The Best Washington Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025

Mikey's Chance Canine Rescue

Our mission to provide a safe haven for dogs in desperate circumstances within our community and surrounding area. We rehome these dogs with families that are a good fit for the dog. We seek to serve the humans that come to us ‚both our adoptive families and the people who need help rehoming dogs ‚but our priority is to act as advocates for our dogs at every stage of the rescue and adoption process. We commit to our dogs for life! We are a registered non-profit organization, headquartered in the Tri-Cities in south-central Washington State. We focus mainly on saving dogs that are at risk in our region and placing them with adopters throughout the Pacific Northwest. Most of our dogs come from shelters in Washington & Idaho, where they are facing the threat of Euthanasia. Others are released to us by private individuals who need medical help with their own dogs. Other dogs are strays, either dumped or abandoned, that need a chance at a new life.

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.

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County was founded by a handful of compassionate community members and has grown into one of the state's largest animal welfare agencies. Each year, we find loving homes for more than 6,000 pets, reunite over 1,100 animals with their overjoyed owners, and provide care for thousands more in our community. Additionally, we offer several comprehensive programs and resources, including Spay/Neuter & Wellness Vouchers, a monthly Vaccine & Wellness Clinic, a Pet Food & Supply Pantry, behavior advice, and private rehoming services.

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

Caring Hearts 4 Paws

Founded 06/21 with a passion to help strays of the Yakima Valley and Yakama Reservation we take in pregnant or nursing strays with their puppies.

Misspits Rescue

I started Misspits Rescue in 2013 to help advocate for pit bull type dogs. After adopting Dexter, a big, happy, pit bull that almost died simply due to his looks, I knew I had to do something. After years working with a local pit bull rescue and volunteering at a shelter, Misspits Rescue was born. In the last ten years we have grown and moved to larger property. We adding additional breeds over the years and help those that need us the most. Now that we have the space, we offer sanctuary to farmed animals as well. This created a perfect place to help struggling herding breeds as well.

Path of Hope Rescue

At Path of Hope Rescue we strive to decrease the euthanasia rate of high risk dogs in the southern United States by transporting pregnant dogs and puppies to the Pacific Northwest to find adoptive homes. We are 100% foster based and rely on volunteers and fosters to help in our mission. The overpopulation of dogs in Texas is extreme. Because of a culture that does not value spay and neuter, there are simply too many dogs. And because of this, dogs are being euthanized merely for their existence. Shelters are forced to choose which dog to kill and which to save on a daily basis. There are an estimated 700,000 stray dogs just in the city of Houston alone. Dogs on the streets, dogs in shelters, dogs living on chains, dogs everywhere. Pregnant dogs and puppies are often euthanized because of the amount of resources they require or even more often, pregnant moms are spayed, aborting the puppies. Path of Hope Rescue believes that these dogs deserve a chance at life.

Hope 4 huskies

We are a small but determined rescue. We are all in to save even 1 husky/malmute at a time. We are dedicated to quality care not quality. Every H4H dog is family.

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.

Adams County Pet Rescue

Forgotten Dogs Rescue

Forgotten Dogs Rescue is a volunteer and foster home based rescue organization focused on saving Pit Bull type dogs. Located in Washington State, we are a 501c3 non-profit and have been saving animals since 2011. We are dedicated to rescuing homeless and abandoned dogs who are in Washington's shelters, surrendered by their owners due to difficult circumstances or are in danger of abuse or neglect. We save the dogs that need help the most, the dogs whose time has run out, the dogs who have lost all hope the forgotten dogs.

Pet OverPopulation Prevention Tri-Cities

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.

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.

Red Rose Animal Rescue

Every year hundreds of animals such as dogs, cats become homeless for many reasons. Our mission is to find the homeless animals around the country and give them a better life. As like humans, they need love, care and also need home. We founded our organization to give them a chance for a loving home and family. Our successes are going forward and every year we give a better life to hundreds of homeless animals.

Pawd It Forward

We provide a multitude of services to our community to include, but are not limited to: Tracking and Trapping Services for lost and feral dogs Lost and Found Social Media Deployment Services Transport Services for finders of lost pets Chip Scanning Clark County Pet Licensing Searchable Lost/Found Pet Database Pet Registration Database (FREE!) Impound Jail Break Support

Spokane Humane Society

Murci's Mission Animal Rescue

Murci's Mission is a 501c3 animal rescue, located in Mead, WA that takes animals with limited options, places them into foster care, vets them and adopts them into loving homes. From the day we could talk we told our pets more than we ever told our parents. We took the long route to see the kitty in the window down the street. We stopped even when we were late to pet the dog. We grew up and we saw what the world does to those who can't defend themselves. We are here to change that.

Kitsap Humane Society

Kitsap Humane Society is a nonprofit, charitable organization that depends upon the kindness and generosity of its community to find homes for homeless pets. We spay/neuter thousands of animals each year to prevent animal overpopulation and reduce the number of future homeless pets. Sheltering animals since 1908, Kitsap Humane Society envisions a time when all adoptable pets have loving homes.

Save A Mutt

Okandogs

The Okandogs Story It's All About Caring After volunteering at a local animal shelter, Jan and Tom Short identified a need in the underserved Okanogan area. There are no funded Humane Societies or shelters for Okanogan County dogs. There is no public money available or agencies to help out. They realized that any effort to assist had to be derived from the private sector, both in terms of financial support and work effort. In 2014, Tom and Jan opened their hearts and home in Cashmere to form the Okandogs non-profit in response to this unmet need in the greater North Central Washington area. Since that time, the organization has helped thousands of dogs by funding and providing medical care, spay/neuter and adoptions. They have done this by rapidly responding to dogs in need and building confidence and trust in the community. Okandogs adoption rate nears 100% through the use of carefully chosen transfer partners who put local area dogs first. The euthanasia rate and overall fatality rate is almost nil. As the organization has grown, so have its followers and supporters. Okandogs maintains a vet emergency fund to assist injured and ill dogs who have no other resources available. In addition, Okandogs has a very successful program, Mom's Last Litter, that provides free stay at home spay for mama dogs when pup litters are entrusted to us. On average, two-thirds of the dog intakes at Okandogs are puppies.

Lucky Paws Rescue

Lucky Paws Rescue is a non-profit 501c3 organization in Western Washington State. We are small but mighty! We will try to help any animal in need, but we are especially passionate about the underdogs that are overlooked because of their breed or health issues. We give 100% to any animal we commit to. Funding and foster homes are always needed, and they are our biggest hurdles we face when saving lives. We have raised money to give dogs a second chance who were going to be euthanized due to broken legs or training challenges. These are dogs that are truly down on their luck and looking for their last chance. We have rescued and saved many cats as well that had no place to go. We are foster home-based, so we cannot do this without their amazing support. We also work with many shelters to help get dogs out and adopted. We have close relationships with many great veterinarians in the Western Washington area. Even if we cannot take an animal due to space or funding, we will always try to help find other alternatives by utilizing our rescue partners and other resources. Our own adoption process includes an application, vet reference checks, as well as a home visit. We want to ensure that once we have rescued an animal, that animal will never need to be rescued again. We ALWAYS have the animal's best interest at heart.

Washington German Shepherd Rescue

Washington German Shepherd Rescue is the companion animal's advocate and dedicated to placing neglected, abandoned and unwanted German Shepherd Dogs into loving, permanent, homes. Please consider making a donation to our rescue or becoming a volunteer.