8 Dog Rescues In Texas You Should Visit
Texas is home to several incredible dog rescues that are dedicated to helping abandoned and neglected dogs find their forever homes.
These 8 rescues offer a range of breeds, sizes, and personalities, ensuring that there is a dog for everyone.
If you're looking for an active companion to join you on adventures or a calm, cuddly friend to relax with, these rescues have the perfect match.
The commitment of these rescues to the well-being of the dogs they save is truly remarkable, offering medical care, training, and socialization.
Adopting from a Texas dog rescue not only gives a dog a second chance but also supports these hard-working organizations.
If you're ready to make a difference and find your new furry friend, explore these 8 best dog rescues in Texas today!
Top Dog Rescues in Texas: Where Adoption Meets Compassion
Texas is home to many incredible dog rescues dedicated to saving dogs from shelters, abandonment, and neglect.
These organizations work tirelessly to provide medical care, love, and new beginnings for dogs in need.
If you're looking to adopt a dog, these top rescues in Texas offer a variety of dogs ready to become your new best friend.
Special Pals Rescue
For over forty years, Special Pals Rescue has been dedicated to rescuing animals from the streets of Houston, providing them with the medical care, love, and security they need before finding them loving forever homes.
This non-profit organization’s mission is to offer a second chance to abandoned and abused animals, giving them the opportunity for a better life.
Special Pals Rescue works closely with other local rescue organizations to ensure every rescued dog and cat receives the attention they deserve.
The adoption process at Special Pals Rescue is straightforward.
First, potential adopters must gather the necessary documentation, including a photo ID and proof of living in a pet-friendly residence if renting.
If you already have a pet, you will need to provide vet records for vaccinations and heartworm prevention.
The staff reviews each application carefully to ensure that every dog is placed with responsible, loving pet owners.
Interested adopters are encouraged to visit the shelter, meet the dogs in person, and find their new furry friend.
If you have any questions about the adoption or fostering process, feel free to contact the rescue team, who will be happy to assist you.
Address: Houston, Texas
Email address: Special Pals Contact Form
Official website: Special Pals Rescue Center
Phone: 281 579 7387
Operation Kindness
Operation Kindness is much more than just a rescue center for abandoned animals; it’s a comprehensive care facility that provides medical treatment, shelter, and food to vulnerable dogs in need.
Focused on helping animals that have been neglected by their previous owners or never had a chance to experience a healthy environment, the shelter ensures no animal goes without food.
They even provide free dog food to families struggling to feed their pets, helping them keep their furry companions.
In addition to rescue efforts, Operation Kindness operates an animal hospital where they perform spay/neuter surgeries and provide other medical treatments for animals in need.
The shelter is committed to making a difference in the lives of animals across Texas, and donations are always appreciated to help continue their important work.
On the Operation Kindness website, you can find a wide range of dogs available for adoption, including Labrador mixes, Pitbulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherd mixes, and more.
All dogs, both puppies and adults, are vaccinated, microchipped, and spayed/neutered.
If you’re unsure which dog would be the best fit for your family, you can visit the shelter in person to meet the dogs.
Adoption is the most impactful way to support their work, but if you’re not ready for a full-time commitment, you can also consider fostering a dog to see if it’s the right fit for you.
The adoption fee is generally around $200, although it can vary based on factors like age, breed, and gender.
Address: Carrollton, Texas
Email address: Operation Kindness Contact Form
Official website: Operation Kindness
Phone: 972 418 7297
Houston Pets Alive
Houston Pets Alive is a no-kill shelter dedicated to rescuing animals from kill shelters in the Houston area.
Their primary focus is on saving dogs, puppies, and other animals at risk of euthanasia, including newborns, their mothers, and older dogs who are often overlooked by other organizations.
They collaborate with local shelters that share their commitment to rescuing and providing a second chance to animals in need.
Houston Pets Alive relies on donations, support from animal lovers, and dedicated fosters willing to open their homes to animals in need.
Their goal is to provide all animals, especially those deemed less adoptable, with the care and opportunity they deserve.
To adopt a dog from Houston Pets Alive, you can browse the list of adoptable dogs on their website.
Once you’ve selected a pup, you can complete the adoption application form online.
If your application is approved, you’ll be invited to meet your new dog during the shelter’s adoption events held every Saturday.
The adoption fee for all dogs is $199, regardless of breed, age, or gender.
This fee helps cover the cost of medical care, vaccinations, and other necessary treatments.
For more information or to address any questions, you can reach out to the shelter via email or phone.
Address: Houston, Texas
Email address: [email protected]
Official website: Houston Pets Alive
Phone: 832 786 9310
SNIPSA
SNIPSA (San Antonio Pets Alive) is a unique animal rescue organization that operates without a physical shelter.
Instead, they rely on the support of dedicated foster families who take in homeless dogs and other animals, providing them with loving homes until they can be adopted.
For over 15 years, this volunteer-driven organization has been saving and protecting animals in need, helping more than 25,000 animals find new homes.
SNIPSA also works to address the overbreeding problem in Texas, particularly in San Antonio, by offering free spay and neuter services for animals in need.
In addition to fostering, SNIPSA offers veterinary care to all abandoned and injured animals to ensure they are healthy and ready for adoption.
Adopting from SNIPSA is simple.
Start by browsing the adoptable dogs on their website to find a pup that fits your family.
After selecting a dog, you’ll need to fill out an application form and proceed with the adoption contract.
By adopting from SNIPSA, you’re not only gaining a loyal companion but also helping to reduce the number of homeless animals in your community.
The adoption fee is typically $300 or more, depending on the medical care provided and factors such as breed, age, and gender.
Adult dogs are usually priced starting at $250.
Address: San Antonio, Texas
Email address: [email protected]
Official website: SNIPSA
Phone: 210 237 9400
Apollo Support and Rescue
Apollo Support and Rescue is a dedicated non-profit organization based in North Texas, specifically serving the Justin and Dallas areas.
This rescue is committed to helping animals find their forever homes through a variety of programs, relying solely on fundraising events, donations, and adoption fees for funding.
Their mission is to provide shelter and care to animals in need, and they are always in need of support from passionate animal lovers.
Whether through adoption, fostering, volunteering, or donating, you can make a significant difference in the lives of these animals.
To adopt a dog from Apollo Support and Rescue, you can start by browsing their list of adoptable dogs on their Petfinder profile.
The process begins by filling out an adoption application, which is available on their website.
The rescue often has a variety of crossbreeds, especially Chihuahua mixes.
Chihuahuas, while sometimes exhibiting aggressive behaviors due to poor treatment or lack of training, can become loving and well-behaved companions with the right care, patience, and guidance.
All dogs at Apollo Support and Rescue are vaccinated, microchipped (if applicable), and in great health.
While the adoption fee is not listed online, you can contact the rescue directly to get more information about the adoption procedure and the associated costs.
By adopting from Apollo Support and Rescue, you’re giving a dog a fresh start and making a lasting impact on their lives.
Address: Justin, Texas
Email address: ​​[email protected]
Official website: Apollo Support and Rescue
Phone: 817 658 9738
Legacy Humane Society
Legacy Humane Society, founded nearly fifteen years ago, is committed to rescuing and rehoming dogs that have been abandoned or found in poor conditions, often in shelters that resort to euthanasia.
Their mission is to provide a second chance to these dogs, many of whom are placed in foster homes before being adopted.
This helps the volunteers ensure that each pup is ready to transition smoothly into their new family.
In addition to providing medical care for all dogs in need, the organization is working on expanding its property to offer even more temporary homes for animals in need.
As they work toward the opening of a larger adoption facility, Legacy Humane Society welcomes donations to support their efforts.
You can contribute by making a monetary donation, donating your old vehicle, or purchasing items from their wish list.
If you're interested in adopting, the first step is to complete the adoption form available on the Legacy Humane Society website.
For more information, visit the rescue’s official website or contact the staff, who will be happy to assist you with any questions about the adoption process.
Adoption fees vary based on the dog’s age:
These fees cover vaccinations, microchipping, spaying/neutering, and other essential medical treatments.
Address: McKinney, Texas
Email address: [email protected]
Official website: Legacy Humane Society
Phone: 866 803 5997
Friends for Life
Founded two decades ago, Friends For Life is an animal rescue and rehabilitation organization dedicated to saving animals from dire situations, including shelters that resort to euthanasia due to overcrowding or age.
They focus on rescuing dogs from the streets and shelters that treat them poorly, offering medical care and rehabilitation services to improve their chances of being adopted.
Friends For Life goes beyond rescue, providing free or low-cost medical services, including spaying/neutering, to reduce the number of unwanted animals in the future.
They also provide food to pets in the community who are struggling with hunger.
To adopt a dog from Friends For Life, you must be at least 21 years old and provide a valid photo ID.
Potential adopters must also demonstrate the ability to care for a dog, both financially and in terms of time and commitment.
After submitting an application form, the rescue staff will review it to ensure you’re the right fit for one of their pups.
Once approved, you’ll have an interview with the adoption counselor, who will provide further details about the adoption process and how to care for a rescue dog.
Friends For Life strives to ensure that each dog is placed in the right home, where they will be loved and cared for.
The adoption fee is $95 for all dogs, with discounts available for specific adopters:
Texas Humane Heroes
Texas Humane Heroes is a dedicated rescue organization that provides assistance, rescue, and medical care to animals across North and Central Texas.
Their primary mission is to save dogs from overcrowded kill shelters, but they also rescue dogs abandoned on the streets.
The organization’s goal is to improve the lives of both animals and people by bringing them together, ensuring that each animal is placed in the right home where they can thrive.
Texas Humane Heroes also offers free or low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and other necessary veterinary services to the animals in their care.
The organization is funded through charitable contributions, grants, fundraising events, and adoption fees.
You can support their efforts by adopting a dog or making a donation to help fund their wellness clinic and ongoing rescue work.
To adopt from Texas Humane Heroes, it’s best to visit the shelter in person or attend one of their events.
This gives you the chance to meet the dogs and see if there’s a good match.
The adoption process typically lasts between one to two hours, so make sure to arrive well before closing time.
If for any reason the adoption doesn’t work out within the first month, you can return the dog at no additional cost.
After the first month, a return fee of $100 will apply.
The adoption fee is not listed on their website, so it’s recommended to contact the shelter for more details on pricing and the adoption process.
Address: Leander, Texas
Email address: [email protected]
Official website: Humane Heroes Rescue
Phone: 512 260 3602
Supporting Dog Rescues in Texas: Adoption and Beyond
Texas is home to numerous dog rescues dedicated to saving animals from dire situations, whether they are abandoned on the streets or rescued from shelters that resort to euthanasia due to overcrowding or age.
These organizations work tirelessly to give dogs a second chance at life, and adopting a dog is one of the most humane and fulfilling ways to help.
Keep in mind that adopted dogs often form strong attachments to their new families, and you might find them following you everywhere, even to the bathroom!
If you're unsure whether you're ready to fully commit to adoption, there are still plenty of ways to support these amazing rescues.
You can donate money, participate in foster programs, or contribute items from their Amazon or other wish lists.
Every bit of support helps these organizations continue their life-saving work.
Truc Tran
Animal Lover & Content Specialist
Expertise
Rescue Participant, Meal Planning for Pets, Recipe Development for Pets, Content Editor
Education
TasTAFE, Australia
Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program
Truc Tran is an animal lover and rescue advocate with 2 cute furry kids. With a background in culinary arts, she uses her skills to create easy pet-friendly recipes and share helpful tips for caring for rescue animals.
At cutiepuppie.com, Truc focuses on showing the joys of adopting rescue pets and helping owners connect with their furry friends. Her passion for dogs and digital storytelling helps inspire readers to build meaningful connections with their furry companions.