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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Miniature Schnauzers & Friends Rescue

Miniature Schnauzers & Friends Rescue is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit pet rescue organization based in the Los Angeles South Bay area. We are a small group who has been rescuing dogs, primarily miniature schnauzers in our community since 1998. We rescue and place approximately 100 dogs per year. We are an independent rescue organization and are not affiliated with any breed club or any other rescue organization, we have our own adoption policies and procedures. We do not have a kennel, our dogs are either in foster care or boarding situations until we find them loving permanent homes. We are a small organization and handle a limited number of dogs... while we know we aren't making even the slightest dent in the number of homeless dogs, we know we are make all the difference to the ones that we are able to save. Most of the dogs we get come from the Los Angeles area shelters but we sometimes take in owner surrenders as space permits. Although we specialize in Miniature Schnauzers, we will usually have dogs of other various breeds and mixes available for adoption. Please note that we are not a source to get purebred puppies as purebred puppies in rescue are very rare.

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

Earth Angels Rescue

Earth Angels Rescue was born of two sisters, Jessica and Molly, both saddened by the sheer number of pitbulls killed everyday. Molly works out of NYC and Jessica from LA, two cities notorious for killing more pits than most. Their mission is to rescue pit bulls; as well as other dogs overlooked and in need of help; who have entered a shelter through no fault of their own, and to find loving, forever homes for these dogs. Jessica is a renowned makeup artist turned dog trainer. The first dog Jessica rescued was Sam from the Carson shelter. Truth be told, Sam rescued Jessica and opened her heart to the amazing, unconditional love we receive from these animals. Unbeknownst to her, the journey as a rescuer had begun and her life was changed forever. Jessica has a well known reputation as a certified and compassionate trainer both for her fur clients and their parents. Here is the link to her training page. Molly is a flight attendant and a pilot. She began with one rescue pit mix, Daisy in 2001. At the encouragement of Jessica, she became a foster mom to Abby, who at the time, was a one year old throwaway mama pit slated to be killed in NYC. Abby became a member of her family, and started Molly on her journey in rescue. Their primary focus is on pitbulls, the most grossly misunderstood breed of dog, and the dog most likely to never walk out of a shelter, but they are committed to rescuing as many dogs as they can,

Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA)

In October of 1975 the cities of Downey, Norwalk and Pico Rivera signed a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) establishing the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA). SEAACA was formed to improve the level of service, care for animals and humane education provided by private and public animal welfare agencies in the region. Because of the efforts for the original three cities and the positive service to both animals and residents, other neighboring cities began requesting SEAACA extend services to their cities. In 1984, Bell Gardens, Montebello, and Paramount joined SEAACA as member cities. In 1987 South El Monte and in 1988 Santa Fe Springs also joined SEAACA. In addition to these member cities, SEAACA currently extends contract services to the cities of Bellflower, Buena Park, La Palma, Lakewood, South Gate and Vernon. SEAACA currently serves approximately 900,000 residents in fourteen cities. SEAACA is an independent unit of government (Joint Powers Authority) governed by a policy board (Board of Commissioners). SEAACA has an Executive Director as its chief administrative officer who carries out policies and oversees day-to-day operations of the agency. SEAACA’s philosophy is to approach to animal welfare from the perspective of the owner of the pet in the context of all components of Responsible Pet Ownership; provide compassionate sheltering at the Care Center for animals found without their owners; provide Veterinarian services for Care Center animals and low-cost vaccinations for all animals in the region; plus respond to related public safety issues facing our animals and communities SEAACA Cares: • About the health and safety of each pet in our communities • About the safety of the residents • About providing excellent care for the animals in our facility • About enforcing laws that ultimately protect our animals and residents • About working with community partners to help animals find forever homes

Rescue Bae

Animals do not have a voice, so I am here to speak up for them. I take in the unwanted, the abandoned, the sick, the injured, the old, and the young, making a promise to each and every one of them that I will find the life they deserve. A life full of unconditional and forever love and care. A life that so many animals haven’t gotten the chance to experience. It is my top priority to find that family that each animal is meant to be with. I do not care how long it takes to find their forever home. I never settle for anything less than the best. I rescue to make a difference in not only animals’ lives, but for those that adopt them. ”Saving one animal will not change the world, but surely for that one animal, their world will change forever.” I am set to change many worlds, one animal at a time.

Change of Heart Pit Bull Rescue

Change of Heart Pit Bull Rescue is dedicated to education, outreach and saving the lives of pit bull type dogs that are most in need. Many of our dogs come to us needing decompression time, behavioral training, medical rehabilitation. Each dog is fully evaluated and cared for medically prior to placement. In addition to rescue we hold free community dog training classes to help keep dogs in their homes by providing help to those who do not know how to handle their big pups. We have saved countless lives with this program alone. Change of Heart Pit Bull Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was formed in Southern California in 2009 by Sarah Kosinski. As a educational and outreach program. COHPBR quickly became one of the most well known pit bull related organizations in the nation. Providing educational materials and outreach assistance throughout the United States. Sarah always vowed to save the lives of the dogs who were most in need of assistance. Many times the dogs came to them with broken spirits, or severe medical conditions. Expanding COHPBR in 2014 we made the decision to purchase a gorgeous ranch property in Raleigh NC nestled away beneath the big oak trees in the Gorgeous city of oaks. We are surrounded by nature trails and just 1 mile from the biggest lake in North Carolina. The location is perfect for our rehabilitation program. We built a small center to provide a safe place for pups that are not ready for foster homes or adopters yet. This provides a place for dogs in need of deompression to come and learn about compassion and love. Many dogs are not ready to be fostered or adopted and our hope is to build an additional place so we can expand. Our volunteers have seen some of the most horrific cases of abuse. Our hope is that you will help us build another building for these lost souls who need some extra help prior to going into a foster home or being adopted.

Sunny Saints St. Bernard Rescue

Sunny Saints, Southern California St. Bernard Rescue is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization (#45-0922994) formed by a group of friends with several years of combined experience in Saint Bernard rescue who share a common philosophy to treat the dogs that we save and the people who foster and adopt them with kindness and dignity.

Rover Rescue

Over 100 dogs are put to sleep in overcrowded Los Angeles area animal shelters every day. Many of these homeless dogs have been abandoned, abused or neglected, without ever knowing the love of a caring human being. Rover Rescue is a non-profit organization founded in 2001 to save as many homeless dogs as we can and place them in permanent and loving homes. We know that somewhere nearby a person or family yearns for one of these special dogs. From the moment we rescue a dog we start changing its life for the better: o Each dog is placed in a caring foster home or boarded until the right owner is found. o During their stay with Rover Rescue, volunteers walk, socialize and give these dogs the loving care they need. o Injured or sick dogs are given proper medical attention. o Dogs are vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and even given “beauty makeovers”. o We make a special effort to match prospective owners with the right dog during the adoption process to make sure each of our dogs will never become homeless again. And we help educate new owners on the proper care of their new best friends. In addition, Rover Rescue works hard in our community to reduce animal overpopulation and increase vital awareness about responsible pet ownership. We actively support spaying and neutering of all companion dogs and offer spay/neuter financial assistance to low-income families.

Pet Rescue Solutions

Pet Rescue Solutions was founded in 2012 and is located in South El Monte, California. We originally sold affordable pet tags to communities in need of identification tags for their pets. Since our name included the word "Rescue," many people believed the idea that we were a rescue for cats and dogs. Adam Melendez, the president of P.R.S., made the decision to turn the pet tag business into a non-profit organization. We received our 501(c)(3) letter on July, 2014 but decided to keep the name Pet Rescue Solutions. Since then, we have saved over 1,500 cats and dogs and found them forever homes. With a productive and dedicated P.R.S. team, we are able tomake a difference in our furry friends' lives.

Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California

Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California goes the extra mile to ensure that each hound gets the personalized care essential for starting their new life! Hounds come to BHRSC for many different reasons. The lucky ones lived with loving families but were surrendered due to family hardship such as a financial crisis or serious illness. Some are found abandoned and wandering the streets tired and hungry, while others are rescued from shelters where they are slated to be euthanized. Upon arrival, each hound is provided a wellness exam to assess overall health and any necessary medical care is performed so they are in tip top shape when they head to their forever homes. For most hounds this minimally includes vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, dental cleaning, and microchipping. Sadly, many hounds arrive in pain, suffering from multiple, and sometimes life threatening, medical issues. These hounds need extensive medical attention which can mean visits to specialists, surgeries and long recovery periods. Without BHRSC, these hounds would be labeled “unadoptable” and be at high risk for euthanasia. Each hound is also given a behavioral evaluation which allows us to identify and address any potential behavior issues before they find their forever homes. Once the rehabilitation process is complete, we take care to match the hounds with loving forever families that will lavish them with the love and affection that every hound deserves.

Infinite Love Animal Rescue

Infinite Love Animal Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue based in Los Angeles. We are dedicated to finding forever homes for abandoned and displaced dogs while educating the public to be more responsible pet owners. Our goal is to help them in every way we can... emotionally, socially, and physically so that the transition into their forever homes will be as smooth as possible.

Canine Crusaders

Canine Crusaders is an all volunteer, non profit dog rescue organization that was founded for dogs that come from abusive and stray situations. Our goal is to help these wonderful animals find loving homes so that they can have a second chance at life. Our organization does have a shelter, but our goal is to get every one of our dogs into a foster home where they can be with loving families while they wait for their turn to be adopted! Our animals come from stray situations, LA shelters and owner turn ins. We work with our local police department, vet and animal control as well. We get dogs of all sizes and ages, purebred and mix alike. We currently have over 50 dogs that are in dire need of finding loving families. Please help us help the helpless, volunteer, foster or adopt today.

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.

Pug Nation Rescue of Los Angeles

Pug Nation Rescue of Los Angeles is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, care, and placement of abandoned, neglected, unwanted, displaced, and abused pugs. Every year Pug Nation saves and adopts out hundreds of loving Pugs from the streets of Southern California – thanks to the support of individuals like you. Our goal is to find every homeless pug a forever home; if we cannot do that, we pledge to provide a comfortable and loving place for sick or unwanted pugs to live out their lives.

Rover Ranger Rescue

We will assist owners with unplanned litters of puppies, spay their mother dogs for them, and when possible, the daddy dogs as well. We hope that by promoting awareness to human animal companions, they in turn can help to educate others as to the health and benefits of spaying, neutering, vaccinating, and chipping their pets. We will assist as much as we possibly can in ending the cruelty of people dumping and abandoning thier dogs. Our promise to those dogs: "We will find you, we will help you."

Whiskers & Tails Foundation

Whiskers & Tails Foundation is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit local pet rescue organization based in Rancho Palos Verdes, Southern California.

Boston Buddies, Inc. - Southern California Boston Terrier Rescue

Boston Buddies is an organization of volunteers who rescue and rehome Boston Terriers and Boston Terrier mixes in Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange and Kern counties, as well as some surrounding communities. Our loving volunteers are dedicated to the combined efforts of shelter rescues, owner surrenders, adoptions, and education for you and your present or future Boston Buddy.

Shamrock Rescue Foundation

Shamrock Rescue Foundation saves dogs and other animals who are in danger of being put to death in public shelters. These animals often have little to no hope of a better life, or of a life, period. Without our intervention, many animals now living happy lives with loving families would not have had a chance. We do not discriminate as to breed, size or age. We are advocates for all animals who cannot be advocates for themselves. Our dogs are in foster homes or boarded until permanent homes can be found for them. All of our animals are examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible after we get them. Blood work is performed to ensure that they are healthy, or if they aren't, how we can get them healthy. If health care is necessary, we provide it. All are microchipped, spayed and neutered and current on vaccinations. Rescue costs, medical costs, boarding costs, and feeding (we want to make sure our animals stay healthy!) add up.

Noah's Bark Dog Rescue

Noah’s Bark is determined to do all that we can to fight against the great tragedy that is taking place on a daily basis in the animal shelters of the greater Los Angeles area. In these shelters alone, an average of 475 defenseless animals have their lives taken away from them, or as the shelters like to put it, they are “humanely euthanized”, every single day. As terrible as this is, we cannot put the blame solely on the shelters. The fact of the matter is that we have a pet overpopulation problem, and there are just not enough people out there willing to give these animals a chance to be their best friend and the loving companion that these animals would love the opportunity to become. Our goal is to help provide as many of these animals with the second chance on life that they deserve. Though we are a small organization, we save as many dogs and cats as we possibly can. Quite often, these animals are rescued within hours of their pending demise. Once they are in our care, we provide these lucky few with the medical care that they may need, and we place them with loving foster families. The foster family cares for their new friend while a loving and responsible owner is carefully searched for. While in our care, the animal will be spayed or neutered, because we strongly feel that this is the only true solution to the pet overpopulation problem. Since we cannot save 475 animals a day, we find it to be our duty to help educate the public on how to be responsible pet owners and on the importance of spaying and neutering. As tempting as it may be to breed your purebred dog or cat, please be aware that over 25% of the animals in shelters are purebreds. If there are still any disbelievers out there that think that animal shelters are “adoption centers”, please take a moment to click on the following link, which will take you to a site called "The Fate of a Shelter Dog". This site shows the process a dog goes through in an Atlanta shelter. Though this is from an Atlanta shelter, it is representative of shelters all over the country. Please help us in our fight. As stated before, we are few in number, so the more of you that help us in this battle, the more loving and deserving pets we can save.

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.

WishBone Dog Rescue

Christine is a dedicated advocate for canines in distress! As a committed parent, canine rescuer, and the esteemed founder of WishBone Dog Rescue, she is steadfastly devoted to the noble cause of securing affectionate homes for countless dogs. From the tireless facilitation of optimal pairings between dogs and their ideal families to assisting clients in discovering their dream homes, Christine's fervor is centered on fostering meaningful connections. We invite you to join us in commemorating her outstanding commitment and profound influence within the realm of dog rescue.

The Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles

The Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles Rescue is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and forever re-homing of abandoned and homeless Golden Retrievers, no matter how great the need. Thanks to our more than 150 volunteers and generous benefactors, we are dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of Goldens and dogs of all types in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura Counties.

Ruff Patches

Chews Life Dog Rescue

We are a foster-based dog rescue situated in the vibrant city of Los Angeles. Our mission is to prevent dogs from entering and facing an uncertain fate in the shelter system. Our team is passionate about searching for and rescuing at-risk dogs within local shelters, providing them a lifeline to a brighter future. As a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, we are more than just a rescue; we are a compassionate community dedicated to the welfare of animals. Our founder is a professional dog trainer and behaviorist who started the organization to improve the welfare of animals and alleviate their suffering through advocacy and education. Each of our rescues receives the highest level of care. We prioritize their physical and mental well-being, providing necessary medical attention and the time to rediscover their unique personalities. Our ultimate goal is not just to find homes but to find the right forever homes filled with love and understanding. In our rescue family, mental health is as important as physical health. We invest time and effort into understanding and nurturing the emotional well-being of every animal under our care, ensuring a holistic approach to their recovery and happiness. We invite you to get involved and make a tangible difference in the lives of these deserving animals. Whether you choose to foster, adopt, donate, volunteer, or share our adoptable dogs, your involvement will make a meaningful impact. Together, we can transform the lives of countless animals and build a world where compassion reigns supreme.