The Best St. Louis, MO Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025

Stray Rescue of St. Louis

What sets Stray Rescue of St. Louis apart in the animal welfare community near and far? We seek out and take in those who no other organization will help or would simply euthanize because they are too expensive to heal. We take the abandoned, beaten, bred, fought, injured, terrified, defeated and betrayed. We see beyond their brokenness and are here to pick up the pieces to make these special animals whole again. We see the individual and know that there's no one size fits all treatment plan. The minute they enter our doors, we look in their eyes and promise them ALL the second chance they deserve for health, home, commitment and love. Because these animals come in with a story that would give us all nightmares, it takes them longer to open up, trust and believe in humankind again. But with patience and time always on their unique schedule we see the light shine in their eyes again. Animals have an amazing ability to forgive which never ceases to amaze us.

Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue

Unchained Melodies rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes chained, penned, and abused dogs that have no voice. We fight for stronger laws and have many programs that benefit our community.

Center for Animal Rescue & Enrichment of St. Louis - CARE STL

We accept the homeless, abused, neglected, injured, and surrendered animals of the City of St. Louis into our care so they will be safe and loved until they can be adopted into loving homes.

Harter's Hospice & PUPPY Rescue

Harter's Hospice and Puppy Rescue is a foster home based organization. All of our dogs have been living in homes, some with other dogs, cats and other types of pets. Some are in homes with children. Our dogs are socialized, we know their temperament and their quirks. With us, they learn to be a companion, they learn love and trust, again. They are potty trained, they learn to play nicely, some are crate trained, some are trained further in skills. All of the dogs are up to date on vaccinations, they are altered and micro chipped. Our rescue was founded on the senior and sick canines. We provide them top notch veterinary care to get them to their optimum health. The dogs that can obtain a healthy status are able to be adopted. The dogs that are sick and/or dying continue to receive the vet care in order to give them quality of life. They remain in our care until their quality of life cannot be sustained. We, also, have a puppy division. All of our puppies are appropriately dewormed, vaccinated and altered according to veterinary protocol. The puppies are.....PUPPIES! They are fun and playful. Some are shy and loving. They are taken care of and loved until they are ready for a home of their own. Harter's Hospice rescue is licensed with the Missouri Department of Agriculture and a recognized 501c3. We operate, solely, on the kind donations of the public that support our mission. Those donations help to provide veterinary care, medications, advanced surgeries, food, treats, toys and in some cases, training by a professional trainer.

American Eskimo Rescue

Welcome to American Eskimo Rescue (AER) of St. Louis. We are a group of dedicated volunteers, working together for the benefit of helpless and homeless Eskies. Our program is funded by donations and adoption fees. Our volunteers spend endless hours of rescue work which involves transporting, fostering, and networking to save American Eskimo lives. Adoption from American Eskimo Rescue includes medical attention that each rescue dog deserves, including all vaccinations, spay/neuter, fecal check, heartworm check, and microchip. These rescue Eskies are then placed in loving foster homes until their forever home is found. Rescued animals often make the best pets. Pets from American Eskimo Rescue seem to understand they have a second lease on life. In return for a little affection and attention, these remarkable animals reward their new owners with a love and loyalty unmatched anywhere.

4 Paws 4 Rescue

4 Paws 4 Rescue is an all foster home rescue. Since 2009, we have been dedicated to saving animals that are in need, whether from high kill shelters, strays, abandoned animals, or owner surrenders. We strive to find suitable permanent homes for our animals and to help eliminate animal overpopulation through spay and neuter programs. 4 Paws 4 Rescue a 501c3 nonprofit rescue organization.

St. Animal Pet Adoptions

St. Animal Pet Adoptions (SAPA) is a 501c3 non-profit Volunteer/Adoption Group that works in partnership with the City of St. Ann (MO) Animal Control to re-home pets that have been surrendered or unclaimed. Above all else, our focus is on saving and improving the lives of animals. This commitment can be found in everything we do—from advocacy and education to rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Saint Louis Scottish Terrier Rescue

St. Louis Scottish Terrier Rescue is dedicated to the rescuing, vetting & re-homing of purebred Scottish Terriers. Our adoptable Scotties come from animal shelters, commercial breeders, and owner releases. We completely vet every dog to the best of our abilities. Each dog is spayed/neutered, tested for heartworms and given all applicable vaccinations. A Scottie in our rescue lives in a foster home where he will receive one on one attention and evaluation along with a lot of love. Scotties ready for adoption can be found via the Available Dogs button above.

Furever Shih Tzu & Companion Dog Rescue

Furever Shih Tzu Rescue is a nonprofit 501c organization that is dedicated to placing unwanted and abandoned purebred dogs into new homes. All donations are tax-deductible.

Country Acres Rescue

Founded in 2000, Country Acres Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, St. Louis based organization whose primary concern lies with the over population and unnecessary suffering of domestic animals in our community. We are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, socialization and placement of homeless, abandoned and abused/neglected cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies.

City of Saint Charles Animal Welfare Services

The City of Saint Charles Animal Welfare Services focuses on the care of all animals in our City, through our Animal Control Division. The City of Saint Charles Animal Control Department is responsible for: 1. Enforcing pet ordinances 2. Investigating animal abuse/neglect cases 3. Issuing commercial permits for animal-related businesses 4. Managing animal capture and/or impound 5. Performing bite investigations

Mastino Rescue, Inc.

MASTINO RESCUE, INC. is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization formed in 2017. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome the growing number of Neapolitan Mastiffs in need within the United States, and to educate the public about the realities of owning this magnificent and unique breed. We are the only breed-specific rescue in the country for the Neapolitan Mastiff, and the only officially endorsed rescue of the United States Neapolitan Mastiff Club. To date, we have placed over 200 dogs into their adoptive homes in 38 states. ​Over the last decade, the Neapolitan Mastiff (or Mastino Napoletano in Italian) has become more popular in the United States, and consequently, an increasing number are being surrendered or dumped in kill shelters. The Mastino is an amazing breed, but it is not a good fit for the inexperienced dog owner, and often ends up with the wrong family or in the wrong environment. It is our goal to help displaced Neapolitan Mastiffs find the very best home for their individual needs while providing advocacy and education about this breed. Our success is largely attributable to our foster program. When we bring a Neapolitan Mastiff into our rescue, we affectionately refer to them as "Mastino Royalty," and attempt to place the Mastino Royalty dog directly into an experienced foster home. This breed bonds strongly with its humans and takes a long time to adjust moving from home to home. The dog remains with a foster until an appropriate adopter is found. We are 100% volunteer based, and as a nonprofit, we are ineligible to receive any government funding. Due to the growing number of Neapolitan Mastiffs in need, we are always looking for dedicated volunteers for fostering, transport, fundraising, home visits and much more.

Five Acres Animal Shelter

Five Acres believes in the power of pets and seeks to enrich the lives of pets and their owners. Our values include:  Community – Five Acres exists to serve its community. This includes not only reducing the number of pets in need by finding them homes, but also supporting the pet owners in our community.  Lasting Relationships – Whether you adopt, foster, volunteer, donate, attend an event, or spread the word about our mission, you are a part of the Five Acres Family! We love creating relationships with our community, and we especially love to witness the new and strengthening bonds between humans and their pets.  Safe & Thriving Environments for our Animals – The safety and well-being of our animals is of the highest importance to our organization. We want the spaces in which our animals live to not just be safe and clean, but enriching and relaxing as well. Providing this for our animals is the top priority of our team.  Enriching the Lives of Pets & People – We believe that pets are better off with people, and people are better off with pets! Everything we do is to improve and foster the connection between humans and animals, but it doesn’t end with just adoption. It includes a robust foster program, impactful volunteer opportunities, community events, our AniMeals Food Pantry, and so much more. In 2022 our values led Five Acres Animal Shelter to the strategic decision to move toward the Human Animal Support Services model (often referred to as HASS), focused on not only finding homes for pets in need in our community, but also promoting a lasting and healthy relationship between pets and their owners. Our History Five Acres Animal Shelter formed in 1973 as the St. Charles County Humane Society, by a small group of individuals dedicated to animal welfare. Five Acres utilized volunteer foster homes for animals in need of adoption until the first shelter opened in 1988. In 1996, Five Acres acquired the current property on Pralle, operating the only no-kill feline house and canine shelter in St. Charles County. We added the Ruth Anne Scheidegger Canine Adoption Building in 2012, and the Kathryn Favre Kitty Cottage was completed in 2016. Five Acres remains free and clear of debt, and in 2021, we took in 1,691 animals. We adopted out 1,435 and reunited 270 animals with their families in that same year.

Love A Golden Rescue

Love a Golden Rescue began in January 2001; at its foundation, it was a small group of volunteers who saw a need to help golden retrievers and golden retriever mixes in Central and Eastern Missouri and Central and Southern Illinois. That first year 50 dogs found forever homes. That was more than was anticipated, but we soon found that the "need" was larger than we initially thought. With everyone working together, the dogs received the necessary veterinary care, and lived in caring homes before moving into their forever homes. Adoption applications and home visits ensured that the forever families and the dogs were the right "fit." Now we are 22 years old, and have rescued more than 1400 dogs, all due to the concerted effort of our volunteers. Love a Golden has rescued dogs with a wide variety of needs. We have taken in pregnant dogs who delivered a litter soon after intake. We have saved goldens who required major surgery immediately after we took them in. We find great homes for golden retrievers who have spent all their lives in a breeding facility; they quickly become beloved family members. Seeing the photos from the new families---as the dogs snuggle on the couch with their two-legged and four-legged brothers and sisters or as they romp on the beach during a vacation--- is why rescue is so important to us. Not only do we strive to rescue goldens who have special needs but we also reach out to save seniors (dogs who are 9 years or older). Seniors have such a special place in Love a Golden's heart, and our Senior Life program recognizes the incredible families who adopt senior goldens. As foster homes are available we have taken labs, labs mixes and other dogs with no alternative.

St. Louis Pet Rescue

St. Louis Pet Rescue is a non-profit rescue group focusing on saving pets from local animal control facilities and neglect situations. STLPR strives to end pet overpopulation and abandonment of unwanted pets through education about spay/neuter, pet behavior and training and other aspects of responsible pet ownership. All of the pets STLPR rescues are in loving foster homes. Foster homes provide love, care and training needs of the pets. To learn more about becoming a foster for pets in need, see our foster page. STLPR does not have a facility, nor any paid staff. STLPR relies on the generosity of others to donate funds and volunteer their time to help pets in need.

Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue

Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue is a state-licensed 501(c)3 non-profit rescue organization founded in 2004. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, we do our best to assist dogs in Missouri and surrounding areas.

The Feral Companion

We are a no-kill organization. Our group is very unique. We cater to all of those pups that take a long time to rehabilitate. In many shelters, there is no time for lengthy rehabilitation and sometimes workers lack experience with these shy dogs. We specialize in feral, shy, and special needs dogs. We want to help as many as we can that sometimes get overlooked in kill shelters. We assist the public, animal controls, other shelters and rescues with support for their feral dogs they want to work with.

MO Min Pin Rescue Corp.

MO Min Pin Rescue Corp. is a non-profit 501c3, volunteer dog rescue serving the state of Missouri as well as many other states nationwide. Founded in January of 2017, we are dedicated to rescuing dogs left homeless for whatever reason – dogs in public shelters where they are at high risk of euthanasia due to pet overpopulation, dogs given up by their owners, and those in danger of abuse or neglect. We strive to place all of our rescued dogs with loving families, following a comprehensive adoption process. This process includes a completed adoption application, reference and vet checks, and educating prospective adopters about the responsibilities and costs of bringing a dog into their lives. We are a foster-based rescue, and we depend on volunteers to help us save dogs. All of our intakes are spayed or neutered and receive all appropriate veterinary care before going to their permanent homes. We assist dogs in need without regard to age, breed, or ease of placement, to the extent our finances allow. We work with area veterinarians to try to keep our expenses low so that virtually every dollar taken in goes directly toward the care of the dogs. Our rescue remains interested in and committed to, the welfare of the dog beyond the adoption process. Finally, we strive to work with area shelters, other rescues, and transporters to develop a network in order to create a better world for homeless pets. We are a 501c3 non-profit dog rescue licensed by the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Home 2 Home Canine Orphanage

Home 2 Home is a non-profit canine orphanage revolutionizing the way dogs find their perfect homes. With a high standard of care, a premium facility, screened foster homes, and a more personalized matchmaking system, the truths about their personalities are able to be communicated more accurately. Our goal is to give our dogs a better life before you adopt them and to make sure that we are pairing people appropriately to minimize the risk of return. Being a reputable rescue should look like ensuring the dogs we agree to take are always welcomed back in the rare occasions when they need to be returned. We understand that situations can arise out of an owners control but part of our job is making sure our dogs always have a safe spot to land. With the opportunity for affordable training, access to preventive vet care, and a team of people ready to assist, our dogs quality of life and safety always remain our top priorities.

Dirk's Fund

History of Dirk’s Fund Our story begins in the 1980s, when the founder and his wife started rescuing dogs. Through the popularity of their own Golden Retrievers, Sadie and Hannah, they were contacted by animal control regarding a Golden Retriever that was going to be euthanized. Her name was Jenny. They were able to find her a home and then replaced her with another homeless dog. This is the cycle that started Dirk’s Fund. They rescued rehabilitated and found loving homes for eleven dogs in the first year. The director and his wife used their own home, resources and personal time to make sure each and every dog’s life had a happy ending.

On My Way to Furever Rescue Inc.

On My Way To Furever Rescue Inc is a 501c3 non-profit, fully foster based rescue, licensed through the Department of Agriculture. We are based in St. Louis County, Missouri. On My Way to Furever Rescue Inc. is a nonprofit animal rescue dedicated to finding homes for pets in need. We are a foster based rescue that works to prepare the pets in our care for life in a forever home. We provide needed medical care, socialization, and love while looking for a home that matches their needs. We work with adoptive families to help them find the perfect fit for their family. We also work to reunite lost pets with their families and educate owners on care, training and keeping their pets secure and safe in their own homes.

Humane Society of Missouri - Longmeadow Rescue Ranch

Nestled among 165 acres of woodland near Union, MO, the Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch is haven for hundreds of abused and neglected horses, cows, goats, pigs, ducks and other farm animals. The ranch is one of the most comprehensive horse and farm animal care and rehabilitation centers in the country. In addition to animal care, ranch staff provide hands-on humane education experiences for both children and adults. Our History Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, once known as Packwood Longmeadow Farm, was purchased in 1988, made possible by a generous bequest from George Packwood, Jr. Mr Packwood’s commitment to the Humane Society of Missouri began as an active supporter of the organization and continues today through his generous donation of land to be used specifically for the care of ranch animals. The same bold spirit that colored his philanthropic life marked Mr. Packwood’s career. He began his career as an engineer and applied his expertise as a signal construction foreman for the Frisco Railroad. He often found himself washing his dirty hands until they were practically raw. So, working in a rented loft, he created a milder industrial soap along with a special soap dispenser. He liked the idea of marketing his product instead of sitting behind a desk as a consulting engineer. In 1926 he was ready to launch his own business, which in the 1950s was sold to the Calgon Corporation. Mr. Packwood is quoted as saying, “In the world of business, if you perfect something good, you can get up on the housetop and flap your wings and crow about it.” Well, Mr. Packwood, through your generous donation of land we created something good – Longmeadow Rescue Ranch. And we promise we will get up on the housetop and flap our wings and crow about it as we make this safe haven for horses and ranch animals even greater.

The Goode Life Rescue

PALS Animal Shelter

PALS is essentially a “no-kill” shelter. The only time an animal is euthanized is if it is too sick to be treated or too aggressive to be suitable for adoption. Even in these circumstances, the decision to euthanize is not taken lightly and must be approved by our Board of Directors. Other than for those reasons, a pet will have a caring home with PALS until adopted.

Wonder Weims Rescue

Stray Paws Rescue

Stray Paws Rescue is a 501c3 nonprofit, foster based rescue. Our organization believes it is our moral responsibility to protect and improve the lives of rescued animals and place them in loving permanent homes in St. Louis Metro Area.

City of Crystal City Animal Control

Animal Control is available to help you with a variety of both domestic and wildlife related problems or questions. Crystal City Animal Control is conveniently located at Hugs Landing Road in Crystal City Mo. Upon request, city owned traps will be set as needed, however traps will be picked up before holidays and weekends. Disposal of animals that are caught in traps that are not the city's will be the residents responsibility. The Animal Control Officer is not available on Wednesdays or Saturdays.

Fourche Valley Rescue

We are a non-profit organization based in Bloomsdale, MO and are dedicated to helping animals in need.

Midwest Doberman Rescue of St. Louis

Midwest Doberman Rescue of St. Louis is a not-for-profit (501(c)3) operating under Purebred Dog Rescue of S t. Louis, an all volunteer organization. We do not have a shelter or kennels, rather we take dogs into "foster care". Our first priority are the Dobermans who are in pounds, shelters or humane societies who have no other options and will be euthanized if we don't take them. Our second priority is helping people who have inherited a dog from a relative who has passed away or who because of circumstances beyond their control are no longer able to care for their Dobermans. Our last priority are owner surrenders. Our preference is to help you place your own dog. We will list your dog on our web site and prescreen all applicants prior to giving them your phone number. The transition from your home to a new home will be easier on the dog if they don't have to go into foster care first. We want every Doberman to be able to live out his/her natural life in a loving home. We want every adoption to be a happy, permanent placement. Each Doberman available for adoption is screened as carefully as possible. The simple fact is that not all dogs are appropriate for certain environments. Some dogs have specific temperaments and needs that not everyone can provide. You are asked to fill out an application before you meet our Dobermans so we can fit the right dog with your family.

Pet Rescue Network

Pet Rescue Network, is a 501(c)(3) all volunteer organization licensed in the state of Missouri. It is comprised of dedicated and experienced volunteers determined to positively impact the lives of animals in need. We serve St. Louis and surrounding rural communities. Many PRN volunteers have 10 to 15 years experience in animal rescue activities. PRN strives to meet both the medical and psychological needs of animals who have suffered abuse, neglect, or abandonment through no fault of their own. What We Do Pet Rescue Network places unwanted and neglected pets in loving forever adoptive homes. While awaiting their permanent home, pets reside in loving foster homes and are treated as cherished family members. In order to secure the most permanent placements possible, PRN is committed to public education and thoughtful selection of potential families. Every rescued animal receives appropriate veterinarian care. PRN stresses the importance of spaying and neutering. We are strongly committed to promoting this throughout our community in an effort to reduce the number of unwanted pets. PRN participates in community outreach programs assisting citizens in finding low cost spay/neuter services when needed. PRN provides education to families regarding ways to provide structured, consistent, safe, and loving environments for all pets. We also provide education on the benefits of ongoing socialization and training for the family pet. By adopting from PRN, you can be assured that your new pet has been given the best of care. All animals reside in foster homes while awaiting adoption. They are socialized and assessed for behaviors, quirks and special needs PRIOR to being listed as “available” on our site. Since our adoptees are in homes, we usually know quite a bit about each pet’s individual personality. We can introduce each pet with information such as who does or does not interact well with other cats, dogs and children.