The Best Sacramento, CA Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

ShepHeroes

Powered by volunteers and funded by donors, we rely on many heroes to help deserving abandoned German Shepherd Dogs; in return, these shepherds provide unconditional love to the families adopting them. The goal of ShepHeroes is lifelong placement; we take pride in finding the ideal lifelong match possible for dogs and humans alike by placing all of our dogs in foster homes to allow them to decompress and for us to learn their personalities, temperament, and needs. When committed foster homes are available for long-term care of medical dogs, we prioritize assisting those shepherds as they are the most at risk in shelters. Bean, Hayzel, Shania, Tori, and Stewie joined us in the past year for extensive surgeries and lengthy recoveries. Bean arrived with a chunk of her lip missing and will have surgery to repair her maxillofacial trauma when her muzzle reaches the adult stage at seven to eight months of age. In Shania's case, her fracture exam revealed a severe heart defect that, untreated, would have caused heart failure, which was repaired with heart surgery to give her a whole, healthy life. Shania was with us for seven months through three surgeries. Tori, in addition to her fracture repair, had an eye enucleation. Also, in 2023, Abbott and Costello were treated for parvo and survived thanks to prompt medical care. Multiple dogs have recovered in our care from surgeries for ingesting foreign objects like socks and balls before coming to our rescue. We have treated ear and severe skin infections, mange, influenza, and kennel cough, reduced many hernias, altered cryptoid male dogs, treated heartworm-positive shepherds, and ensured emaciated ones received care to reach optimum weight for their age. And have provided routine ongoing veterinary care of vaccinations, heartworm, flea/tick preventatives, spay and neuters, and deworming for over 340 shepherds since 2018. One of our special pups, Kenzo, came to us at the behest of his ER vet. Found on the street hit by a car, Kenzo was rushed by a good Samaritan to the local ER. He suffered from a brain injury, fractured leg, and bodily trauma, initially unable to walk, hold his head up, and possibly blind. With the guidance of his neurology vet, we gave him supportive care, trusting that puppy brains can heal. His brain healed with a residual head tilt, giving us a sweet, loving, active pup thriving in his adoptive home. We also assisted many shy and frightened shepherds who needed to learn to trust people, become at ease in new environments, and learn good pack manners thanks to resident dogs of our foster homes. Two of our dogs have become working dogs, completing service dog training and supporting their owners as hearing and seizure-alert dogs. A few of our dogs have completed therapy dog training and provide comfort through various venues. Since inception, we have assisted 24 municipal animal control shelters and partnered with seven rescues to bring shepherds to safety from the Sacramento Region south to Monterey County and north to Butte County. ShepHeroes was established in May 2018; our volunteer board and management team's experience saving shepherds encompasses over a decade of dedication to the breed.

Sammie’s Friends

Sammie's Friends is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Tax ID #52-2439192. The mission of Sammie's Friends is to provide medical care for the animals at the Nevada County Animal Shelter, making them adoptable, and to support other disadvantaged animals in Nevada County that without help would continue to suffer or would be euthanized. Sammie's Friends also operates the Nevada County Animal Shelter at 14647 McCourtney Road.

Front Street Animal Shelter

The Front Street Animal Shelter is located at 2127 Front Street (with a cross-street of Broadway) and is open 7 days a week from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Walk-ins are welcomed. No appointment needed. The Main Building is located next to the parking lot and provides services to those who wish to adopt a pet, search for their lost pet, and license their pet. The Reception Center is a short walk up the sidewalk and provides services to those who are bringing in a stray animal.

ResQpaws Volunteer Organization

ResQpaws Volunteer Organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer animal rescue group working to educate the community about responsible pet ownership and to rescue Sutter Animal Services shelter pets, as well as those about to be surrendered, by finding them foster and permanent homes. Email info@ResQpaws.org or call (530) 713-9079 if you have any questions about events, donating, sponsoring a shelter or foster pet, fostering, adopting, or volunteering.

Infinite Pawsabilities

Coco Precious Fur Baby Recue

At our core, we are unwaveringly committed to rescuing and providing support for dogs facing homelessness and those in public shelters, especially those deemed at risk.

Yolo County SPCA

The Yolo County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or YCSPCA, was founded in 1974 by a group of dedicated people committed to improving the lives of animals in our community. Through our adoption program, public education and outreach, and active promotion of the benefits of spaying and neutering, Yolo County SPCA strives to provide a better future for the people and pets in our community.

Haven Dog Rescue

We are a volunteer organization that work with homeless and abandoned dogs. We operate in Roseville CA, and the Greater Sacramento area. We do not have a shelter. All our dogs are in foster care, so foster homes are always needed. Our dogs are fully vetted and we can usually tell you something about their behavior and their likes and dislikes. Our adoption fees are $250 - $350 and less for older dogs like seniors. Adoption fees and small donations are what fund this rescue. None of us are paid and we mostly all have day jobs, Feel free to contact us to make a donation to help sustain our dogs while in our care. We are currently trying to raise enough money to revamp the dogs play yard and possibly ad a meet and greet area. We always need volunteers to help us with yard care, walking the dogs and meet and greets. Interested Adopters should complete the application and follow up with a call the next day if you haven’t heard anything. Thank you for adopting :)

NorCal Bully Breed Rescue

NorCal Bully Breed Rescue is a foster-based rescue located in the Sacramento, California area. We do not have a facility that we operate out of, meaning our dogs are not kept in a shelter-type environment. Rather, our dogs reside in loving foster homes which provide them with the love, patience, and understanding required to allow them to become the very best that they can be. We specialize in pulling dogs from local shelters who would otherwise be considered “unadoptable”, for any variety of reasons: • They may have sustained a major medical injury that needs immediate medical attention that the shelter is unable to provide. • They may be a pregnant mama dog that can’t be adopted out and just needs a safe place to have her pups. • Or they may just be fearful and not showing well in a shelter environment. • These dogs just need a loving foster home to allow them to shine and show their true potential! Our ability to save these dogs is based entirely on donations from our amazing supporters, and on volunteer foster parents who open their hearts and homes to these dogs during their most desperate times. We allow them to show their true personality at whatever speed is needed for that particular dog. We don’t rush them. And we don’t force them to interact with other animals until they are ready. This allows us to get a true read on each of our dogs. To discover their likes and dislikes. To find out who and what they are compatible with. And to find them the best forever home for their specific personality.

Pits & Pals K9 Rescue, Inc.

Pits & Pals K9 Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (status pending) located in Sacramento, CA. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and place stray, neglected, and shelter dogs with loving, responsible companions. We do not discriminate on age, breed, or ease of placement. Rather, we choose dogs based on temperament and potential to be wonderful companions. Before each dog can be adopted, they are evaluated for temperament, sterilized, microchipped, and their shots are updated. We are a fully volunteer-run and foster-based rescue. Adoption fees and donations are used to cover veterinary expenses, food, supplies, medication, and other necessary expenses. We rely on the support of our incredible fosters, volunteers, and donations from our generous community. Join us in our efforts to give these dogs a second chance at life and a loving forever home.

Placer Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

For over 50 years, Placer SPCA has played a compassionate role in our community by matching homeless pets with those searching for a companion, reuniting lost pets with their owners, and enabling struggling families and individuals to keep their pets when times are tough. We are building an 8,800 square foot facility to benefit pets and their owners in our community.

NorCal Sheltie Rescue

NorCal Sheltie Rescue, Inc., a 501c(3) not-for-profit corporation, is an affiliate of the American Shetland Sheepdog Association Rescue Network and is organized and run from the Sacramento area of Northern California. We are an all-volunteer group made up of a network of Sheltie experts, adopters, foster homes, trainers, breeders, and fans all around Northern California. We do not have a central facility; our geographically diverse volunteer network locates, rescues, transports, fosters, evaluates, trains, and re-homes individual shelties on case-by-case basis. No volunteer receives any salary or financial benefit of any kind from NorCal Sheltie Rescue. Operating costs are entirely funded by donations. This corporation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person. It is organized under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for charitable purposes. The specific and primary purposed for which this corporation is formed are to provide prevention, information, education, and other charitable purposes against the cruelty to animals; contribute financial assistance to other similar organizations with similar purposes; be actively involved in the rescue, rehabilitation and placement for adoption of Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties.)

Resilient Dog Rescue

We are a non-profit organization committed to saving the lives of high-risk dogs through adoption, support advocacy, and community outreach. OUR FIGHT The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates that approximately 3.3 million dogs enter the U.S. shelters every year. Tragically, it is estimated that 670,000 of these dogs are euthanized annually. A TEAM THAT CAN BE TRUSTED Although Resilient Dog Rescue is breed-inclusive, our focus is on those dogs who need us most, and unfortunately the numbers don’t lie: according to the ASPCA’s Comprehensive Animal Risk Database System, year after year the top three most represented breeds entering into and euthanized in shelters nationwide are “Pit Bull” type dogs, Chihuahuas, and Labrador Retrievers. FINDING THEIR FUR-EVER HOME While some of these dogs are eventually returned to their owners and others find new forever families, so many amazingly resilient and sweet souls are euthanized simply because they’ve run out of time. Every dog deserves a chance at a happy ending, and SacRDR is devoted to saving, rehabilitating, and rehoming as many as possible. VOLUNTEER RUN, COMMUNITY DRIVEN Based out of the greater Sacramento area, our group is volunteer-run and completely foster-based. While applications are carefully reviewed to ensure a match with the perfect adoptive home, SacRDR dogs receive love, much-needed affection, and any necessary medical or behavioral attention with their foster families. All dogs are spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated, microchipped, and current on flea/tick and heartworm preventative before moving on to their forever homes.

4ever Yours Rescue Inc.

4ever Yours is a small rescue organization that focuses on removing dogs with medical needs from less-than-ideal situations and providing quality medical and rehabilitation. The rescue recently moved to a larger location and has added a sanctuary for permanently disabled dogs. Since the rescue is new and has recently undergone a massive change, we are in need of assistance with marketing, income, and growth to support the dogs. As a 501c3 non-profit, we have limited ways to increase our revenue and typically hemorrhage funds with each medical intake. Adoption fees and donations make up almost 100% of our operating budget and we have a constant need to increase donations to stay afloat. We take a very personalized approach to the adoption process which allows for closer bonds as well as clear and specific targeting of appropriate adopters. Key Message: All dogs deserve loving 4ever homes. Purpose • Rescue dogs from high kill shelters and owner surrender. • Reduce intake rate of dogs to the Animal shelters • Chip, Spay, and Neuter • Responsible rehoming practices

NorCal Rescue Pups

NorCal Rescue Pups started saving shelter dogs in the Sacramento area and seeing the need throughout the state of California, NorCal expanded, rescuing death row dogs in northern AND southern California. Only those slated to die are rescued first so they may once again find a forever home. NorCal Rescue Pups is committed to reducing the pet population through spay and neuter of every saved shelter dog. And, each dog is thoroughly vetted so you know your new best friend is healthy.

Fosters & Paws

At Fosters & Paws Rescue, our vision is a world where all animals are treated with respect and kindness. We're dedicated to saving animals and helping animals in need. Our mission, through rescue efforts, education programs, and advocacy work, is to create a more compassionate and humane society. We believe in a future where shelters are no longer necessary because all animals have responsible and caring owners, and where animal cruelty and neglect are a thing of the past. Together, we work towards a world where every animal has the opportunity to live happy and healthy lives in loving homes. Join us in our mission to make this vision a reality.

Chako Pit Bull Rescue

Chako Pit Bull Rescue aims to alleviate the persecution of Pit Bulls by finding homes for Pit Bulls in need, promoting responsible dog ownership, and standing against breed discrimination. Although our Pit Bull rescue is based in Sacramento, California we work on both a state and national level. We provide advocacy efforts for responsible dog owners, free and low cost Pit Bull classes, and educational events throughout the year.

Angels Rescuing Kritters

Angels Rescuing Kritters is a non-profit 501(c)3 animal foundation located in Weimar, California. We have been in operation since 2002. We started trapping feral cats that were dumped at our local grocery store where the owners gave us permission to spay/neuter and release. Many of them are still there 11 years later because the whole town of Weimar stepped up to help. They continue to feed and help us care for the colony. We then started helping the public and expanded to rescuing dogs and horses. ARKhas partnered with our County's Animal Control to become a No-Kill County while collaborating with other rescues to eventually become a No-Kill Nation. We assist Placer County Animal Services with adoptions of cats, dogs and horses. We rely on donations from the public, adoption fees, and fund raisers to survive financially, but our volunteers are the heart of the organization.

Sacramento County Animal Care Services

Our Mission is to provide public safety and protect the health and welfare of animals in our communities through education and compassion.

Colusa County Animal Control

Kritter Kamp Rescue

Kritter Kamp Rescue is a Non-profit 501(c)3 Organization. We have been in existence for over eleven years. At Kritter Kamp Rescue, we care for and feed our rescue animals, have them vaccinated, spayed/neutered and give any additional urgent medical care. Our staff is dedicated to saving animals and our passion and love for what is we do is beyond measure. Our animals need a thriving environment while they wait for adoption so they are the best pet they can be. Kritter Kamp is a spacious vacation land for all pets. We have large open areas for animals to run and play either alone or with other boarding pets! Every pet will have access to an enclosed-outdoor space, indoor air-conditioned space, comfortable bedding, and tons of love. Come let your pet go to camp while you are out. Your pet will be taken care of by caring and loving professionals who have a true love and commitment to all animals.

German Shepherd Rescue of Sacramento Valley

German Shepherd Rescue of Sacramento Valley (GSRSV) is a tax-exempt (501-c-3), charitable organization dedicated to finding good homes for German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) and GSD mixes at risk of being placed in shelters, or who are already in shelters and potentially facing euthanasia. GSRSV is an independent rescue organization operated by one individual: Brian Foran (left with Sierra, Aug 2008). Though countless volunteers and benefactors have supported--and continue to support--GSRSV, I run and primarily fund the program, as I have since February 2001. Background Prior to Feb. 2001, GSRSV was the rescue program of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Sacramento Valley. I volunteered for this program beginning in November 2000 by fostering dogs and eventually developing this Website. Weary of five years of rescue work, the woman who ran the rescue program for the breed club asked if I would take it over, and I did so on February 1, 2001. From that point on, GSRSV was an independent organization no longer affiliated with the breed club. GSRSV's original focus was rescuing dogs from shelters, and the vast majority of the dogs I've rescued have come from shelters. (See the Rescue Records from 2000 to the present year in the menu to the left.) However, beginning in 2006, I began an effort to reduce the number of dogs that I personally care for. Because there are so many GSDs (and, of course, other breeds) in need of rescue at shelters, the only way to downsize was to stop taking in so many dogs from those shelters. However, I also receive numerous calls from individuals who need assistance in placing their own GSDs or GSDs that they have found, and I wanted to continue helping these dogs out. So now, my primary focus is on finding homes for other people's GSDs, while I continue to assist GSDs and GSD mixes in Sacramento-area shelters by posting them on my Website--and occasionally rescuing them. How does GSRSV work? GSRSV is essentially a fostering agency. I am not a shelter, and though I do have a facility to keep numerous rescued dogs, I do not have the means to accept dogs on a "drop off" basis. When I rescue a dog, I either keep it at my rescue facility in Pleasant Grove, or bring it to a foster home. Unfortunately, very few people are committed enough to foster dogs, which limits the number of dogs that I can rescue. If you are interested in becoming a foster caretaker, please let me know! The dogs at GSRSV's rescue facility live communally, without cages (except when eating), and nearly all are welcome in the house 24/7 via a dog door. I try to provide as much of a home environment for the dogs in my care as possible while I seek to find them permanent homes. Foster caretakers do the same.

Foothill Dog Rescue of the Sierras

Foothill Dog Rescue is a non-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to re-homing dogs from high-kill shelters and dogs from owners who can no longer care for them. Foothill Dog Rescue’s goal is to rescue dogs in need of a second chance, a new home and a new leash on life. This includes shelter dogs, those in unfit living conditions, sick or injured dogs, pregnant dogs and puppies which we ultimately will place in loving forever homes. Our rescue provides all necessary medical care including intake vaccines, spay/neuter, microchips, deworming and any necessary surgeries along with setting them up in nurturing, safe foster homes. We strive to get to know each dog, determine what their ideal home is and find the perfect fit for their needs. Foothill Dog Rescue assists underserved areas not only with re-homing dogs due to unfortunate circumstances, but also with supporting spay/neuter and vaccination clinics in order to be a part of the solution in reducing the amount of unwanted dogs in shelters and in our surrounding communities.

Sacramento Independent Animal Rescuers

Sacramento Independent Animal Rescuers is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Our purpose is to aid stray, abandoned, and neglected animals. To date, over 2,500 dogs and cats have been rescued and placed into wonderful homes in the past few years. In order to provide these services, we work with the community shelters, rescue organizations, and individuals who have animals with special needs and place these animals in permanent homes after they reach a stage of wellness. Many of our rescued animals, especially those that were rescued from the shelters initially had kennel cough, pneumonia, or giardia with the extreme cases having the parvo or distemper viruses. We rely on tax deductible money donations as well as food and other pet supplies that will allow us to continue to save lives! All of our companion pets have been neutered or spayed and given all current vaccinations. This also provides the community with healthier animals and aids in the reduction of the outspread of illness and future homeless offspring. WE ARE NOT A SHELTER, most of the animals listed here are either in foster care, or at a dog boarding facility, or still at an animal shelter and posted on our site as a courtesy posting only. The adoption fee for animals being adopted by SIAR can range from $75 -$100 (for kitties) and $150-$400 (for dogs) and depends on the animal and associated costs. The adoption fee helps up recuperate the thousands of dollars spent yearly on rehabilitation and allows us to continue to rescue animals in need.

Junebug Foundation

NorCal Cocker Rescue

NorCal Cocker Rescue, Inc. was established in 2013 by a group of experienced and dedicated animal welfare volunteers. Based in Sacramento, and serving the greater Northern California area, NorCal works with public shelters to place at risk Cocker Spaniels and Spaniel mixes in loving forever homes and also serves as a resource regarding the unique needs of the Cocker Spaniel breed. ​ NorCal Cocker Rescue is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit Corporation, registered in the State of California.

City of Elk Grove Animal Services

Elk Grove Animal Services and Animal Shelter is committed to providing exceptional service to all of our community members: canine, feline, human and more! We are here to ensure that all animals within our community are treated humanely by way of a variety of services and programs.

Sierra Pacific Great Pyrenees Club

The Sierra Pacific Great Pyrenees Club (SPGPC) is an affiliated member of the Great Pyrenees Club of America and we are an independently licensed club member of the American Kennel Club. SPGPC is located in the Greater Sacramento area. The club was born out of enthusiasm for the Great Pyrenees breed and has been sustained by a dedicated group of dog owners since October 1996. There is something for everyone in the Club. Our Members include obedience and conformation exhibitors, pet owners, people, and their dogs who do therapy-dog volunteer work, people who enjoy the social activities the Club has to offer, and volunteers who support the efforts of our club with dogs that come into our rescue program.

Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue

Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue & Sanctuary was founded in the year 2000 based on a promise made to our founders' beloved Golden, Chelsea. Since then, we saved more than 11,200 dog lives through comprehensive rescue and adoption programs. Thanks to the vision and generosity of our founders, Jody and Mike Jones, we have carved out a peaceful haven from eight acres of the countryside where dogs can run, play, train, and be loved on their journeys to forever homes. Our facility provides refuge for dogs in immediate need. A robust foster program supplements our efforts so more can be saved. For those whose extreme age or health issues have rendered them unlikely to be adopted, they are welcome to live out their lives with us in sanctuary. None of this would be possible without you ‚ the hundreds of volunteers, supporters, adopters, fosters, and partners who truly are the heart of Homeward Bound.

Good Sense Dogs

We believe in the connection between people and pets. Our goal is to improve the lives of people and pets alike. Good Sense Dogs has four programs that serve the community with an eye towards helping pets and people alike: • Our education program, Ahead with Tails, gives communities that are often otherwise without pet care knowledge or resources the tools they need to be capable pet owners and, potentially, with vocational skills to help them in the future. • Our rescue, Sensitive Souls, gives critical and terminally ill homeless pet owners an option for permanency for their beloved pets, so they may receive the care they need. We are partnered with Joshua’s House of Sacramento to receive and care for the animals of their clients. • Our therapy dog program trains, certifies and connects teams to facilities in the Sacramento area looking to have dog visits for their clients and residents. • Our outreach program assists the most vulnerable pet owning populations of Sacramento with pet food, equipment, resources and training advice. Good Sense Dogs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that depends on donations and grants to reach our goals and serve the public.