The Best Seattle, WA Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025

Resilient Hearts Animal Sanctuary

Resilient Hearts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit rescue that rescues animals from high risk situations and unites them with their forever families in the Puget Sound area. As a queer led organization, we are committed to accessible and inclusive programs for our entire community, and maintain a community safe space for anyone to share our animals.

Motley Zoo Animal Rescue

Motley Zoo Animal Rescue is the revolution of rescue. As a rock and roll-themed, foster-based, volunteer-powered rescue, we take in animals that have no one else. "Animals" primarily means dogs and cats, but as the name "zoo" implies, we take all kinds (as long as we have a foster home/ resources for that species). We work with shelters and owners who cannot keep their pets and through extensive veterinary care and training, we rehabilitate them and place them in loving, forever homes where the animals will never again be abandoned. More than 30% of the animals we take in are special or medically needy and require more extensive and expensive care. In all we work with all ages, breeds, many species and all different types of humans too- treating each as an individual so they can find the life and love they deserve.

Greyhound Pets, Inc.

John A. Hern Jr. founded Greyhound Pets, Inc. in 1985. John was a Coeur D'Alene, Idaho businessman who built a foundry business and owned Industrial Park real estate. Among John's many and varied interests, he held greyt admiration for ex-racing greyhounds and became committed to their care and welfare. As the greyhound racetrack opened in Coeur D'Alene John started a small side business providing feed and racing equipment to track kennels. He demonstrated his commitment to the dogs by being instrumental in building a track sponsored Greyhound Welfare Committee that reviewed track and kennel policies. John's first greyhounds were Roo and Babe, the two greyhounds featured in the GPI logo. John adopted several greyhounds after Roo and Babe. Ace was one of his favorites and was the subject of many of John's stories. John was the executive director of Greyhound Pets, Inc. for many years and oversaw expansion to include the Pacific Northwest and Southwestern Canada. John's generous bequest to the organization he founded has provided for GPI's continued prominence in the ex-racing greyhound rescue effort. The volunteers who continue in the efforts John began, honor his colorful leadership in finding homes for ex-racers. John is remembered and his love for ex-racing greyhounds honored in the Hern Greyt Works, GPI's kennel facility in Woodinville, WA.

Auburn Valley Humane Society

AVHS is a local, independent 501(c)3 non-profit, which relies on pet licensing fees, vulnerable pet housing agreements with the City of Auburn, shelter services, spay and neuter services, Thrift Store sales, Cat Cafe Sales, and generous donations from the community to fund the shelter, clinic, and educational programs.

Juno's Den

Welfare for Animals Guild (WAG)

Since 2001, WAG has placed dogs into new, loving homes. Our rescues come to us in many ways: owner surrenders due to unplanned life changes, over-populated shelters, and strays found wandering streets and fields. Prior to adoption, all of our rescues are spayed/neutered, receive all vaccines, are micro-chipped, and all other medical needs are addressed.

CHEW Dog Rescue

CHEW Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing abandoned dogs, dogs scheduled for euthanasia due to shelter space limitations, and other dogs who need us. We are always looking to find additional foster homes and acquire funding for other essential elements of dog rescue to allow us to help more dogs in need. We strive to place our dogs in safe and loving forever homes. Additionally, we promote responsible dog ownership through the facilitation of educational and recreational activities and events. CHEW (Canine Health Education and Welfare) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.

The Pit Bull Pen

We are an all volunteer rescue specializing in bully breeds. We are facility based and prefer our dogs experience the home environment with their foster homes because the care they receive is superior to a shelter environment. Spay/neuter, microchip, vaccinations, training, socialization and lots of love are critical for producing well balanced and well behaved dogs.

Seattle Humane

Founded in 1897, Seattle Humane proudly promotes the human-animal bond by saving and serving pets in need. We are one of the region's leaders in animal adoption, education and welfare. Seattle Humane is more than a shelter we are a community resource center, providing adoption services, a pet food bank and support for pet owners, low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and wellness exams, humane education for all ages and more. Our work is made possible by the support of a generous community, and through our outreach, advocacy and services we strive to ensure that animal companionship is accessible to all.

Homeward Pet Adoption Center

Homeward Pet's mission is to transform the lives of cats and dogs in need through compassionate medical care, positive behavior training, and successful adoption while building a more humane community.

Old Dog Haven

Old Dog Haven is a small nonprofit group using a large network of foster homes to provide loving, safe homes for unadoptable senior dogs in need in western Washington. When we have room and the means, we take these dogs into our homes. We care for them as members of the family in permanent foster homes (what we call ‚Final Refuge‚) and provide all needed veterinary care for as long as they have a good quality of life. In addition, we assist rescues, shelters and owners in finding new homes for senior adoptable dogs through our website, social media and referrals.

The Humane Society of Mason County

The Humane Society of Mason County (HSMC) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves the Mason County area of Washington State. Our organization adheres to a philosophy of a no-kill shelter and animal rescue. We believe in providing second chances for companion animals whether they are abandoned, abused, neglected or homeless. We believe that all animals deserve the chance to live, thrive and be loved in "forever homes!" It is our sincere desire to provide aid when needed and to create opportunities for these needy animals to have a second chance at life.

Save A Mutt

Center Valley Animal Rescue

The Olympic Mountains provide the backdrop to Center Valley Animal Rescue (CVAR), a ranch with 32-acres of pastures, ponds, barns and shelters for large animals. The central building is home to small animals, an office, a medical room and storage. This animal rescue is the vision of Sara Penhallegon who in 2002, formed a 501(3) C Charitable Organization on the Washington State Olympic Peninsula. Sara and a handful of friends created a network of carefully screened foster care families to temporarily care for animals that were being signed over due to abuse or neglect or by people who simply could no longer care for them.

Saving Great Animals

Saving Great Animals is a matchmaking rescue organization focused mainly on dogs in the Greater Seattle area. We work tirelessly to match the best pet to your family based on breed, lifestyle and other factors. With more than 8500 lovingly homed since 2007, we are proud of our dedicated team and foster homes for bringing new life to pets with loving homes to last their lifetime. We adopt out only after a dog has been spayed/neutered, updated on shots, has received proper medical care and chipped. We are dedicated to lowering the dog reproduction population, which leads to millions of lost lives. We use a trial adoption program, which includes training and counsel, and dogs are only adopted after that period. As a result, our return rates are very low. We love every single animal we rescue and we are cradle to grave, staying in touch with adopting families for years, often adding new furry loves to their homes. Adopters must sign a contract, and this is to ensure that if for some unforeseen reason, the dog needs to be rehomed, he/she is returned to Saving Great Animals for rehoming. Our dogs are never to see a high-kill shelter again in their lifetime.

The NOAH Center

In 1988, Northwest Organization for Animal Help first opened its doors at our original shelter location on Camano Island. For more than ten years our staff and volunteers worked diligently to help animals in the community. As the need for help grew in our own community and across Washington state, we knew we had to expand our resources to better serve our mission to save more animals. After years of serving animals in our local community, we expanded our horizon by adopting a new approach to our facility, programs, and services. In 2003 we debuted our current location in Stanwood, WA where we introduced our expanded adoption and brand new transfer and low-cost spay/neuter programs. Since then we have created partnerships with more than 100 different shelters to transfer animals at risk of euthanasia to our facility for the second chance they deserve; we have developed the second-highest volume spay/neuter clinic in Washington state; and we have continued to expand our efforts to ensure healthy, adoptable and treatable animals across Washington state and beyond are given a second chance.

Red Waggin' Rescue

Red Waggin' Rescue is a Washington State dog and cat rescue. We are a foster-based non-profit founded in 2012 in Eastern Washington. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and find homes for abandoned dogs and cats in need, ensure healthy pets through pet food education, cultivate the younger generation's love of animals, and build a community where animals are valued and celebrated. Every animal deserves to be loved and find a forever home! 100% of your donation will go directly to help animals in need.

Animals In Need

We are a small non-profit, volunteer based dog resue group dedicated to saving abandoned, abused, and neglected puppies and dogs in Puerto Rico, and locally. We typically rescue dogs that are in need of veterinary care. We provide all that they need until they are healthy enough to find suitable loving homes, and then place them where they can have the life we believe they deserve. For dogs that do come from Puerto Rico, they are fostered in private homes to ensure all dogs recieve proper care, all vet checkups and we observe personalities and dispositions to eveluate their needs and match them to best suited families. Goals: • Each rescue helps prevent future puppies from being born on the streets, thus reducing pet over-population. • Vaccinations to reduce diseases • Raise awareness of abuse and neglect, and bring about change • Improve the quality of life for everyone involved (people and animals). We can all help by spaying and nuetering our pets. If your pet is already altered, you can always help a friend, or help shelters provide that service as a volunteer.

Left behind K9

We support the greater-Enumclaw community through the following actions: Offering low-cost spay and neuter surgeries. Providing financial support for emergency care in life-or-death situations for injured pets. Educating the community about the importance of adoption, spay/neuter, and general animal care. Donating pet food and supplies for families in-need. Assisting other animal rescues and shelters.

Adopt-A-Pet

Adopt-a-Pet is an all-volunteer dog shelter serving Mason County that has been in operation for 44 years. We are an energetic team dedicated to saving the lives of unwanted, abandoned and abused dogs. Our goal is to place all our dogs in safe & loving homes. As a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, we rely on adoption fees, donations, grants, fundraisers, and estate bequests to continue our good work. It takes a village to save a dog and we are grateful for the support of the community. In 1979, seven Mason County residents - Jan Chunard, Jan Danford, Elivira Fern, Dorothy Hurley, Dr. Doug Larson, Edith Levitt, and Pat Neely - saw the need of finding homes for the unwanted dogs in Shelton, Washington. Calling themselves the "Looking for a Home" team, they built two wooden kennels and a chain link fence in the backyard of a volunteer's home. The number of abandoned dogs needing a home increased by 1980 and "Looking for a Home" expanded, adding four new kennels and became a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization. In July, 1983, the organization changed its name to ADOPT-A-PET. Our spay/neuter program began in 1985, making it the only one in Mason County at that time. now... ADOPT-A-PET has continued to expand over the years because of the generous financial support of its members, volunteers, and community. ADOPT-A-PET currently has 71 members and 37 active volunteers. The shelter can accommodate 35 dogs and supports Mason County by providing adoptions, a low-cost spay/neuter program and various other needs.

Wet Noses Rescue

In Sayulita, fate brought together two extraordinary women – one American and one Mexican – who shared a deep concern for the well-being of countless sick, abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs and cats in the area. Their partnership began informally, as they joined forces to rescue, rehabilitate, and find loving homes for these vulnerable animals. Over time, their dedication and hard work paved the way for the establishment of Wet Noses Rescue. What once started as a modest backyard operation has now blossomed into a thriving 501c3 nonprofit organization with two dedicated facilities in Punta Mita. Join us in our mission to create a brighter future for these innocent beings, one Wet Nose at a time.

City of Shelton Animal Shelter

Shelton Animal Shelter is at capacity. We cannot accept any additional strays or surrenders at this time. Shelton's Animal Control officers protect public and private property by helping to provide a safe environment for both residents and their pets. These officers also manage operations of the Shelton Animal Shelter, located at 902 West Pine Street. Our Animal Control partners with several local organizations to coordinate support and adoption of dogs, including Adopt-a-Pet and the Kitsap County Humane Society.

Everett Animal Shelter

Everett Animal Shelter (EAS) is an open admission shelter which means we do not turn any animal away. We take in stray animals, owner surrender pets and animals that have been seized by law enforcement as part of cruelty/investigation cases from 16 jurisdictions. Often the pets that come to us have been turned away at other shelters due to space, behavior or health challenges. EAS does not euthanize healthy or adoptable animals for space and there are no time limits. The shelter's live release rate is above 90%. All animals are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, treated for fleas and worms and given any other care they need while they are with us. In 2022, our veterinarian staff performed 3247 spay and neuter surgeries and we cared for more than 3500 animals. Donations provide comfort, extraordinary veterinary care, special-diet food, vaccines and so much more for the cats, dogs and critters in our community who have nowhere else to turn.

Forever Home Dog Rescue (In Lynwood)

We receive dogs from owner surrenders and overcrowded shelters. All the dogs are housed in private, loving foster homes or at our kenneling facility in greater Seattle. We assess their behaviors and health and help them relax when transitioning to a forever home. The dogs remain in foster care or in our kenneling facility until they are adopted. All the dogs are spayed or neutered or will be, before adoption. They also are or will be microchipped before adoption and are current on routine vaccinations.

6Dogrees Rescue

At our non-profit dog rescue, we believe that saving dogs is a team effort. From our dedicated fosters to our generous donors and supporters, it takes a community of animal lovers to make a difference in the lives of these deserving pups. Together, we can give them a second chance at finding their forever homes and experiencing the love and happiness they deserve. 6dogrees – a 501c3 – is a small, grassroots rescue focusing on saving local & CA death-row dogs. Why CA? We save “red listed” dogs meaning those with less than 12 hours to be rescued. A good percentage of these dogs end up on the euthanasia list by no fault of their own. Pet stores are over selling dogs, backyard breeders, & puppy mill dogs are a big part of the problem. As they breed the new trendy dogs, these “less desirable” dogs are discarded. The dogs end up in the streets and shelters. We help many dogs in California because 800 dogs per day are dying there. The lack of spay and neuter, and education also adds to the problem leaving many agencies with very limited resources to help the animals.

People for Animal Care and Kindness - PACK

Pasado's Safe Haven

Pasado's Safe Haven investigates animal cruelty and provides sanctuary and rehabilitation to animals who have suffered from abuse and neglect. We advocate for better laws to protect animals and work to educate the public about how they can help end animal cruelty. Our programs help save the lives of thousands of animals each year and inspire people to reimagine their relationships with all beings.

Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue “SPDR” is a volunteer-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to placing unwanted and abandoned purebred dogs into new homes. Since 1987, Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue has been working with local area shelters and private individuals to find homes for unwanted or abandoned purebred dogs.

HappyPaws Farm Humane Society

At HappyPaws Farm, our mission is to save dogs and cats that have been neglected, abused, or are in some other way in need of care. We also work with people to help them keep their pets. We are a no-kill shelter. Our animals live in a farm-like setting, not in cages. We are currently working towards opening an 18 acre cat shelter with an emphasis on helping feral cats and reducing their population. We will also take in regular cats with medical problems who are not infectious. The new shelter will also house dogs following surgery, for short periods. We also run a pet food bank for the low-income, on food stamps, who have animals. By running our own animal food bank we are able to pick up neglect cases, to spay/neuter, and provide vet care (as funds allow) and flea control. The need in these areas is tremendous. We also help low-income families by providing dog houses, fencing, flea control, wormings, and education. Our main facility is our sanctuary in Arlington, WA, north of Seattle. We provide seven acres of lush green countryside for the lucky animals that find their way to HappyPaws Farm. Some of these pets had owners who were terminally ill or nursing home bound; were in domestic violence situations; came from meth houses, or were saved from poor conditions in their homes. We work diligently to make our dogs and cats happy and to find them loving homes. We are a 501(c)3 federal tax-exempt agency and also a non-profit state agency and United Way agency. All donations are tax-deductible.

CL Boston Terrier Rescue Foundation