This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in Louisiana. 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 Louisiana
The Animal Shelter provides a safe and clean facility for stray animals or unwanted pets. We offer a wide array of animals for adoption throughout the year. Please come by the shelter, or call to inquire about the types of animals that are available to adopt.
"I have adopted 2 wonderful dogs from this shelter. The staff and volunteers spend so much time with the..."
— karen h.
Adoptee
"This group brings dogs from kill shelters in North Carolina and brings them to Washington DC. This gives them a..."
— jane a.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter
#266 in United States, #1 in Louisiana
Pit Bull
Baton Rouge
VRC works ceaselessly to give Pit Bulls (and other types of dogs) another chance in life. Each and EVERY dog is taken in and received any and all medical treatment necessary. We work patiently to re-acclimatize fearful dogs to the loving care of a human, so that they may eventually be adopted. In some cases, these dogs have never had a kind word or touch, and it is a slow process. After determining temperaments and compatibility factors, we begin that long search for the perfect home.
"I see this rescue constantly promoting healthy dogs/cats & they support & promote the spay/neuter program. They keep the facility..."
— carol t.
Fan
"Donna's Love Rescue will go to the enth degree to help a dog. I have been with them on a..."
— nancy f.
Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
#361 in United States, #3 in Louisiana
New Orleans
The Louisiana SPCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promote, protect and advance the well-being of Louisiana's companion animals. As the oldest and most comprehensive animal welfare organization in the state, we impact more than 73,000 homeless and companion animals each year. For more than 130 years we have been committed to service the needs of the people and animals in the Greater New Orleans community and across the region as a 4-star Charity Navigator rated nonprofit ranking in the top 1% nationally.
"The LASPCA has been helping animals for over 130 years. The facility is not only esthetically pleasing but the staff..."
— wendy a.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
#600 in United States, #4 in Louisiana
New Orleans
It is the mission, duty, and purpose of Zeus' Rescues to eradicate pet homelessness and euthanasia within the New Orleans metro area. The organization is further committed to community-building and pet education with a focus on children and the elderly. We find forever homes for animals that are pulled from high kill metro shelters. We are not an in-take shelter. We are an all-volunteer group funded by private donations and grants. We receive no local or state public funding.
#600 in United States, #4 in Louisiana
Monroe
PAWS of NE Louisiana, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that has been serving the Northeast Louisiana area since 2003. It was founded by local residents who realized the problems that our community faced regarding animal welfare would not go away without intervention and education. We are an all-volunteer organization that is guided by a volunteer board of directors. We do not have a physical location, we do not have paid employees, and we are not a shelter. PAWS is not a branch or division of any national agency. We do not receive tax funding. Our sources of funding are fundraisers and donations and grants from individuals and organizations. Since its inception, PAWS has grown and flourished thanks to our volunteers, members, and supporters. PAWS provides services to our community through our many Programs: Spay/Neuter Assistance, Shelter Animal Rescue, Tag Your Pet, and Pet Therapy/Humane Education. Please click on the specific pages for each Program to learn more.
#600 in United States, #4 in Louisiana
Baton Rouge
The Capital Area Animal Welfare Society (CAAWS) is the first and oldest non-profit in the Greater Baton Rouge Area committed to the well-being of animals in the community since 1979. Our purpose is primarily operating as an educational resource for the community on responsible pet ownership, the humane treatment of animals, and the beneficial practice of spaying and neutering.
#600 in United States, #4 in Louisiana
BISSELL Pet Foundation is a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness. In partnership with shelters across the country and by providing much-needed resources to underserved communities, BISSELL Pet Foundation is reducing the number of animals in shelters and rescues through our pet adoption, transport, spay/neuter, vaccination, microchipping, and crisis and disaster response programs. 100% of every donation directly impacts pets in need. As a hands-on foundation, we are committed to understanding the needs of different geographic areas, knowing our partners, and working together to create the best possible outcomes through grant funding for programs and initiatives that directly impact homeless pets.
#600 in United States, #4 in Louisiana
Baton Rouge
Dante's Hope-Animal Rescue is a 501(c)3 charity dedicated to helping animals in need in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and surrounding areas.
VRC works ceaselessly to give Pit Bulls (and other types of dogs) another chance in life. Each and EVERY dog is taken in and received any and all medical treatment necessary. We work patiently to re-acclimatize fearful dogs to the loving care of a human, so that they may eventually be adopted. In some cases, these dogs have never had a kind word or touch, and it is a slow process. After determining temperaments and compatibility factors, we begin that long search for the perfect home.
The Capital Area Animal Welfare Society (CAAWS) is the first and oldest non-profit in the Greater Baton Rouge Area committed to the well-being of animals in the community since 1979. Our purpose is primarily operating as an educational resource for the community on responsible pet ownership, the humane treatment of animals, and the beneficial practice of spaying and neutering.
Dante's Hope-Animal Rescue is a 501(c)3 charity dedicated to helping animals in need in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and surrounding areas.
PAWS of NE Louisiana, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that has been serving the Northeast Louisiana area since 2003. It was founded by local residents who realized the problems that our community faced regarding animal welfare would not go away without intervention and education. We are an all-volunteer organization that is guided by a volunteer board of directors. We do not have a physical location, we do not have paid employees, and we are not a shelter. PAWS is not a branch or division of any national agency. We do not receive tax funding. Our sources of funding are fundraisers and donations and grants from individuals and organizations. Since its inception, PAWS has grown and flourished thanks to our volunteers, members, and supporters. PAWS provides services to our community through our many Programs: Spay/Neuter Assistance, Shelter Animal Rescue, Tag Your Pet, and Pet Therapy/Humane Education. Please click on the specific pages for each Program to learn more.
The Louisiana SPCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promote, protect and advance the well-being of Louisiana's companion animals. As the oldest and most comprehensive animal welfare organization in the state, we impact more than 73,000 homeless and companion animals each year. For more than 130 years we have been committed to service the needs of the people and animals in the Greater New Orleans community and across the region as a 4-star Charity Navigator rated nonprofit ranking in the top 1% nationally.
It is the mission, duty, and purpose of Zeus' Rescues to eradicate pet homelessness and euthanasia within the New Orleans metro area. The organization is further committed to community-building and pet education with a focus on children and the elderly. We find forever homes for animals that are pulled from high kill metro shelters. We are not an in-take shelter. We are an all-volunteer group funded by private donations and grants. We receive no local or state public funding.
Welcome to the 2024 Louisiana Sniffspot Top Dog Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top rescues and shelters in Louisiana 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 Louisiana dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.
If you currently have an existing small breed dog in your home, we will not adopt out a larger breed dog (this includes our Pit Bulls) into your home. From time to time, we do have some non-Pit Bull medium to smaller breed dogs that may work out. We do this for the safety of your dog. You may be asked to bring your dog to Louisiana to do an preliminary introduction with the dogs but that can be discussed with our adoption counselor especially if it is a long distance adoption. Blind dates not always successful. Depending on your dog experience, we may be able to adjust the guidelines for this type of adoption.If you have an existing non-Pit Bull in your home and you want to adopt one of our non-Pit Bulls.we may ask you to make the drive to have the dogs meet first. ‚Blind dates‚ aren't always successful so this will depend on what you and our adoption counselor discuss about making the adoption work out, especially if it is a long distance adoption. Depending on your dog experience, we may be able to adjust the guidelines for this type of adoption.If you have an existing Pit Bull in your home and you want to adopt one of our Pit Bull type dogs, you must be within an 8 hour drive from our facility and it will be on a case by case basis. The reason for this should be obvious but I will explain. The bully breeds can be somewhat tenacious when it comes to other dogs. It is not uncommon for them to get along with a dog one minute and then what seems like all of a sudden they are no longer friends. For this reason, we need to be within a close driving distance just in case things should not work out. If you are one of our former adopters and have a successful past track record with us, then of course, the distance factor may not be an issue. Depending on your dog experience, we may be able to adjust the guidelines for this type of adoption.If you have an existing non-Pit Bull in your home and you want to adopt one of our Pit Bull type dogs, you must be within an 8 hour drive from our facility and it will be on a case by case basis. The reason for this should be obvious but I will explain. The bully breeds can be somewhat tenacious when it comes to other dogs. It is not uncommon for them to get along with a dog one minute and then what seems like all of a sudden they are no longer friends. For this reason, we need to be within a close driving distance just in case things should not work out. If you are one of our former adopters and have a successful past track record with us, then of course, the distance factor may not be an issue. Depending on your dog experience, we may be able to adjust the guidelines for this type of adoption.WE DO NOT ADOPT TO:Homes with cats. We do not have the means to properly cat test our dogs. We will not take a chance on the safety of your cat and put one of our dogs into this situation. This is not to say that cats and dogs won't get along. Of course they can but again, we do not have the proper set up to test our dogs with cats in in a responsible scenario.We do not adopt to homes with children under 5 years old. We do not have the proper set up to temperament test ourdogs for this scenario.We do not adopt to homes that are under HOA guidelines unless we are able to receive in writing that you are allowed to have the dog you are interested in adopting from us.Although we do not require a fenced in yard, if you do have one, it has to be at least 5 to 6 feet tall (depending on which dog you are interested in.We do not adopt our dogs out for the purposed of making them into service dogs. With too many people/trainers fraudulently obtaining fake service dog vests and unscrupulous trainers claiming that they are credentialed we do not want to have our dog put into a situation that they are not qualified for.We do not adopt out of the country.We do not fly our dogs. Each dog is driven by our staff, to your home.
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.