This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in Oregon. 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.
#9 in United States, #1 in Oregon
South Coast Humane Society Believes in the UNDERDOG!! We are a progressive rescue organization that serves not only our community but animals from all over the world. We give the second chance that an animal needs!! We help our community with low cost spay/neuter and medical wellness that would otherwise not be available.
"I have adopted to special needs dogs from SCHS. One was deaf and an owner surder, the second one was..."
— june m.
Adoptee
"This is the BEST rescue! The staff is so kind and really cares about the animals and being kind to..."
— katie k.
Adoptee
#23 in United States, #2 in Oregon
Portland
After 13 years in Tualatin, We recently re-located to Portland in the John's Landing neighborhood! We always have 50+ adorable pups waiting for homes so please come visit us 7-days a week!
"For years ago, I got my best friend from the Oregon Dog Rescue. They are great organization that adapted during..."
— kristi k.
Adoptee
"This amazing rescue is creative and fun, which draws in volunteers and adopters. They are extremely supportive of the families..."
— kathy w.
Volunteer / foster
#62 in United States, #3 in Oregon
Portland
Street Savvy Dog Rescue is a superlative, foster-based dog rescue active in rescuing dogs from underserved areas such as rural Texas, Mexico, CA and the PNW where we are based. Our amazing ALL-VOLUNTEER team cares for dogs in their homes until they are matched to applicants. Started in 2014, we are now entering our 10th year and have surpassed the 3000 saved mark! We are notably THE FIRST non-profit dog rescue in Oregon to resolutely ONLY use force-free training methods and we are dedicated to educating the public all about using force-free training and mental enrichment to help their dogs be happy and psychologically healthy!
"Street Savvy Dog Rescue is run exceptionally well run. They really listen when you are looking for a good match,..."
— jenna c.
Adoptee, Supporter
"A wonderful local rescue that devote their time and efforts in helping the poor pups of our community to find..."
— judy r.
Fan
#79 in United States, #4 in Oregon
Pit Bull
Eugene
We specialize in bully breed, pregnant pups and moms with litters. These pups are 3rd on the euthanasia list and we found that they need help the most. We rescue , rehab and rehome all our dogs so that they have a better chance of getting homes. We dedicate every waking moment to these pups. They run every day at least 2 times a day, they get tons of love from our staff and volunteers. We love what we do.
"I adopted my precious giant baby Lulu 4 years ago. This sweet Doberman Mastiff mix and her litter mates all..."
— jenna h.
Adoptee
"Everyone who run this rescue are amazing people. The care they put in to all their rescues is evident. We..."
— tiffany s.
Adoptee
#90 in United States, #5 in Oregon
Eugene
Greenhill Humane Society has been caring for animals in Lane County since 1944. We operate the only animal shelter within the Eugene/Springfield area. Our programs include animal adoptions; reuniting lost animals with their families; disaster response; crisis care boarding in situations of domestic violence, medical emergencies, and other crisis situations; spay/neuter for free roaming, un-owned community cats; a pet pantry; on-site volunteer opportunities; foster care and humane education. We are a private non-profit and rely on donations for a majority of our budget. The generosity of our local community enables us to provide a high level of care to lost, abandoned, and neglected animals while at the same time helping pet owners in need.
"Greenhill is so worthy of this award due to their outstanding care and love for the animals in their care...."
— mike m.
Supporter
"This humane rescue is a no-kill shelter. They also have many programs to help people with the finances of owning..."
— donna d.
Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
#105 in United States, #6 in Oregon
At Pawsitively Saved we believe that all dogs deserve a safe and nurturing forever home. Providing an environment, coupled with active mental and physical stimulation, leads to a happy, healthy life for your dogs. To meet the physical and recreational needs of your pet, promote healthy exercise and foster essential socialization skills for confident canines. Dogs that are fully socialized and exercised are confident companions We are passionate about what we do and care deeply about the health and well-being of all dogs. This is not a business, this is our lifestyle, and dogs ARE our life. Dogs bring us comfort, joy, and companionship through every phase of our lives, and it's our job to give back to them as much as they give to us.
"We were having to make the difficult decision to put our 16yr old dog down due to severe health issues...."
— sandi w.
Adoptee
"Richard and carol do an amazing job helping so many dogs. I got Elsie from them and she had loving,..."
— leslie w.
Adoptee
#109 in United States, #7 in Oregon
Salem
We are a 100% foster based, volunteer run, all breed rescue. Our mission is to provide a stepping stone to the most at-risk pups via a strong foster based network and training support to our fosters, adopters, and community. While we can't adopt ourselves out of our current crisis, we can provide a pawsitive impact to those pups in our care and bridge the training gap in our community. We are a science based, force free rescue, founded by certified dog trainers, with a mission to educate our community on dog behavior and canine learning. We regularly team up with certified trainers and behaviorists, vets, and vet behaviorists to ensure every canine in our care is set up for success.
"My husband and I had been talking about getting another dog for a while now. We lost our last to..."
— kassie g.
Adoptee
"I applied to be a foster to a special pup that was having issues with men. Since I am a..."
— toni r.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
#124 in United States, #8 in Oregon
Jack Russell
Jack Russell Rescue OWII was inaugurated in 2006 to help Jack Russell terriers in need of new homes. We have placed over 900 dogs in new terrier-appropriate homes since our inception. We function as a regional Jack Russell terrier rescue for the Pacific Northwest states and have our own 501(c)3 status EIN# 26-4080201.
"Rescued several dogs through the Jack Russell rescue of Oregon, Washington, Idaho. I am grateful for them and what they..."
— amber j.
Adoptee
"They work tirelessly to ind the perfect homes for a very high energy breed"
— pamela h.
Adoptee
#170 in United States, #9 in Oregon
Eugene
Our love for all animals, big and small, runs deep. Our rescue efforts began while healing from the sadness of losing our 13-year-old Golden Retriever, Ruby. The healing began with a phone call from a friend nearly 1,000 miles away: Can you help us? It was that desperate plea that opened our eyes to a problem that isn't going away anytime soon. Pet overpopulation, animal abuse, neglect, and abandonment affect all of us and the communities we live in. Through our transports, we are able to save these animals from being euthanized in high kill shelters by carrying them to the safety of our rescue network. Dog Rescue is all about teamwork. Each life saved represents countless hours of collaboration between volunteers and rescue organizations. Currently, our network spans the I-5 Corridor, from the Mexican to Canadian borders. Here, these various agencies provide the training, medical care, and fostering to help find a happy, healthy, and loving home for the dogs to live in for the rest of their lives. As of April 2024, over 11,800 dogs (and many cats) have been transported. In addition to transport, we work with several pet food suppliers to secure donated food for animals in our community. Donated food, supplies, and treats are distributed to food banks, shelters, rescue agencies, churches, veterans and the homeless. In the sweet spirit of Ruby, we wake up every day with the hope of giving these animals a new leash on life.
"I have known and worked with Mark and Jane Gilbert for 15 years. I run a non-profit animal rescue and..."
— liesl w.
Supporter
"A new leash on life is amazing, they were helpful and nice when I contacted them looking for more info..."
— abby s.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
#182 in United States, #10 in Oregon
"I watch from afar and see how much they do for any animal they feel needs help. I have donated..."
— sarah w.
Fan
"They do so much for rescue dogs"
— jan m.
Fan
#207 in United States, #11 in Oregon
SoHumane provides quality care for dogs and cats while working to make a difference in the pet overpopulation problem. Annually, SoHumane serves approximately 1,600 companion animals. In 2022 we successfully adopted out 1,275 animals, and saved 427 animals from euthanasia at other shelters through our Saving Train program.
"During the beginning of COVID my PTSD service dog was due for her yearly and vaccinations. Our local Vetanarian,..."
— mark s.
Supporter, Fan
"I just want to Thank You for my wonderful doggie Peanut!!! She was adopted by us about 2 years ago...."
— mother k.
Adoptee
#235 in United States, #12 in Oregon
Bend
The values we share at Street Dog Hero inspire the interactions we have with everyone*. We are committed to bettering the communities, people, and animals we serve. Each of us contributes to this effort in our own way, bringing passion to what we do best and committing to align with the following values. Act with integrity, empathy, and compassion Seek to understand those we serve Minimize suffering Provide appropriate transparency Safety first, in all its forms *four-legged and two-legged
"The incredible rescue that saved our two Mexico street dogs!"
— sharon t.
Adoptee
"Street Dog Hero - Joshua Wagoner"
— josh w.
Fan
#266 in United States, #13 in Oregon
Golden Retriever
Golden Bond Rescue is a volunteer run, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of retrievers. Our mission is to find caring, adoptive homes for retrievers and retriever mixes in need and to educate the public to prevent the homeless retrievers of the future. Retrievers in need of new homes come from a variety of circumstances. Some come to us due to compelling family situations such as death, divorce, family illness, relocation or economic hardship. Others are released to rescue because of behavior problems due to lack of exercise and poor understanding of the needs of the breed. Since our beginnings in 1991, we have successfully placed over 3,500 dogs with new loving families. We would like to remind anyone interested in adopting a retriever that there is no source (including breeders, kennels, humane societies, rescue organizations) for a guaranteed perfect or pre-trained dog. Like many rescue organizations, we offer the benefits of being able to provide dogs who are already spayed or neutered, who have had a sound fundamental health examination, and whose temperament is fairly well known (since they have all lived with our foster families). Some of our dogs have not had a loving family in the past, but many have. Some may have behavioral problems, but many do not. And some need special medical care, just as most any dog will eventually. Many of our dogs need some level of training. All of our dogs need significant amounts of time, attention, patience, and love to adjust to their forever homes. Golden Bond Rescue is a resource for people who would like to give retrievers or retriever mixes a second chance in life. Golden Bond Rescue identifies a "retriever" as any breed that falls under the American Kennel Club's (AKC) retriever classification: golden retriever, Labrador retriever, Chesapeake Bay retriever, curly-coated retriever, flat-coated retriever, and Nova Scotia duck-tolling retriever. For more information about each of these breeds, please use this link RETRIEVERS.
"I proudly support Golden Bond Rescue. This amazing organization rescues retrievers and retriever mixes, many on the brink of being..."
— d. b.
Supporter
"Thank you for our sweet Simba!"
— kathy g.
Adoptee
#266 in United States, #13 in Oregon
Finding Homes, Opening Hearts, and Educating Minds to strengthen and improve the lives of animals and people
"I have had excellent service finding my forever pets here. The place is very clean and welcoming."
— edelyn s.
Adoptee
"SafeHaven is amazing!"
— paige l.
Supporter
#266 in United States, #13 in Oregon
Portland
Our mission is to rescue shelter dogs with medical needs, provide them with life-saving veterinary care, and aid them on the path to their forever homes.
"Everyone I know who’s adopted from here has been very happy. When i’m ready for my next family member, I..."
— delaney h.
Fan
"Stumptown takes the utmost care of all of their pets, providing many of them a second chance at life they..."
— morgan b.
Volunteer / foster
#361 in United States, #16 in Oregon
Oregon Pet Project, DBA ARK Pet Rescue is an animal rescue organization located in Newberg, Oregon. Our focus is helping cats and dogs in at-risk situations in our community and beyond. We strongly believe in creating a community environment for animals and people to come to and rest.
"ARK was willing to take a wonderful cat that was found in our neighborhood when we could but find his..."
— janice s.
Supporter
#361 in United States, #16 in Oregon
Joan Dalton founded the program in 1993 while she was vice principal at MacLaren's Lord High School. She started with one dog and one youth. Since that time Project POOCH, Inc. has changed (and saved) the lives of hundreds of dogs and youths.
"This program is part of a youth correctional program. The participants learn how to care for the dogs, that..."
— timothy b.
Adoptee, Supporter
#361 in United States, #16 in Oregon
"I got my first dog from them and it was an amazing experience! I was so happy they I become..."
— dulce w.
Adoptee
#361 in United States, #16 in Oregon
The Josephine County Animal Shelter is an open - admissions shelter serving Josephine County, Oregon. Our mission is to protect and promote the welfare and safety of pets and people in our community. We provide professional and compassionate care to stray animals, surrendered pets, and animal from legal cases. We aim to reunite lost pets with their owners and always have animals looking for new families through adoption. Check them our under our Adoption Info tab!
"Kyra Collins, of Jack Russell Rescue OWII, works non-stop for the care and well-being of rescued dogs. She routinely performs..."
— ruth w.
Supporter, Fan
#361 in United States, #16 in Oregon
Fuzz Ball Animal Rescue is a small rescue in the Hermiston area of Oregon. Our focus is primarily sick, injured, and stray animals from our community and surrounding areas. If you have found or seen a hurt or lost animal please contact us on our Facebook page Fuzz Ball Animal Rescue and send us a message. We are a 501(c)(3) rescue and we house our animals through a foster based program. We have some really amazing people helping us by fostering the animals we save and ensuring they get the love and care they deserve! We are extremely grateful for them, and we are always in need of more fosters so we can save more animals in need.
"Fuzz Ball is a wonderful, caring rescue that helps all kinds of homeless animals. I adopted my sweet Chihuahua/Jack..."
— suzanne s.
Adoptee, Fan
We specialize in bully breed, pregnant pups and moms with litters. These pups are 3rd on the euthanasia list and we found that they need help the most. We rescue , rehab and rehome all our dogs so that they have a better chance of getting homes. We dedicate every waking moment to these pups. They run every day at least 2 times a day, they get tons of love from our staff and volunteers. We love what we do.
Greenhill Humane Society has been caring for animals in Lane County since 1944. We operate the only animal shelter within the Eugene/Springfield area. Our programs include animal adoptions; reuniting lost animals with their families; disaster response; crisis care boarding in situations of domestic violence, medical emergencies, and other crisis situations; spay/neuter for free roaming, un-owned community cats; a pet pantry; on-site volunteer opportunities; foster care and humane education. We are a private non-profit and rely on donations for a majority of our budget. The generosity of our local community enables us to provide a high level of care to lost, abandoned, and neglected animals while at the same time helping pet owners in need.
Our love for all animals, big and small, runs deep. Our rescue efforts began while healing from the sadness of losing our 13-year-old Golden Retriever, Ruby. The healing began with a phone call from a friend nearly 1,000 miles away: Can you help us? It was that desperate plea that opened our eyes to a problem that isn't going away anytime soon. Pet overpopulation, animal abuse, neglect, and abandonment affect all of us and the communities we live in. Through our transports, we are able to save these animals from being euthanized in high kill shelters by carrying them to the safety of our rescue network. Dog Rescue is all about teamwork. Each life saved represents countless hours of collaboration between volunteers and rescue organizations. Currently, our network spans the I-5 Corridor, from the Mexican to Canadian borders. Here, these various agencies provide the training, medical care, and fostering to help find a happy, healthy, and loving home for the dogs to live in for the rest of their lives. As of April 2024, over 11,800 dogs (and many cats) have been transported. In addition to transport, we work with several pet food suppliers to secure donated food for animals in our community. Donated food, supplies, and treats are distributed to food banks, shelters, rescue agencies, churches, veterans and the homeless. In the sweet spirit of Ruby, we wake up every day with the hope of giving these animals a new leash on life.
After 13 years in Tualatin, We recently re-located to Portland in the John's Landing neighborhood! We always have 50+ adorable pups waiting for homes so please come visit us 7-days a week!
Street Savvy Dog Rescue is a superlative, foster-based dog rescue active in rescuing dogs from underserved areas such as rural Texas, Mexico, CA and the PNW where we are based. Our amazing ALL-VOLUNTEER team cares for dogs in their homes until they are matched to applicants. Started in 2014, we are now entering our 10th year and have surpassed the 3000 saved mark! We are notably THE FIRST non-profit dog rescue in Oregon to resolutely ONLY use force-free training methods and we are dedicated to educating the public all about using force-free training and mental enrichment to help their dogs be happy and psychologically healthy!
Our mission is to rescue shelter dogs with medical needs, provide them with life-saving veterinary care, and aid them on the path to their forever homes.
We are a 100% foster based, volunteer run, all breed rescue. Our mission is to provide a stepping stone to the most at-risk pups via a strong foster based network and training support to our fosters, adopters, and community. While we can't adopt ourselves out of our current crisis, we can provide a pawsitive impact to those pups in our care and bridge the training gap in our community. We are a science based, force free rescue, founded by certified dog trainers, with a mission to educate our community on dog behavior and canine learning. We regularly team up with certified trainers and behaviorists, vets, and vet behaviorists to ensure every canine in our care is set up for success.
Welcome to the 2024 Oregon Sniffspot Top Dog Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top rescues and shelters in Oregon 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 Oregon dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3ce4k7faiinxmm15ax19k/Adoption-Pol-Proc.pdf?rlkey=fb5gcigknv64gfxauf8qpcpgl&dl=0
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!
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.
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.
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.