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The Best Tampa, FL Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2024

David Adams

June 25, 2024

Dog Rescues & Shelters

This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in Tampa, FL. 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.

Mercy Full Project
#89 in United States, #7 in Florida, #1 in Tampa
Tampa
Mercy Full Project was founded in October 2019 as a Nonprofit organization located in the Tampa Bay Area. We focus our efforts mainly in Animal rescue and helping the helpless animals in our community, We take in all animals from all different situations such as Medical Cases at the shelters that face euthanasia, Behavioral cases that need longer and special training sessions, Owner surrenders that come to us from multiple reasons and these owners cannot longer have them, Stray animals found all over Florida, Animals facing euthanasia at Overloaded shelters even outside of Florida as Georgia and Alabama, and Emergency cases when the animals are injured from accidents or Animal Abused. We are a foster home-based animal rescue, and we are always looking for families to open the doors of their homes to help us help these pure souls in need. Being a foster does not require much as we provide all supplies needed and cover all vet expenses. All that Requires is a little more time and love to spend with an animal in need. Once the animal is ready for Adoption, we use all our tools to find their perfect match and these happy stories are what we call Happy Tails.
"Conscientious, passionate, and determined, the founder of Mercy Full Project (MFP), and dedicated volunteers work hard to advocate for all..."
— stephanie o.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"I have been a foster with Mercy Full Project since 2020. Heydi Acuna is the most amazing person with the..."
— melissa l.
Volunteer / foster

Elizabeth's Animal Rescue and Sanctuary (E.A.R.S.)
#99 in United States, #12 in Florida, #2 in Tampa
Tampa
Welcome to Elizabeth's Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, otherwise known as E.A.R.S.! We are dedicated to finding a loving home for every rescue dog we receive. We never give up on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming our sweet residents! E.A.R.S. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to rescuing dogs from central Florida. We are not just a shelter and sanctuary for animals, but also for the people that love and care for them as well. We pride ourselves on the fact that all our animals are happy and well taken care of until they find their new home. Our volunteers open their hearts and their homes to our animals in need, as long as that may be. E.A.R.S. relies fully on monetary and physical donations to fund our rescue mission. If you would like to ease a dog's suffering, please click our DONATE link above. There are many ways to help a dog in need! 100% of your donations go directly to our sweet dogs! If you would like to help our dogs through volunteering, please click the APPLICATIONS link above. We always welcome volunteer staff who are willing to make a difference for our dogs!
"This organization does a lot to protect Big Cats by providing a safe and loving natural habitat."
— tina a.
Supporter, Fan

Howling Hounds Sanctuary Rescue
#100 in United States, #13 in Florida, #3 in Tampa
Tampa

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay
#100 in United States, #13 in Florida, #3 in Tampa
Tampa
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, provides shelter for homeless & at risk animals, adoptions, hospital and TNVR services for the general public; operates independently from the Humane Society of the United States. And we, along with our animals, would love to have you as a partner on this journey. Stand with us and other like-minded individuals, animal welfare organizations, foundations and companies as we work to end animal homelessness in Tampa Bay. By lending your voice, mobilizing supporters and customers, and helping to raise critical funds, you can change the lives of pets and people.

Humane Society of Pinellas
#100 in United States, #13 in Florida, #3 in Tampa
Tampa
The Humane Society of Pinellas is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has been caring for animals and our community since 1949. The Humane Society of Pinellas is dedicated to providing individualized care for every animal that comes our way and we ensure that every treatable animal is treated. This means we have made a promise to our community that no animal will be euthanized for a treatable condition. As Pinellas County's largest no-kill animal shelter, we do not receive any State or Federal tax dollars, or funding from any national animal organizations including the Humane Society of the United States or the ASPCA.

Maxx and Me Pet Rescue
#100 in United States, #13 in Florida, #3 in Tampa
Tampa
Maxx & Me Pet Rescue is a dog rescue organization founded in 2014 by Lea Haverstock in memory of her beloved rescue Golden Retriever, Maxx. We are dedicated to the well-being and deserving care of animals ‚ large and small, young and old, healthy and in need. We are a 100% volunteer, foster-based (we have NO shelter and are NOT a shelter), non-profit dog rescue organization serving the greater Tampa Bay area. We do not do out of state adoptions.

Ratbone Rescues
#100 in United States, #13 in Florida, #3 in Tampa
Tampa
Ratbone Rescues is a National rescue group, dedicated to helping Rat Terriers in need. As any breed grows in popularity, there is always the chance that some dogs will find themselves with people who don't understand their needs. When this happens the dog may be abandoned, neglected or even abused. We feel a responsibility toward these unfortunate animals, and work to find them new, permanent homes. Ratbone Rescues has dogs in foster homes all over the United States. On this web site you will find information on all of the dogs we have available for adoption. Our minimum suggested adoption fees are: Adult Dogs $175, Puppies under 12 months of age $200, and American Hairless Terriers $225.

What's the Sniffspot Tampa Top Dog Rescue & Shelter List About?

Welcome to the 2024 Tampa, FL Sniffspot Top Dog Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top rescues and shelters in Tampa, FL chosen by the Sniffspot community and the public.

This list is sponsored by Sniffspot, the largest global network of private dog parks. Sniffspot offers 6 private dog parks in the Tampa 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 Tampa dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.

Get safe exercise for your dog by renting a private dog park near you

See The Best Dog Rescues & Shelters In Other Cities Near Tampa

See The Best Dog Rescues & Shelters In Other States

Ordered alphabetically, only included states where there is enough data to compile a list

Sniffspot Tampa Dog Rescues & Shelters Frequently Asked Questions

How many dog rescues and shelters operate in Tampa?

There are 6 in Tampa. Outside of Tampa, there are 43 located in Florida.

What are the most reputable dog rescues and shelters in Tampa?

There are many reputable rescues in Tampa, the top 3 on our list are: Mercy Full Project, Elizabeth's Animal Rescue and Sanctuary (E.A.R.S.), The Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

How can I adopt a rescue dog in Tampa?

Using our list of the top dog rescues and shelters, you can find a reputable shelter in Tampa. The adoption policies of each shelter varies and you can find information on the shelter profile page. Here is an example adoption policy:
Our adoption process is as follows: - Mercy Full Projects posts our adoptable pets on our www.mercyfullprojects.org site and mercyfullprojects.petfinder.com - Potential Adopters fill out the application which can be found on the website. *Do note that only applications with submitted applications in the link above are considered as potential adopters. - Mercy Full Projects Adoption coordinator looks over the applications from a holistic point of view. - Each adoptable has a few 'must haves' as part of their profile, so we try to match our adoptable with potential adopters who have this. - Mercy Full Projects Adoption coordinator reaches out to the selected potential adopters, do note that this does not guarantee adoption, and notifies the potential adopter of: - Adoptable adoption Fee - Adoption coordinator will schedule a 5 minute 'Get to Know you call' - After the call they will determine if to move forward or not and we will email you with an answer. - Adoption coordinator will set up a meet and greet with the adoptable if the above has been agreed upon. *Do note that meet and greets does not guarantee adoption because it's important that our adoptable choose their adopter as well. - After all meet and greets have been conducted, Mercy Full Project's admin team and foster family will select the foreverrrr family! - Mercy Full will contact references from the adopter's application form. - Mercy Full will ask for a home video. - Mercy Full requires an adoption contract to be filled and an adoption fee (All adoption fees are posted on our website and will be disclosed prior to the meet and greet) to be paid online after the adoption contract is signed. - Mercy Full will set up the adoptable pick up! - The adopter will receive vet records and adoption certificate.

Are there any breed-specific dog rescues and shelters in Tampa?

We do not have any record of breed specific rescues and shelters in Tampa, but there are the top breed-specific rescue and shelter types in nearby metro, Golden Rescue South Florida, Inc, Rescue Rebels by Cash 4 Canines, Greyhounds In Motion

Can you recommend any dog rescues in Tampa that specialize in senior dogs?

We do not have any record of senior dog rescues and shelters in Tampa, but these are the closest cities with senior dog rescues and shelters: Jacksonville, Miami

Get your dog the safe enrichment they need by renting a Sniffspot

David Adams

June 25, 2024

Dog Rescues & Shelters

David Adams

About the author

David Adams is a man of many passions, but his love for dogs stands above all. He is not only a dog lover, but also the founder of an innovative platform called Sniffspot. This unique platform connects dog owners with private property owners who are willing to rent out their space for off-leash playtime. While the idea of Sniffspot was initially conceived by his wife, Rebecca, David has been the driving force behind its remarkable success, tirelessly overseeing its growth and development. David's dedication to providing safe and enjoyable spaces for dogs to play, explore, and socialize is evident in his unwavering commitment to Sniffspot. He strongly believes that dogs need ample space and opportunities to stretch their legs and have fun. As a result, he has worked tirelessly to build a network of private property owners across the country who share his vision and are willing to offer their space for the benefit of dogs and their owners. Despite his busy schedule, David always finds time to indulge in his passion for the great outdoors. He loves nothing more than exploring new hiking trails and embarking on thrilling outdoor adventures. Whenever he is not working on Sniffspot, he can often be found hiking or visiting multi-acre fenced sniffspots with his two beloved dogs, Soba and Toshii. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the fresh air, breathtaking scenery, and the sense of freedom that comes with being in nature. David is based in Salem, MA.

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About Sniffspot

Sniffspot provides the best experiences and fun for you and your dog. Our dog parks are designed for the ultimate dog exercise. Our private spaces help you minimize distractions or triggers and maximize time with your dog. We provide off leash enrichment - exploration and activities you can't get anywhere else; wear your dog out for days. We make it easy to have playdates. Socialize your pup in a controlled, private spot - it's great exercise and it's fun for you and your dog.

The Best Tampa, FL Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2024

Mercy Full Project

Elizabeth's Animal Rescue and Sanctuary (E.A.R.S.)

Howling Hounds Sanctuary Rescue

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay

Humane Society of Pinellas

Maxx and Me Pet Rescue

Ratbone Rescues

What's the Sniffspot Tampa Top Dog Rescue & Shelter List About?

See The Best Dog Rescues & Shelters In Other Cities Near Tampa

See The Best Dog Rescues & Shelters In Other States

Sniffspot Tampa Dog Rescues & Shelters Frequently Asked Questions

How many dog rescues and shelters operate in Tampa?

What are the most reputable dog rescues and shelters in Tampa?

How can I adopt a rescue dog in Tampa?

Are there any breed-specific dog rescues and shelters in Tampa?

Can you recommend any dog rescues in Tampa that specialize in senior dogs?

David Adams

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