This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in Kansas. 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.
#266 in United States, #1 in Kansas
#12 in senior dog
Senior dog
Always & Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary (a.k.a. Always & Furever or A&F) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue network operating out of Spring Hill, Kansas. In our early days, Always & Furever was nothing more than a converted barn for senior dogs to live out the rest of their days surrounded by love, a true senior sanctuary. Over the past 4 years, we have transformed into a massive operation of amazing people and more than 5,000 lives saved.
"This shelter helps SO MANY dogs, saves them from imminent euthanasia at other shelters, provides endless veterinary care, and gives..."
— krista r.
Supporter
"Jen and her team do so many amazing things for all the dogs and cats they save. It is..."
— amanda w.
Supporter
#600 in United States, #2 in Kansas
In the spring of 1975, there was a group of individuals who came together with a common interest. Advocacy towards the welfare of animals within the Hays community. These people gave their time to organize a public fundraiser in order to start the construction of an animal shelter in March of 1977. Construction began in August of 1977 and the shelter had its “Grand Opening” on May 12th, 1978. Over the next few years there was a spike in incoming animals at the shelter. It became apparent that the current shelter was just too small. So, a second fundraiser was organized in December of 1981 for a new addition. Construction on the new addition finished in May of 1983. By the end of the 1980s the Hays Humane Society was providing services throughout northwest Kansas so it was at this time that they changed the shelter’s name to Humane Society of the High Plains. In 1993, Paul Miller wished to have a new animal shelter built in memory of his beloved wife Virginia. The new facility was built just 2 miles east of the original shelter’s location. And so the Virginia Miller Animal Shelter now houses the Humane Society of the High Plains.
#600 in United States, #2 in Kansas
In 2006, veterinarian Dr. Jessica Braun founded the Western Plains Animal Refuge (WPAR), a domestic animal shelter and wildlife rehabilitation center in Hays, Kansas. Our organization spent its first years inside of her clinic, the Animal Health Center, until 2011 when she transitioned to practice to home healthcare. A new director, Brendon McCampbell, was elected during this time and began the search for a new facility. In the summer of 2012, a manufactured home outside of Ellis, Kansas, was donated to WPAR, which became the Kopfman-Petco Foundation Animal Shelter. While the facility allowed to us to help many animals, it required continual maintenance and was not suitable for continued use. We made the difficult decision to close the facility in the winter of 2014 and began working out of the Hadley Center in Hays, Kansas, which last until the summer of 2022. We now operate almost entirely out of the homes of our volunteers, but have dreams of building a facility in the future.
#600 in United States, #2 in Kansas
In 2005, a group of concerned citizens recognized that Larned, like many communities across the country, had a problem with pet homelessness. Stays brought to the Larned City Pound were euthanized after three days if not claimed by their owners, or had no owner to claim them. In many cases, these were healthy, adoptable animals that only needed a safe, caring place to stay until they could be placed in new homes. After several meetings to discuss the problem and explore options, the Pawnee County Humane Society (PCHS) was established as a steering committee under the City of Larned. The first priority in those early days was to decrease the euthanization of these unclaimed pets. Not an easy task without a facility from which to operate! We were able to successfully help hundreds of animals over the years by establishing a network of volunteer foster homes. Caring individuals opened their homes, and their hearts, to these animals, which gave us time to find them homes. As awareness of our efforts grew, PCHS also began helping with animals from Pawnee County. In 2008 we were incorporated as a non-profit 501 (c) 3 charity and in August of 2011 we opened our Animal Shelter at the corner of 8th Street and Hwy 264. Our success is due to the countless hours put in by our many volunteers who truly want to make life little better for the homeless pets in Pawnee County. Also, thanks to the support of our local Veterinary Clinics the homeless pets are spayed, neutered, and living healthier lives.
#600 in United States, #2 in Kansas
Founded by Beatrice Martin Peck in 1946 to serve Franklin County's homeless animals, Prairie Paws' first name was the Franklin County Humane society. Through her own expense and effort, Beatrice established and named the first building The Bea Martin Peck Animal Shelter on March 25th 1947, which was completed and welcomed it's first residents in 1948. Beatrice and her volunteers also investigated reports of animal cruelty, and their efforts led to the enactment of many ordinances and regulations regarding animal care that remain today. Beatrice never stopped advocating for helpless animals until her death in 1967. The animal shelter she founded would continue to save lives for more than 60 years after her passing. In 2010 a similar group of hard-working animal advocates designed, funded and built a state-of-the-art facility under the current name "Prairie Paws Animal Shelter". Prairie Paws Animal Shelter has grown tremendously but is still a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) animal shelter operating under the same philosophies with which it was established over 70 years ago. The Manhattan location, also known as the T Russell Reitz Animal Shelter, was added in 2023 in partnership with the City of Manhattan KS and other area municipalities. Roughly 5,000 animals a year are served through our various programs at our two facilities.
Welcome to the 2024 Kansas Sniffspot Top Dog Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top rescues and shelters in Kansas 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 Kansas dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.
Same-day adoptions are encouraged, adopters must be over 18 years of age, be able to pay the adoption fee and have permission from the home-owner.
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. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular 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. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.