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.

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.

City of San Antonio Animal Care Services

Bulverde Area Humane Society

We are a non-profit (501 c 3 Corporation) shelter run by volunteers, working to help solve the dog and cat problems in our community. We also partner with other shelters and rescue organizations in Comal County and beyond to care for, rehabilitate, transport and rehome homeless pets. What else we do We seek to place pets in forever homes where they will be part of the family. We spay or neuter every dog or cat in our shelter. Where possible, we treat them for parasites, injuries, and illnesses. We microchip them. We educate adopters about how to be responsible pet owners. In addition to caring for animal needs, volunteers perform much of the construction, repairs and grounds maintenance answer phone and email inquiries and maintain records on the animals.

City of Converse Animal Care Facility

Converse Animal Care is responsible for: · Providing a safe humane shelter for unwanted, stray, abused, and impounded animals in accordance with state and city regulations in a cost-efficient and effective manner · Balancing the health, public safety, and welfare needs of people and animals · Enforcing animal related laws responsibly · Community outreach on responsible animal ownership · Investigating cases where animal care is questionable · Finding new loving homes for homeless animals at our shelter

Converse Animal Shelter Inc

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

City of Schertz Animal Services

The Schertz Animal Services Division of the Police Department enforces the City’s Animal Ordinance and Texas Laws relating to animals, provides an animal adoption program, picks up and shelters stray, sick and/or injured animals, and investigates animal cruelty and neglect.

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.

Roxy's K-9 Rescue

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

Saving Grace Dog Rescue of San Antonio

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

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.

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.

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).

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.

Protecting Animals Within San Antonio (P.A.W.S.)

Protecting Animals Within San Antonio (P.A.W.S.) is a foster-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit animal rescue. We are not a shelter and are 100% volunteer only. We do not have a facility.​​​​ P.A.W.S. is unique because we have been the ONLY foster-based rescue in Texas that saves animals, sponsors student groups AND teaches animal welfare education. ​​​We present the youth in San Antonio with an opportunity to be a part of something where they can make an immediate difference.At Harlandale High School, we sponsor the P.A.W.S. Club. These students choose which shelter animals to save and become a part of their rescue story. Students assist during spay/neuter events and help teach our humane education curriculum to elementary/middle schools and through this, the community learns about responsible pet ownership and how to prevent cruelty to animals. ​​To date, P.A.W.S. has rescued over 800 dogs and cats.We have sponsored over 1500 free spay/neuter surgeries to the public at large by hosting mobile clinics through SNIPSA. We have provided over 400 spay/neuter surgeries, eye enucleations, and amputations for community-owned pets in need. Over 300 students have participated in and been educated about animal cruelty and its prevention during our P.A.W.S. camps which were postponed when COVID hit.Every year we try to add new components to our curriculum. For example, in 2017, P.A.W.S. camp offered students the opportunity to work with certified CCPDT dog trainers to learn the tricks of the trade.

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.

Bexar County Animal Facility

The Bexar County Animal Facility (BCAF) is the county’s only shelter to house animals for Bexar County Animal Control Services. Created in late 2013, the department helps constituents of the unincorporated areas of Bexar County with loose animals that cause a threat to health and human life. The facility is located at 5510 Duffek Drive in Kirby, TX 78219. At that __cpLocation, we house 60 kennels for stray, abandoned, and abused dogs of unincorporated Bexar County. If you suspect your animal has been picked up, please call the BCAF Intake at 210-209-5687. To report stray dogs, residents of unincorporated Bexar County should call our Animal Control Dispatch at 210-335-9000. Animal cruelty is handled by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. If you suspect animal cruelty, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 210-335-6000; press option 1.

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!

Abandoned Pet Project Rescue

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

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

Rosco's Rescue

The streets may have written their past, but you can help write their future. Help us be a part of the change. Whether you decide to donate, share a social media post, volunteer at an event, or open your heart and home to a rescue dog, your support turns our mission into a reality. Rosco's Rescue is fueled by the love, time, and generous donations of people just like you. Every cent contributes to a second chance. Rosco's Rescue is a 501c3. Tax receipts are available upon request. In a world where it’s easier to abandon than to stand up, Rosco’s Rescue provides a voice for the voiceless. We believe that every dog deserves a second chance, not just at life but at love. We focus on finding safe, and loving homes for at risk, sick, abandoned, neglected and homeless dogs. We go beyond matchmaking. Our dedication runs deep—we cover all medical expenses, bills, and support (belly rubs included) for each dog until they find their fur-ever home. That means, when you adopt from Rosco’s Rescue, you’re getting a furry friend who’s not just ready to love but is also healthy and happy too.

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

Society for Animal Rescue and Adoption (SARA)

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

Helotes humane society

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

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!

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.

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.

Animal Rescue Foundation

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