This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in Arizona. These remarkable organizations have been recognized for their unwavering dedication to the well-being of countless dogs. We've compiled this list by gathering heartfelt testimonials from both the Sniffspot community and the wider public, ensuring a comprehensive perspective on these exceptional shelters.
#3 in United States, #1 in Arizona
Phoenix
Sky Sanctuary specialize in the humane capture and rescue of stray, fearful and injured animals from the streets of Phoenix, Arizona, the surrounding desert areas and local shelters. We often rescue the abandoned, lost and forgotten animals. Fiercely advocating for the animals in our care. Often our animals have extensive and complex medical needs that require a profound level of specialty medical care. Not only do we invest in our animal's physical health, we utilize a trusted group of trainers to build confidence, empower and improve our animal's mental well-being in order to live peaceful, happy lives in family homes. We are very different from other animal rescue organizations. We are "boots on the ground" in our community while passionately fight for the dogs and animals no one else has the courage to take on. We have a knack for finding ourselves in pretty breathtaking scenarios- some call it divine intervention, others call it luck. We live by the mantra "if not me then who?". We are funded solely by public donations through social media. We are grateful for the opportunity to help these animals. We would go to any length to #SAVETHESTREETDOGS
"Love what they do for the most vulnerable animals"
— shauna l.
Supporter, Fan
"Amazing rescue; they do a lot for our community of stray and injured animals! Good communication with the public also!..."
— sandra j.
Supporter
#39 in United States, #2 in Arizona
Phoenix
My name is Geri Hormel and I am the founder of Almost There Rescue. What do we do at ATR? We save bitches. No, we don't go around seeking out malicious, unpleasant women and try to convince them to change their ways (although someone should!). We save dogs. Specifically, homeless, pregnant, large-breed dogs. We scoop those gals up from less than ideal situations and give them a place to birth and raise their pups. We work our tails off to give our pups the medical help, enrichment, socialization, and love that they need on their journeys to finding forever homes.
"I lost my soul dog unexpectedly and struggled to fill a hole she left. I started to foster with almost..."
— stephanie b.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"A unique rescue in that they take in mama dogs and their puppies, greatly helping reduce the number of families..."
— diana r.
Supporter, Fan
#41 in United States, #3 in Arizona
Labrador
Tucson
SOLR is a rescue organization dedicated to helping Labrador Retrievers and Lab mixes who have been displaced from their home environment find new loving homes for the remainder of their lives. SOLR is non-profit and depends entirely on our volunteers and donations.
"I have fostered volunteer tested and adopted from Southwest Oasis Lab Rescue. I have worked with several rescues over the..."
— rebecca d.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
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— lisa d.
Supporter, Fan
#83 in United States, #4 in Arizona
Phoenix
Foster based, all breed, all size dog rescue.
"LOVE, care, money, and endless hours is what I see spent on these fur babies!"
— amanda k.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"We have adopted two dogs from this wonderful organization. They are amazing and you can tell the dogs are..."
— christopher t.
Adoptee
#124 in United States, #5 in Arizona
Pit Bull
Gilbert
One Love utilizes innovative and forward-thinking programs to rescue and rehabilitate at-risk dogs, advocate for shelter animals, and provide free spay + neuter services.y
"They do sooo much for the dogs here and they are always going above and beyond no matter what!! They..."
— elaine r.
Supporter, Fan
"One Love AZ consistently provides medical care, enrichment and hope for the shelter dogs in the Phoenix area."
— kimm t.
Supporter
#184 in United States, #6 in Arizona
Mesa
The Be Like Josh foundation is a non profit organization dedicated to the study and advocacy of dogs with neurological disabilities. We are proud to celebrate all abilities on the canine neurological spectrum. It is an honor to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home these exceptional animals, to tell their stories, from rescue to adoption, and every adventure along the way. They serve as ambassadors of our mission, which pushes back against ableism in the veterinary community and promotes true inclusion, for animals and humans alike. Through our work, we share the message that all animals and people, wherever they are on the spectrum of abilities, are worthy of being seen, loved and appreciated.
"Wonderful rescue"
— rosie t.
Supporter, Fan
"They are truly a testament that all dogs could be helped"
— barbie g.
Fan
#207 in United States, #7 in Arizona
Barb's Dog Rescue is saving the lives of Rocky Point's street dogs! Most dogs come to us in dire condition; they are often sick, starving, injured or abused. Many of our female dogs come to us pregnant, and we are so happy to provide these sweet moms with a safe space to have their babies. 2023 was a very busy year, with well over 2,000 dogs rescued and adopted to loving families! We lost our founder and hero Barbara Mumaugh last summer, and while her loss has left a hole in our hearts, we are more committed than ever to continue her mission and life's work.
"This rescue does so much for the animals that have no homes and they are so deserving of this."
— rose w.
Fan
"Have seem them rescue so many street and feral dogs."
— claudia o.
Supporter, Fan
#218 in United States, #8 in Arizona
Gilbert
Friends for Life Animal Rescue is dedicated to the homeless and stray animals in our community. These animals do not have an advocate and will likely suffer starvation, illness, or injury as they try to survive alone. Animals on the street are often unaltered, reproducing and creating even more unwanted animals. Friends for Life prefers to get to the source of the problem through spaying and neutering all animals we take in, and educating the public about the importance of altering their animals.
"I started volunteering at friends for life in October of 2024. They have many dedicated volunteers who donate their time..."
— mary k.
Volunteer / foster
"Friends for Life goes the extra mile, which most animal shelters don't want. Each person connected with FFL has the..."
— vanessa s.
Volunteer / foster
#218 in United States, #8 in Arizona
Scottsdale
At Handover Rover, we specialize in rescuing and training 'tough' dogs‚ those with challenging behavior and medical cases. Our mission is to provide expert care, rehabilitation, and find loving homes for the dogs that cross our path.
"Koco and Sarah are always feet on the ground out there doing the work for these stray animals and working..."
— rebecca a.
Supporter, Fan
"Not only does Koco and team work tirelessly rescuing strays, medically and behaviorally challenged pups, providing vet care, training and..."
— becky i.
Supporter
#235 in United States, #10 in Arizona
Gilbert
In 2013, Maricopa County was one of the worst places to be a pet. Shelters were facing the second worst pet overpopulation crisis in the United States. The Arizona Humane Society was a large rescue shelter taking in thousands of homeless animals, but there were still many pets with treatable illnesses being euthanized throughout the state. We knew a radical shift in thinking was needed to save more animal lives. So, we began systematically launching multiple initiatives to care for the most vulnerable in our community. Today, we take in the pets that other shelters can't care for: the ones who are sick, who are injured, or who would normally be euthanized in other shelters because of their tough medical needs. We serve as a safety net for the Valley's most vulnerable pets, and our Ethical No-Kill Philosophy‚ ensures we never euthanize a pet for space or based on the length of time they've been with us. And every effort has been worth it. Since 2013, we've reduced euthanasia by 83%‚that's 150,000 additional lives saved. Here's how we're transforming animal welfare in Arizona.
"The Humane Society of Tucson Arizona has a wonderful staff and was very thoughtful and heartfelt when it came to..."
— malissa w.
Supporter, Fan
"I love the arizona humane society, they have a great staff, great for people with disabilities and awesome shelter"
— sam s.
Volunteer / foster
#266 in United States, #11 in Arizona
Scottsdale
Foothills Animal Rescue began in 1995 and we have grown to be a community staple for dog and cat adoptions. We specialize in medical and behavioral animals that larger shelters may not have the resources to help.
"Great organization"
— melissa j.
Supporter
"FAR does an amazing job at caring for the animals that come in while they wait for their forever homes...."
— emily s.
Staff member
#266 in United States, #11 in Arizona
Rottweiler
Gilbert
Thank you for visiting rottenrottie.com, Arizona's only Rottweiler rescue located in Gilbert, right outside of Phoenix! Within this website you should hopefully find all the answers you are looking for when it comes to helping rescue this great breed! From the dogs we have rescued, who's in foster care, how to become a volunteer or a foster parent, forms for adopting, donating, dog training , up coming events and so much more! We work hard to save as many as these great boys and girls off the euthanasia list at our county's animal shelter as we can (we also take owner surrenders, depending on temperament). Moreover, we rescue dogs from the Pinal County Shelter as well, and on several occasions have rescued rotties from neighboring states who were scheduled to be euthanized. The more Rottweilers we can place into forever homes, the more we can save! This rescue is foster based, meaning we do not have a large kennel where we house the dogs in cages all day. Each rottweiler that we rescue goes to live with a family who has experience or has been trained on how to safely bring in a homeless rottweiler, whose temperament is pretty much unknown. There the dog is able to relax and shows us his true colors. We are able to help train and tweak bad habits and behavior and learn what may set the dog off, such as a cat, another dog, a crying baby etc. This knowledge gives us the ability to match our dogs with families who would be a good fit. This gives the adopter a much better advantage then going to the shelter and picking out a dog that no one knows anything about, taking it home to find out that the dog gets very aggressive when he sees a cat and you hoped he was going to be fluffy's new best friend.
"I loved helping provide a safe comfy home to these pups. I was lucky enough to help a few pups.Honey..."
— nikki w.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"They do great rescue work"
— cathy m.
Fan
#266 in United States, #11 in Arizona
German Shepherd
Scottsdale
Saving Paws Rescue Arizona is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) charitable organization in Phoenix, Arizona. We are dedicated to providing veterinary care, evaluation and adoptive homes for German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois dogs who are left in pounds to await uncertain fate, are owner surrenders (such as divorce, death, etc.) or are no longer wanted or cared for. We help provide a safe harbor for these dogs that might otherwise be destroyed. SPR doesn't believe that being sick, injured, old or pregnant is a reason to die. Saving the lives of the most vulnerable has long been a mission for SPR. The sick and injured are often abandoned by owners who cannot or will not provide care. The most vulnerable are the first to run ‚out of time, at the county shelters. The abandoned and dumped are often sick and injured as a result of living life on the streets and desert. Over 2,500 lives have been saved by SPR and our new facility will enable us to save more.
"Love what they do and such fabulous caring people"
— betty g.
Fan
"This rescue takes the dogs that are hard medical cases and doesn’t give up u til they are well and..."
— kathy m.
Supporter, Fan
#266 in United States, #11 in Arizona
Gilbert
The Arizona Animal Welfare League is the largest and oldest no-kill shelter in Arizona. A "no-kill" shelter is an animal shelter that does not kill healthy or treatable animals even when the shelter is full, reserving euthanasia for terminally ill animals or those considered dangerous to public safety. AAWL is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, tax ID 23-7149453. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. AAWL rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes more than 4,000 dogs and cats that are abandoned or that have been surrendered by their owners. We do this primarily by rescuing them from other shelters in Maricopa County where they are likely to be euthanized due to the lack of time and resources to care for them. At any one time, our shelter will hold 140 cats and 190 dogs. We also have a foster parent network of approximately 90 families who provide care and shelter in their homes for puppies and kittens that are too young to be adopted, and those animals that are recovering from medical procedures or that need socialization before adoption. All pets offered for adoption have been spayed or neutered; micro-chipped and are current on all vaccinations. Any medical treatments needed, including surgeries, are provided by our medical team and all animals are evaluated by our behavior department. Learn more about our Phoenix veterinary services and animal clinic. AAWL not only adopts companion animals into loving homes, but we also hold a leadership position in the community in education and animal welfare issues. Check out our extensive dog and obedience training classes.
"Arizona’s largest and oldest no-kill shelter. The staff was wonderful! I adopted a blind dog and was even able able..."
— chelsie g.
Adoptee
"Good vibes"
— kailey r.
Adoptee
#266 in United States, #11 in Arizona
We are a 5O1c3 non-profit Mastiff Rescue located in Phoenix, Arizona and Southern California. We Rescue, Rehabilitate and Rehome English Mastiffs, Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux and other Giant Breeds throughout the Southwest and take pride in every Mastiff we help.
"AZ Mastiff rescue works tirelessly to help mastiffs and other giant breeds find loving forever homes. As you can imagine,..."
— megan y.
Adoptee
"They are pretty much run by volunteers who not only take time to care for these dogs but take time..."
— jennifer b.
Adoptee, Fan
#361 in United States, #16 in Arizona
Tucson
Friends of PACC was founded in 2016 by a group of dedicated PACC staff, volunteers, and community members who knew that the newly renovated shelter would need tremendous philanthropic support to thrive.
"Friends of PACC funds vital services to Pima Animal Care Center and the Tucson community. They are starting a Spay..."
— nicolette b.
Supporter, Fan
#361 in United States, #16 in Arizona
Gilbert
"I adopted my puppy from here and they made the process so easy, had all her vaccinations up to date,..."
— ashley s.
Adoptee
#361 in United States, #16 in Arizona
Gilbert
At Maricopa County Animal Care & Control we know a thing or two about making connections and saving lives. Animal homelessness is a community problem that requires a community solution.
"This place helped me find my first pet! Lots of animals need homes and I want to help them get..."
— bailey m.
Adoptee
#361 in United States, #16 in Arizona
We are committed to ensuring that every companion animal in our community has a great home and is well cared for all of its life. We utilize resources to support, serve, and educate the community by: Advocating for animals and individuals. Showing compassion through patience and open-mindedness. Maintaining a transparent culture to increase, develop, and sustain credibility.
"Best rescue there is. Awesome people. They work hard to save and care for animals. My family adopted two amazing..."
— kerry d.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
#600 in United States, #20 in Arizona
Gilbert
Since 2008, we have provided thousands of dogs and cats with a second chance at a happy ending. rescue Cats are often placed on a shelter’s Euthanasia list because of acute illness or behavior. We rescue these types of animals so that we can provide them with necessary medical attention and a second chance at long and healthy lives. Desert Paws also takes pride in pulling Ringworm+, FIV+, and FeLV+ cats that might otherwise be euthanized due to their condition. education Arizona has one of the highest homeless pet populations in the country! We strive to inform and educate our community about the importance of spay and neuter and the value of commitment to a healthy-pet-lifestyle. These values must be prioritized in order for our community to reduce our homeless pet population and reduce unnecessary euthanization of otherwise adoptable pets.
One Love utilizes innovative and forward-thinking programs to rescue and rehabilitate at-risk dogs, advocate for shelter animals, and provide free spay + neuter services.y
Friends for Life Animal Rescue is dedicated to the homeless and stray animals in our community. These animals do not have an advocate and will likely suffer starvation, illness, or injury as they try to survive alone. Animals on the street are often unaltered, reproducing and creating even more unwanted animals. Friends for Life prefers to get to the source of the problem through spaying and neutering all animals we take in, and educating the public about the importance of altering their animals.
In 2013, Maricopa County was one of the worst places to be a pet. Shelters were facing the second worst pet overpopulation crisis in the United States. The Arizona Humane Society was a large rescue shelter taking in thousands of homeless animals, but there were still many pets with treatable illnesses being euthanized throughout the state. We knew a radical shift in thinking was needed to save more animal lives. So, we began systematically launching multiple initiatives to care for the most vulnerable in our community. Today, we take in the pets that other shelters can't care for: the ones who are sick, who are injured, or who would normally be euthanized in other shelters because of their tough medical needs. We serve as a safety net for the Valley's most vulnerable pets, and our Ethical No-Kill Philosophy‚ ensures we never euthanize a pet for space or based on the length of time they've been with us. And every effort has been worth it. Since 2013, we've reduced euthanasia by 83%‚that's 150,000 additional lives saved. Here's how we're transforming animal welfare in Arizona.
The Be Like Josh foundation is a non profit organization dedicated to the study and advocacy of dogs with neurological disabilities. We are proud to celebrate all abilities on the canine neurological spectrum. It is an honor to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home these exceptional animals, to tell their stories, from rescue to adoption, and every adventure along the way. They serve as ambassadors of our mission, which pushes back against ableism in the veterinary community and promotes true inclusion, for animals and humans alike. Through our work, we share the message that all animals and people, wherever they are on the spectrum of abilities, are worthy of being seen, loved and appreciated.
Cooper's Chance Animal Rescue is a green-focused, 501c3 nonprofit, no-kill animal rescue established in 2006. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home abused and neglected animals. We are dedicated to the welfare of these animals and the delicate ecosystem we share. We save all breeds and focus our efforts on animals in need of extra care. Our rescued pets are placed into loving foster homes and receive one on one attention, complete vet care, training, and socialization. We also work with the community to educate and promote responsible pet care and stewardship for all living things.
Paws 4 Life AZ Rescue is a non-profit, no-kill, volunteer dog rescue organization serving the STV, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa, Apache Junction, Tempe and Phoenix area. 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 because of difficult circumstances, and those in danger of abuse or neglect. We place dogs in loving, responsible, committed permanent homes, following a comprehensive adoption process which includes taking considerable care in finding good matches and educating prospective adopters about the responsibilities and costs of bringing a dog into their homes and lives. Animals in our care are spayed or neutered, microchipped and receive all appropriate veterinary care and treatment, and placed in nurturing foster homes while they await placement in their permanent homes. We assist dogs in distress without regard to age, breed or ease of placement. To the extent our finances allow, dogs in the greatest need take priority. We are determined to keep administrative expenses extremely low so that virtually every dollar taken in goes directly to the care of the animals. Our group remains interested in and committed to the welfare of the dog beyond the adoption process. Finally, we strive to work with area shelters and other rescue and humane organizations to develop a network of supporters and volunteers in order to create a better world for homeless pets. We do not have a kennel / shelter type of facility. We believe the most effective and successful way to match families and pets is to foster them in our own homes. Fostering dogs allows us to train the dogs to have good doggie manners and allows us to learn about the dog's personality and character. Ultimately fostering our rescue animals allows us to give potential adopters complete information on the pet's behavior and how well he / she will fit with a family and lifestyle. If you would like to be a foster please let us know.
Sky Sanctuary specialize in the humane capture and rescue of stray, fearful and injured animals from the streets of Phoenix, Arizona, the surrounding desert areas and local shelters. We often rescue the abandoned, lost and forgotten animals. Fiercely advocating for the animals in our care. Often our animals have extensive and complex medical needs that require a profound level of specialty medical care. Not only do we invest in our animal's physical health, we utilize a trusted group of trainers to build confidence, empower and improve our animal's mental well-being in order to live peaceful, happy lives in family homes. We are very different from other animal rescue organizations. We are "boots on the ground" in our community while passionately fight for the dogs and animals no one else has the courage to take on. We have a knack for finding ourselves in pretty breathtaking scenarios- some call it divine intervention, others call it luck. We live by the mantra "if not me then who?". We are funded solely by public donations through social media. We are grateful for the opportunity to help these animals. We would go to any length to #SAVETHESTREETDOGS
My name is Geri Hormel and I am the founder of Almost There Rescue. What do we do at ATR? We save bitches. No, we don't go around seeking out malicious, unpleasant women and try to convince them to change their ways (although someone should!). We save dogs. Specifically, homeless, pregnant, large-breed dogs. We scoop those gals up from less than ideal situations and give them a place to birth and raise their pups. We work our tails off to give our pups the medical help, enrichment, socialization, and love that they need on their journeys to finding forever homes.
Foster based, all breed, all size dog rescue.
At Handover Rover, we specialize in rescuing and training 'tough' dogs‚ those with challenging behavior and medical cases. Our mission is to provide expert care, rehabilitation, and find loving homes for the dogs that cross our path.
Foothills Animal Rescue began in 1995 and we have grown to be a community staple for dog and cat adoptions. We specialize in medical and behavioral animals that larger shelters may not have the resources to help.
Saving Paws Rescue Arizona is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) charitable organization in Phoenix, Arizona. We are dedicated to providing veterinary care, evaluation and adoptive homes for German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois dogs who are left in pounds to await uncertain fate, are owner surrenders (such as divorce, death, etc.) or are no longer wanted or cared for. We help provide a safe harbor for these dogs that might otherwise be destroyed. SPR doesn't believe that being sick, injured, old or pregnant is a reason to die. Saving the lives of the most vulnerable has long been a mission for SPR. The sick and injured are often abandoned by owners who cannot or will not provide care. The most vulnerable are the first to run ‚out of time, at the county shelters. The abandoned and dumped are often sick and injured as a result of living life on the streets and desert. Over 2,500 lives have been saved by SPR and our new facility will enable us to save more.
SOLR is a rescue organization dedicated to helping Labrador Retrievers and Lab mixes who have been displaced from their home environment find new loving homes for the remainder of their lives. SOLR is non-profit and depends entirely on our volunteers and donations.
Friends of PACC was founded in 2016 by a group of dedicated PACC staff, volunteers, and community members who knew that the newly renovated shelter would need tremendous philanthropic support to thrive.
Did you know HOPE Animal Shelter & Sanctuary was Tucson's first no-kill shelter and sanctuary for dogs and cats? More than a decade ago the founders of HOPE recognized the need for a shelter that could offer more than a short-term space for some of Tucson's highest risk pets. An elderly dog who lost their owner to hospice, a cat with diabetes, a litter of puppies with parvo. Pets that were and are savable but needed a different environment and more time than a municipal shelter could provide. There was a need and HOPE stepped in to fill it! Many of those pets have found forever homes that understand their special needs. Some now call HOPE their permanent home! As HOPE moves into the future one of our goals is to continue our dedication to those animals, that might just need a bit more, Your monthly contributions are the key to our success!
Welcome to the 2024 Arizona Sniffspot Top Dog Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top rescues and shelters in Arizona chosen by the Sniffspot community and the public.
Sponsored by Sniffspot, the largest global network of private dog parks, each park offers secure, private bookings on private land, including fenced, water, indoor, and beach parks. As a hub for rescue dogs, our sponsorship underscores our dedication to supporting shelters and rescues. Explore Arizona dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.
We love these animals more than anything. We pride ourselves, and finding the perfect fit for every dog that crosses our path. We extensively vet every Potential Adopter with an interview process, preadoption training + a homecheck no matter where the potential adopter is located in the country.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in San Diego? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and off-leash dog areas, and plan for your next adventure on California’s coast.
Have you been looking for a new and interesting way to exercise your dog? You might be a good candidate for bike dog sports! Read on for an introductory complete guide to learn about what bikejoring is and how you can get started.
Discover the Jack Russell Terrier, a breed celebrated for its intelligent and affectionate nature. Recognized as a small dog, Jack Russell Terriers have their origins in England, where they were initially bred for fox hunting and vermin control starting in the 19th century.
Discover the Dalmatian, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, trainable, and loyal nature. Recognized as a medium-sized dog, Dalmatians have their origins in Croatia, where they were initially bred for coaching (running along carriages), guarding, and hunting starting in the 16th century.
Discover the Bernese Mountain Dog, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and playful nature. Recognized as a large dog, Bernese Mountain Dogs have their origins in Switzerland, where they were initially bred for guarding livestock and droving work starting in the 1st century.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Considered a medium-sized dog, American Staffordshire Terriers were originally bred in the United Kingdom for baiting bulls, fighting, and hunting beginning in the 1800s — though they're known as gentle, playful lovers today.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, a breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were originally bred in the United States for herding beginning in the 1950s.