The Best Los Angeles, CA Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025

Wags & Walks

Wags and Walks is focused on advocating for wrongfully stereotyped bully breeds, medical dogs, and mamas + puppies that are often overlooked and at-risk due to overcrowding. We do not select dogs based on their size, age, or breed. We select our dogs on a case-by-case basis, factoring in our ability to help and their likelihood of thriving when placed in the right home. We know that, like amazing dogs, loving families come in all shapes and sizes. Our goal is to find every pup an adopter whose home, family, and lifestyle are a perfect fit for a lifetime of love and happiness.

LaBelle Foundation

A beacon of hope in the realm of animal welfare. Our foundation is dedicated to transforming lives through responsible pet ownership education, spaying, and neutering initiatives, vaccination advocacy, and comprehensive dog training. We confront the challenges within the rescue community head-on, driven by a resolute mission to put an end to dog homelessness. Aligned with our mission, we champion accessible veterinary care. Our support has extended to sponsoring spay and neuter clinics across California and Mexico, with ongoing plans to broaden our reach. Our unwavering commitment includes partnering with affordable specialty veterinary clinics and addressing the critical need for accessible and affordable care through advocacy and legislation. As we continue to evolve, our unwavering focus remains on the core tenets that define us. Our journey is built upon the principles of rescuing, rehabilitating, and advocating for dogs, particularly with neonatal orphans needing intensive care, medical/special needs animals, and nursing mother-and-babies. Our foundation stands upon pillars that encompass rescuing animals in need, educating the community on responsible pet care, facilitating forever homes, fostering a supportive community, and prioritizing the overall well-being of animals.

Paws For Life K9 Rescue

Paws For Life K9 Rescue saves and transforms the lives of animals and people through innovative canine-centered programs that provide purpose, support, and opportunity through the Prison/Re-Entry, People & Pet Innovation Center, First Responder and PTSD Support, Adoptions, Transports, and Vet Tech Program.

Angel City Pit Bulls

Angel City Pit Bulls is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to creating a better future for pit bulls by promoting their positive image as loving family companions through education, public advocacy, adoptions, and owner support.

Pasadena Humane

Pasadena Humane is more than an animal shelter; we are a community-supported animal resource center providing compassion and care for all animals. Since 1903, Pasadena Humane has offered lifesaving programs and services for animals and the people who love them in the Greater Los Angeles Area. At our Pasadena campus, we provide shelter, dedicated care and new beginnings for thousands of our community's most vulnerable animals every year. In addition to pet adoptions and foster, we focus on programs and services aimed at helping people care for and keep their pets, such as free and low-cost spay/neuter and vaccines, a pet food pantry, and an animal support call center. In 2022, Pasadena Humane helped nearly 40,000 animals through adoptions, wildlife rehabilitation, lost & found, veterinary services, and surrender prevention assistance.

German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County

German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County (GSROC) is a non-profit 501(c)3 charity organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing purebred German Shepherd Dogs that have no where else to turn.

For the Love of Animals Dog and Cat Rescue

For almost 10 years, our goal has been to make a difference in the lives of dogs and cats in need. In return, these dogs and cats and the wonderful people who adopt have made an imprint on our hearts. When you visit FLA at an adoption event, you will see many dogs and cats in need of adoption. We work with all breeds and all ages. Our goal is to match person to pet in a way that compliments temperaments and lifestyles. Here is a brief breakdown of what to expect from our adoption process: • Talk with an FLA representative about a dog or cat. • Fill out a simple, one-page application form. • Agree to a quick yard-check if necessary (to check for a safe perimeter of the yard when adopting a dog). • Fill out adoption paperwork, print an ID tag and take your new family member home! Once you have adopted from FLA, we remain a support system for you. We are here to answer any questions you may have as you bring your new dog or cat into your home.

Rescue Me Incorporated

Joy and Craig Nadel are the CEO/COO and Founders of Rescue Me Incorporated. Born out of their LOVE for animals and in memory of their first rescued family member together, Candy "The Wonder Dog" they wanted to share the love they felt with a rescued pet with other people. Candy was adopted from a local shelter by Craig's dad as a family pet. She was a year old when he got her and was given her birthdate as Christmas Eve. {Special day as Joy's grandparents were married on Christmas Eve} When Craig and I got married we asked if we could keep Candy and Craig's dad agreed as he knew how much we loved her. We were blessed to have this amazing, sweet little dog in our lives for 20 of her 21 years. She died in my arms at age 21 years old. It was time for her to go, she was ready. We knew we wanted to have Candy's name live on so we started Rescue Me Incorporated in her memory. Now with every orphan we rescue we know her memory lives on. We wanted to share with other people the love of a rescued animal and help promote animal rescue and education.

Husky Haven of LA, Inc.

Way back when.......in 1982, we lost our 2nd husky. As many have experienced, she had a history of conniving her way out of containment, and in a flash, she was down the street lickity split. I was in hot pursuit, chasing right behind her (which is actually the wrong thing to do) and proved no match for the speed of a Siberian desiring to follow the "call of the wild". I scanned the shelters, placed ads, and as time began to pass the possibility of finding her seemed to become less likely. Then, months later, the shelter (which is now Seeaca) called. They had found a very thin, young red & white Siberian with blue eyes who had been trapped in a storm drain. When I met her, she was not responsive to her name. She looked almost identical to my lost husky but just a little bit different in the face-in fact, she had a more beautiful face. She was extremely thin and withdrawn. It was decided she was not my missing dog. She was placed in a pen and after visiting with her I left. Thoughts about her haunted me day and night for the next week. I called to check on her and she was still unclaimed. Exactly 7 days later, I was compelled to return to the shelter. I was informed she had not eaten at all the entire week and she had only 30 minutes until her time was up! I didn't have my spouse's permission and I didn't plan on adopting her! And I hadn't given up on finding my lost husky. And she was so thin she looked like she was ill. And would my 1st husky at home get along with her? And, and, and---------I couldn't leave her there!!! And so------she couldn't jump into my car fast enough! She was thrilled to be sprung. She turned back and took one last look at the shelter and licked me in the face. She never had to worry about winding up there again. She marched into the household like she belonged there. She immediately started gaining weight and her health improved drastically. She was about 8 to 10 months old then. And so our journey began.... Liberty lived to 20 and 1/2 years! She almost doubled the normal lifespan of 12 years. She was our first rescue and I firmly believe I didn't chose to rescue but I was lucky to be chosen when Liberty summoned me to the shelter that fateful day.

Brunos Foundation

Brunos Foundation. We are a 501c3, non-profit rescue organization located in Lincoln, CA. Brunos Foundation was founded in 2020, after the passing of a very special boy, Bruno. Kristina, the founder, adopted Bruno at 8 weeks of age from a shelter. He was her first rescue dog, and her best friend throughout her 20s and beyond. He was a wonderful foster brother to many fosters, dogs and cats included. Our Founder Kristina founded this rescue in 2020 after the passing of her beloved best friend, Bruno. Her passion for animals started at a very young age. She became a shelter volunteer at just 9 years old, and by 16, she was fostering dogs while working at a pet store. She went on to be a vet tech for many years and now her compassion reaches across the state of California, as she pulls at-risk dogs and puppies from euthanasia lists at overcrowded shelters. Bruno was one of those dogs and was her first dog that she adopted. In his honor, she has been able to save the lives of hundreds of dogs thanks to the volunteers, adopters, fosters, and sponsors that have donated their time, money and services to our cause.

Southpaw Rescue

Southpaw Rescue is a 501 (c) (3) Southern California animal rescue, focused on San Bernardino and its Mountain Communities, dedicated to partnering with other likeminded organizations and individuals to rescue animals in need; providing foster homes and medical care before ultimately finding them the right forever home. ​ With the hope of one day seeing a world where animal cruelty no longer exists and all animals have a safe home, Southpaw Rescue seeks to work with shelters, individual rescuers and law enforcement to magnify our impact on rescuing animals from abusive and neglectful circumstances.

Mutts in Need

Mutts in Need rescues and re-homes dogs of all sizes and breeds to homes in Orange County and the surrounding areas. Our top priority is finding safe, loving, permanent homes for our dogs, for life. ​ All of our rescues are micro-chipped, spayed/neutered, vaccinated and dewormed prior to adoption. Many of our dogs are housed at a central location in Newport Beach, though we also support a small foster network. ALL of our rescue staff are VOLUNTEERS--so we always appreciate donations and extra hands! See our "Be A Part" page for more info.

Start From Scratch Rescue

We adopted Scratch from the Palmdale animal shelter in 2017 and life was never the same again. We knew right away that Scratch was a special dog. Scratch is a goofy, loyal, curious, and infinitely intuitive puzzle solver. Life with him has sparked a passion that we never knew we had for huskies and rescue dogs in general. Kato was adopted a year later from the Castaic shelter about a year later and Sage was rescued from the Riverside animal shelter’s kill room two years after that. These dogs have enriched our lives and each other’s lives to no end. It didn’t take long before we wanted to help more dogs in danger of being euthanized. At the beginning of 2020 we took on our first 2 foster dogs, a bonded pair. There were certainly a lot of adjustments to be made at first but with each dog that came through our home, we learned something new. After fostering around 20 dogs over the course of around 3 years, we had gotten a pretty good handle on the whole process and learned a lot from the different rescues that we had worked with. In 2023 we decided that it was time that we started our own rescue. Start from Scratch was born. We are a different kind of rescue. We rescue one dog at a time. This helps us ensure that we find them the best possible home. We want to choose the best fit for the dogs we save. All of our focus will be on that dog until their forever home is found.

American Bullmastiff Rescue

The American Bullmastiff Association is the AKC recognized breed club for the bullmastiff. ABA members are dedicated to the education, training, care and overall well-being of the bullmastiff. The membership community includes experts with decades of experience and new members with their first bullmastiff all with the common goal of protecting and preserving the breed.

Basset Rescue Network at DaphneyLand

Love At First Mutt

Live Love Animal Rescue

Live Love Animal Rescue’s mission is to save homeless animals by providing them a lifelong commitment to their well-being. We take in dogs from all situations and often find ourselves rescuing the most extreme behavior and medical cases. Live Love Animal Rescue is dedicated to ensuring these dogs are healed and brought to the greatest possible quality of life and placed in loving, responsible, committed foster and then permanent homes. While in the care of foster homes, all dogs are healed, spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated, and receive behavioral training as needed prior to adoption. The ultimate goal is to find our rescued dogs a forever home of their own and for those that are too ill, they will remain in our rescue family as Forever Fosters and be cherished for all of their days. We partner with local rescues, the shelter and city government to develop a network of volunteers and supporters that can transform Long Beach into a no-kill city for all animals. Live Love acts with fiscal responsibility to ensure that we meet our commitments to our rescue dogs. We act with gratitude and respect to our network of volunteers, fosters and supporters that provide countless hours of work, support, and donations. Our rescue board, officers, volunteers and fosters act with courtesy, kindness, and respect as a member of the Long Beach community and greater rescue network.

Ruff Patches

Dachshunds and Friends Rescue

Dachshunds and Friends Rescue is committed to finding forever and foster homes for dogs in the Southern California region, with a primary focus on Dachshunds while welcoming other small breeds with open arms. In 2017, Cheryl founded Dachshunds and Friends Rescue, driven by her journey from losing her beloved Dachshund, Sophie, to discovering Mia, igniting her passion for helping dogs in need. Cheryl's unwavering dedication and experience then led to the establishment of her own rescue, Dachshunds and Friends.

Pedro Pet Pals

Pedro Pet Pals was founded in 2009 by Theresa Sardisco to support homeless animals through the programs of the City of Los Angeles Harbor Animal Shelter and the SPCA. Donations were received to add a misting system at the Harbor Shelter to keep the dogs cool. When the City announced it would be funding the misting system, donors wanted their money to be used for other efforts to help animals. And so, Pedro Pet Pals was born. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, run by a team of volunteers. Pedro Pet Pals actively raises funds to supports our local animal shelters with supplies, medical equipment, and other items that the city cannot afford. Pedro Pet Pals is also committed to the community by providing spay/neuter programs, and community educational outreach to pet owners. Pedro Pet Pals is not a rescue organization, but we are committed to providing comfort and support to wayward animals in the Los Angeles area. Money raised by Pedro Pet Pals has been used to fund the following: • blood machine • anesthesia machine • kennel beds • leashes and harnesses • dog pools and canopies • dog and cat toys • grooming table and supplies • cat room improvements • cat/kitten health supplies • adoption fee vouchers • spayed and neutered over 900 pit bulls from Watts to San Pedro In addition, Pedro Pet Pals has: • organized a volunteer dog walking program • provided community outreach and education

4 Paws Kiddo Rescue

We started 4 Paws Kiddo Rescue in 2018 after decades of working in several different aspects of Animal Rescue as transporters, caretakers, volunteers and whatever other ways we found to contribute to the needs of animals as we saw them. Among the primary purposes of 4 Paws Kiddo Rescue is to help dogs in need of socialization and medical care get assistance and care, and then help them to find healthy permanent homes. Secondarily it’s to find dogs in need of homes and match them up with people looking for specific types of dogs. While our main focus is on small to medium sized dogs, we’ve also been able to place large dogs with appropriate new owners as well. At times we’ve even been able to find homes for cats. A lot of our energy is focused on injured and at-risk dogs who need some extra physical or psychological care. We regularly take in dogs with severe physical injuries, lingering illnesses and age related diseases. We also spend a lot of time helping dogs with socialization issues learn how to trust people, other dogs and unfamiliar living situations. The work can be taxing and financially difficult, and it requires an extensive amount of time and occasionally staggering amounts of money, so all of our time is volunteered and a great deal of fund raising is always a high priority need. Nonetheless we believe that all the work, time and money is exceedingly rewarding as we’ve managed to place large numbers of animals into good homes and saved many many dogs that were otherwise faced with sad and unhappy endings. While the goal of the Rescue is to place all the animals into good homes, if a dog we rescue can’t find a placement, they’re never given up for lost. We host a large number of animals in our homes and will do so for the rest of the animals’ lives if necessary. For it’s not only a moral imperative, but a great source of joy.

Gunter's Legacy Animal Rescue, Inc.

One Love Animal Rescue and Sanctuary

One Love Animal Rescue & Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, no kill animal rescue. The concept of “One Love” is an expression of universal love, care and respect for all living beings. Here at One Love Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, we practice this concept by taking in a variety of different species of animals (dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and more) who, for a variety of reasons, may need some extra love and attention. We have a team of dedicated and experienced fosters who accept and appreciate the animals in our care as the unique and special individuals they are. We help them to overcome any trauma, medical or behavioral issues they may have prior to finding them a special forever home where they will be able to live their best life.

Irvine Animal Care Center

The Irvine City Council-appointed Subcommittee and staff recommended, and the City Council approved, the updated mission, values and goals at the May 10, 2016 City Council meeting. Values Mutual Respect, Innovation, Integrity, Professionalism, Flexibility, Responsiveness Goals • Increase placement of adoptable animals. • Attract, retain and develop professional, caring staff and volunteers. • Provide for the well-being of animals at the Irvine Animal Care Center. • Provide programs and services to improve human and animal relationships. • Identify and secure additional financial resources to support mission and special programs such as Third Chance and Enhanced Care. Also approved was a policy to disallow owner requested euthanasia of healthy, treatable, adoptable pets. Goals include: increase placement of adoptable animals; attract, retain and develop professional, caring staff and volunteers; provide for the well-being of animals at the Irvine Animal Care Center; provide programs and services to improve human and animal relationships; and identify and secure additional financial resources to support mission and special programs such as Third Chance and Enhanced Care.

Dog Coalition Los Angeles

We first began our journey as Foster For Life: a foster support program for folks fostering directly from the shelter led by rescuers and volunteers. In the first 2 years we helped over 150 dogs out of overcrowded shelters engaging more than 75 foster families. We are still focused on helping Angelenos foster (and adopt) LA city shelter dogs, but as our vision for the program has evolved, we updated our name to Dog Coalition Los Angeles (DCLA).

Amore for Dogs

Welcome to the Amore for dogs experience. In 2014 Bruce & Viviana FaBrizio founded the 501-(c3) non profit organization with the primary focus of adopting out dogs stuck in shelters to forever loving homes. With the ongoing support of Simple Green and many friends the foundation has successfully placed dozens of dogs from California to Houston, and from Florida to Boston. The Amore for Dogs Foundation is now building ...... A Dog Sanctuary with a multiplicity of projects. We have now purchased a property out here in Newport Beach , CA, so We can build a state of the art facility. It will include space for up to 60 furry guests and permanent residents, an exercise park with a 30 feet long pool. We will also have a SPA DAY and Veterinary room to help with any basic medical issues.The focus will be on several fronts, a Halfway House for dogs on their way to forever homes, a retirement home for those dogs who's owners can no longer take care of them, and will also serve as a rehabilitation center for abused dogs.......All this with the help of expert dog trainers. Anyone interested in more information, or would like to help, please contact Viviana or Bruce at AMOREFORDOGS.ORG

Deity Animal Rescue

Deity Animal Rescue is a non-profit rescue organization based in Los Angeles. It is our passion and mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and place stray, neglected, and shelter dogs into loving, responsible, and committed homes. We do not discriminate on age, breed, or ease of placement. Rather, we choose dogs based on temperament and potential to be wonderful companions

Newport Beach Animal Shelter

The Newport Beach Animal Shelter is located at 20282 Riverside Drive in Newport Beach. The Newport Beach Animal Shelter offers its services, such as redemption of animals by their owners or viewing animals available for adoption, by appointment only. Please call the shelter at 949-718-3454 to inquire about making an appointment. Community members wishing to donate items to the shelter may leave the items outside of the shelter's gate for collection.

Dalmatian Rescue of Southern California, Inc.

Dalmatian Rescue of Southern California, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to finding new and loving homes for abandoned or homeless Dalmatians. Dalmatian Rescue of Southern California, Inc. was formed to help rescue Dalmatians and Dalmatian mixes from the many high-kill shelters in the Southern California area, and serves the communities of Orange, San Diego, Riverside and Los Angeles counties. Dalmatian Rescue of Southern California, Inc. is dedicated to saving as many of the spotty dogs as it can. Dalmatian Rescue is committed to finding loving forever homes, a second chance, for all of the dogs we rescue, and with the help of Dal Rescue volunteers, provides a safe, warm and loving environment for each of the rescued dogs as they await their new homes. We are an all-volunteer, no-kill, non-profit organization. In addition to an all-volunteer, no-kill, non-profit organization. In addition to rescuing adoptable Dalmatians from the local shelters, our goal and mission is to educate the public about Dalmatians, their personality, activity level, lifespan and health and fitness issues, as well as what it means to be a responsible dog owner. We advocate spaying and neutering, consistent training, a healthy diet and plenty of exercise for the Dalmatian, as well as for all breeds of dog, and provide education on those topics. We do our best to match each family with the Dalmatian or Dalmatian mix that will best suit the family environment, activity level and participants. Dalmatian Rescue of Southern California, Inc. is organized as a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity and all contributions are tax-deductible. Our taxpayer Id# is 35-2313871. Please make a secure online donation today to help us continue our efforts in rescuing and re-homing Dalmatians.

Wallis Annenberg PetSpace

Annenberg PetSpace is a unique community space that facilitates pet adoptions, hosts community events, and offers learning opportunities. Annenberg PetSpace focuses on the mutually beneficial and dynamic bond between people and their pets. Annenberg PetSpace is another extension of Wallis Annenberg’s philanthropic work, which has long supported organizations and projects dedicated to improving the wellbeing of people and communities in Los Angeles, surrounding regions and throughout the world. “This initiative couldn't be closer to my heart,” said Wallis Annenberg. “The purpose of Annenberg PetSpace is to strengthen the bonds between us and all animals and pets, and to form innovative new policies and partnerships — to save animals' lives through adoption and education, and to help make our communities more animal-friendly.”