The Best San Diego, CA Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025

Bunny's Buddies

Bunny's Buddies works tirelessly to save dogs from slaughterhouses, the streets and kill shelters in Asia and the USA.

The Animal Pad

The Animal Pad is a non-profit, all breed dog rescue that focuses on saving dogs from high kill shelters and the streets of Mexico. We get them vet care, place them in foster homes and then find them loving forever families. A few years ago, we turned our attention to the street dogs of Mexico as there is very little help for them. Since then, we have developed a large rescue network in Baja California and we have a sister shelter in Ensenada that we focus on taking dogs from whenever funds allow.

A Way Home For Dogs

We are a free Pet Recovery Service assisting owners on a global scale. We also secure evasive street strays primarily in the San Diego are (occasionally Riverside). If the strays are not claimed at the local shelter systems and are in danger of being euthanized, we become their safety net pending kennel space. We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome when the dogs are ready and safe to do so.

Amazing Strays Rescue

From day one, our goal has been to help all dogs who need it. Big, small, medical cases, senior or puppy; ASR stands by our commitment- Lisa, Our Founder

The Liberty Dog Network

The Liberty Dog Network was established in 2022 and is a small, Southern California based dog rescue. We rely on fosters/people to open their home to care for the dogs we rescue. We provide all medical care and supplies to our fosters, they provide the home and supply the love.

The Barking Lot

Located on 10 acres in San Diego County, we adopt to anywhere in the US and Canada. It's our goal to find an excellent match suited to both you and each of our Temporary Barkers. Having rescued over 9,000 dogs since our inception in 2006, we are primarily volunteer run with a soft spot for the underdogs. Our Temporary Barkers come from all over the world as we have partnerships with Soi Dog Foundation in Thailand, Four Paws in Cambodia/Vietnam and Ark119 in Korea from which we've taken in over 1000 dog meat trade survivors. We also rescue heavily from Mexico where the abandoned dog population is extensive, the neglect is vast and the stories are heart wrenching.

It's The Pits

It's The Pits is a 501c3 canine rescue that coordinates the fostering and adoption of dogs that haven't yet found their permanent home. We specialize in American Staffordshire Terriers (Am Staffs), Staffordshire Bull Terriers ("Staffy's"), and American Pit Bull Terriers, but will do our best to help all breeds, often by referral to other local rescues that specialize in that type of dog. You can find many of these on our links page. We are located in San Diego county, as are all of our foster homes. We work alongside our fosters to give the dogs a temporary and loving home before they are placed into permanent homes. We rescue dogs from various shelters, evaluate them, ensure they are healthy, and then match them with the appropriate family. We take pride in matching the best dog for the individual family that contacts us. We do this by matching the activity level of the dog to the family's needs, as well as making sure that the other pets in the home work well with the new addition to the pack.

Mad Mutts

Our goal is to assist in the rescue and rehabilitation of at-risk dogs from shelters that need a little more time, a more home-like environment, more individualized support, and/or have minor medical issues. So many AMAZING dogs just simply do not thrive or show well in a kennel environment. We aim to help rehabilitate and rehome these dogs with the goal of quality homes over quantity of placements. Our small rescue works with local shelters and rescues in Southern California to network, transport, foster, and adopt.

Tragic to Magic

We are in the Baja California region and see first hand the homeless, hungry, scared and sometimes sick dogs on the streets. We take the animals in and keep the animals in our homes until they are fully vetted and ready to find a new home. We are just 3 people doing the actual rescue so we attempt to operate on a one-in one-put bases. Therefore, we work very hard doing adoption events, networking with other rescues and using social media to find them homes. We have saved over 120 animals in 2017.

Heart of Gold's Shelter

Heart of Gold Legacy was established in December 2005 with the purpose of providing assistance to various organizations that promote the general welfare of animals. Gertrude Sissy, McGill, the benefactress of Heart of Gold Legacy, has given financial contributions to organizations that provide shelter and care to animals before the inception of the foundation. Sissy has been an active supporter of animal welfare all her life. With the help of Teresita Bacani, a long-time friend and business partner, Sissy's vision of helping the animals through the foundation came to fruition. A legacy has been finally fulfilled. To this date, many animal welfare organizations in the United States have benefited from the goodness of the heart of the foundation.

Frosted Faces Foundation

FROSTED FACES FOUNDATION IS A 501(C)(3) NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT DELIVERS THE PROMISE OF FAMILY AND QUALITY VETERINARY CARE FOR SENIOR ANIMALS WHOSE LOVE AND LIVES ARE IN JEOPARDY.

Mutt Scouts

Mutt Scouts is not a breed specific rescue. We're dedicated to saving every dog we can, regardless of age, breed, medical or behavioral needs. We are transparent about our Mutt's needs with fosters and potential adopters to ensure that once a dog becomes a part of our organization, they will know nothing but love and safety for the rest of their lives.

Second Chance Dog Rescue

Second Chance Dog Rescue (SCDR INC, dba Second Chance Dog Rescue) is a non-profit 501c3 (#26-3642128) organizations dedicated to saving homeless dogs. We rescue, rehabilitate and re-home dogs, primarily from local shelters, as well as dogs surrendered by their owners for various reasons, and dogs from Baja California, Mexico. Once we receive a dog, we provide medical care, including spay and neuter, and any necessary rehabilitation.

San Diego Humane Society

San Diego Humane Society, an open-admission shelter, is creating a more humane world by inspiring compassion and advancing the welfare of animals and people. Our lifesaving safety net has helped San Diego become the largest city in the U.S. to keep healthy and treatable shelter animals from being euthanized. We are a private, independent, nonprofit organization that is not affiliated with any other humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. With campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, Ramona and San Diego, we provide animal services for 13 cities within San Diego County. We not only care for more than 40,000 animals in our communities annually, but also share the expertise we have gained through our innovative programs with shelters nationwide so they can save more lives in their communities. While our influence is expanding nationally, our top priority is meeting the needs of San Diego. We provide exceptional care for all animals through world-class veterinary medicine, shelter and most of all: love.

Mission Bay Puppy Rescue

Rescue orphaned puppies, pregnant and their litters. We partner with amazing rescue teams in Bakersfield CA, the San Diego Humane Society and Country Animal Shelters across California as well as others to save as many pups and mamas as possible.

Save the Dalmatians & Others Canine Rescue

Save the Dalmatians and Other Canine Rescue, Inc. was founded in the late 1990s, and became an official 501(c)(3) charity in 2001. We are dedicated to taking in dogs from shelters, owner relinquish, and through coordination with local authorities. As is indicated in our name, our primary focus is Dalmatians, but we also take in other breeds when possible. We also try to provide a better education about the Dalmatian breed, as not all dogs are right for all people/families.

Crossing Guardians

Crossing Guardians is an all-volunteer organization. We wear many hats in the world of animal rescue and have found that the initial and primary obstacle in saving the lives of Border Strays is to provide them with vet care (often emergency vet care), medicine, food, supplies, and boarding. As such, this organization was formed primarily to bridge the gap between getting Border Strays off the streets, taking care of emergency and/or initial vet care, and getting them into a safe environment until a rescue or a permanent home can be found. Once a family or rescue agrees to take the animal, then logistics are formed and transportation arrangements are made. Crossing Guardians also provides food and supplies to independent rescuers south of the border, or will wire funds so they can procure those items themselves. Crossing Guardians helps with boarding costs, including rental payment of homes used as a temporary haven for homeless animals until placed with a rescue or permanent home. Mexico is Southern California’s neighboring country, but animal rescue is made more difficult because it is still another country. So, with each animal rescue venture, a cooperative alliance is formed with other individuals, both north and south of the border. It is always a team effort with many players involved. Through our collective endeavor to make a positive contribution for the stray animal population along the California-Mexico border, we hope to make a fundamental change in the current assumption that animals don’t matter.

Wee Companions

Wee Companions is San Diego's only small animal rescue, in business for over 25 years. We take care of guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, mice, rabbits and hamsters. Our mission is to rescue and find permanent homes for small animals in need. We are dedicated to educating the public about proper care of small animals and supporting their journey from adoption to life long care

A New Life Rescue

A New Life Charitable Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation operated exclusively by volunteers. We have significant experience in animal rescue and have an established network of highly qualified individuals. Our team includes lifelong, committed volunteers with a broad range of expertise from veterinarians to professional animal welfare advocates, some having over 30 years of experience and each one committed to protecting and saving helpless dogs. We focus on doing the best for the animals that we rescue by properly assessing each dog and providing necessary veterinary care, while also implementing training and socialization programs. Our dogs are initially cared for at boarding facilities and foster homes, and when they are ready, we aim to match each dog with their ideal forever home. Our regular adoption events and social media outreach allow us to find the best homes.

The Cantu Foundation

In 2020, The Cantu Foundation emerged from the shared passion of its co-founders, Fatima and Jenna. Despite residing on opposite coasts, these two kindred spirits connected through social media, driven by their mutual desire to make a positive impact on the lives of dogs in need. Our foundation derives its name and inspiration from Cantu, an extraordinary rescue pittie who embodied the spirit of resilience. Cantu's unwavering determination to live his best life, despite facing challenges, serves as the cornerstone of our mission. At The Cantu Foundation, our primary goal is to offer a second chance at life to dogs from Baja California and Southern California. We believe that every dog deserves a loving home and an opportunity for a brighter future. Our approach is simple yet impactful. We operate as a fully foster-based rescue organization, sustained by the generosity of donations and the unwavering dedication of our foster families. When a dog enters our care, they receive not only shelter but also the love, attention, and rehabilitation necessary to thrive. Our vision for the future is ambitious but heartfelt. We aspire to establish our very own facility in San Diego, a central hub for our rescue operations. With this facility, we aim to streamline the process of saving dogs and expand our reach, ensuring more dogs find their forever homes.

San Diego Animal Sanctuary

Based in San Diego, our aim is to create a loving sanctuary for animals we come across. San Diego Animal Sanctuary shines brightly for its remarkable focus on high-kill animals, tirelessly rescuing dogs at risk of euthanasia. Their dedication transforms despair into hope, showcasing that every life, regardless of circumstances, deserves a chance at love and a forever home.

Grandma Betty's Animal Rescue

Camp Pendleton Animal Shelter

Baja Paws Rescue

Angels of Rawley Foundation

My journey in dog rescue began in the latter part of 2013 when I was asked to transport a dog from a high kill shelter to a rescue. For the next 3 years I spent many hours transporting, fostering, and coordinating dog rescues. In October of 2016 I was told to return 3 potentially neurologically challenged dogs back to a high kill shelter. There was no way that I could do this. With the help of my amazing family and friends, I took in these 3 wonderful souls named Laverne, Lenny & Squiggy and started Angels of Rawley Foundation aka ARF. Laverne, Lenny and Squiggy have all been adopted into loving homes and they are thriving and living healthy lives. These three amazing little dogs, have been the “foundation” of why the team at ARF loves to do what we do and save lives, no matter what breed or their needs. I believe that "things happen for a reason” and "timing is everything." I know because of Rawley this is where I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to be doing to carry on her legacy.

Friends of Humane Services in Tijuana

The greater Tijuana area of 3 million people and thousands of abandoned street animals needs more individuals doing rescues and organizing neighborhood spay clinics. It is more efficient than running a shelter which could only keep a few animals at a time. FHSTJ’s priority is to keep these grassroots groups viable and give them direct support. By supporting rescuers as well as neighborhood groups, many animals are cared for and more mass spay and neuter clinics take place in areas most in need. This is accomplished by giving financial support to rescuers and groups which could not function without the generosity of FHSTJ donors. In summary, FHSTJ supports street rescues, mass spay and neuter clinics, pet owners with extremely limited resources needing veterinary care for their animals as well as public education programs, adoption programs for rescuers, and a pet food distribution program for animals in need. For more information about FHSTJ’s work and to see the animals that we are helping, CLICK HERE. You can also obtain information about planned events by CLICKING HERE. If you would like to save an animal from starvation, disease, pain and fear, click on the Donation page to select the way in which you would like to help. Thank you for taking the time to read about our work.

The Pacific Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Coronado

The Pacific Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) was founded in 2003 by Dorothy “Louise” Shirey. Louise (pictured) was dedicated to providing care for and rehoming the abandoned and displaced animals of Coronado from the time she joined our community in 1986 until her death in 2014. Through determination, community organization, and persistent lobbying as an animal advocate, Louise achieved her dream of creating a Coronado animal rescue (PAWS), and establishing a partnership between PAWS and the City of Coronado to provide comprehensive animal services in the Crown City. Following in Louise’s footsteps, PAWS grew under the care of dedicated animal advocates Sharon Sherman and Karen Dwinell into a trusted community organization capable of helping hundreds of animals each year. Today we continue to honor Louise’s legacy by providing high-quality medical care, treating the animals in our care with love and compassion, and seeking to find each animal a perfect forever home through our adoption services. Our Vision: The vision of PAWS of Coronado is for every animal to have a safe and loving forever home. Our Commitment: The Pacific Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Coronado is committed to the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of all treatable and manageable animals at our facility and those receiving care through our foster care network. PAWS works hard to find permanent homes through our adoption services and animal rescue partnerships. Since its founding, PAWS has not euthanized any healthy animals with treatable conditions. PAWS is a member of the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition (SDAWC) and has adopted the Asilomar Accords to clarify the standard of care and what constitutes ‘healthy, treatable/manageable and ‘unhealthy/untreatable’ conditions in shelter animals. The SDAWC reached ‘zero euthanasia of treatable animals’ in July of 2015. “Getting to Zero” is the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition’s commitment to reaching zero euthanasia of healthy or treatable shelter animals in our community. Each member of the SDAWC provides data to the Shelter Animals Count: The National Database to ensure transparency around our work. Unlike other animal welfare organizations, PAWS has a jurisdictional responsibility to provide animal sheltering and pet licensing for all domestic animals in Coronado. PAWS receives all animals that are legal to own within the Coronado city limits including dogs, cats, pet exotic mammals, birds, and reptiles. Sadly, many of the animals arriving to PAWS have significant medical and/or behavioral conditions that render them ‘unhealthy/untreatable’ as defined in the Asilomar Accords. PAWS only places treatable, manageable animals up for adoption. PAWS endeavors to rescue all ‘unhealthy/untreatable’ animals through providing a range of services including standard of care diagnostics, soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, behavior modification and specialty interventions. Through these efforts, PAWS has saved many unhealthy/untreatable animals and we take great pride in the support we are able to provide for all animals in Coronado. PAWS appreciates your donations that support our mission and all our volunteers who help make this life-saving work possible.

Animal Advocates of the United States ("AAOFUS")

Animal Advocates of the United States ("AAOFUS") is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help homeless dogs and cats in the poorest communities of the United States with food, shelter, medical care, adoption and humane treatment. AAOFUS also financially sponsors other organizations providing animal welfare services for homeless dogs and cats in Mexico. Founded in 2006 by Marlene Revelen and Donna Liebrich after the two visited a Mexican dog pound ("perrera") where hundreds of animals were waiting to be euthanized by electrocution. Unable to erase the images of the suffering animals from their minds, Marlene and Donna have dedicated their lives to working with the Mexican government, community partners and volunteers to improve the plight of homeless dogs and cats in the poorest communities of the U.S. and Mexico and in the Mexican perreras. As a result of their tireless efforts, thousands of homeless dogs and cats have been rescued, sheltered, rehabilitated and adopted in less than 10 years. AAOFUS financially sponsors other organizations providing free spay-neuter clinics, animal rescue, rehabilitation, medical care and humane treatement and care to homeless dogs and cats in Mexico. Our Vision To inspire, engage and work with the communities we serve to end the suffering of homeless dogs and cats and to develop humane care programs.

The Heroic Tail

Katie – Founder & Trainer Our founder, Katie, has been rescuing and training dogs her entire adult life. She has always loved working with dogs and takes special interest in dogs who’ve been written off by others due to their behaviors. Several years ago, she began rescuing dogs through her training company, funded solely by her, so that she could use her expertise and her success to rescue dogs in need, who don’t have anyone else to help them. Rescuing dogs has been a passion of hers her whole life, even from childhood, and she wants to ensure that no dog is left behind due to circumstances placed on them by people. Most dogs who struggle with behavioral issues, struggle because of abandonment, lack of structure, and lack of commitment by the people who said they would love them, and then let them down. In her years in this industry, she noticed a flaw in the rescue system as a whole. There is a lack of balanced training for rescue dogs with behavior issues. Offering structure, patience, love, and understanding, even the most severe dogs are almost always able to recover fully and live happy, balanced lives. This is how the idea for The Heroic Tail was born. With her partners, Mirna, a seasoned dog rescue expert, as well as an active-duty US Navy service member, Noah, both who have shown their dedication and love of animals in their own lives, she dreamed of a rescue that could truly help those dogs who have been given up on, and begin to change the rescue world to make sure that no dog is left behind Speaking up and Standing Up for Dogs A Voice for the Voiceless. Mirna – Operations Manager Mirna has been a volunteer coordinator for several nonprofit dog welfare organizations throughout the years. Helping animals has always been a large part of who she is. Animals don’t have voices, so they need our help to speak up and stand up for them. Mirna chose to co-found The Heroic Tail because she saw an opportunity to help the dogs who are listed first on the euthanasia list at high-kill shelters due to behavioral issues. Where many rescues shy away from those types of dogs, Mirna wanted to be the voice for the voiceless, with the understanding that the vast majority of these dogs are absolutely capable of recovery and rehabilitation through training, structure, patience, and love. Mirna is what we call a warrior for animals, so beginning a partnership with a trainer who loves animals above all, and is able to help, is why The Heroic Tail has become a dream come true for all of us.

The Rescued Dog