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14 Best Dog Rescues in Florida! (2023)

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Dog Rescues in Florida

Are you searching for dog rescues in Florida? If you are, thank you! Maybe you found yourself with some extra time on your hands and would like to volunteer. Maybe you’re looking to foster a dog in need until he’s permanently placed. Or maybe you’re looking for a new addition to your family – a lifetime companion!

No matter what brought you to this article, we commend you for researching the best dog rescues in Florida. We’ve compiled a list of the best shelters – responsible. healthy, and safe organizations – where you can find your newest family member.

Before scrolling down this list of dog rescues in Florida, you can check out these other recommendations from our team at We Love Doodles: Best Doberman Rescues in Florida and Best Pitbull Rescues in Florida.

Find a Dog Rescue Near Me in Florida

Find a Dog Rescue Near Me in Florida

The We Love Doodles team has put together a list of the top dog rescues in Florida. Start with these shelters as you look for your new companion.

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1. Big Dog Ranch Rescue Florida

Big Dog Ranch Rescue Florida FL

The leading no-kill dog rescue in Florida, Big Dog Ranch Rescue, is a nonprofit organization that believes that every hound deserves a happy life. Volunteers are committed to helping neglected, abandoned, and mistreated dogs by providing the best environment for the dogs for rehabilitation.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue is staffed by a team of dedicated dog-lovers and invests in world-class facilities where dogs can socialize, exercise, and play. You can adopt a dog from this organization by filling out an interest form and waiting for approval.

You’ll need to apply to adopt, and once you’re initially approved the Big Dog Ranch Rescue will schedule a home visit. If possible, everyone in your family should be present. Home visits provide the perfect opportunity to ask questions about doggy adoption and care.

Once you’re approved, you can expect to pay between $175 and $850 for your pup. Adoption fees are typically tax-deductible, and your contribution helps the shelter recover the costs associated for caring for your dog.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue Details

2. Good Karma Pet Rescue

Good Karma Pet Rescue  FL

Established in 2011 by Stacey Tollackson, Good Karma Pet Rescue is a foster-based organization active around southern Florida. Helping both dogs and cats that need care and attention, they provide high-quality foster homes to the animals they rescue. Once animals are rescued, they receive medical care, vaccinations, food, and grooming.

Good Karma carefully screens each potential adopter and reviews each application to ensure the best home possible for each rescue. They will contact you after the preliminary screening for a meeting or home visit. Adoption fees range from $175 to $300 to cover your new puppy’s medical care and maintenance.

Good Karma Pet Rescue Details

3. Abandoned Pet Rescue

Abandoned Pet Rescue FL

Based in Fort Lauderdale, Abandoned Pet Rescue is a non-profit charitable organization that saves neglected dogs and helps the public rescue, rehabilitate, and adopt animals all over southern Florida. To date, they have saved more than 6,800 animals. One of the largest no-kill shelters, their facilities have the capacity for up to 200 cats and 30 dogs.

Abandoned Pet Rescue’s mission is to provide quality care to the dogs and act as first responders when alerted by a public member of a dog in need. They then visit the location, take the dog to their facilities and provide it with proper medical care.

View the available cats and dogs on the non-profit’s website, then fill out the application. You’ll need to let the team know about your experience with dogs as well as a bit about your lifestyle. Once you’ve gotten the green light to adopt, you’ll pay the adoption fee of between $150 and $250. Discounts are available for veterans, service members, and first responders.

Abandoned Pet Rescue Details

4. Heidi’s Legacy Dog Rescue

Heidi's Legacy Dog Rescue FL

Lori Hoffman, the founder of Heidi’s, once found three abandoned German shepherds that looked like ex-breeding dogs of illegal backyard breeders. Malnourished, heart-wormed infected, and left in a desolate countryside, these dogs had no hope of survival without human intervention.

While two of them got picked up by Animal Services, Lori managed to coax Heidi into her car, and the rest is history. Established in 2002, Heidi Legacy is a non-profit, charitable organization fully staffed and run by volunteers who rescue dogs in need and help find them a better home.

Adoption is pretty straightforward. After you fill out an online application that will get reviewed and checked out, you’ll get an email to meet your potential new dog. If all goes well, you sign an adoption contract and go home with your new best friend.

Heidi’s Legacy Dog Rescue Details

5. Happy Trails Animal Rescue

Happy Trails Animal Rescue FL

Happy Trails is a non-profit serving area like Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. As a research center for pet owners, they offer free or inexpensive dog training, grooming, and a dog pantry.

Happy Trails organizes various seminars and dog services, aiming to create an animal-lovin’ community and offer many adoptable dogs. You can view the profiles of adoptable dogs on their website and choose to donate to their cause. Please note that meet-and-greets are by appointment only, as dogs live in foster care until they find a forever home!

Your adoption fee will be between $150 and $250, and is set based on your dog’s age and health. Dogs are vet-checked, spayed or neutered, and microchipped before heading home with a new family.

Happy Trails Animal Rescue Details

6. Pet Pal Animal Shelters

Pet Pal Animal Shelters FL

Established in 1988, Pet Pal Animal Shelter provides homes to shelter dogs in St. Petersburg, Florida. A non-profit organization, they provide a loving shelter environment to dogs while they wait for their forever homes. You can adopt a dog listed on their website, visit their Thrift Store, or donate and contribute something to their cause.

The adoption fee to bring home a dog is $200. However, Pet Pal Animal Shelter’s Pit Project places pitbulls into loving homes at a cost of only $40. If you feel that a pitbull is right for you, let the Pet Pal team know! They’ll match you with a pup based on your lifestyle and your preferences.

Pet Pat Animal Shelters Details

7. Chez Malinois DBA Rescue Garage

Chez Malinois DBA Rescue Garage FL

This organization focuses on the Belgian Malinois but also helps other neglected dogs in southwest Florida’s overpopulated area. Chez Malinois rescues and rehabs at-risk abandoned dogs, providing educational tools and support, seminars on responsible pet ownership, and other animal-welfare issues.

They offer their rescued dogs some training to prepare them for their forever homes and provide medical care and health evaluation. In addition, all their dogs will be spayed or neutered and microchipped. The adoption fee is $350 and may be tax deductible. Speak with a financial professional for more information.

Chez Malinois Details

8. Doghouse Rescue Academy & Education

Doghouse Rescue Academy & Education FL

Located in Alva, near Ft. Meyers, Doghouse Rescue is a dedicated non-profit organization that takes in neglected dogs and prepares them for adoption. They regularly conduct events to increase public awareness of the state of dogs in society.

They aim to educate the public on the training and resources needed for responsible dog ownership to minimize abandonment. In the future, Doghouse Rescue aims to provide free or low-cost spay and neuter assistance to local pets. You can donate or participate in their rescue program through their website.

If you’re ready to adopt, fill out an adoption application online. Doghouse Rescue asks that you participate in a home visit and an interview – the information you share will be used to match you with the dog that’s right for your household! Once you’re cleared to adopt, you’ll pay between $150 and $300 to bring your pup home.

Doghouse Rescue Details

9. Pet Rescue By Judy

Pet Rescue By Judy FL

Next on our list of the best dog rescues in Florida is Pet Rescue by Judy. Located in Sanford, near Orlando, Pet Rescue by Judy is a non-profit that rescues dogs from kill shelters and provides them with the rehabilitation and medical care they need. Owner and founder Judy aims to increase awareness of pet ownership by providing the community with education and resources that will reduce the abandonment rate of dogs. They are open to donations, and you can apply for a rescue dog from them.

The cost to adopt a dog from this rescue will vary based on the amount of care your dog needs and has received. Puppies will typically cost more than a senior dog. Contact the Pet Rescue by Judy team to learn about discounts you may be eligible for.

Pet Rescue by Judy Details

10. Big Hearts for Big Dogs Rescue

Big Hearts for Big Dogs Rescue FL

A small non-profit, this organization focuses on large breeds as they believe, rightfully so, that small breeds are easier to adopt. Working with a team of dedicated volunteers and fosterers, they voluntarily rehabilitate and care for rescued dogs until they find their forever homes.

You can browse their available dogs on their website or social media and fill out an adoption form if you are interested. A small fee is applicable for adopting a dog to cover your dog’s healthcare and living costs.

Big Hearts for Big Dogs Details

11. G.R.E.A.T. Rescue of NE Florida

G.R.E.A.T. Rescue of NE Florida FL

Another of the best dog rescues in Florida, G.R.E.A.T Rescue of NE Florida has seen great success in rescuing and taking care of kill-shelter dogs for 21 years. Located in Jacksonville, this organization was founded by Judi Brown, whose love for dogs started with her first dog, a Golden Retriever named Rhonda, in 1975.

This Golden Retriever-focused organization has certainly grown since then. They are made up of a large group of volunteers who help, rescue, rehabilitate and provide new homes for Golden Retrievers, offering medical care and training help. You can adopt one of their Goldens through their website after passing the initial screening process.

G.R.E.A.T Rescue Details

12. PAWS4You Rescue

PAWS4you Rescue FL

PAWS4you Rescue was started in Miami and now serves dog rescuers all over Florida. This organization has been saving, fostering, and rehoming dogs for the last 11 years. Their goal is to provide the best treatment to abandoned and neglected dogs before finding their appropriate owner.

When PAWS4you Rescue saves a dog, it is taken to a vet for medical checkups, vaccinations, emergency procedures, spaying, and neutering.

Then they are sent to a safe retreat where they learn some house manners and how to socialize with other people and pets. They are always in search of loving owners. You can visit their website and fill out the adoption form. Note that the adoption fee ranges from around $275 to $395.

PAWS4You Rescue Details

13. Florida Little Dog Rescue

Florida Little Dog Rescue

Florida Little Dog Rescue focuses on (surprise!) little dogs. This organization serves central Florida and does not have any facilities or kennels. Instead, they rely on a network of foster homes to give neglected dogs a haven before moving on to their forever homes. After your fill out the application form, they’ll interview you and schedule an in-person meeting.

After your meet-and-greet with the humans, you can meet your potential new dog and see if it is the right fit. All dogs are examined by a vet, spayed or neutered, microchipped, tested for parasites, and given their full vaccinations. The applied adoption fees of $150 to $500 go towards the medical expenses.

Florida Little Dog Rescue Details

14. Milo’s Dog Rescue

Milo's Dog Rescue FL

Last on the list of the best dog rescues in Florida is Milo’s Dog Rescue. Milo’s Dog Rescue in South Florida is a non-profit, all-breed organization that takes in neglected or abandoned animals. All the dogs they receive are immediately given a health screening, and any medical conditions undercovered are treated.

Their adoption process is thorough, including an extensive adoption application, reference checks, and a home visit by one of their volunteers. After a suitable match is made, you’ll be able to adopt your new dog! Milo’s Dog Rescue has partnered with Pet Emergency Centers for after-hours medical needs, and new volunteers and donations are always welcome.

Milo’s Dog Rescue Details

Why Do Dogs End Up in Florida’s Rescue Shelters?

Why Do Dogs End Up in Florida's Rescue Shelters

Contrary to a common belief that rescue dogs end up in shelters because they have behavioral problems, most of the dogs that end up abandoned are there because of a drastic change in their owner’s lifestyle or the lack of training and knowledge on the owner’s part.

For example, a passive owner that works a 9 to 5 job and is away all day would certainly not suit a high-energy, active border collie that needs loads of exercise each day.

Similarly, a meek, inexperienced owner might have bought a gorgeous Siberian husky puppy for its looks, only to find out how difficult huskies can be without proper guidance. Either way, many rescue dogs are well-behaved, balanced puppies that find themselves abandoned through no fault of theirs.

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Conclusion For The Best Dog Rescues in Florida

Conclusion For The "Best Dog Rescues in Florida"

Rescuing dogs is an extremely rewarding experience – for both you and your new canine companion! Above all, have fun in your search for the best dog rescues in Florida! You’ll make many furry friends along the way, so enjoy the process!

For more guides similar to this list of dog rescues in Florida, you can check out:

Before you bring home a dog from a rescue shelter in Florida, you can learn more about the adoption process by watching “Things You Must Know Before Adopting a Dog” down below:

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