. We assist in the rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming of animals that are brought into our program.

City of Cibolo Animal Services

Wilson County No Kill Animal Shelter

Wilson County No Kill Animal Shelter is a 501c3 non-profit organization that has been committed to saving the lives of animals since 2015. Situated at 1059 CR 301, Floresville, Texas, it provides a safe haven for animals in need. The shelter offers various services such as pet adoption, fostering, and volunteering opportunities. It also conducts community outreach programs to educate people about animal welfare and promote responsible pet ownership. The shelter relies on donations and support from the community to continue its life-saving mission.

Saving Grace Rescue LBK

Universal City Animal Care & Control

Animal Care and Control serves the citizens and animals within the city limits of Universal City and is committed to providing animal control by enforcement of our City Animal Ordinances and State Law; as well as provide care for the animals which are brought into our facility. Animal Care and Control along with the support of Homes for the Homeless, the City's designated humane organization, strive to provide low cost adoption programs for our adoptable animals, promote the importance of spaying and neutering dogs and cats in order to reduce the number of homeless, unwanted animals, and to promote responsible pet ownership throughout our community. It is our hope that the Universal City Animal Care & Control can educate our community to gain a better understanding about animal control, the services we provide, and the responsibilities and obligations that are part of being a responsible pet owner.

Animal Rescue Foundation

ARF-Texas is a 501C3 non-profit organization and we work in Guadalupe County, Texas. We promote animal welfare by reducing the euthanasia rates at local shelters through adopting, fostering and rescuing animals. Each year we save approximately 300 dogs and cats. We also provide pet food to our local food bank, and have the only community cat support program in our county. We provide low-income families with medical support for their pets, including vaccines. We provide vaccines for shelter animals. We helped design and build a dog park for our community. We are active advocates for animal care issues. ARF celebrated our 10 year anniversary in 2019! Thank you all for supporting us and helping us make it to 10 years!

Sierra's K9 Rescue and Rehab

Sierra's K9 R&R is dedicated to saving street dogs of San Antonio and surrounding areas. We want those dogs to know that there are people out there willing to help them and give them a voice.

They Have The Right to Live Rescue

They Have the Right to Live Rescue was founded by President Geraldine Smart in 2012. Geraldine has spent her entire life with animals--they were always her best friends growing up and have been a constant in her life. Never without them, she has loved dogs, cats, horses, birds, hamsters...there isn't an animal she doesn't love out there and will gladly take in. With 4 dogs (currently) of her own, her love for dogs runs deep and her desire to protect them all meant that she needed to make a difference in this world and thus The Right To Live Rescue was born. ​Having seen the horrific situation with high-kill shelters in San Antonio, Geraldine made it her mission to bring awareness to the reality these dogs face and to rescue as many as possible from their certain death. When she first started TRTLR, by herself, she was still unable to pull dogs, and so was asking other people with the ability to pull, to go in and get the dogs, which she then arranged fosters for, all funded with her own money. Over time, while working so much with SAPA, they allowed her to be able to pull dogs herself. This was when things really took off. TRTLR became a registered 501c3 rescue, which gave her the ability to pull dogs from any shelter and adopt out dogs once they are healthy both mentally and physically. Geraldine was now working in collaboration with SAPA and TRTLR was truly up and running. Fast forward from those early days of working by herself to today: Working with a great team of people down in San Antonio, and with a huge network of fosters, rescues, vets and transports etc., Geraldine and TRTLR has saved close to 1,000 dogs' lives. This is a huge feat for a rescue that started with one woman's love of animals, on her computer, funding it herself to where we are today. Our name is spreading, the tireless work the team does is spreading, and both Geraldine's and TRTLR name proceeds them with connections across the US and in Canada. ​ ​Geraldine dreams and works towards a day where there are NO KILL SHELTERS, there are NO ANIMALS SUFFERING, and all animals know what it's like to be loved and be safe with soothing voices and gentle hands.

Mason's Haven

Mason's Haven is a tribute to our rescue dog Mason. He found us as a little puppy trying to catch up to some maintenance men in a golf cart. Once he saw us, he stopped and decided we might be a better alternative. After walking around trying to see if he was lost, we took him to our vet where we discovered he had the initial symptoms of Parvo. Luckily, we caught it early and Mason recovered. Mason brought a lot of joy into our lives but sadly, his life was cut short. He contracted Pythiosis, an infectious disease usually spread via infected water. By the time we determined the diagnosis, it was too late. The disease had spread to his lymph nodes. He passed away as Roger was saying goodbye. Since Mason's passing, Roger and I have volunteered at several rescues. In the course of those efforts, we have witnessed many of the challenges rescues face. Thus, Mason's Haven was formed. Our goal is to help other rescues through infrastructure support, transportation assistance, or working with challenging shelter residents. The dogs we feature on our site are ones we have taken into our rescue to help find homes . Some are seniors who have been in the system far too long thru no fault of their own while others were rescued from the euthanasia list.

Saving Grace Dog Rescue of San Antonio

Saving Grace Dog Rescue of San Antonio is a 501(c)3 foster-based rescue group dedicated to finding loving forever homes for the abandoned, stray, and homeless dogs of the San Antonio area.

Atascosa Animal Allies

Atascosa Animal Allies is a group of unpaid volunteers who serve the Pleasanton Animal Shelter in Pleasanton, Texas. We were formed in August 2017 when the City of Pleasanton needed help getting animals transferred in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Some of our current members offered to house the animals. Through this emergency, we saw a great need for a rescue group in our city. We became a 501(c)(3) in October 2017. We do not own a facility, but instead, foster out of our homes. Since our inception, we have rescued over 6000 animals. We: • Rescue animals from high-kill shelters and the community. • Rehabilitate animals while fostering them. • Rehome cats and dogs by adopting them out or transferring them to other no-kill rescues. • Teach Responsibility to the pet owning population. • Host low cost spay/neuter clinics for pets in our community to enrich the pet population and to keep them out of shelters. • Created a cat Trap-Neuter-Return program in 2018.

Diamond Dachshund Rescue of Texas

Homes for Pets/Schertz Humane Society

Homes for Pets is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescue and improving the lives of companion animals in the Schertz, Texas area. We provide foster care and facilitate adoptions of homeless pets, support the staff and animals in the city shelter, and provide community education about responsible pet ownership. The group is comprised solely of volunteers and its activities are financed by membership dues, fundraisers, and donations. All animals brought into our care are examined by a veterinarian, brought up to date on vaccines, heartworm tested (and treated, if positive) and started on heartworm preventative, spayed or neutered, and treated for any illnesses or parasites, and evaluated for temperament. While in foster care dogs are housetrained and usually crate trained and may begin to learn basic commands. Adoption fees do not usually cover the cost of medical treatment of the animals in our care. We depend on donations and fundraisers to continue our work. Homes For Pets would not exist without the commitment of the volunteers who give their time to help our homeless pets. Volunteer opportunities are endless. If you have some time to spare, be it an hour a day to an hour a month, we could use your help. If you’d like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.

Blue Angel German Shepherd Dog Rescue - Rescuers United for Furry Friends (R.U.F.F.)

Blue Angel German Shepherd Dog Rescue operates under the 501c3 nonprofit umbrella of Rescuers United for Furry Friends (R.U.F.F.)