The Best Houston, TX Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

Friends For Life Animal Shelter

We're here for the undercat and underdog, regardless of their breed, age or condition. Houston-grown, we're here to help our neighbors care for the pets they love. We're not done until every animal has a safe home. Until then, we'll be innovating, improving and tracking results to find the most effective ways to save lives.

THREE LITTLE PITTIES RESCUE

Three Little Pitties Rescue is a non-profit, 501c3 all-breed dog and cat rescue dedicated to saving animals out of desperate situations, primarily in the Houston, Texas area. From 2018 to 2024 the rescue has saved 13,000+ animals and delivered them to better lives up north.

Donna's love pet rescue

Our charitable, tax-exempt mission is to save as many lives as possible by giving homeless and lost animals a warm and special touch to show them that they are loved so they can trust again and return that love. I served in the military (Navy) from 1989 till 1993. My passion in life has always been to work with and care for animals. I have 7 dogs of my own (Palen, Rocsco, BK, Chico, Beau, Star and Annie). All of my dogs, except Palen, were found and taken in by my facility, The Dog House Pet Salon. If I could take every rescue home with me, I would. We have taken in over 290 homeless and lost animals since we opened our doors for business at The Dog house Pet Salon in 2009. We have re-homed 289 of them. Dash has been with us for one year. Dash needs a little more training to become confident and trust humans again. If I cannot re-home one of my loved ones, they will stay with me and live a good life. We believe that every lost animal with a microchip, rabies id/vet tag number or a name tag should be able to be identified and the parents contacted in a matter of seconds. We created the innovative My Pet Credentials mobile app for that very reason ‚an easy to use digital platform to empower the parents of lost pets with a means to find their lost pet quickly and efficiently without the need of calling, faxing or emailing. Pet owners, pet salons, rescue shelters and veterinarians can download the MPC app or register at www.mypetcredentials.com. The cost to pet owners is $16.99 annually. The platform is free for pet salons, rescue shelters and veterinarians. I am most proud of the lost and found function that is part of the MPC pet service platform. Pet owners enter the microchip number or rabies id/vet tag number in their pet's profile. If someone finds the pet, they can use the MPC mobile app or go to www.mpclost.com to identify the lost pet by entering any one of three tracking numbers. The MPC platform will immediately display: A picture of the pet (front, left and right Image) The pet's name, age, gender, breed, color and markings The pet's most current vaccinations A button to contact the owner who will receive a text, email and mobile app notification with the good Samaritan‚ name, phone number, email and message When someone finds a pet, MPC‚ lost and found function assists in reuniting the lost pet with their family, quickly and efficiently, by giving the Samaritan the ability to enter the lost pet's name, age, gender, breed, color and any markings along with any microchip, rabies id or vet tag number (tracking numbers) and upload an image of the lost pet. Once the tracking information has been entered by the Samaritan the family of the lost pet will be able to go to our universal lost and found website, www.mpclost.com, to input their pet's tracking information and our platform will display to the family an image of their pet, the pet's name as reported by the good Samaritan, age, gender, breed, color and any markings and the name, address and phone number where the pet can be reunited with their family. This innovative process reunites lost pets found with a microchip or rabies id or vet tag number with their families quickly and efficiently by eliminating the need to post lost and found flyers or waste time calling animal shelters, city pounds or veterinarians to locate their lost pet. I could go on about all the features of the MPC platform such as transfer of ownership, vaccination records storage, vaccination reminders and scheduling appointments with your pet salon. We created Donna's Love Pet Rescue for people who want to help end homelessness for animals and provide an easy to use digital platform to help identify pets, contact owners of lost pets quickly and efficiently and allow owners of lost pets with a microchip or rabies id or vet tag number to be registered with MPC for a quick and joyous reunion! The donation we receive from you helps with. Vetting Food Training Fostering Transportation Spay and neuter Our goal is also to educate the community on the importance of spay and neutering, having dogs vetted and properly trained and provided with appropriate identification markers. Animals are family too. To make a tax-deductible donation by mail: Donna's Love Pet Rescue 5917 Richmond Ave. Houston, TX 77057

Texas Sled Dog Rescue

Texas Sled Dog Rescue is a small rescue focusing on finding fur-ever homes for sled dog types (Siberian huskies and Alaskan Malamutes, and mixes). While in rescue, we will place them in foster homes, provide basic training as needed, and vetting which includes vaccinations, spay or neuter, microchip and other medical services as needed. Our volunteers are involved in all facets of rescue including but not limited to fundraising, transporting, evaluating dogs, respresenting the rescue at local dog events, fostering, etc.

Caitie's Foster Fam Rescue

Founded in May 2021, we are a non-profit 501(c)3 rescue made up of animal-loving individuals. Our team consists of animal rescuers who have been making a difference in the lives of homeless pets for over a decade. We each started as volunteers and fosters, specializing in medical needs cases. Because of the high demand for more medical fosters and rescuers, we decided to join together and start our own non-profit rescue. We are an entirely foster-based organization, so we do not have a physical shelter. All animals are kept in loving foster homes. Our founder, Caitie, has been fostering medical cases in the Houston area for over ten years.

Corridor Rescue

Corridor Rescue was born in 2009 when Deborah Hoffman, while driving through the area to work, realized there was a horrible problem with abandoned and stray animals. Her tenacity and love for the dogs would not allow her to stand by and watch...Corridor Rescue was conceived! Corridor Rescue is named after a 14 square mile area of Northeast Houston dubbed ‚'The Corridor of Cruelty'. The sheer number of dogs abandoned, dumped and allowed to roam the streets in this area is mind boggling. But sadly, the Corridor area is known for animal cruelty. The animals are unwanted, seen as a nuisance, and in some cases wrongly thought of as aggressive. People hit them, throw things at them, shoot them, fight them, and even deliberately run them over. Corridor Rescue has grown phenomenally over the last decade. What started as a one-woman show now has multiple volunteer teams and a kennel facility where we are able to take our rescued street dogs directly off the street for rehabilitation. The facility can house up to 30 dogs and is staffed with two Veterinary Technicians and three Kennel Technicians. The dogs receive medical care and enrichment to begin healing and to put them on the road to their forever home. Corridor Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is solely funded by the generosity of our wonderful donors and supporters. We are a volunteer-based organization, always looking for enthusiastic, outgoing, motivated, and animal loving volunteers to join our team. Corridor Rescue has a number of areas that you can help save lives.

Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue

Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue is a Houston area 501(c)(3) non profit organization dedicated to rescuing homeless and abandoned puppies and dogs from high-kill shelters and owners who can no longer care for them. By working with committed volunteers, foster homes, local veterinarians, trainers, and boarding facilities, we are able to rescue countless animals every year, provide them with loving foster care, and ultimately find them well-matched, carefully screened forever homes. We also plan to serve as a resource to our community and all pet owners by providing education and information on responsible pet ownership, including the importance of spay/neuter, positive behavior training, and good nutrition and care.

Wag Again Rescue

Wag Again is a section 501(c)(3) foster based dog rescue group with years of animal and rescue experience amongst our volunteers. Wag Again is committed to helping the neediest, as well as the readily adoptable, among our community's most vulnerable creatures. We are a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to restoring the dogs under our care to physical and emotional health as they await placement in loving, responsible homes. Virtually all donated funds will be spent directly on the care of the animals. Wag Again stands ready to help you, the prospective adopter or foster home, find a companion who will thrive in your home. We are here to assist you in every way possible throughout the adoption process and will continue to be a helpful resource after you have welcomed your new pets into your life.

In the name of Zoey

Greater Houston German Shepherd Dog Rescue

is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization founded in 2008. We are a breed-specific organization dedicated to rescuing and rehoming German Shepherds in Houston, Texas and surrounding areas. GHGSDR is guided by three core values: dedication, integrity, and compassion. We are devoted to finding homes for our GSDs with people who want to continue our mission of giving these dogs a better life and a second chance. Our GSDs are obtained from public shelters after they have completed a stray-hold period or they are surrendered to us directly by their owners. We strive to ensure that each dog in our care is given the love, attention, and medical care they need to thrive. We believe that every dog deserves a second chance at a happy life. All of our rescued German Shepherds are placed in a foster home while we work tirelessly to find loving, forever homes; carefully matching each dog with an adoptive family who will provide them with the love and care they deserve. We attribute our success in rehoming German Shepherds to our wonderful volunteers. We have many volunteers who have been with us since inception, which gives us stability and a sense of history. We also have newer volunteers who bring enthusiasm and new ideas to our group, which is essential for us to continue our mission. As an all-volunteer run organization, we all hold different jobs in our actual lives. We are not professionals in animal behavior, training, or health, but we work closely with local veterinarians, trainers, and other animal welfare organizations to ensure that our dogs receive the best possible care and support.

Sunnyside Street Dogs

At Sunnyside Street Dogs, we believe every dog deserves a loving home and a happy life. We rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome street dogs, ensuring they receive the care and love they need. Our mission is to create a world where every dog is valued, protected, and cherished.

Forgotten coast animal rescue

Our co-founders Rachell Jones and Courtney Lomelo met in 2019 where all good rescue ladies hang out: Facebook groups dedicated to rescuing dogs. Although Rachell lives in Florida, and Courtney in Texas, together they networked and found a home for their first dog together! His name was Ryder. Courtney began rescuing street dogs in 2011 and Rachell entered the rescue world in 2018 inspired by countless dogs displaced by Hurricane Michael in Florida. The duo went on to network several more dogs on high-kill Houston shelters' euthanasia lists. They got to know each other over late night calls and Facebook messages. A true modern friendship! Finally, they decided to officially form a rescue together and Forgotten Coast Animal Rescue was born. Forgotten Coast Animal Rescue was named for Rachell's home coast in Florida. Presently, FCAR operates primarily in Houston, Texas. We hope to expand to North Florida, the forgotten coast, in the coming years to care for Rachell's home state.

Lola's Lucky Day

Lola's Lucky Day strives to make a positive impact by rescuing animals that otherwise would not have a chance in Texas. We rescue pups from the streets and shelters, get them healthy, fully vetted, spayed/neutered, and network with our partner rescues in Wisconsin to match them with loving families.

Angleton Animal Services Adoption Center

The Angleton Animal Services Adoption Center is located at 535 South Anderson. It is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. Please contact Animal Services at 979-848-5696 for staff availability. Pet Adoption Program Angleton Animal Services Adoption Center has a pet adoption program, offering a nice selection of small, medium and large dogs, plus a variety of cats and kittens for adoption into good homes. To make the adoption process more efficient, download the relevant application form. Please click here for the dog form or here for the cat form. In accordance with Texas State law, all animals adopted from Animal Control must be spayed or neutered and given all required shots and vaccinations.

Central Texas Dachshund Rescue

Central Texas Dachshund Rescue was started in September of 2000. Our membership has grown yearly, providing more foster families and volunteers to help find loving, forever homes for our dachshunds. We were incorporated in September of 2001 and we received 501(c)3 status in February 2003. And, despite our name, we are no longer only in Central Texas, but have members and volunteers throughout the state.

Second Chance Poms, Inc.

Pomeranian rescue group for southeast Texas. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas

In 1988 Sharon Elliott, a Cocker Spaniel enthusiast, was called on to assist in a raid of a backyard breeder. Sharon, horrified by what she saw, became determined to assist Cocker Spaniels who were abandoned and helpless. ​ The operation started small with two volunteers placing a dozen dogs a year. Within ten years this noble effort attracted a core of volunteers who re-homed a hundred plus dogs a year. In the late 1990's Cocker Spaniel Rescue established an internet presence with a website, www.cockerkids.org. While the website helped recruit volunteers and donations, the number of Cocker Spaniels in need increased dramatically. Now we have a presence on FaceBook and we are reaching even more Cocker Spaniel lovers. Today CSR serves the greater Houston area with foster homes stretching from Conroe south to Lake Jackson, west to Katy and as far east to Deer Park. Our primary service area is around 5,600 square miles with a population of 5.7 million people. We serve an area bigger than three individual states (Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Delaware). Thirty states that have populations smaller than the greater Houston area. In 2009 we were contacted about 633 Cocker Spaniels in need of help and we adopted out an all-time high of 300. In 2009, we were awarded the Pedigree Breed Rescue of the Year at the Westminster Dog Show.​ Dedicated volunteers are the heart of Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas. Currently we have about 50 volunteers and 30 foster homes. We are an all volunteer organization (no paid employees) and do not operate a facility. We refer to the Cocker Inn® as a virtual home, representing our network of foster homes and boarding kennels. About 80% of the dogs are in foster homes. The remaining 20% are boarded at several kennels across the greater Houston area. We would love to have foster homes for all the dogs but being boarded in a kennel is better than being on death row. We extend our thanks to those of you who "volunteer" money. Your donations enable us to provide veterinary care and board dogs when foster homes can't be found. Veterinarian bills consume 65% of our budget. Nearly all dogs require immunizations. About 70% must be spayed or neutered. Almost 50% undergo heartworm treatment. In addition to these basic services dogs may arrive with ear, eye or skin infections that must be treated. A few of the dogs in our care need specialized surgery for cataracts, luxating patellas, femoral head ostectomies or cherry eye repair. Other dogs arrive injured or sick with contagious diseases such as distemper, requiring extensive hospitalization. Understandably, not everyone can foster or make monetary donations. However, we have had great success from people posting our website on the company bulletin board, or sharing our story with family members and friends. We are always looking for ways to share information regarding rescue and would be honored to speak at a party or gathering to promote and educate on the joys of these 2nd Chance CockerKids®.

A New Dawn Pet Adoption

Founded in 2009, A New Dawn Pet Adoption Center tackles the issue of homeless pet overpopulation in Deer Park, Texas, and surrounding areas. As a no-kill, limited-capacity center, A New Dawn is devoted to finding loving, forever homes for small breed dogs in a setting that resembles a home. Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, A New Dawn relies solely on volunteers and public donations, with all funds raised going towards the dogs' medical care and living expenses. Each dog enjoys a personal room complete with a bed, toys, and blankets. Although there is a cattery, it is not currently operational and instead provides a haven for five elderly cats left behind by their deceased owners.

Baytown Animal Services

Devoted to Pets Rescue

We are a group of animal-loving individuals who have formed a close relationship through our life-saving work with A Life to Live over the past several years. With the closure of A Life to Live, we have formed a new rescue organization, Devoted to Pets Rescue to continue to pursue our passion of serving and saving pets in Baytown and our surrounding communities.

Rock-A-Bully and Friends

We are a 501(c)(3) dog rescue located in Houston, TX. We specialize in the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of mainly bully breeds, but also help other dog friends in need as well.

DREAM Dachshund Rescue, Education & Adoption Mission

DREAM Dachshund Rescue, Education & Adoption Mission is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing abandoned Dachshunds and finding new homes for Dachshunds whose owners can no longer care for them. Our committed volunteers, working closely with local veterinarians, provide our Dachshunds with quality medical care and loving foster homes until they are adopted into carefully screened, permanent homes. We also serve as a resource to our community, providing information on responsible pet ownership, the importance of spay/neuter, annual vaccinations, heartworm prevention, positive behavior training, exercise, and good nutrition.

Tender Loving Crested Rescue

Tender Loving Crested Rescue™ (TLCR) started out of the love of the breed and the realization that this “rare” breed was quickly becoming like all others. We are an all-volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of abused, abandoned and neglected Chinese Cresteds. We are 501(c)3 rescue operating in the Houston, Texas area. We are limited to getting dogs from the Houston and surrounding areas at this time but will help with other areas any way we can! We have been successful in assisting with transport arrangements for getting dogs to and from other states when they have been adopted or surrendered to us. OUR STORY Our Director and Founder of TLCR rescued her first Hairy Hairless without even realizing it. She traveled with her mom to purchase a dog from a “breeder”. When they got there, all they saw were dogs and cages everywhere. The breeder couldn’t even tell them what dogs were available. She had to put the dogs back into their cages, cages labeled with numbers, not names, just to figure out who was available. Throughout all of the commotion, a tiny baby boy sat quietly in our director’s lap and never left. He chose her. She named him Tucker Lane. Tucker changed her life. On the way home from the breeder’s house, they were both in tears, upset that they couldn’t do more to save the 30+ dogs that were left there. It was later learned that what they experienced was a puppy mill. That day changed their lives forever. Fast forward one year to an appointment with Robyn Arouty. Her immediate words upon seeing Tucker was “oh, he has balls”. Talk about being put in your place! Throughout the photo shoot, the topic of conversation was the importance of spay/neuter. We all know it, right? We just have excuses why we haven’t done it yet. No time, no money, can’t take off of work, etc. They’re all just excuses. The need for rescue volunteers and organizations was also discussed. Robyn, being a lover of nekkid dogs, commented that there were no Houston based rescues dedicated to Chinese Cresteds. That conversation was the start of something amazing. The picture to the left is what started it all! And we’re happy to report that Tucker was neutered 2 weeks later!! Our director started volunteering with Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue (LSSTLAR) in Houston, TX. She fostered, coordinated events, processed applications, did home visits, helped with medical cases, etc. She learned as much as she possibly could and is still learning from their director who has been in rescue for over 15 years. With the help of connections made while volunteering with LSSTLAR, she rescued her first Chinese Crested, a Powderpuff she named Lil Bit. His previous owner was a first time pet parent and couldn’t care for the sick puppy. After many, many vet visits and hospitalization, it was discovered that Lil Bit has renal dysplasia, (malformed kidneys), a result of poor breeding. Lil Bit is living his life in complete happiness for as long as he may have. A year later, the director of LSSTLAR again helped our director rescue a Chinese Crested that was at a local shelter with a broken jaw. The shelter had already performed surgery. Off she went with her second rescue, hopeful for a good and smooth recovery. Wrong! The dog, named Tobias “Tobi”, was in serious pain and was extremely dehydrated and underweight. Tobi was admitted to Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists where he underwent three more procedures over the next few months. We’re happy to say that Tobi is completely healed and is living a happy, healthy life!

City of Friendswood Animal Control

Friends of Faye

Rescue is a lifestyle, a calling and a community of passionate individuals working toward a common goal. ​ As rescuers, we all find beauty in the incomprehensible reality of Animal Welfare. We are simultaneously exhausted and hopeful. Our main goal as “Friends of Faye” is to offer support to our rescue community based on immediate need. Owner Retention - Local shelters are inundated with animals surrendered for a myriad of reasons, frequently as a last resort. Their owners, out of options. We plan to work alongside local rescues to provide committed temporary foster options, financial assistance for required Veterinary treatment or re-homing as a last resort to owner retention. ​ Veterinary Assistance - The elephant always strategically plopped in the corner of every Rescuers living room, office and bedroom, is the mountain of vet bills. Our success is heavily dependent on donations and adoption fees to stay afloat. The animals that haunt us, and onslaught of messages from networkers to “save this dog from imminent death” weighs heavily all of us. We plan to assist in pulling in and vetting those “wishlist dogs”. The ones we are desperately wanting to save but need help raising funds for extensive veterinary care. ​ Networking - We are surrounded by a plethora of high quality Rescue Teams. All exhibiting incredible strengths in our community, all with specific rules, preferences and procedures. Networking is currently “send a photo and horrific narrative to any rescue with a pulse”, without understanding of what each is able to facilitate. Our goal is to foster a collaborative community to network the “most fitting rescue”. Whether by size, medical need, breed, Heartworm status, etc - Rescue groups are drowning in requests (often demands) to take in every dog. ​ Collaboration - our area is teaming with bleeding hearts, all rescuers. With that passion, comes strain within groups. We hope [not to sound too utopian] to build sustainable relationships between groups.

Gulf Coast Cocker Spaniel Rescue

We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) rescue organization specializing in the rescue of Cocker Spaniels. We are not a shelter. Our rescue process involves finding loving foster homes for all the dogs in our program until their forever home can be found. As you can imagine, we are in constant need of volunteers, foster homes and funding. Any help given in any of these vital areas is greatly appreciated and essential for our efforts to continue.

Mr. K's Pet Shelter

Rocio’s Rescues

Our Rescue is very small and operated by only volunteers that have also full time jobs and families and dedicate their free time and personal resources to rescue animals in need. We are located in Houston, TX, normally our dogs travel to foster homes in the MA and CT area before going to their forever homes, but because of the demand in the adoptions this year our dogs are traveling in foster to adopt now, this means our dogs travel directly to adopters who pick them up from transport in East Hartford CT when they leave their Texas fosters. Our dogs travel in Professional pet transport to the arms of their loving prospective adopters. After the dog arrives we usually wait 2 to 3 weeks before we finalize the adoption. We want to make sure the dog is happy and the new family is too! Rocio’s Rescues works very hard to make perfect matches between families and rescue dogs and cats. Filling an application is the first step in that process followed by a phone call and a Facetime call with the dog or cat and the adopters. Five out of seven pets are re-homed in their lifetime. Rocio’s Rescues wants to change this model for the lucky few we save, finding LOVING, COMMITTED FOREVER HOMES.

Good Lif3 Bully Rescue

Make A Stand Bully Rescue

Make A Stand Bully Rescue (MASBR), we are working towards a society where bully breeds are accepted and responsible dog ownership is the expectation. Through our foster and adoption programming, we provide safe havens and second chances to the country’s most misrepresented, underserved, and euthanized breed of dog. Our History MAS Bully Rescue was founded in 2011 and formerly known as Long Way Home “LWH” Pit Bull Rescue. In 2022, we reincorporated under our new name as it is today. We have welcomed more than 600 rescued pit bulls and bully breed mixes into our program since our founding date. And we continue to rescue an average of 120 pit bulls annually. We firmly believe in the one community mentality: every foster family, adoptee, shelter worker, rescuer, and rescue supporter are one family working towards the same goal. Where there’s love and patience, there’s a way to save lives. We fully support the notion that a perfect match exists when it comes to finding a loving home for a social pit bull or bully breed in need. MASBR is an LGBTQ+ friendly organization that proudly works with all individuals and families. We do not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race or ethnicity, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, medical or mental health condition, or disability. We strive to accommodate applicants living within extenuating circumstances or situations that might seem difficult. MASBR has and will continue to work with all families who are passionate and willing to open their hearts and homes to pit bulls and bully breed dogs in need. Our bottom line is to ensure a quality life and ideal-match is made for each of our rescue pit bulls and the families to whom we adopt.