This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in Spokane, WA. 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.
#13 in United States, #1 in Washington, #1 in Spokane
Spokane
Our mission to provide a safe haven for dogs in desperate circumstances within our community and surrounding area. We rehome these dogs with families that are a good fit for the dog. We seek to serve the humans that come to us ‚both our adoptive families and the people who need help rehoming dogs ‚but our priority is to act as advocates for our dogs at every stage of the rescue and adoption process. We commit to our dogs for life! We are a registered non-profit organization, headquartered in the Tri-Cities in south-central Washington State. We focus mainly on saving dogs that are at risk in our region and placing them with adopters throughout the Pacific Northwest. Most of our dogs come from shelters in Washington & Idaho, where they are facing the threat of Euthanasia. Others are released to us by private individuals who need medical help with their own dogs. Other dogs are strays, either dumped or abandoned, that need a chance at a new life.
"I have been associated with Mikey’s chance canine rescue for 4 years. My motorcycle family have put on many rides..."
— cora r.
Volunteer / foster
"This is an amazing organization specializing in parvo puppies/dogs in our area."
— shauna m.
Volunteer / foster
#83 in United States, #9 in Washington, #2 in Spokane
Spokane
At Path of Hope Rescue we strive to decrease the euthanasia rate of high risk dogs in the southern United States by transporting pregnant dogs and puppies to the Pacific Northwest to find adoptive homes. We are 100% foster based and rely on volunteers and fosters to help in our mission. The overpopulation of dogs in Texas is extreme. Because of a culture that does not value spay and neuter, there are simply too many dogs. And because of this, dogs are being euthanized merely for their existence. Shelters are forced to choose which dog to kill and which to save on a daily basis. There are an estimated 700,000 stray dogs just in the city of Houston alone. Dogs on the streets, dogs in shelters, dogs living on chains, dogs everywhere. Pregnant dogs and puppies are often euthanized because of the amount of resources they require or even more often, pregnant moms are spayed, aborting the puppies. Path of Hope Rescue believes that these dogs deserve a chance at life.
"I adopted from Path of Hope Rescue before I became a volunteer. Their mission of saving pregnant dogs and puppies..."
— samantha d.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"We adopted our pup from Path of Hope Rescue four years ago. They did a great job throughout the..."
— lori w.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
#99 in United States, #16 in Washington, #3 in Spokane
Spokane
SpokAnimal will save lives by caring for and finding loving homes for homeless pets in our community and beyond Our strong community presence and relationships help identify the need for innovative programs that are designed to strengthen the human-companion animal bond by providing resources for pets and their people. From our food bank to our clinical programs, our vision will always be to help those who are not able to fully provide for their pets.
"Offers amazing help and puts on free/low cost events"
— natasha b.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
#100 in United States, #17 in Washington, #4 in Spokane
Spokane
The name Rescue4All came to be as an adaptation of the last line in the Pledge of Allegiance ‚And justice for all‚ and this is the Rescue4All Pledge of Animal Allegiance: 'We pledge Allegiance to the animals, suffering from cruelty and neglect. We are a refuge that exists to help you, to save you. One caring safe haven, enduring, with love and Rescue4All.'
#100 in United States, #17 in Washington, #4 in Spokane
Spokane
#100 in United States, #17 in Washington, #4 in Spokane
#2 in dachshund
Dachshund
Spokane
This dog rescue was started by the Director, Margo Mossburg, in 1991 and has been her passion for over 30 years. Dennis and Margo Mossburg are the main volunteers, director and husband, when no paid staff here. This is our hobby and how we give back to the region. We have now placed over 2,800 homeless dogs and over 400 head of homeless horses. We place around 100+ dogs each year thanks to our 100+ steady volunteers who come to dog hug or work at events to help us showcase our adoptable dogs. The rescue is at the Mossburg's farm and not a retail locations so visitors are welcome by appointment in advance only so no one gets chomped. We now run Rough Start Horse Rescue from our small farm too! We took over as directors when the founders got all moved to Texas in 2021.
#100 in United States, #17 in Washington, #4 in Spokane
#4 in australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherd
Spokane
Western Australian Shepherd Rescue is a small, volunteer run, non-profit dedicated to the rescue and placement of Australian Shepherd dogs and other herding dog breeds in need. Our goal is to help place these dogs in loving, permanent homes or service careers. Originally, our organization was formed in 1998 by a very small group of volunteers committed to helping Aussies. We have since evolved to help all herding breeds as well as the occasional Chihuahua, doodle, hound, terrier, and so on.
#100 in United States, #17 in Washington, #4 in Spokane
Spokane
Priest River Animal Rescue, the only local non-profit 501c3 organization serving Pend Oreille County, Washington, Bonner County, Idaho, and the surrounding areas since 2002. We pride ourselves on being a no-kill animal rescue, ensuring that all our adopted pets are spayed or neutered and microchipped to prevent any further increase in the unwanted pet population. While we face a huge cat problem in our area, we are actively seeking grant money to assist community families with spaying and neutering their pets. Although the dog problem is not as rampant, we still receive stray dogs every week and do our best to find them loving homes. In order to support our rescue efforts, we rely on proceeds from our Critters Thrift Store, fundraisers, grants, and the generosity of our community, which helps us provide the necessary care for our resident pets. We receive no financial support from the government. If you’re considering adding a furry member to your family, we encourage you to visit us. While our available pets are regularly updated on our website and social media pages, we often have newly arrived pets that are not yet advertised. The true personality of a pet can only be experienced in person, and it’s not uncommon for visitors to fall in love with a different pet than they initially anticipated.
#100 in United States, #17 in Washington, #4 in Spokane
#6 in great Dane
Great Dane
Spokane
Northwest Great Dane Rescue is a 501 (c)3 organization that was founded to facilitate the placement of Great Danes into permanent homes. We have several years of experience placing dogs and we have developed a set of protocols over that time to ensure that our dogs find their safe, permanent home and to reduce the risk that they will be returned to us. From time to time we may make exceptions to some of our rules if the situation is right for that individual dog. For example, we may place an older dog that is incapable of climbing a fence in a home with a fence shorter than 5 feet if it is a good fit for the dog. The decision to make exceptions to our protocols is reserved for the Board only.
#100 in United States, #17 in Washington, #4 in Spokane
#7 in husky
Husky
Spokane
practically all the Siberian Husky rescues in the NW either closed down or scaled back (due to age) or went on hiatus (due to family situations). So some longtime volunteers felt that something needed to be done to fill the gap. NWSR is 100% volunteer operated. The non-profit registration with the State of Washington has been done and we have also received the federal Determination Letter approving the organizations 501(c)(3) status. Consequently, all donations to our rescue are tax deductible. NWSR does not have a shelter location, we are entirely dependent on foster homes, hence our fosters are spread all over the NW – WA/OR/ID. This unfortunately limits us in the number of dogs we have in rescue at a given time. All of our rescues are fully vetted: spayed/neutered, vaccinated (incl. rabies) and microchipped. It is not unusual that dogs will need additional medical care. GENERAL INFORMATION Since our rescues come from a multitude of backgrounds (most of them bad or very bad) we make sure that their new homes will offer the best possible situation. HOW WE OPERATE • All dogs are microchipped and spayed/neutered while in the care of our rescue. All immediate medical needs are addressed before a dog goes to its forever home. • All adoptive homes must undergo a yard check. This ensures that all of our little escape artists are safely contained in their new homes. • All parts of our organization are volunteers - from our foster homes, to those that help with transporting pups, and even our Board of Directors – every single person involved with our organization does it for the love of the dogs. Without our community, we would not exist.
Welcome to the 2024 Spokane, WA Sniffspot Top Dog Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top rescues and shelters in Spokane, WA chosen by the Sniffspot community and the public.
This list is sponsored by Sniffspot, the largest global network of private dog parks. Sniffspot offers 10 private dog parks in the Spokane area, including fenced, water, indoor, and beach parks. As a hub for rescue dogs, our sponsorship underscores our dedication to supporting shelters and rescues. Explore Spokane dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.
Ordered alphabetically, only included states where there is enough data to compile a list
Our adoption process is detailed and comprehensive, because we want to ensure that the dog we entrust to you is a good fit for your lifestyle, home environment, needs and expectations. Our goal is not simply to place dogs in homes, but to create lasting, rewarding, happy relationships between our dogs and their humans. We will process your application as quickly as we can, but we ask you to be patient if it takes longer than you'd like. You are welcome to contact us at any time to ask about our progress.
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.