The Best San Diego, CA Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

Bunny's Buddies

Bunny's Buddies works tirelessly to save dogs from slaughterhouses, the streets and kill shelters in Asia and the USA.

The Animal Pad

The Animal Pad is a non-profit, all breed dog rescue that focuses on saving dogs from high kill shelters and the streets of Mexico. We get them vet care, place them in foster homes and then find them loving forever families. A few years ago, we turned our attention to the street dogs of Mexico as there is very little help for them. Since then, we have developed a large rescue network in Baja California and we have a sister shelter in Ensenada that we focus on taking dogs from whenever funds allow.

A Way Home For Dogs

We are a free Pet Recovery Service assisting owners on a global scale. We also secure evasive street strays primarily in the San Diego are (occasionally Riverside). If the strays are not claimed at the local shelter systems and are in danger of being euthanized, we become their safety net pending kennel space. We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome when the dogs are ready and safe to do so.

Amazing Strays Rescue

From day one, our goal has been to help all dogs who need it. Big, small, medical cases, senior or puppy; ASR stands by our commitment- Lisa, Our Founder

The Liberty Dog Network

The Liberty Dog Network was established in 2022 and is a small, Southern California based dog rescue. We rely on fosters/people to open their home to care for the dogs we rescue. We provide all medical care and supplies to our fosters, they provide the home and supply the love.

The Barking Lot

Located on 10 acres in San Diego County, we adopt to anywhere in the US and Canada. It's our goal to find an excellent match suited to both you and each of our Temporary Barkers. Having rescued over 9,000 dogs since our inception in 2006, we are primarily volunteer run with a soft spot for the underdogs. Our Temporary Barkers come from all over the world as we have partnerships with Soi Dog Foundation in Thailand, Four Paws in Cambodia/Vietnam and Ark119 in Korea from which we've taken in over 1000 dog meat trade survivors. We also rescue heavily from Mexico where the abandoned dog population is extensive, the neglect is vast and the stories are heart wrenching.

It's The Pits

It's The Pits is a 501c3 canine rescue that coordinates the fostering and adoption of dogs that haven't yet found their permanent home. We specialize in American Staffordshire Terriers (Am Staffs), Staffordshire Bull Terriers ("Staffy's"), and American Pit Bull Terriers, but will do our best to help all breeds, often by referral to other local rescues that specialize in that type of dog. You can find many of these on our links page. We are located in San Diego county, as are all of our foster homes. We work alongside our fosters to give the dogs a temporary and loving home before they are placed into permanent homes. We rescue dogs from various shelters, evaluate them, ensure they are healthy, and then match them with the appropriate family. We take pride in matching the best dog for the individual family that contacts us. We do this by matching the activity level of the dog to the family's needs, as well as making sure that the other pets in the home work well with the new addition to the pack.

Mad Mutts

Our goal is to assist in the rescue and rehabilitation of at-risk dogs from shelters that need a little more time, a more home-like environment, more individualized support, and/or have minor medical issues. So many AMAZING dogs just simply do not thrive or show well in a kennel environment. We aim to help rehabilitate and rehome these dogs with the goal of quality homes over quantity of placements. Our small rescue works with local shelters and rescues in Southern California to network, transport, foster, and adopt.

Tragic to Magic

We are in the Baja California region and see first hand the homeless, hungry, scared and sometimes sick dogs on the streets. We take the animals in and keep the animals in our homes until they are fully vetted and ready to find a new home. We are just 3 people doing the actual rescue so we attempt to operate on a one-in one-put bases. Therefore, we work very hard doing adoption events, networking with other rescues and using social media to find them homes. We have saved over 120 animals in 2017.

Frosted Faces Foundation

FROSTED FACES FOUNDATION IS A 501(C)(3) NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT DELIVERS THE PROMISE OF FAMILY AND QUALITY VETERINARY CARE FOR SENIOR ANIMALS WHOSE LOVE AND LIVES ARE IN JEOPARDY.

Heart of Gold's Shelter

Heart of Gold Legacy was established in December 2005 with the purpose of providing assistance to various organizations that promote the general welfare of animals. Gertrude Sissy, McGill, the benefactress of Heart of Gold Legacy, has given financial contributions to organizations that provide shelter and care to animals before the inception of the foundation. Sissy has been an active supporter of animal welfare all her life. With the help of Teresita Bacani, a long-time friend and business partner, Sissy's vision of helping the animals through the foundation came to fruition. A legacy has been finally fulfilled. To this date, many animal welfare organizations in the United States have benefited from the goodness of the heart of the foundation.

Mutt Scouts

Mutt Scouts is not a breed specific rescue. We're dedicated to saving every dog we can, regardless of age, breed, medical or behavioral needs. We are transparent about our Mutt's needs with fosters and potential adopters to ensure that once a dog becomes a part of our organization, they will know nothing but love and safety for the rest of their lives.

Mission Bay Puppy Rescue

Rescue orphaned puppies, pregnant and their litters. We partner with amazing rescue teams in Bakersfield CA, the San Diego Humane Society and Country Animal Shelters across California as well as others to save as many pups and mamas as possible.

San Diego Humane Society

San Diego Humane Society, an open-admission shelter, is creating a more humane world by inspiring compassion and advancing the welfare of animals and people. Our lifesaving safety net has helped San Diego become the largest city in the U.S. to keep healthy and treatable shelter animals from being euthanized. We are a private, independent, nonprofit organization that is not affiliated with any other humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. With campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, Ramona and San Diego, we provide animal services for 13 cities within San Diego County. We not only care for more than 40,000 animals in our communities annually, but also share the expertise we have gained through our innovative programs with shelters nationwide so they can save more lives in their communities. While our influence is expanding nationally, our top priority is meeting the needs of San Diego. We provide exceptional care for all animals through world-class veterinary medicine, shelter and most of all: love.

Second Chance Dog Rescue

Second Chance Dog Rescue (SCDR INC, dba Second Chance Dog Rescue) is a non-profit 501c3 (#26-3642128) organizations dedicated to saving homeless dogs. We rescue, rehabilitate and re-home dogs, primarily from local shelters, as well as dogs surrendered by their owners for various reasons, and dogs from Baja California, Mexico. Once we receive a dog, we provide medical care, including spay and neuter, and any necessary rehabilitation.

Tails of Mana

Non-profit foster-based animal rescue in Ocean Beach, San Diego CA. Tails of Mana is more than just a rescue; we are an integral part of the community. Through education, public outreach, and partnerships within the community, we aim to raise awareness for animals so desperately in need, the importance of spaying/neutering, the critical bonding opportunity through training and the joy of adopting a rescue animal. Our rescue relies solely on voluntary foster homes to care for these animals. We do not have a shelter facility or store front, we rely solely on word of mouth, social media, public events and our community to rescue these animals.

Camp Pendleton Animal Shelter

The Rescued Pup

No Wagging Tail Left Behind Animal Rescue

Wagging Tails is an all breed, non-profit rescue that places hundreds of dogs each year. We pride ourselves on our reputation of ongoing support for adopters and their new family members. We are volunteer and donation based- our main goal being to care for and give loving homes to dogs in need. Sandy's first rescue dog, Bonnie, was a cattle dog mix that was transported to her home in the trunk of a car with 8 puppies. She found homes for the puppies and kept Bonnie. Since that day, Sandy has been helping place dogs in loving homes. No Wagging Tail Left Behind came to life when Sandy began taking in six plus dogs a week, mostly from El Centro, to find them homes. With the help of board members Jean Whitney and Laura Morkan, Wagging Tails received a non-profit status on May 12, 2012. Since then, the rescue has grown in size with volunteers who handle paperwork and attend adoption events. We look forward to increasing the number of dogs placed each year, our volunteer staff, and our donations!

Small Breed Rescue of Southern California

Small Breed Rescue of Southern California is an all-volunteer, non-profit, foster-based organization funded by donations. We are dedicated to taking in and caring for small breed dogs, small reptiles, and select exotic pets primarily from public shelters and other rescues. We are education and science-focused to help ensure that the animals that go into their new homes and their new families are set up for success! Our rescue is uniquely structured to rehabilitate animals who are at high risk of euthanasia due to manageable behavioral challenges, such as small dogs who are declining in a shelter environment and reptiles/exotics that have not been properly handled over their lifetime. We develop organizational and individual relationships to accommodate these specific assistance needs, which is one thing that differentiates us from other rescue organizations. Another is focusing on the two groups of animals that most would not usually combine. Initially, we started working with behaviorally challenged dogs under 15lbs who were not sheltering well. Because of our team's different skill sets, we decided to also work with reptiles on the side. The pandemic and the current shifts in the economy have drastically changed our direction to where we now care for more reptiles and exotics than dogs! With these shifts, we have also had to drop our weight limit on dogs down to under 10 lbs due to a lack of foster homes. We are always looking for new foster guardians who want to help us in our mission to save more lives with stability, commitment, education, and support. We provide everything you need no matter the animal type. Inexperienced? No worries! We will match the right foster pet to your skill set and comfort level as well as provide you with the training and tools that you need. Consider joining our team to foster a dog that needs a little patience, guidance, and TLC to come out of their shell, or foster one of our reptiles like a bearded dragon, ball python, or leopard gecko! We have assembled a support team that consists of experienced individuals who bring particular skills from the animal welfare industry that enable us to grow, educate, and enrich our foster community in a manner that supports our specific needs and those of our animals. The same support is given to our adopters. We will help you get ready for your new companion before they go home. Our goal is to set you up on the path to success so there are no broken hearts if we can avoid them. SBRSC remains interested in and committed to the welfare of the animals beyond the adoption process by providing continued education, training tips, resource references, and an open-door policy to our supporters. ~

TLC K9 Rescue

TLC K9 Rescue is a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Escondido, Ca. I am dedicated to helping dogs in need throughout San Diego County and beyond. My love for animals is immeasurable. My heart truly aches for these beautiful dogs that have been abandoned in California shelters, homeless on the street, and the severely injured and malnourished street dogs of Mexico. I have made it my mission for the past 40 years to heal the abandoned, abused, sick and injured dogs with God's grace and guidance. I work hard and tirelessly to give these precious souls a second chance at life. I provide them with quality food, excellent medical care, comfort, compassion and training. I find them loving environments through our fostering program until they find their forever home that will love and cherish them for the rest of their lives. Pleading for continued support and help to continue my mission and save more lives. Even though my rescue is foster based, and all my hard work is funded solely by donations from my wonderful and generous supporters. I cannot continue my life's work without more help. It has been a challenge these day finding temporary foster homes and funding/grants have been very limited. I need to be able to accommodate the dogs I have committed to and take care of their medical needs until they are healthy and happy to transition into their foster and/or forever homes. My goal is to open a small facility so that I can house my dogs and puppies safely without the stress of worrying for their safety. I hope to one day buy or lease a property in the Escondido area that will make my vision a reality. This space will serve as TLC K9 Rescue's center which will help me with my mission to rescue even more precious souls. It will allow me to bring in the pups, quarantine them, get health checks and then quickly find them a foster and/or forever home. To be honest I'm praying every day for an angel to help me in this endeavor and maybe even donate a safe location for my dogs. My goals are: 1. To create a temporary haven with wonderful animal loving volunteers to help me care for the unwanted, abandoned, injured and weak dogs that I take under my wings. 2. Partner with multiple shelters so I can help them with overcrowding and save them from the inevitable. 3. Partner with veterinarians, specialists and vet technicians to help provide Low-cost medical treatments, surgeries, vaccines, spays and neuters. 4. To have low cost or free vaccinations, spay and neuter clinics for the public at least 3 days a week. 5. Hold adoption events and help other legitimate private animal loving rescues get their dog's adopted too. 6. Workshops to help owners that have lost a pet(s) navigate the shelter system and work with pet recovery professionals to find their lost pet(s) and help good Samaritans that have found a pet(s). 7. Support low-income and homeless pet owners with pet food and supplies, vet care, etc., through donations and grants. 8. Connect with local school districts to teach children about raising pets for life and bring awareness and educate them on the importance of vaccinating, spaying and neutering all pets.

Angels of Rawley Foundation

My journey in dog rescue began in the latter part of 2013 when I was asked to transport a dog from a high kill shelter to a rescue. For the next 3 years I spent many hours transporting, fostering, and coordinating dog rescues. In October of 2016 I was told to return 3 potentially neurologically challenged dogs back to a high kill shelter. There was no way that I could do this. With the help of my amazing family and friends, I took in these 3 wonderful souls named Laverne, Lenny & Squiggy and started Angels of Rawley Foundation aka ARF. Laverne, Lenny and Squiggy have all been adopted into loving homes and they are thriving and living healthy lives. These three amazing little dogs, have been the “foundation” of why the team at ARF loves to do what we do and save lives, no matter what breed or their needs. I believe that "things happen for a reason” and "timing is everything." I know because of Rawley this is where I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to be doing to carry on her legacy.

Baja Dog Rescue

Since the founding of Baja Dog Rescue, in 2010, we have rescued almost 12,000 dogs from some horrific conditions, in Mexico and California. We are a non-profit, 100% no-kill shelter. We operate on donations from the public and the time and money of our volunteers. We have raised funds to put rescued dogs through chemotherapy and to repair broken bones from car accidents or abuse. We aggressively treat puppies for Parvo, to our knowledge we have the highest survival rate of any rescue group in operation (85%). Many of our dogs are found starving or injured on the side of the road, often near death from being beaten and discarded by their owners. These dogs are typically days, if not hours, from death. We are the last resort for many of these dogs, other rescues will not take them due to the severity of their condition. The shelter is also used as a home for many dogs that are considered unadoptable. They continue to get the food, love, and medical attention needed to enjoy their lives. Baja Dog Rescue partners with where we are found every Saturday holding an adoption event. We are a rescue partner with the County of San Diego and are authorized to pull dogs from shelters. We rescue dogs that have been scheduled to be euthanized. We have a wide network that we use to rescue, treat, and rehome our dogs. We have a 50,000 sq ft shelter with almost 150 dogs inhabiting it at any given moment. We promote our available dogs, adoption events, and rescue operations through our Facebook site and our website. We go through almost 700lbs of dog food a week in addition to medical and cleaning supplies. All of our adoption fees and donations go right back into buying the food and medicine for the dogs at our shelter. We rely solely on the generosity of the public, our volunteers, and our own funds to keep the shelter repaired and to take care of the dogs. Our Challenges As a 501c non-profit, all volunteer organization we face many, many challenges, including feeding our dogs. We go through almost 600lbs. of dog food per week, and since our shelter is based in Baja California we receive no assistance from the Rescue Food Bank here in the U.S. All of our adoption fees and donations go right back into buying the food and medicine for the dogs at our shelter. No one in our organization takes a paycheck, and we rely solely on the generosity of the public and our own funds to pay for repairs to our shelter and major surgeries. We always welcome visitors and volunteers to our shelter. Volunteers can help walk the dogs, clean up pens, and help socialize or pups.

Wagging Dog Rescue

Wagging Dog Rescue is a grassroots nonprofit that champions the rights of animals worldwide and works to create a better future for all lives. We rescue orphaned dogs and other critters from shelters and streets in Southern California and ’round the globe who have no other options and are at risk of euthanasia or worse, who may need medical care or rehabilitation, and who will one day be restored to their rightful place as a cherished family member. We advocate responsible pet parenting, stand against discrimination – in all forms – and dedicate ourselves to educating our communities in order to achieve our goal of a more compassionate future. WDR came about in November 2011 after our Founder, Cassandra, spent some time volunteering at her local municipal animal shelter. Finding the volunteer program to be inefficient and seeing too many good family pets put down simply because of a lack of options when the shelter ran out of kennel space, she resolved to focus her energy on saving lives, one life at a time. Euthanasia is not an acceptable form of population control. Cassandra began to recruit like-minded people to her cause, and Wagging Dog Rescue was born. Our rescue is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that relies on charitable contributions and fundraising to supplement our adoption fees and provide for the care of our orphans. We are a registered charity with the CA Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts. We are all foster based and firmly believe in the value of a responsible, loving foster home to an orphaned dog. Our foster homes nurture these abandoned babes back to complete health while giving them the skills to be successful in a forever home and providing details that enable us to make successful matches between dog and forever family. The Wagging Dog Team is comprised of passionate animal lovers, owners, advocates and rescuers who give freely of our time, oft times money, and all the time – heart, in order to work together to improve our future. We support responsible pet ownership, a leadership lifestyle, spay and neuter .. and most of all, ADOPTION. Learn more about our annual rescue stats.

The Saving Slim Foundation

THE SAVING SLIM FOUNDATION is a registered 501c3 non-profit and your donations are tax deductible. We believe that the American Pit Bull Terrier has become very misunderstood in American society. "Slim" was the muse for the Foundation coming into existence. Abused and an ex-fighting dog, he had no chance of survival. He was property of the FCAC shelter in Rome, Georgia where the county has a ban on adopting out Pit Bulls, period. This twisted ideology is called BSL or Breed Specific Legislation, where a dog is not just a dog, but targeted with prejudice. The reality is that very few pit bulls will make it out of an American shelter alive. Whilst we will never be a large pit bull rescue, but more so a foundation, offering resources and information, we are still very involved in rescue on a daily basis. It is devastating to read news stories where people have been hurt by a dog. Often an abused, mistreated and mismanaged dog(s). This should not be happening, especially if the right resources were in place. BSL has proven that it is not effective. All dogs can be potentially dangerous & of course, some can do more damage than others. We must respect the strength and ability of any dog, keeping them and the public safe and increase the consequences when people do not abide by the laws. Pit Bulls are often extremely intelligent dogs that are classified into the category of working dogs. They are not a dog that you place in the backyard and ignore... they are a sensitive, very high energy dog with a lot of drive and a need for regular mental and physical stimulation. Otherwise, problems can arise. With pent up frustration, often they will want to escape from their yard and this is when we hear about a problem stemming from it in the news. Pit Bulls are extremely loving, sensitive dogs & they bond very closely with their owner. A person once said to me that a pit bull is unique because it will look you straight in the eyes, deep into your soul and connect with you; whereas, most dogs will just want to be pet and scratched. The public has been tainted by the news media that pours out sensationalisms like a pit bulls jaws can lock or they can ''snap'' at any minute... or reporting on a dog attack that didn't even involve a pit bull, but calling it a pit bull. Simply put, pit bulls are just dogs. No breed of dog can lock its' jaws and no specific breed, "can snap at any minute"... There are good dogs and bad dogs in all the canine varieties. Sadly pit bulls are often owned by people that should not own them and want them for more of a status symbol, than being a member of their family. The goal of the Foundation is: Education, Advocacy, Rescue and Resources : Education to help pet owners to create a deeper bond with their dogs, empowering them to become more responsible, keeping them and the public safe. Teaching the public about the misconceptions that have been bred by the media; helping to increase the number of adoptions in shelters by families that wouldn't normally consider adopting a pit bull ~ through education and advocacy. Rescue by continuing to save dogs from death row at high kill shelters. (We are not able to take owner surrenders). Lastly, RESOURCES through fund raising in order to help people & their dogs in our community. Any monies raised are strictly for the Foundation & its' work. We have an open book policy & want to assure people that any funds will be appropriately used. We believe we will never adopt our way out of this epidemic of over population, but rather through spay neuter programs, clinics and support.

Aussie Rescue San Diego

We believe that when you adopt a dog, a family is created. Here at Aussie Rescue San Diego, we have made it our mission to save Australian Shepherds, Border Collies and other breeds as needed. Our experienced, compassionate volunteers provide our dogs with medical care, training, and proper enrichment until the day that they find their forever home. We advocate for greater public awareness about responsible dog ownership and celebrate the connection and lifetime of love of people and their pets. We look forward to you being a part of our family! When you support ARSD, you will be forever changing the future of a dog who is desperate for help. 100% of your donation goes towards providing life saving care to dogs who otherwise would not have any good options. We need your help! With so many dogs currently being displaced and neglected, shelters / rescues are over capacity and struggling to make ends meet. Your support will help a dog have a better tomorrow. You will be saving lives and giving a future filled with hope, love and happiness.

Scratch My Belly

Save the Dalmatians & Others Canine Rescue

Save the Dalmatians and Other Canine Rescue, Inc. was founded in the late 1990s, and became an official 501(c)(3) charity in 2001. We are dedicated to taking in dogs from shelters, owner relinquish, and through coordination with local authorities. As is indicated in our name, our primary focus is Dalmatians, but we also take in other breeds when possible. We also try to provide a better education about the Dalmatian breed, as not all dogs are right for all people/families.

Furballs Furever Rescue

Furballs Furever Rescue began operating in December of 2020. The pandemic had come and taken over the lives of many, including that of our founder Kat. With her new found free time she began to dedicate her time and resources to local rescues. ​ Here she met her very first foster pups; two unruly six month old shepherds by the name of Apollo and Luna. Instantly enamored, Kat was inspired to learn how rescues operate. When Apollo developed a growth on the side of his neck she reached out for a vet check. By the time a vet appointment was available the mass had grown to the size of a baseball. Thankfully everything was done to ensure the mass was properly drained and Apollo was given a clean bill of health. As she continued working with the rescue, Kat learned their procedures and realized that there were a lot of animals, similar to Apollo, not receiving the medical attention as quickly as they needed. She also realized that some of the policies were harmful to the welfare of the animals. The animals craved human affection and need medical care. Losing lives that could have been saved with proper veterinary care, and simple safety precautions was non-negotiable. Here began Furballs Furever Rescue, a nonprofit 501c3, animal rescue. We are 100% donation based and volunteer run. We love our furballs and snugglers and believe they deserve more than just human decency. They deserve to be cared for and loved, vetted and hugged. So we will continue to help do so and help these animals OUR way. Because once a part of the Furball family, always a part of it.

The Pacific Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Coronado

The Pacific Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) was founded in 2003 by Dorothy “Louise” Shirey. Louise (pictured) was dedicated to providing care for and rehoming the abandoned and displaced animals of Coronado from the time she joined our community in 1986 until her death in 2014. Through determination, community organization, and persistent lobbying as an animal advocate, Louise achieved her dream of creating a Coronado animal rescue (PAWS), and establishing a partnership between PAWS and the City of Coronado to provide comprehensive animal services in the Crown City. Following in Louise’s footsteps, PAWS grew under the care of dedicated animal advocates Sharon Sherman and Karen Dwinell into a trusted community organization capable of helping hundreds of animals each year. Today we continue to honor Louise’s legacy by providing high-quality medical care, treating the animals in our care with love and compassion, and seeking to find each animal a perfect forever home through our adoption services. Our Vision: The vision of PAWS of Coronado is for every animal to have a safe and loving forever home. Our Commitment: The Pacific Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Coronado is committed to the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of all treatable and manageable animals at our facility and those receiving care through our foster care network. PAWS works hard to find permanent homes through our adoption services and animal rescue partnerships. Since its founding, PAWS has not euthanized any healthy animals with treatable conditions. PAWS is a member of the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition (SDAWC) and has adopted the Asilomar Accords to clarify the standard of care and what constitutes ‘healthy, treatable/manageable and ‘unhealthy/untreatable’ conditions in shelter animals. The SDAWC reached ‘zero euthanasia of treatable animals’ in July of 2015. “Getting to Zero” is the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition’s commitment to reaching zero euthanasia of healthy or treatable shelter animals in our community. Each member of the SDAWC provides data to the Shelter Animals Count: The National Database to ensure transparency around our work. Unlike other animal welfare organizations, PAWS has a jurisdictional responsibility to provide animal sheltering and pet licensing for all domestic animals in Coronado. PAWS receives all animals that are legal to own within the Coronado city limits including dogs, cats, pet exotic mammals, birds, and reptiles. Sadly, many of the animals arriving to PAWS have significant medical and/or behavioral conditions that render them ‘unhealthy/untreatable’ as defined in the Asilomar Accords. PAWS only places treatable, manageable animals up for adoption. PAWS endeavors to rescue all ‘unhealthy/untreatable’ animals through providing a range of services including standard of care diagnostics, soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, behavior modification and specialty interventions. Through these efforts, PAWS has saved many unhealthy/untreatable animals and we take great pride in the support we are able to provide for all animals in Coronado. PAWS appreciates your donations that support our mission and all our volunteers who help make this life-saving work possible.