This list showcases the top puppy rescues and shelters, all making a significant impact on the lives of countless dogs. We've compiled this list by gathering heartfelt testimonials from both the Sniffspot community and the wider public, ensuring a well-rounded perspective on these exceptional organizations.
#10 in United States, #1 in Florida, #1 in Jacksonville
#1 in puppy
#1 in beagle
#1 in senior dog
Beagle, Puppy, Senior dog
Jacksonville
The London Sanctuary is a nonprofit exclusive hound rescue and sanctuary. TLS provides long-term care for dogs who are unable to be placed due to their advanced age or medical needs. We also work to place adoptable hounds in their forever homes who have been rescued from government-run shelters around the Southeastern U.S. or were abandoned forest hounds in more rural areas in NE Florida.
"TLS pulls at risk dogs from our rural shelter, saving them from inevitable death."
— tina ".
Fan
"I have known the Director of The London Sanctuary for a few years now and can attest to her devotion,..."
— laurie m.
Supporter
#43 in United States, #2 in Maryland, #2 in Baltimore
#2 in puppy
#4 in pit Bull
Pit Bull, Puppy
Baltimore
Key to Lion's Heart Rescue was founded in January 2018 in honor of Lion, a dog who made a tremendous impact on so many lives. Lion was dumped at a very high kill shelter where his time was up. Without knowing his past, he was pulled by a rescue and placed into a home. Lion was then moved nine times over the course of one year in an effort to find the right home. Unfortunately, the second to last move was that one that forever changed his soul. Just like people, dogs have a breaking point, and Lion had reached his. He had been through more in one year than any dog should ever have to go through in a lifetime. His last move was to a home where he was loved and cared for by a handful of people, his advocates for many months. Unfortunately, it was too late. The pain and suffering he had endured in some of his previous places was more than Lion could overcome. The light in his eyes was gone and he was suffering. In the arms of the people who loved him dearly, we whispered our goodbyes and told him how much we loved him. Humans had failed him. As we kissed him goodbye, we promised Lion that we would do our best to ensure no dog would ever have to endure what he had in his last year. At that moment, we dedicated ourselves to unlocking hope for all dogs by giving a little piece of our hearts to every single one that we can save.
"This rescue has done so much for these dogs. Taking dogs out of shelters from being euthanized and getting into..."
— jennifer t.
Volunteer / foster, Supporter
"Such a loving and caring rescue. The dogs are shown so much love and dedication."
— ethel d.
Fan
#51 in United States, #2 in Georgia, #1 in Atlanta
#3 in puppy
#5 in senior dog
#2 in goldendoodle
#2 in golden Retriever
Golden Retriever, Goldendoodle, Puppy, Senior dog
Atlanta
Adopt a Golden Atlanta [AGA] is a volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to finding warm, loving permanent homes for Golden Retrievers [both purebred and high golden mixes] in order to prevent them from becoming strays or adding to the shelter overpopulation. If a non-golden is best friends with a golden who is surrendered to us, non golden will not be left behind and will accompany the golden into our program and placed with the golden to live together in their new home. Golden Retrievers, regardless of medical needs or age, will receive comprehensive evaluation, spay/neutering services, veterinary care, behavioral training if required, and safe passage into a permanent loving home. In addition to providing those services, Adopt a Golden Atlanta is intent on treating dog owners who are faced with surrendering their dogs with the utmost respect, understanding and compassion. It is also our obligation to educate and assist the metropolitan Atlanta general public, and dog owners specifically, regarding issues such as responsible pet ownership, spay/neutering, obedience training, and veterinary/specialists referrals. Our goal is to reduce the number of Golden Retrievers sent to shelters. AGA will never allow a golden to die in a shelter. AGA relies solely on donations and has a 501(c)(3) classification with the IRS. Your donation is tax deductible. We also meet the requirements for corporate matching, employee giving and volunteer grant programs.
"I have followed this rescue since 2008 when I adopted my first (of 4!) Goldens from them. They are so..."
— monica b.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"I absolutely love AGA Atlanta! Not only do they take in every stray golden retriever, golden look-a-like, looks like..."
— valerie b.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
#98 in United States, #11 in Florida, #2 in Miami
#2 in pug
#4 in puppy
#1 in yorkie
#1 in maltese
#1 in shih Tzu
#1 in chihuahua
#1 in dachshund
#1 in small dog
#2 in pomeranian
#12 in senior dog
#2 in jack Russell
Chihuahua, Dachshund, Jack Russell, Maltese, Pomeranian, Pug, Puppy, Senior dog, Shih Tzu, Small dog, Yorkie
Miami
Barky Pines Animal Rescue is located in Loxahatchee Fl. Founded in 2014. We are a 5.5 acre farm and house dogs and farm animals. We also have a veterinary clinic
"Barky Pines Animal Rescue and Sanctuary is a unique rescue because they rescue all types of animals, including farm animals...."
— micki n.
Volunteer / foster
"despite the small-medium size organization, Barky Pines saves many animals from the county shelter. Opened a clinic two years..."
— elaine t.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Staff member, Supporter, Fan
#98 in United States, #1 in Wyoming, #1 in Cheyenne
#4 in puppy
#12 in senior dog
Puppy, Senior dog
Cheyenne
We are the same 501(c)(3) corporation, and we continue our support of the Laramie Animal Shelter in the same ways as before, including paying for spays/neuters, major medical expenses, and behavioral training for the animals at the Laramie Animal Shelter. We have also expanded what we do to include: Foster & Adoption programs; a Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) Program; and providing support for Albany county people and their pets.
"great no kill shelter"
— k. r.
Volunteer / foster
"We have adopted cats from CHA for for a long time - have gotten our best friends 7 times. ..."
— nancy r.
Supporter, Fan
Welcome to the 2024 Sniffspot Top Puppy Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top Puppy rescues and shelters chosen by the Sniffspot community and the public.
This list is sponsored by Sniffspot, the largest global network of private dog parks. Sniffspot offers thousands of private dog parks around the world, including fenced, water, indoor, and beach parks. As a hub for rescue dogs, our sponsorship underscores our dedication to supporting shelters and rescues. Explore local dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.
Once you have submitted your application for a TLS hound, it is automatically sent to our application processing team.TLS will reach out to you to establish contact and to coordinate the application process.Each individual over the age of 18 in your household will be subject to a background check.We will conduct a home visit (virtual) to ensure a good fit.If you live in an apartment or rental property, the management company may be asked if it is okay for you to have a dog in your home.If you already have pets, a vet check will be required. A TLS volunteer will ask your vet if your pet is up to date on necessary vaccines, has been spayed/neutered, and is on a heartworm preventative regimen.The London Sanctuary will review the application and, if approved, we will coordinate meet-n-greet and/or finalization of the adoption.Lastly, your new best friend will be scheduled for transport or pick up to start your life together!.
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.