The Best Los Angeles, CA Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

Tofu's Dream World

Tofu’s Dream World is a foster-based dog rescue located in Los AngeleS, CA. We rescue dogs from high-kill shelters throughout California and place them in loving, qualified foster homes until a perfect, forever home is found. All medical care is provided and every dog is vaccinated, rehabilitated, and spayed or neutered before leaving our rescue. Tofu’s Dream World was founded by JEN DODARO, a freelance ART DIRECTOR and animal advocate. After years of volunteering with local rescues and regularly visiting and networking dogs at high-kill shelters, it became evident that the shelter crisis in california is far from over. with tofu’s dream world we will do everything in our power to bring awareness to this crisis, while helping as many dogs as we can in the process.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Our Underdog Rescue Squad

Gunter's Legacy Animal Rescue, Inc.

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

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.

Cuddly Canines Rescue

Save A Bow Wow Rescue

Save A Bow Wow Rescue was founded in August 2009 by Mandy. She had just purchased her first home and of course, the first thing she did was research what dog would be best for her specific lifestyle. All personality tests and living environment revealed the best match was a French Bulldog. In 2009, FBDs were very limited and hard to come across. She would check the OC Animal Shelters website every hour on the hour (not exaggerating), and refresh the shelters page to see what animals were surrendered or newly impounded. One day, on her lunch break at work, she refreshed the shelters website and… there she was— “Lola”! Lola had been adopted previously from the shelter. She was certainly no French Bulldog, but she was a small “mutt” with big ears. Mandy instantly knew Lola was “the one”. She called the shelter and ascertained more information. At which time she learned that Lola was RETURNED FOR A REFUND. She sat on the other end of the phone in disbelief that someone would adopt a dog from the pound and only two short days later return her for a refund because Lola “was not house trained, and she barked too much”. Mandy drove down to the shelter immediately, walked through the shelters outdoor kennels and saw her for the first time. Lolas sweet little face, barking her head off. Atop her kennel door it said in huge letters “RETURNED”. Immediately, Mandy went to the front office to pay for Lolas adoption fee. A shelter volunteer walked by Mandy and said “Oh are you really going to adopt the brat?” She couldn’t believe Lola had already earned herself the nickname brat. Lola walked out of the shelter with Mandy, hopped in her car and away they went. Mind you, Mandy is on her lunch break so… back to work on a Friday afternoon with a newly rescued dog in tow. Into the office Lola went, and it was history from there. Lola with mild training became “the best dog in the world” if you ask Mandy to describe her… Lola’s rescue lit a fire in Mandys soul. Knowing there are so many dogs out there that are incredible companions and needing a second chance at life (like her Lola), Mandy set out to make a difference. She started volunteering for another rescue organization and quickly realized that she did not like how that specific group was being run. Here’s why: foster parents get to know their foster dog much more than a rescue founder ever could. The animal lives in the fosters home, (usually) sleeps in the human bed, and lives as a member of the family up until the day of placement. So in Mandys case, her input provided to this other rescue group about her foster dog’s personality, traits, ideal suitable home etc. was not taken into consideration. Her foster dog(s) were placed by this other organization with zero input (mind you one of her foster dogs she had for 9 months for this group with zero interest). Seeing that her foster dog was placed without any valuable input about the dogs specific needs, wants, energy levels etc. made Mandy realize that change needs to be made in the rescue community. She set out to start an animal rescue that was volunteer emphasized. Where adoptions weigh heavily on the foster homes recommendation(s). Thus, instilling the value of the rescues volunteer and foster database is the core of a rescue organization. Mandy never wanted an animal to be “returned for a refund” again. So when Mandy started Save A Bow Wow Rescue, she made sure every animal was microchipped to the rescue (adopters able to be emergency contact additionally) but the rescues name and contact information remains on our adopted dogs microchips for life. Ensuring every pet SABW Rescue has ever saved, would always have a safe ticket home in the event of displacement. Since 2009-current, we can count on one hand the amount of dogs that have made their way back into our safety net. The emphasis of this rescue relies on doing the adoption(s) right the first time and the dog won’t ever need us again. Sadly, Mandy lost her beloved Lola in early 2022. Lolas loss forever changed her; and this small rescue quickly expanded. On June 26, 2023 Save A Bow Wow Rescue became a legal nonprofit organization under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)3 and is also registered as a 509(a)2 public charity. We have some incredible volunteers and foster parents on our team. Although we have expanded to a public charity / nonprofit organization, we are still focused on our initial principle of “find quality homes over saving pets in quantity”. So to reiterate, we believe if an adoption is done right the first time, the dog will never need re-saving; but if they do, we will always be here.

I Dream of Home Rescue, Inc.

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.

Love At First Mutt

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.

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).

VIDA Rescue

We rescue hundreds of homeless animals annually and work hard to find them the best homes; our goal is to see them go to happy, forever homes where they will never have to worry about homelessness again. We also sponsor spay and neuter campaigns for communities in need in the US as well as in Mexico. We also assist other rescues and provide animal welfare services for homeless dogs and cats in numerous cities of Mexico. Our Vision is to see the end of mistreatment and exploitation of animals and see them in loving forever homes. Most of our rescues are either from city animal controls that we work with or are rescued from the streets of Mexico. We serve these areas because our founding members have seen the lack of help for these animals. In Mexico, there are few animal shelters and even fewer people who adopt. There’s a lack of education on spay/neuter, so the streets are often packed with young animals, exposed to the elements and eating whatever they can get from the community. We work hard to give these animals a chance at a better life.

K9 Kismet Dog Rescue

K9 Kismet Dog Rescue is a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization based in Long Beach, California. We’re foster-based and 100% volunteer-run. Founded in 2015, our dedicated team members have helped to place hundreds of animals in loving, permanent homes.

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.

Hollywood Huskies

We rescue Siberian huskies and husky mixes in Southern California. Focused on the greater Los Angeles area, we save dogs off death row at shelters and off the street, and help them to find their forever homes. We set up each dog for adoption success by providing them what they need most, including any medical treatment and/or training that’s needed. Your donations to support dogs and their expenses are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. Hollywood Huskies, Inc. is a non–profit corporation, articles of incorporation filed February 11, 2016, 501(c)3. Please help us save more husky lives — donate now! Although we’re based in California, we recently opened an East coast branch in Leesburg, Virginia. More information coming soon!

Two Hands Four Paws Foundation

The Two Hands Four Paws Foundation is a non-profit corporation dedicated to providing a high quality of life, specifically improved mobility, to small animals that might otherwise not have the means or access to receive it. We work with veterinarians, physical rehabilitation professionals, mobility-aid companies and others. Our Foundation is made up of animal lovers whose passion is small-animal mobility and the heightened quality of life it provides. Our directors have years of experience in diverse areas of animal-specific care. The Two Hands Four Paws Foundation was established as a way to formalize what had been ad-hoc fundraising efforts and personal donations that could not come close to supporting all of the needy dogs, cats, rabbits, Guinea pigs, etc. that came through the doors of our canine rehabilitation center. Being an organization with Federal tax-exempt status allows us to increase our visibility and help animals that otherwise might have no chance at moving on their own again. The Foundation was incorporated in 2016 and is located in Los Angeles, California.

FAR Side Journey

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing foster, adoption and rescue services so that no owner-relinquished or stray animal has to be held in a municipal shelter awaiting adoption or potential euthanasia due to overcrowded conditions.

Animals Rule Rescue

We are a small group of animal lovers who have come together to rescue and foster animals in need. Our dedicated group of volunteers are unpaid and extremely committed to making a difference in the lives of animals in our care. Funding for our non profit comes entirely from public donations, our adoption fees and fundraisers. We do not receive any city, county or government funding. Animals Rule Placement Foundation was established in 2003 as a registered 501(C)3 Non-Profit Animal Welfare Organization Tax ID #13-4264510. Your tax deductible donation is used 100% for the welfare and veterinary care of the animals while they are with us. We are based in San Pedro, CA, in the South Bay area of Los Angeles.

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.

Halfway To Home Dog Rescue

Halfway to Home was started in 2001 by Suzanne Poth, a retired social worker for Los Angeles County Department of Children's Services Emergency Response Unit. A long-time advocate for dogs, she hoped to address the extreme quantity of homeless and displaced dogs in the Antelope Valley. And plus, she was pretty good at rescuing the helpless. Suzanne started the rescue in her home, picking up stray dogs, getting them spayed or neutered and then placing them in homes via ads she ran in the Penny Saver. She continued to do this successfully, eventually forming a 501c3 non profit and in 2003 Halfway To Home was officially born. For several years Suzanne would load up her station wagon and drive a bunch of happy dogs near and far to participate in various adoptions. She landed at Petco for a few years before finding a spot at the West Palmdale Petsmart, which she maintained with much success from 2007 to 2018, adopting out 5,927 dogs in those 11 years. Suzanne found a large amount of property to house the increasing number of dogs she and her volunteers were rescuing. Over the years the five acre property has been developed to accommodate 75 dogs. Through donations and fund raising she has been able to create climate controlled environments where up to 50 dogs can find shelter from the heat and cold characteristic of the Antelope Valley. The remaining outdoor kennels are outfitted with permanent shade covers, sand, concrete, a mist system, doggy doors, doggy pools and Igloo dog houses.

Ghetto Rescue FFoundation

We have been rescuing dogs for much longer than when we became an official nonprofit. In 2011, we decided to turn our group into an organization. Unfortunately, most of the names we thought of were already taken. We thought of names with words like “gutter dogs” or “street dogs”, but nothing seemed unique enough to what we were doing. We focus specifically on rescuing dogs from Los Angeles streets and city shelters in different parts of the city, from downtown to south LA and the Pacific coast. As you may know, we are a group of fire, police and civilian personnel. One day, we met a man who lived right across the street from the police station some of us work out of. He was the owner of a dog in grave condition, and we wanted to rescue the dog. After cultivating a relationship with this man, he asked us to care for his dog. The day that we rescued his dog, he said to us, “Oh good, you’re taking her out of the ghetto.” In that moment, it clicked for us. We liked the idea of naming the organization using the words ghetto, rescue and foundation, but we wanted to take it a step further. We wanted our acronym to be just as playful and specific to our work. That’s why you see two Fs in our name, to associate the sound a dog may make (gruff!) to GRFF.

Chiquita's Friends

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.