8 Top Dog Rescues In New York to Adopt Your Dream Dog
New York is filled with incredible dog rescues that are dedicated to saving dogs in need.
These 8 rescues specialize in providing medical care, socialization, and love to help dogs find their perfect forever homes.
New York’s dog rescues offer everything from puppies to senior dogs, and each one is carefully vetted to ensure that they are ready to join a loving family.
If you're looking for a playful pooch or a calm companion, these rescues have options to suit every need.
By adopting from a rescue, you’re giving a dog the opportunity to experience the love and care they deserve.
New York’s rescues make the adoption process simple and meaningful, ensuring that your new dog will be a wonderful fit for your home.
Explore these 8 amazing rescues today and make the life-changing decision to adopt instead of shop!
Top Dog Rescues in New York: Find Your Perfect Pooch
New York is home to a variety of dog rescues dedicated to saving animals in need.
Whether you're looking to adopt a specific breed or just want to give a dog a loving home, these rescues provide the care and support needed to help dogs transition from shelters to forever families.
Here are some of the best dog rescues in New York, where your new furry friend could be waiting.
Happy Tails Dog Rescue
Happy Tails Dog Rescue is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving dogs from harsh conditions, particularly those in facilities where euthanasia is an option for unadopted animals.
In addition to rescuing dogs, the organization actively educates the public about the importance of spaying and neutering to combat the overpopulation issue that often leaves dogs in dangerous or neglectful situations.
The organization’s mission goes beyond rescue, as it strives to ensure that dogs are not only saved but also placed in loving homes where they can thrive as family members.
Every dog deserves a happy home, and Happy Tails makes the adoption process simple.
To start, you can visit their official website to find all necessary adoption documentation.
Once you’ve completed the forms, submit them, and the adoption team will contact you once your application has been reviewed.
Adopting a dog from Happy Tails requires a nominal adoption fee, which helps cover medical care, food, and supplies needed to maintain the rescue center.
The fee typically includes vaccines, microchipping, spaying/neutering, and heartworm testing.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, you can reach out to the rescue staff via phone or email for more information.
Address: P.O. Box 69, Smithtown, New York
Email address: [email protected]
Official website: Happy Tails Dog Rescue
Phone: 631 947 0036
Social Tees Animal Rescue
Social Tees Animal Rescue, based in New York City, is a safe haven for dogs and other animals.
They operate under a strict no-kill policy, ensuring that animals remain in their care until they pass away naturally, even if they are never adopted.
The organization primarily rescues stray dogs from high-kill shelters around NYC, providing them with a second chance at life.
Once rescued, the dogs receive all necessary medical care, and the volunteers at Social Tees shower them with love and affection, preparing them for adoption or fostering.
At Social Tees Animal Rescue, you can choose to adopt or foster a dog.
For first-time dog owners, fostering is a great option to test whether you’re ready for full-time pet ownership.
The adoption process begins by filling out the application form available on their website.
After submitting the form, you can choose a dog to meet either through the website or social media.
Once your application is approved, you will meet your potential new companion.
If you decide to move forward with adoption, you’ll complete the adoption process, which includes necessary documentation, health clearances, and other details provided by the rescue.
Fostering is an excellent option for people who aren’t sure if they’re ready for full-time dog ownership but still want to help.
By fostering, you give a dog the love and attention they need, while also helping the rescue center make room for more dogs in need.
To become a foster parent, simply fill out the foster application on their website and contact the volunteers for more instructions.
Address: New York, New York State
Email address: [email protected]
Official website: Social Tees Rescue
Phone: 212 614 9653
Bideawee
Bideawee is one of New York’s oldest and most respected non-profit organizations, dedicated to rescuing animals from the streets and providing them with loving homes.
For over a century, Bideawee has saved thousands of animals, including both dogs and cats, offering them medical treatment, socialization opportunities, and shelter until they find their forever homes.
Their primary goal is to ensure that every rescued animal is placed in a safe, loving environment through their pet adoption programs.
To adopt from Bideawee, you must complete the adoption application form and provide necessary documentation.
This includes a photo ID, a utility bill to confirm your address, proof of living in a pet-friendly apartment (if applicable), and a leash.
Once your application and documentation are reviewed and approved, you can bring your new dog home.
Bideawee has multiple locations, including Manhattan, West Hampton, and Wantagh, making it convenient for you to adopt a pet.
The adoption fee helps cover the cost of the animals’ care at the shelter.
Fees are as follows:
If you’re unsure about adopting, you can still support Bideawee by making a donation to help them continue their mission of rescuing animals in need.
Address: Wantagh, Manhattan, or Westhampton, New York
Email address: [email protected]
Official website: Bideawee Rescue Center
Phone: 866 262 8133
Brooklyn Animal Action
Brooklyn Animal Action is a volunteer-driven organization in New York City dedicated to rescuing animals and finding them loving homes.
For over a decade, they’ve worked to improve the lives of animals by rescuing strays, performing trap-neuter-release (TNR) procedures to help reduce the stray population, and rehoming pets that are surrendered by their owners.
Their mission is to give animals, especially cats, a better life, but they also step in to help dogs in need when they come across them living in harsh conditions.
While Brooklyn Animal Action primarily focuses on rescuing cats, they don’t turn away dogs in need.
Their efforts extend to any animal requiring care, and they ensure that dogs are provided with the necessary medical attention and placed in loving homes, alongside their feline friends.
To adopt from Brooklyn Animal Action, you must complete an application form available on their website.
After submitting your form, the rescue will contact you by phone or email with further instructions.
If you’ve previously owned a pet, you’ll need to provide a vet reference.
If this is your first pet, a volunteer will guide you through the process.
The final step is a home visit, where a volunteer will inspect your home to ensure it meets the shelter's standards.
Pay attention to the safety of your home, especially toxic plants that may pose a danger to your new pet.
Keeping them out of reach ensures a safe environment for your future companion.
Address: Brooklyn, New York
Email address: [email protected]
Official website: Brooklyn Animal Action
Paws Crossed Animal Rescue
Paws Crossed Animal Rescue is a privately run, non-profit organization that operates entirely on grants, donations, and fundraising efforts.
This no-kill rescue group is driven by a dedicated team of community volunteers who are passionate about saving as many animals as possible.
In addition to finding homes for rescued dogs and cats, the volunteers provide the best possible care to ensure the animals are healthy and ready for adoption.
Adopting a dog from Paws Crossed is a noble act that offers a forever home to a dog in need.
All rescued dogs come with health records, proving they’ve received vaccinations, been dewormed, microchipped, and spayed/neutered.
To adopt, simply fill out the adoption application form on their website and contact the rescue team, who will provide further details about the process.
Adoption Fee
The adoption fee varies based on factors such as the dog’s size, age, gender, and other considerations.
While the exact fee is not listed on their website, the rescue team will provide specific details once you inquire.
If you're unable to adopt but still want to help, you can support Paws Crossed by volunteering, donating, or fostering a pet in need.
Your contributions will help continue their important work in rescuing and rehoming animals.
Address: Elmsford, New York
Email address: [email protected]/[email protected]
Official website: Paws Crossed Animal Rescue
Phone: 914 372 7878
Animal Haven
Animal Haven is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing stray dogs and cats from the NYC area and placing them in loving, suitable homes.
The organization goes beyond just rescue; they also offer behavior modification and special training to help animals who may have been hurt or abandoned.
These training programs, which include daily practices and advanced sessions, ensure that pets are rehabilitated and better prepared for their new homes.
Animal Haven also provides counseling for potential adopters to help them prepare for life with a pet that may need extra care and attention.
Adopting a dog from Animal Haven is a big responsibility, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
To start the adoption process, you can browse adoptable pets on their website and contact the staff.
You are also welcome to visit the shelter in person, but if that isn’t possible, a phone call will suffice.
Once you’ve chosen a dog, you will need to complete the application form.
Keep in mind that the application review process may take some time.
Adoption fees at Animal Haven vary depending on the age of the dog:
These fees help support the shelter’s operations, which are primarily funded through donations, fundraising events, and adoption fees.
If you have any questions about the dogs or the adoption process, the staff at Animal Haven is more than happy to assist you.
Address: New York, New York
Email address: Animal Haven Contact Form
Official Website: Animal Haven
Phone: 212 274 8511
SPCA Westchester
Founded in the 19th century, SPCA Westchester is one of the oldest and largest humane societies in the USA, with over 27,000 square feet of property dedicated to rescuing animals in need.
This organization’s primary focus is saving dogs, cats, and other animals from the streets and from poor living conditions in kennels.
They also provide a surrender program for individuals who can no longer care for their pets.
In addition to dogs, SPCA Westchester also rescues and adopts out cats and bunnies, giving all animals a chance at a better life.
SPCA Westchester primarily rescues mixed-breed dogs, which are often overlooked in favor of purebred dogs.
However, they also rescue a variety of mixed breeds, including Hounds, Shar-Pei and Pit Bull crosses, Shetland Sheepdog mixes, Blue Heelers, Terrier and German Shepherd crosses, and even Aussie Shepherds.
Adopting from SPCA Westchester is a straightforward process.
First, you will need to complete the adoption questionnaire on their website.
After submitting it, you will be contacted by the rescue center.
One of the great things about SPCA Westchester is that they allow visits to their premises every day, giving you the opportunity to meet the animals in person.
You can also reach out to the staff with any questions about the adoption process before filling out the application.
At SPCA Westchester, the adoption fee for all dogs is $400, regardless of breed, size, age, or gender.
This fee helps support the rescue’s efforts in providing medical care, shelter, and food for the animals.
You can view all adoptable pets on their website.
Address: Briarcliff Manor, New York
Email address: [email protected]
Official website: SPCA Westchester
Phone: 914 941 2896
Mighty Mutts and Ollie’s Place
Mighty Mutts and Ollie’s Place is a no-kill shelter in New York that primarily focuses on rescuing cats, but they don’t turn away dogs in need.
While their homepage features many cats, the organization is equally committed to offering dogs a second chance at life and placing them in loving, permanent homes.
Before adopting, potential owners must meet specific conditions set by the rescue.
These requirements can be found on the same webpage as the adoption application form, which you must complete before contacting the rescue center.
Donations are always appreciated, as they help cover the expenses of rescuing and caring for these animals.
The adoption fee is $200, which is considered a tax-deductible donation to the rescue.
This fee helps cover the cost of medical care, food, and other necessities for the dogs, ensuring that more animals can be rescued and rehomed.
If you can’t adopt, you can still support the shelter by making a donation to help continue their important work.
Address: New York, New York
Email address: [email protected]
Official website: Mighty Mutts And Ollie’s Place
Adopting a Dog in New York and Beyond: A Noble Act of Compassion
There are numerous dog rescues in New York that dedicate their efforts to saving dogs from the streets and shelters where they often live in poor conditions.
Sadly, many irresponsible dog owners and breeders abandon pups who don't meet their unrealistic standards of health and appearance.
Adopting a dog is a noble and rewarding decision, especially if you're open to adopting a mixed breed rather than a specific breed.
If you don’t live in New York, there are also many excellent rescues throughout the USA that are always in need of loving homes for rescued dogs.
When adopting, keep in mind that most rescues will ask you to bring essential equipment such as a collar, harness, or leash when picking up your new dog.
If you're unsure where to find quality pet gear, online shopping sites like Amazon or Chewy are great places to find what you need.
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.