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.

Etosha Rescue and Adoption Center

Etosha was named after a salt pan and wildlife preserve located near Namibia, South Africa. Our founding director chose the name to honor her first love since childhood -- a Rhodesian Ridgeback, whose origins are So. African. Once considered rare, the Ridgeback is now a popular companion for many Americans and, unfortunately, also a target for unethical breeders and puppy mills. Texas currently has eight Ridgeback puppy mills that we're aware of, more backyard breeders than any other state, and tops the list for the highest number of purebred Ridgebacks in rescue. Etosha saves and finds homes for hundreds of Ridgebacks every year. Etosha was established in 1988 as a sanctuary for homeless Ridgebacks, Greyhounds, Mastiffs, Great Danes, abandoned hunting dogs and other large breeds. In 1990, Etosha became an all-breed 501c3 rescue that accepted mixed breeds, domestic cats, and exotics such as ferrets and guinea pigs. We also occasionally rescue injured or orphaned rabbits, deer, raccoons, birds and farm animals. Wildlife is returned to its natural habitat or transferred to other sanctuaries as soon as possible and farm animals are eventually moved to other, more appropriate facilities as well. Like most grass roots organizations, Etosha was created in a rural setting by simple country folks. What set us apart in the early years was a diverse membership that included dog show fanciers, hobby breeders, horsemen and women, environmentalists and volunteer firefighters. Having a diversity of personality and character in its membership was exactly what Etosha needed as a fledgling rescue to instill a sense of purpose and dedication which has served us well for more than twenty years. Etosha has evolved over the years to become one of the largest no-kill shelters in Texas, with the ability to house and care for up to 300 dogs and 100 cats year round. We are one of only a few organizations in a five-county area to offer immediate assistance for animals displaced by natural disasters. In the aftermath of hurricanes, Etosha typically rescues enough dogs from coastal areas of Texas to put us at maximum capacity for at least two months. Seasonal flooding in Guadalupe and surrounding counties also increases our number of animals once or twice each year. As a group, we invested many years in building relationships with other rescues and volunteers nationwide, which now allows us to place pets in permanent, loving homes in almost every state in the U.S., and a fair number in Canada as well. Etosha is forever grateful to our rescue partners, foster homes, foundations and animal lovers all over the country that believe in us and support our cause.

Abandoned Pet Project Rescue

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.

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.

In Dog We Trust

In Dog We Trust was formed for people to adopt trainable dogs for service dog training or good temperament pets. Many dogs have been returned to shelters by inexperienced people who fall in love with the look of a dog without really understanding what it takes to be a service dog. In Dog We Trust trains owners dogs with assessments as well as our rescues at no charge for veterans or first responders.

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.

City of San Antonio Animal Care Services

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.

Paws Ranch Rescue and Animal Sanctuary

Paws Ranch Rescue and Animal sanctuary 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (PRRAS for short) that got its start in 2010 thanks to a publicly voted grant from Pepsi. We exist solely on grants, donations, and the help of our dedicated volunteers. Our goal is to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home or provide sanctuary to as many pets as possible. Over a thousand abused, abandoned, and neglected animals have already been saved by PRRAS. We at PRRAS along with the Alamo Area partnership for animal welfare (AAPAW) and other local rescues are striving to make San Antonio a truly NO KILL city. You can help by getting involved. Adopt a less adoptable pet, foster a pet, sponsor a special needs animal, become a volunteer, donate funds, pet supplies, or food, educate friends and neighbors about the stray pet problem, spay and neutering, and encourage them to adopt instead of breeding or buying. Together we can reach our goal of a Real No Kill City!

Footbridge foundation

Wendy Black fostered dogs for many years, and she always enjoyed walking them through the King William neighborhood and across the footbridge on Johnson Street. One day it struck her that the bridge itself was becoming symbolic. Around the time the dogs got the hang of their claws touching the metal surface of the bridge, they also forgot their desperate pasts and became ready to move into their happy futures. Shortly after this revelation, Wendy created a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and Footbridge Foundation was born. Over the last five years, Footbridge Foundation, along with the kind and dedicated help of donors, fosters, and volunteers, has saved the lives of thousands of dogs and cats. The organization is on track to rescue and adopt out at least 450 animals this year alone. To fund their charitable animal rescue efforts, Footbridge Foundation relies solely on the much-needed donations of generous supporters.

Humane Society of New Braunfels Area

The Humane Society of the New Braunfels Area (HSNBA) became a 501c3 organization in 1975 and incorporated in 1979. HSNBA has operated an animal shelter for 43 years. In those 43 years, there have been five executive directors. The first New Braunfels Humane Society animal shelter was located at 1920 Kuehler Avenue and opened in 1980. The land on which the Kuehler shelter was built was leased to the Humane Society by New Braunfels Utilities (NBU). The 5,000-square-foot shelter was originally built with one dog run, and eventually, 36 dog runs and 34 cat kennels were added. Over time, the shelter became too small to serve the growing community, and HSNBA also had to relocate because NBU was expanding its wastewater treatment plant at that site. In February 2013, the current 11,000-square-foot shelter built on Morningside Drive officially opened. The shelter resides on 16 acres of land owned by the Humane Society. In 2016, we added an onsite Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) spay/neuter clinic for feral cats in a large metal storage container that was converted into a holding area and a surgery area. In 2022, we added an onsite spay/neuter clinic for HSNBA shelter dogs and cats in a portable classroom that was converted into a surgery room and a recovery room. We still have lots of room to grow!

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.

Heart of Texas SPCA

We are a Texas registered 501c3 non-profit organization. We do not receive any city, county or state funding; we survive solely on public donations and volunteer support. Our History Our organization was established as a no-kill shelter in May of 2000, devoted to helping the homeless and unwanted animals in this city find responsible, loving homes. Animal Friends, now Heart of Tx SPCA, is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit Texas corporation. We do not receive any city or county funding and survive solely on public donations and adoption fees. Heart of Tx SPCA is a K-9 Rescue with the same mission, same goals and expanded resources. Our programs will allow us to help even more homeless pets in and around Bexar county. What We Do: Provide an escape from certain death for hundreds of dogs and puppies in our community by providing temporary shelter and care until loving homes can be found. • At a no-kill shelter, pets are not euthanized because of space restrictions or their appearance • Giving unwanted pets a second chance for happiness; saving lives that others toss away • Micro-chipping all pets offered for adoption to ensure they can be returned if they become lost • Surgical spaying/neutering of all shelter pets to prevent unwanted animals and help them live long, healthy lives • All pets offered for adoption are fully vaccinated • Help educate the community on proper pet care and provide resources for those with questions • Provide rehabilitation and treatment for those dogs traumatized by abuse, neglect or injury

Southwest English Setter Rescue

Established in 2012, Southwest English Setter Rescue (SWESR) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization and is incorporated in the state of Texas. Our founding members and volunteers have decades of experience in animal rescue and specifically English Setter rescue. We share a love for English Setters and an in-depth understanding of this wonderful breed. SWESR dogs are rescued from shelters and hunting operations in the Southwest USA which includes Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California. We also work with individuals in the Southwest USA who wish to rehome their Setters. All SWESR dogs live in foster homes where their energy level, temperament, training and other skills can be assessed prior to adoption. All our dogs receive a complete vet exam, are spayed or neutered, brought up-to-date on vaccinations, tested and treated (if needed) for heartworms and other parasites, given heartworm prevention, and micro-chipped. We welcome prospective adopters in the contiguous USA. Because our goal is to make the best possible placement for each dog, we work closely with prospective adopters to ensure a successful match. Because we require home visits before adoption, applicants in remote areas and/or outside of the Southwest USA may need to be patient while we locate a volunteer to assist us. We encourage adopters to drive to pick up their adopted Setter from their foster home whenever this is possible. If an adopter is unable to drive to the foster location to pick up the dog being adopted, transports within the Southwest USA may be arranged on a case-by-case basis on some routes through our network of volunteer drivers. SWESR is wholly dependent on our adoption fees and private donations to meet our expenses. All donations go directly to the care of our rescue dogs. We need volunteers to support our efforts, especially foster homes, in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and California. Please consider making a donation or volunteering for SWESR.

Ordinary Miracles Canine Rescue

Ordinary Miracles Canine Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit rescue group. We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abused, unwanted and abandoned small dogs from the streets and kill shelters in and around San Antonio, Texas. We are a private, foster home-based rescue and do not have a public shelter. All our dogs are examined, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, microchipped and receive any and all necessary medical treatment before they are placed into carefully screened adoptive homes. We hope to raise awareness of the plight of companion canines in San Antonio and educate the public on responsible pet ownership one foster and adopter at a time.

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.

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.

San Antonio Humane Society

The San Antonio Humane Society (SAHS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, no-kill organization that has served Bexar County and its surrounding areas since 1952. The SAHS shelters, medically treats, and rehabilitates thousands of dogs and cats every year. Many of the dogs and cats in our care have been abused, injured, surrendered by their owners, or found as strays. As a no-kill organization, every treatable pet in our care stays in our care until they find a home or necessary placement with another no-kill organization. No pet in our care is ever euthanized to create space. Thousands of dogs and cats in San Antonio and its surrounding areas are saved from euthanasia every year due to the mission and practices of the SAHS. Through our adoption, volunteer, foster, spay/neuter, and educational programs, we inform and educate the public on the importance of responsible pet ownership. We serve as one of the largest dog and cat adoption organizations in San Antonio, Texas, helping to decrease the community's large pet overpopulation problem in a humane manner. As a local nonprofit, we are not affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). We do not receive funding from the federal government, the HSUS, or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

A Doggie 4 You

We at a A Doggie 4 You understand you want to do what is right for the dog that you have either found as a stray or can no longer keep. We have to be clear before proceeding, we are a volunteer run not for profit organization who is funded only by donations and adoption income. We are not able to go out to rescue a dog off the street nor we can not legally go on to private property for any reason. We are NOT the resource you need if a dog is in an emergency situation. We do not euthanize but we are limited by our space and resources. Our medical bills alone are almost equal to our income. Having said this we want to help when we can. If you have an animal you would like us to consider taking in please submit the surrender form below. Allow at least 2 business days for a response, sending multiple requests or calls for the same animal only slows the process. Submission of this form in no way guarantees we will be able to accept the dog.

Charming pet rescue

We're a home-based rescue, so there's always someone around to care for the dogs and cats in our care. Most of our dogs are allowed to roam the main yard (as long as they behave themselves), and we have several food and water stations throughout. Every evening, the dogs are tucked into our kennel building with soft bedding. We also have around 50 foster homes that house our animals not located on the property. We also have two separate nursery buildings for mamas and puppies or kittens to stay safe and healthy. Our sick bay quarantines any dogs that get an illness or injury that requires special care and separation from the pack. Each of these additions has a/c and heat as needed to keep them comfortable. Since we began in March of 2015, we've worked on adding improvements each year to make life as good as possible for the dogs and cats during their (hopefully) short stay with us. Our focus is family-friendly pets who get along with everyone. Of course, we sometimes don't know a pets temperament until we meet, but we work hard to ensure pets are going to the right homes for them.

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.

Saving Grace Rescue LBK

San Antonio Doberman Advocacy and Rescue

San Antonio Doberman Advocacy and Rescue (SADAR) • SADAR is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding homes for stray and abandoned Doberman Pinschers. • Our goal is to help as many Dobermans as we can by providing needed medical care, annual shots, heartworm treatment, and spayed or neuter prior to being adopted to their forever home. • We accept Doberman Pinschers from Animal Control facilities and from families who have circumstances where they are unable to care for the dog any longer. • The process of adoption involves application, personal approved home inspections and reference checks. • SADAR is always looking for dedicated persons interested in fostering Dobermans in their home. Please contact us if you can help foster dogs or contribute in other ways such as food, medicines, or monetary donations. • Our staff is strictly volunteers and all donations go directly to help Dobermans in need.

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.

City of Cibolo Animal Services

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.

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.