The Best Los Angeles, CA Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

Wags & Walks

Wags and Walks is focused on advocating for wrongfully stereotyped bully breeds, medical dogs, and mamas + puppies that are often overlooked and at-risk due to overcrowding. We do not select dogs based on their size, age, or breed. We select our dogs on a case-by-case basis, factoring in our ability to help and their likelihood of thriving when placed in the right home. We know that, like amazing dogs, loving families come in all shapes and sizes. Our goal is to find every pup an adopter whose home, family, and lifestyle are a perfect fit for a lifetime of love and happiness.

Angel City Pit Bulls

Angel City Pit Bulls is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to creating a better future for pit bulls by promoting their positive image as loving family companions through education, public advocacy, adoptions, and owner support.

Paws For Life K9 Rescue

Paws For Life K9 Rescue saves and transforms the lives of animals and people through innovative canine-centered programs that provide purpose, support, and opportunity through the Prison/Re-Entry, People & Pet Innovation Center, First Responder and PTSD Support, Adoptions, Transports, and Vet Tech Program.

LaBelle Foundation

A beacon of hope in the realm of animal welfare. Our foundation is dedicated to transforming lives through responsible pet ownership education, spaying, and neutering initiatives, vaccination advocacy, and comprehensive dog training. We confront the challenges within the rescue community head-on, driven by a resolute mission to put an end to dog homelessness. Aligned with our mission, we champion accessible veterinary care. Our support has extended to sponsoring spay and neuter clinics across California and Mexico, with ongoing plans to broaden our reach. Our unwavering commitment includes partnering with affordable specialty veterinary clinics and addressing the critical need for accessible and affordable care through advocacy and legislation. As we continue to evolve, our unwavering focus remains on the core tenets that define us. Our journey is built upon the principles of rescuing, rehabilitating, and advocating for dogs, particularly with neonatal orphans needing intensive care, medical/special needs animals, and nursing mother-and-babies. Our foundation stands upon pillars that encompass rescuing animals in need, educating the community on responsible pet care, facilitating forever homes, fostering a supportive community, and prioritizing the overall well-being of animals.

Pasadena Humane

Pasadena Humane is more than an animal shelter; we are a community-supported animal resource center providing compassion and care for all animals. Since 1903, Pasadena Humane has offered lifesaving programs and services for animals and the people who love them in the Greater Los Angeles Area. At our Pasadena campus, we provide shelter, dedicated care and new beginnings for thousands of our community's most vulnerable animals every year. In addition to pet adoptions and foster, we focus on programs and services aimed at helping people care for and keep their pets, such as free and low-cost spay/neuter and vaccines, a pet food pantry, and an animal support call center. In 2022, Pasadena Humane helped nearly 40,000 animals through adoptions, wildlife rehabilitation, lost & found, veterinary services, and surrender prevention assistance.

German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County

German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County (GSROC) is a non-profit 501(c)3 charity organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing purebred German Shepherd Dogs that have no where else to turn.

LA Animal Rescue

Rags2Wags Animal Rescue

Rags2Wags a 501c3, all breed, animal rescue founded in 2012 to help eliminate the killing of animals in US shelters, primarily focusing on the high kill shelters of Southern California. We rescue, rehabilitate & re-home animals to the Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Washington & Canada. We also work to financially support small local rescues & independent rescuers who work in the trenches on a grass roots level to fight for the health, safety & well being of all animals. It is our belief that the passion, hard work & dedication of the grassroots rescue community will be the united force that will win the war on animal abuse/neglect & will usher in the change necessary to allow the United States to graduate to the respectable doctrine of a No-Kill-Nation.

Lori's Angels Animal Rescue

Lori’s Angels animal rescue is a 501c3 non-profit that saves HOMELESS, ABUSED, SICK, AND INJURED ANIMALS from the streets, abusive situations, and high-kill los angeles area shelters. We work to rehabilitate them with proper care and plenty of love. There are many animals in socal that need love, medical attention, and a warm place to sleep at night. Our aim is to help as many of them as possible. Registered 501 c3 with the state of California Franchise Tax Board

Precious Pals Pet Rescue

Precious Pals Pet Rescue is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit rescue organization located in Los Angeles. We are a group of dedicated animal loving volunteers who go above and beyond to change the lives of abandoned and neglected shelter dogs. We are a predominantly a small breed rescue that emphasizes on rescuing medical, special needs and seniors. We spare no costs when it comes to saving a life, and will never put down a dog until all medical interventions have been exhausted and we as a team along with our Veterinarian feel that it's time to let them cross to the Rainbow Bridge. When we say we are in rescue to "Save Lives" that's exactly what we do and that's the promise we give to each or our medical dogs. In 2018 after seeing the plight of the animal rescues in China who take heroic measures to save dogs from the meat trade industry, our hearts went out to a particular group called Slaughterhouse Survivors in Harbin, China. Since our partnership with SHS started, we have rescued over 20 dogs together prior to Covid. We look forward to the opportunity to rescue again with SHS and hope to open our rescue to helping other countries in need of help.

R&R Animal Rescue

R&R Animal Rescue is a relatively new nonprofit organization. We are a family run rescue, and truly love what we do. Our mission started when we first rescued our two tea cup Maltese baby boys. One of the boys, Rocky, was used in the film industry, and appeared in a TV show. During the filming process, he was severely mistreated, and deeply traumatized. Once we got him into our care, we just fell in love, and he continued living with us for the next eleven years. At roughly the same time, we got another tea cup Maltese boy, Rambo, who was born to a breeder, but had physical differences, making the breeder no longer want him. Rambo was born the smallest, and the last, and he also had out-turned feet, at times, making walking slightly challenging. The boys grew to be a part of our family, and we truly couldn’t imagine our lives without them. After loosing both of them, within two months of each other, Rocky to cancer, and Rambo to a stroke, we were beyond heartbroken. The only thing that came close to mending our hearts, was to saving the lives of other dogs, just like the boys saved our lives. We started this rescue to continue their legacy of love, care, forgiveness, and commitment to the fight for success. We love and dearly miss our beautiful Rocky and Rambo, but we hope that the work we are currently doing is continuing their mission of love.

Dachshunds and Friends Rescue

Dachshunds and Friends Rescue is committed to finding forever and foster homes for dogs in the Southern California region, with a primary focus on Dachshunds while welcoming other small breeds with open arms. In 2017, Cheryl founded Dachshunds and Friends Rescue, driven by her journey from losing her beloved Dachshund, Sophie, to discovering Mia, igniting her passion for helping dogs in need. Cheryl's unwavering dedication and experience then led to the establishment of her own rescue, Dachshunds and Friends.

Ruff Patches

Deaf Dog Rescue of America

Priceless Pet Rescue

Priceless Pets is a non-profit animal welfare organization. We operate our life-saving efforts out of multiple adoption centers known as “The Orphanage,” with locations in Chino Hills, Claremont, Costa Mesa, and City of Industry. All animals are rescued from various circumstances and are in our care until their new forever families adopt them! We focus heavily on education and animal welfare through our Priceless Pets Ranch and Learning Center in Chino Hills. We also operate a veterinary clinic servicing animals from the public for a low-cost fee to pet parents. We are a donation-based organization and rely heavily on community support and private donations to help us continue to save animals in need! We are dedicated to our life-saving mission: saving one by one until there are none.™

OC Pom Rescue

OC Pom Rescue is a breed-specific 501(c)(3) nonprofit dog rescue based in Southern California. Created by women in 2020, the rescue strives to educate about responsible dog ownership and the Pomeranian breed.

Golden Years Dog Sanctuary

The Human Animal Bond

Our foundation works tirelessly to provide a range of services to both animals and their human companions, including: Education and advocacy: We work to educate the public about the importance of the human-animal bond, and advocate for policies that support animal welfare and promote animal-human interaction. ​ Support and resources: We provide a range of support and resources for animal lovers, including information on animal behavior, training, and care, as well as guidance for veterinary care, and pet adoption. Community engagement: We organize events and activities that bring animals and humans together, fostering connections and building stronger communities.

Pet Orphans of Southern California

Promoting Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Responsible Pet Ownership since 1973. Pet Orphans of Southern California (POSC) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to the advancement of companion animal welfare and to combating overpopulation, abandonment, and the need for euthanasia. We have been rescuing, rehabilitating, and placing animals in loving “forever homes” for over 40 years. POSC provides broad community support through our Humane Education program and our diverse client services (medical/financial, spay/neuter, training assistance, and counseling) to encourage responsible pet guardianship. We envision a community where all pets are fully integrated into loving and responsible families. Pet Orphans of Southern California is dedicated to combating the national crisis of overpopulation, abandonment and euthanasia by offering all of our services to the community. With our new medical facility, we can offer much needed care to those who are in need. POSC is committed to serving its community by rescuing adoptable homeless dogs and cats, providing them with exceptional care and then carefully matching them with suitable adoptive families. As the oldest and largest private humane organization that has its own shelter in Southern California, POSC has been rescuing and re-homing animals for over 40 years. We want to continue helping our community by making sure all our rescued pets continue to get the care they need even after they go on to forever homes. We are committed to decreasing the number of animals euthanized annually in city and county shelters by focusing our efforts on rescue, adoption, medical care, and training. Our comprehensive approach to saving lives includes: • Sheltering, grooming and providing medical care of homeless dogs and cats. • Adoptions to lifelong homes. • Foster care for homeless dogs and cats. • Keeping our facility a safe, clean, healthy environment for our orphans. • Providing affordable medical care (spay/neuter, vaccines and microchipping) for the community while upholding the highest standards.

LA Pets Alive

By promoting adoption in a positive way, we hope to reshape the stigma surrounding shelter pets and animal rescue. LA Pets Alive brings light to the fact that there are a wide variety of animals that end up in shelters through no fault of their own. LA Pets Alive works with passed over animals, traditional underdogs, including seniors and those with special needs, showing that shelter dogs are truly top dogs. LA Pets Alive is an equal opportunity rescue, welcoming all, promoting love, and encouraging the spoiling of our pets. Given the opportunity, rescuing a shelter pet may rescue you!

Paws of LA

We are a 501(c)3 foster-based dog rescue saving neglected and abandoned dogs, mending their broken hearts and finding their forever homes.

Canine Rescue Connection

One Beagle started the whole ball rolling. Gizmo was a challenge that led to a very fullfilling “career” in rescue. He was my first dog and a great teacher on how to approach dogs and rescue. It is indeed because of my experiences with him that led me on this path. All stages of his life brought more challenges. Puppyhood…Housetraining…Obedience Classes… Behavior Modification…Learning to deal with how smart this dog was…Landing us on the TV show “The Dog Whisperer”…Getting older and more accepting of another dog…Losing a dog to cancer…Learning to accept even more dogs in the pack…and getting even older and succumbing to cancer himself. 14 years worth of trials and tests. I will never forget all the lessons he taught me along the way and have integrated all this experience into every dog that passes through. Everything I do is all in honor of my greatest teacher Gizmo. Out of this “hobby”… a full fledged non-profit organization, Canine Rescue Connection was born. Years of work behind the scenes learning how everything about rescue works have gone into this project. I didn’t wake up one day and say hey I’m a dog rescue! No, it is a continuing learning experience that benefits all parties. The dogs, the rescues, the shelters and people that want to adopt a rescue dog. Each animal brings a new experience and sheds light on the behavior of others. It is why I do what I do…the ultimate goal of saving a life by connecting dogs to rescue and people to rescue dogs.

Lost and Found Dogs USA Network

We believe everyone was placed on this earth with a mission to fulfill; ours is to save animals. Founded by Jeanette Portocarrero in 2011, Lost & Found Dogs USA Network is the only rescue center in Kern County, California that participates in active search and rescue by obtaining animals in need from the field. By focusing on all aspects of rescue, we go beyond search and rescue by providing community education, intervention for pet welfare, adoptions, rescue training, pet retention, and more. We live on-site with the dogs we rescue and are committed to the hard work these animals deserve. We are grateful you’ve found us and hope you’ll join us in the movement of changing the face of pet rescue.

OCPoundhounds Small Breed Dog Rescue

OC Poundhounds, originally headquartered in Orange County, CA has relocated the majority of its organization to the SW Washingon State area to offer a Sanctuary and Hospice option to our rescue. We still have a small presence in Orange County, CA for our remaining dedicated Board Member and Volunteers to offer a foster-home based rescue option for Pomeranian’s, Papillions & Toy Hairless breeds (Chinese Crested, Peruvian Inca Orchids (PIO’s) and Xolo’s (Mexican hairless) dogs, and mixes thereof, that have been placed on the euthanasia lists in the local LA and Inland Empire high-kill shelters, from commercial breeding operations, and if we are able to consider taking in, Owner Surrendered dogs. We are NOT a shelter. The dogs we have available for adoption are in private homes of compassionate, local dog lovers who have opened up their homes (and hearts) to our rescued dogs until they find their furever home. Our SW Washington location is called One Last Good Home Dog Sanctuary & Hospice is for senior dogs with limited life expectancy, and hospice so they can experience some love and comfort until their has come to cross the Rainbow Bridge, where we stay with them to assist them on their journey. Our experienced Volunteers have an extensive background in dog behaviour training, as well as veterinary experience. This assists the organization identify, evaluate and rescue dogs that have the best opportunity to be successfully placed in forever homes within the Southern California community, or can be comfortable in a Sanctuary / Hospice situation. We are totally donation driven, with no paid members. All donations go towards the dog’s veterinary needs while in our care. We are licensed in California, Washington State and the IRS as a recognized 501(c)3 approved Non-Profit rescue organization, operating since 2008, and are proudly listed on GuideStar.org. We have been in dog rescue in Southern California since 2005, and in dog and cat rescue since 1986, with our funds being derived 100% from the general and adoption donation fees we ask for an OCPoundHound at the time of adoption. This is directed 100% back in to continuing our rescue work and the related veterinary care needed by the dogs we rescue. This allows us to continue our mission, and motto of “Making A Difference, One Dog At A Time”.

The Animal Rescue Alliance

THE ANIMAL RESCUE ALLIANCE (TARA) is a 501(c)3 no-kill rescue and sanctuary located in Chatsworth, CA. We offer a cage-free haven to abused and abandoned cats, dogs and farm animals, including goats, horses, donkeys, geese and even parrots! Whether you are interested in adopting a new companion, volunteering to be a friend to a homeless animal at our ranch, or helping with a donation, we welcome you!

Balooja's Foundation, Inc.

Balooja's Foundation is a small Southern California rescue organization run by a group of dedicated volunteers. We save dogs from death at over-crowded shelters, dogs with special medical needs, handicapped dogs, older dogs, and we find them loving, happy homes. Founded in 2016, Balooja's Foundation has saved the lives of countless animals in need.

The Brittany Foundation

The Brittany Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, care, and placement of homeless dogs in the Los Angeles, CA area. We have been running our no-kill rescue and sanctuary since 1994. Nancy Anderson, founder and CEO of The Brittany Foundation, started her journey in rescue in 1986, shortly after she arrived in California. She became keenly aware of inhumane atrocities that she couldn't ignore: pit bull fighting and animal testing. She responded with action, rescuing her first pit bull, "Dog," from a person facing incarceration. She soon added two more pit bulls, "Romeo" and "Claudio," to her pack when she interrupted their transport to a fighting ring in Oxnard. The Brittany Foundation was formally incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit in 1994, and has remained steadfast in our dedication to the rescue, rehabilitation, care, and placement of homeless dogs. We continue to rescue pit bulls, along with all other breeds, regardless of age, history, or medical condition. The Sanctuary We are nestled in the beautiful hills of Agua Dulce, CA, and at any time could have up to 50 canine residents enjoying safe haven here with us. Each pup is settled into a kennel that we affectionately call a "room," decked out with a small couch for lounging, a bed and igloo for snoozing, and of course blankets, toys, and most of all, space to sniff, play, and relax while they are waiting for their forever homes. A misting system keeps the rooms cool in the summer, and winterproof coverings keep our pups warm in the winter. We offer daily enrichment, training, socialization, and care at the hands of fully vetted, caring employees and volunteers who oversee play-yard fun time and walks every day. While we hope to match each dog we rescue with the perfect forever home, if that is not meant to be, each pup will have a loving home with us for as long as they need it.

LIFE Animal Rescue

RockNRoll Rescue

RockNRoll Rescue was established as another resource, another avenue, to save as many of these beautiful animals as possible, and to find them their own forever homes and families. Through advocacy, fund-raising, and rescue events we strive to raise awareness, and create support and long-term care and financing for the rescue itself. Working in conjunction with hi-profile Rock and Roll musicians and personalities, RockNRoll Rescue draws its primary support from the fans of Rock and Roll, and the many colorful bands and entertainers associated with it. Every dog deserves a home and family. No home or family is truly complete without a dog. Our goal is to make this a reality in the world today, and in doing so, make the world a much better place for all.

Concerned Citizens Animal Rescue