14 Dog Rescues In Wisconsin That Will Make Your Heart Melt

Wisconsin is home to many wonderful dog rescues, and there are plenty of opportunities for those looking to adopt a furry friend in need.

These 14 dog rescues in Wisconsin are dedicated to providing loving homes for abandoned, neglected, or surrendered dogs.

Whether you’re looking for a puppy or an older dog, these rescues offer a wide variety of breeds and mixes, all in need of a fresh start.

By adopting from a rescue, you’re helping to support these organizations that pour love and care into every dog they save.

The process of adoption is not only fulfilling but gives these dogs a chance at a brighter future.

Wisconsin’s dog rescues work hard to ensure the well-being and health of the animals they care for, so your new dog will be ready for their forever home.

If you're ready to make a difference and provide a loving home, explore these 14 rescues in Wisconsin today!

Top Dog Rescues in Wisconsin: Why Adoption is the Best Choice

Choosing to adopt a dog is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make.

With so many animals in need of loving homes, Wisconsin is home to a number of admirable rescues dedicated to saving dogs from unfortunate situations.

In this guide, we highlight some of the best dog rescues in Wisconsin, where you can find your next loyal companion.

Adopting from a rescue not only saves a life but also brings happiness to your home.

If you're ready to make a difference, read on to discover where your future furry friend is waiting!

Fetch Wisconsin Rescue

Fetch Wisconsin Rescue is a dedicated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming dogs since 2013.

With over 3,500 dogs saved from across the Midwest, their mission is to provide a safe haven for neglected, abused, and unwanted animals, as well as dogs whose owners can no longer care for them.

Their approach focuses on understanding each dog's individual needs, offering the best possible care, and ultimately matching them with a loving forever home.

Fetch Wisconsin Rescue strives to help dogs become confident and well-balanced, while guiding their volunteers to be strong, compassionate pack leaders.

If you're interested in getting involved, you can volunteer or even foster a dog through the organization.

To start the adoption process, simply visit their website and submit an adoption application.

This helps the team understand more about you, your family, and your lifestyle, so they can connect you with a dog that best fits your needs.

Wisconsin Humane Society

Founded in 1879, the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) is an independent, non-profit organization that has been dedicated to saving animals for over 140 years.

With multiple shelters across Wisconsin and a specialized clinic for spaying and neutering, WHS is the largest animal shelter in the state, rescuing more than 40,000 animals annually.

WHS’s core values of compassion, respect, kindness, innovation, and professionalism guide their work, ensuring that every animal receives the care and respect they deserve.

In addition to adoption, they offer a variety of programs including fostering, wildlife rehabilitation, dog training, a pet food bank, and youth programs aimed at teaching children about respect, compassion, and animal care.

The organization is committed to helping animals of all kinds, from those requiring medical care to those needing behavioral support, and they strive to find them loving forever homes.

Lakeland Animal Shelter

The Lakeland Animal Shelter is a private, non-profit, self-funded organization that cares for over 3,000 animals each year.

Their mission is to provide every dog with the opportunity to find a loving home and family.

They are committed to ensuring the well-being of each animal, offering a variety of services to support the community.

These services include adoption and education, care for animals in need, surrendering services (by appointment), assistance to local enforcement agencies, and the investigation of animal cruelty.

Their efforts help ensure that animals in their care are safe, well-cared for, and placed in appropriate homes.

Shelter From The Storm Animal Rescue

Founded in 2005 by Allison Davies, Shelter From The Storm Animal Rescue is dedicated to reducing the high number of animals in high-kill shelters.

This all-breeds dog and cat rescue focuses on providing safe havens for animals and alleviating overcrowding in shelters.

The organization’s mission is clear: to find forever homes for every animal that comes through their doors, support the community, and educate the public on responsible pet ownership.

In addition to rescue efforts, the shelter offers affordable spay/neuter services and medical care for pets in need.

To adopt a dog, potential adopters must first submit an application, available on their website.

The adoption package includes a rabies tag, a digital packet containing the adoption contract and medical records, and other helpful information about your new pet.

Furever Friends Sanctuary

Located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, Furever Friends Sanctuary is a dedicated dog rescue organization with a clear mission to save the lives of dogs in need.

Their focus is on rescuing, fostering, and adopting dogs, with the aim of providing each dog with a loving forever home.

The sanctuary operates with the help of passionate volunteers who provide top-quality care for the dogs until they find their new families.

The organization is deeply committed to ending the suffering of abused, neglected, and abandoned animals.

Their work revolves around giving these animals a fresh start and a happy ending, helping them transition from hardship to happiness.

For a list of adoptable dogs, you can visit their website or contact them directly via email or phone with any questions.

Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue

Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to rescuing dogs from various unfortunate situations and placing them in loving foster homes while preparing them for adoption.

Since its founding in May 2010, the rescue has successfully found new homes for over 14,500 animals.

The organization is committed to providing the highest quality care for each dog and matching them with the perfect families who will offer them a forever home.

In addition to rescuing and rehoming, Coco's Heart emphasizes educating the public about responsible pet ownership, the importance of rescue, and the impact one person can have on a dog's life.

They actively work to raise awareness about the significance of adoption and the rescue process.

You can follow their updates on Facebook and Instagram or visit their website to learn more about their mission and see available dogs for adoption.

Neenah Animal Shelter

Founded in 1962, Neenah Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to helping animals of all kinds in need.

They provide shelter and care for abandoned, neglected, surrendered, and injured animals, giving them a chance at a better life.

In 2021, the shelter achieved an impressive 97% live release rate and facilitated the adoption of over 400 animals.

Their mission is to ensure every animal gets the love and care they need until they find their forever home.

Neenah Animal Shelter also works to rebuild the bond between animals and humans and is committed to never euthanizing any animal due to a lack of space or funding.

If you are interested in adopting a dog, you must first complete an adoption application and be approved before meeting the dogs in person.

For more details, visit their website to read their adoption guidelines.

Driftless Humane Society

Located in Viroqua, Wisconsin, the Driftless Humane Society is a no-kill shelter that accepts all surrendered dogs and cats, regardless of their age, health, or behavior.

Their mission is to provide a safe haven for animals in need, offering shelter, food, and medical care until they find their forever homes.

The shelter works closely with veterinarians to ensure each animal receives the best possible medical treatment, including those with treatable medical or behavioral conditions.

The Driftless Humane Society is committed to ensuring every animal, whether healthy or in need of care, has a chance at a better life.

If you’d like to support their work, you can find a monthly wishlist of needed items on their website, or consider making a donation.

They welcome visitors during working hours:

• Monday and Wednesday: 2 p.m.

– 6 p.m.

• Tuesday and Thursday: By appointment
• Saturday: 10 a.m.

– 2 p.m.

Underdog Pet Rescue

Founded in 2012 by Lauren Brinkman, the Underdog Pet Rescue of Wisconsin has been dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating homeless animals and those in need.

Lauren’s decade of volunteering with various humane organizations across Wisconsin inspired her to establish a rescue and a veterinary clinic that provides care to animals seeking a second chance at life.

The rescue focuses on all dog breeds and works to create a happier life for these animals, helping them rebuild their relationship with humans.

Under Lauren’s leadership, Underdog Pet Rescue has saved thousands of animals with the support of more than 150 foster homes that assist with the dogs before and after the adoption process.

If you're interested in adopting a new furry family member, you can visit their website to view available animals.

After submitting your application, an adoption coordinator will arrange a meet and greet, and if all goes well, you’ll be ready to welcome your new dog into your home.

Lucky Mutts Rescue

Lucky Mutts Rescue is a dedicated non-profit, volunteer-based organization that has been rescuing dogs since 2015.

The rescue focuses on saving animals at risk of euthanasia due to overpopulation, abuse, neglect, or abandonment, particularly those in high-kill shelters.

Their goal is to provide these dogs with the chance to rebuild their confidence and find loving forever homes.

All dogs in the rescue receive comprehensive medical care, including necessary treatments, spaying/neutering, microchipping, and vaccinations.

They are placed in foster homes where they can socialize and gain the confidence they need before being adopted.

Lucky Mutts Rescue follows a detailed approval and adoption process to ensure that each dog is placed in the best possible home.

They also provide education to potential adopters about what to expect when adopting a dog and the responsibilities involved in pet ownership.

If you’re interested in adopting from Lucky Mutts Rescue, you can submit an adoption application through their website’s adopt tab.

Diamond Dogs Rescue

Diamond Dogs Rescue, based in Madison, Wisconsin, is a non-profit organization founded in 2017 with a commitment to helping dogs in need.

As a foster-based rescue, they do not have a physical shelter; instead, all of their dogs are placed in loving foster homes while they await rehoming.

This setup allows the dogs to receive personalized care and attention in a home environment, helping them adjust and thrive until they find their forever families.

The organization is guided by four core pillars:

• To save the lives of dogs in need
• To give dogs the opportunity to find loving, forever homes
• To operate with compassion and care
• To maintain the highest ethical standards in all of their work

Diamond Dogs Rescue follows a five-step adoption process that includes selecting a dog from their adoptable list, completing an application, waiting for a call, having a home visit and interview, and finally, meeting the dog.

For more details, visit their website or reach out to them directly.

Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary

Located in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area, Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary is dedicated to providing a lifetime guaranteed loving home for every animal that enters their care.

Their guiding motto, "A world where the life of every companion animal matters… every single one," reflects their commitment to improving the lives of all animals they rescue.

Their mission is to not only change the lives of the animals they help but also to grow and improve as an organization.

The sanctuary’s efforts are centered around five equally important pillars: adoption, education, spay/neuter programs, rehabilitation, and sanctuary.

Some animals that are unable to find homes are allowed to stay with the sanctuary as a true part of the family, ensuring they have a permanent and loving environment.

If you're interested in adopting one of their dogs, you can visit their website to find detailed information about their adoption process.

Tiny Paws Rescue

Tiny Paws Rescue is a volunteer-driven, foster-based organization dedicated to rescuing small-breed dogs in need.

Their focus is on saving dogs that would otherwise face the tragic fate of high-kill shelters.

Once a dog arrives at Tiny Paws Rescue, they receive all necessary medical care, including spaying and neutering, before being placed in a loving foster home where they await adoption.

The organization relies entirely on donations and fundraising efforts to continue its vital work.

In addition to adoption and foster care, Tiny Paws Rescue offers unique programs such as providing forever foster homes for senior dogs with terminal illnesses or disabilities, and offering care for terminally ill shelter dogs who don’t have much time left.

If you are interested in adopting, you can visit their Facebook page for available dogs, complete an application, or reach out to them directly for more information.

Bichon & Little Buddies Rescue

Founded in 2000, Bichon & Little Buddies Rescue initially focused on saving Bichon Frise dogs, but soon expanded its mission to include other small dog breeds such as Chihuahuas, Poodles, Dachshunds, Shih Tzus, and more.

This non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization is based in Mukwonago, located southwest of Milwaukee, and rescues dogs from various situations, including surrenders, puppy mills, and stray dogs.

Their core belief is that every dog deserves a loving, forever home, and they work tirelessly to make this a reality.

Whether rescuing from unfortunate circumstances or helping dogs in need, Bichon & Little Buddies Rescue is committed to providing the best care and finding the perfect match for each dog.

For the latest updates on adoptable dogs, visit their Facebook page or contact them directly via email for more information.

Giving a Forever Home to a Dog in Need in Wisconsin

Adopting a dog is a truly noble act.

Across the United States, countless dogs and other animals are waiting in shelters for someone to give them a second chance at life.

It's heartbreaking that so many dogs, who are meant to be our loyal companions, are stuck in shelters when they could be enjoying their best lives with loving families.

If you’ve made the decision to adopt instead of shop, we hope our list of the best dog rescues in Wisconsin has helped guide you toward finding the perfect rescue or shelter.

Your future furry friend might be waiting there, ready to join your family and fill your life with joy.