This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in Idaho. 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.
#137 in United States, #1 in Idaho
Meridian
Saving lives through storytelling and education. We promote behavioral wellness through a holistic care approach for every animal in our rescue. Our life skill training curricula teach both dogs and humans how to live ‚and thrive together. The best way for us to help more animals is by sharing our knowledge and skills. We have several program to support our community with resources to reduce the amount of dogs with behavioral issues entering shelters in the state of Idaho. We also have a prison program (EPIC) where we also work with the incarcerated community and provide life skills to humans and dogs.
"They are a wonderful No-kill rescue that works tirelessly to save, train and find homes for abandoned and traumatized Dogs...."
— elizabeth z.
Adoptee
"I volunteer with Meridian Canine Rescue since 2021 and love that they want to educate abour enrichment and the importance..."
— karinna l.
Volunteer / foster
#157 in United States, #2 in Idaho
Our promise to our animals: We will love and protect you, provide an enriching and nurturing foster home, care for all your medical needs, give you the structure and training needed for success, and above all treat you as our own while you are with us. Our promise to our community: We will work together, we will be kind and considerate, we will educate, we will advocate, we will serve. We are a small rescue established in North Idaho with 501(c)(3) status. Our team brings years of rescue and animal welfare together to form a family who is here to provide safety for forgotten animals and help find their forever family. We focus on those who need help the most, our abandoned local shelter dogs needing medical and more. Furry Farm is a foster based rescue; with an application, home check, and a meet and greet process before formalizing the adoption of your new furry friend. If you see an animal you would like to meet, head over to our website at thefurryfarmrescue.org to complete and application.
"Focused on our local abandoned pets, Furry Farm specializes in medical rehabilitation."
— stephanie d.
Volunteer / foster
"I have adopted from The Furry Farm and fostered for them. They are a top notch group that..."
— dana r.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
#266 in United States, #3 in Idaho
The Idaho Humane Society is the largest and oldest animal welfare organization and veterinary charity in the state. We are a private 501(c)3 organization that relies on donations to provide programs and services that benefit animals in Idaho.
"ID Humane Society took my RTH kitties that someone dumped at our property and I couldn’t be more appreciative of..."
— laura c.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
"I adopted my Koda from the Idaho Humane Society in October 2023. He had the sweetest face and was listed..."
— morghan t.
Adoptee, Fan
#600 in United States, #4 in Idaho
Pet Haven is a limited admission no-kill cat shelter and adoption center. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that receives no government funding, relying solely on donations to continue our mission of helping cats find loving homes.
#600 in United States, #4 in Idaho
Every day we work to create new possibilities for homeless animals in our community. We are proud to provide innovative and industry-leading services to not only enhance the lives of the animals while they are at the shelter, but to support every adoption so each animal can thrive in their new forever home.
#600 in United States, #4 in Idaho
Motley Crew Cat Lounge offers a safe place for homeless animals awaiting adoption and provides free trap-neuter-return services to feral and community cats.
Saving lives through storytelling and education. We promote behavioral wellness through a holistic care approach for every animal in our rescue. Our life skill training curricula teach both dogs and humans how to live ‚and thrive together. The best way for us to help more animals is by sharing our knowledge and skills. We have several program to support our community with resources to reduce the amount of dogs with behavioral issues entering shelters in the state of Idaho. We also have a prison program (EPIC) where we also work with the incarcerated community and provide life skills to humans and dogs.
Welcome to the 2024 Idaho Sniffspot Top Dog Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top rescues and shelters in Idaho 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 Idaho dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.
Our adoptions are not first come first served, but a match of the needs of the animal with the best potential adopter. First step is to submit an application to adopt. Each animal listed to the right shows their information, traits, and adoption fees in bio, or simply go to the bottom of this page and click on the desired application. You will want to have your vet information, landlord if needed, and two references and give yourself a few quality minutes to complete. You can expect to hear from us about 14-21 days after submitting your application, or the deadline posted. We do understand many folks would prefer a faster timeline. It's how we roll, slow and steady. If you are looking to adopt immediate, same day, hand that dog over there are many amazing shelters in our area to serve you: Serving Spokane County: SCRAPS, Spokane Humane Society, and Spokanimal. In North Idaho you can adopt the Better Together Animal Alliance or Companion Animal Center. With selection of your application, first we conduct interviews, then we check references and speak to your veterinarian. During that process we will also schedule a time for you to meet and get to know your new furry friend, and do a simple home check. If you have other animals, we will want to do some intros with all the animals at that time. We then ask you to take a few days to think about it and let us know, then we schedule a second Meeting before finalizing the adoption. All adopters sign a contract with the Furry Farm Rescue. All of our regular adoptions come with a trial period, which our adoption coordinators will discuss during the process. We also have a fantastic Foster to Adopt program which enables us to match your needs with an animal in need
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.
Discover the Pomeranian, a breed celebrated for its friendly, intelligent, and loyal nature. Recognized as a small toy dog, Pomeranians have their origins in Germany, where they were initially bred for herding starting in the 18th century.
Discover the Boston Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and intelligent nature. Recognized as a small dog, Boston Terriers are originally from the United States, where they were bred for fighting starting in the late 19th century. Today, Boston Terriers are popular companion dogs, beloved by their owners for their compact appearance and playful personalities.
Discover the Shih Tzu, a breed celebrated for its friendly, playful, and loyal nature. Recognized as a small dog, Shih Tzus have their origins in China, where they were initially bred for bred as companions for royalty starting in ancient times dating all the way back to 1,000 years ago.
Discover the Miniature Poodle, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, intelligent, and friendly nature. Recognized as a small dog, Miniature Poodles have their origins in Germany, where they were initially bred for retrieving game from water starting in the 15th century.
Discover the Bull Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and alert nature. Recognized as a medium dog, Bull Terriers have their origins in England, where they were initially bred for fighting and bull-baiting starting in the early 19th 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!
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.
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.