If you’re searching for the best dog rescues in Pennsylvania, then you’ve come to the right place. Dogs are just the best, and owning a dog is such an exciting and rewarding experience.
Whether you grew up with pets or you’ve just been eager to own a dog since you were little when the time finally comes to add a furry friend to the family it can be so exciting.
As you probably already know, dog ownership isn’t just a walk in the park. Dogs take a lot of time, effort, and money to take care of, and you should only adopt a dog if you’re truly ready to take on that kind of responsibility.
While you may be familiar with how much work dogs can be, some people are surprised when they discover that the process of finding the right rescue organization and adopting the right dog can be just as time-consuming.
To make the process of adopting your new dog as efficient and positive as possible, you should take some time to reflect on what type of dog you’re looking for. Dogs, like people, are all different. Some are energetic while others are lazy, some are social while others prefer solitude.
Examine your lifestyle for clues about what type of dog may fit in well with your family and home environment. You should also consider whether you want a puppy, adult, or senior dog and if you are interested in any specific breeds.
Before scrolling down this list of dog rescues in Pennsylvania, check out these other recommendations from our team at We Love Doodles: Best German Shepherd Rescues in Pennsylvania.
Find a Dog Rescue Near Me in Pennsylvania
Many people are surprised to discover that there are so many rescue organizations out there that specialize fully in different types of dogs. There are rescues just for senior dogs, rescues just for certain breeds, and rescues for dogs with professions like farm dogs or service dogs.
In addition to these specialized rescue organizations, there are also plenty that accepts any dogs, so it just depends on what you’re looking for. Most rescues will list their available animals on their website which is a great way to see if you immediately like the looks or descriptions of available dogs at a given rescue.
If you’re in Pennsylvania and are interested in adopting a new dog, this list was made for you. We took the time to research a ton of Pennsylvania-based rescue organizations and compiled this list of our very favorite ones, all so that your adoption process could be as smooth as possible.
Dog Product Recommendations: Best Non-Prescription Diabetic Dog Foods.
1. Furry Feet Rescue
Furry Feet Rescue is a great organization located in Walnutport, PA. This rescue is dedicated to saving the lives of small animals that are unwanted or abandoned by rehabilitating and rehoming them with loving families across Pennsylvania.
In addition to finding new homes for the animals that come through their doors, Furry Feet also offers community education programs on responsible pet ownership practices including pet nutrition, healthcare, and more.
All animals adopted through Furry Feet are microchipped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and given a clean bill of health (unless explicitly stated otherwise).
Furry Feet Rescue Details
- Location: Walnutport, PA
- Contact: (610) 767-7096
- Website: Furry Feet Rescue
2. Wet Nose Rescue
Wet Nose Rescue is located in Philly and was founded back in 2008. This rescue organization focuses on providing foster homes for all dogs that they rescue, helping provide immediate love, attention, and family home experience for the dogs in their care until they are adopted.
This rescue operates entirely with the help of volunteer workers and is a licensed non-profit in Pennsylvania. Dogs that come to Wet Nose Rescue are usually pulled from overcrowded high-kill shelters in the area where they are at risk of being euthanized.
Wet Nose has a preference for foster families that have other pets already because this allows all rescue dogs to experience socialization with other animals regularly.
Wet Nose Rescue Details
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Contact: (267) 684-6187
- Website: Wet Nose Rescue
3. Street Tails Animal Rescue
Street Tails Animal Rescue, also known as STAR, is a great rescue organization in the Philadelphia area. This rescue first opened its doors in 2001 and has worked hard every year since to save as many dogs as possible. Today, the organization is run with the help of volunteers and is officially a non-profit organization.
To maximize their impact, this rescue will only accept dogs from overcrowded shelters and unfortunately does not accept pet surrenders from the public. You can find the list of their available dogs on their website, as well as information on how to volunteer or donate to their cause.
Street Tails Animal Rescue Details
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Contact: (267) 761-9496
- Website: Street Tails Animal Rescue
4. Because You Care
This Erie-based animal rescue is one of the best around. Because You Care is a non-profit animal rescue organization that helps save the lives of abused, unwanted, or abandoned animals by providing crucial vet care and loving rehabilitation (and, of course, a new forever home).
Their organization depends on the dedicated help of foster families in the area that helps provide personal love and care for each animal in a comfortable family home environment which helps get the animals used to the types of spaces they will eventually live in. Each pet adopted through Because You Care is spayed or neutered and you can view their list of available animals on their website today.
Because You Care Details
- Location: Erie, PA
- Contact: (814) 476-1212
- Website: Because You Care
5. Humane Animal Rescue
Last on the list of the best dog rescues in Pennsylvania is “Humane Animal Rescue.” The Humane Animal Rescue is a great organization found in Pittsburgh. This organization was technically founded in 2017 when two large rescues merged to form the Humane Animal Rescue. Thanks to this merger they have doubled the space and resources and can help even more animals find their forever homes.
Humane Animal Rescue Details
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Contact: (412) 345-7300
- Website: Humane Animal Rescue
Getting Ready For Your Dog in Pennsylvania
We know how exciting adopting a new dog can be (trust us), but that doesn’t make it ok to skip the important steps of the process. Many people will get so excited to bond with their new dog that they’ll want to bring their new pup home immediately, which we don’t recommend.
For dogs—especially for rescue dogs who may have had a traumatic life— the way you introduce them into your home is crucial. You want the whole process to go smoothly and not be stressful for them (or at least be as stress-free as possible). This means you need to get the whole space set up to make them comfortable.
To prepare for your new dog, you should of course be sure to buy all of the supplies you need for the dog-like food and treats, as well as things like leashes, toys, and a dog bed or two. Just like people, many dogs have preferences for certain foods, toys, or treats, and it may be a good idea to ask the staff at the rescue organization if they have any insight about what your new dog likes.
In some cases, they may not know, and that’s ok. It just means you and your new pup will get to have a lot of fun figuring it out together. Given that the experience of settling into a new home can be stressful for a dog, be sure not to overwhelm them with too many toys or treats all at once.
Instead set up a safe room for them to spend a lot of time in in the beginning and equip it with a comfy bed, one or two toys, a bowl of water, and an item of clothing that smells like you. You also need to be sure that you prepare your home for your dog in another sense: puppy-proofing.
Dogs are a lot like babies and have been known to get into trouble if their owners don’t properly secure the area. This means that you should make sure that all chemicals and cleaning products are out of reach of your pup. You should also try to make sure that all foods can’t be accessed by your puppy, especially foods that are toxic to dogs like chocolate and avocado.
Also be sure to keep exposed power cords to a minimum, as puppies love to chew on these. Keep in mind that for dogs it’s normal and natural to explore the world by smelling and tasting everything. They don’t know the difference between a toxic chemical and a tasty treat, so it’s your job to keep them safe from these sorts of risks.
Related: Best Dog Rescues in Northern California.
Conclusion For The “Best Dog Rescues in Pennsylvania”
Dogs are wonderful companions and adopting a dog is such a special and rewarding experience. If you’re in the Pennsylvania area all of these rescue organizations are fantastic and are great places to look to adopt your next dog. We hope you found this article helpful and we wish you luck on your pet adoption journey.
For more guides similar to this list of dog rescues in Pennsylvania, you can check out:
- Best Dog Rescues in Western New York
- Best Dog Rescues in the North East
- Best Dog Rescues in North Carolina
Before you adopt a dog from a rescue shelter in Pennsylvania, you can learn more by watching “How to Prep For a Rescue Dog – What to Expect” down below:
Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.
Why Trust We Love Doodles?
At We Love Doodles, we’re a team of writers, veterinarians, and puppy trainers that love dogs. Our team of qualified experts researches and provides reliable information on a wide range of dog topics. Our reviews are based on customer feedback, hands-on testing, and in-depth analysis. We are fully transparent and honest to our community of dog owners and future owners.