Here’s what you need to know if you’re searching for the best dog rescues in Upstate New York. If you ask most people about the benefit of adopting, they’ll tell you it helps a dog in need and gives it a home. Those are good reasons why we should be adopting rescue dogs but there’s more to it than that.
Rescue dogs are the ultimate altruists. They are said to make their owners feel healthier, happier, and more responsible. They bring tons of love to boot and are full of welcome surprises.
Before scrolling down this list of dog rescues in Upstate New York, check out these other recommendations: Best Dalmatian Breeders in New York and Best Yorkie Poo Breeders in New York.
Find a Dog Rescue in Upstate New York
If you’re still warming up to the idea, consider volunteering at the rescues below to get a good sense of what it would be like to care for a rescue.
If you’re ready to go – read on. We have curated the top dog rescues in upstate New York that you can reach out to. Let’s get started.
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1. Waggytail Rescue
Waggytail Rescue began in 2004 when Holly, the founder of Waggytail Rescue, went to the NYCACC in search of a companion for her dog Taco. She noticed that many dogs were on the verge of euthanasia because they were labeled untrainable and unadoptable.
These were dogs and cats that no one wanted. They had a difficult past and required love, care, medical treatment, and rehabilitation to reintegrate into a family.
This moved Holly so much that in 2015, she applied for and received her 501(c)3 non-profit status from New York to help such pets get a second chance at life, and to be loved in a loving home with wonderful pet parents.
Since 2015, Holly and her team have rescued 2481 dogs and 204 cats. These pets have found open hearts and loving homes in more than 500 households in New York and nationwide.
Holly and her staff have also gone above and beyond to provide safe and reliable transportation for these pets as they go home to their new families. Holly and her team know how getting a dog is exciting and believe the process of adopting one shouldn’t be difficult.
That’s why Holly and her team are open and transparent from the get-go about everything you will need to know about adopting a rescue dog from them.
Although there are some steps you must take to be considered, Holly and her team will be there to help you every step of the way. You will also be able to meet and interact with the rescue dog you want to adopt.
Waggytail Rescue Details
- Location: 170 Norfolk st#10, NY
- Website: Waggytail Rescue
- Email Address: [email protected]
2. Social Tees Animal Rescue
Social Tees Animal Rescue is a non-profit rescue in New York City that finds forever homes for abandoned dogs and cats. They have a long-standing reputation for rescuing animals and ensuring their wellbeing, as well as taking pride in matching each animal with a family that fits best to meet the needs for life.
Social Tees Animal Rescue is a participating shelter in the City of New York Animal Care and Control’s new hope program and has been a member of the Mayor Alliance for New York City for years. They also closely work with ASPCA and other animal-loving companies that raise awareness about dogs and cats in need.
At the time of adoption, all animals are neutered and have an up-to-date core vaccination, as well as necessary treatments. All animals in the shelter are microchipped, tested, and treated with defleaing, deworming, demitting, and medication as necessary.
Social Tees Animal Rescue Details
- Location: 443 East 9th Street Storefront West, NY
- Website: Social Tees Animal Rescue
3. Heart Rescue Group, Inc
Heart Rescue, Incorporated is a non-profit animal rescue group dedicated to the rescue and placement of dogs in need. Heart Rescue was formed in 2010 by co-founder Toni Roman when he was inspired by the work of another local animal rescue.
The organization has since saved quite some animals and placed them in loving homes. Toni and his team at Heart Rescue are committed to helping every dog they can.
They rescue dogs from local shelters and arrange for them to be examined and vaccinated by a veterinarian. Heart Rescue also neuters all of the dogs that it places so that there’s no risk of overpopulation issues affecting any of the dogs’ new homes.
A lot of work goes into making each adoption happen, but that’s where the program shines. Through their exclusive and streamlined adoption process, Heart Rescue can match their dogs with adoptive families who are truly compatible with each dog’s needs.
Heart Rescue Group, Inc Details
- Location: New Hyde Park, NY,11040
- Website: Heart Rescue Group
- Phone Number: (917) 751-5039
- Email Address: [email protected] and [email protected]
4. Rescue City
The Rescue City team is made up of incredibly selfless human beings who are focused on rescuing dogs from high-kill shelters that don’t have the resources to care for them properly.
They also take in any dogs that need medical help or just extra love and attention. They are a (501c3) non-profit organization and take pride in loving and caring for their rescues.
They also take these rescues and make sure they’re strong, healthy, and ready to be your pets by subjecting them to a series of tests and core vaccinations. Then they conduct rescue transports from intake shelters that are unable to rescue a high percentage of animals.
Rescue City Details
- Location: Brooklyn, NY
- Website: Rescue City
- Email Address: [email protected]
5. Barc Shelter
Barc Shelter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of animals by providing them with a haven and treating them with the utmost care until they find their forever homes.
Barc Shelter was founded in 2015 with the mission to act as a haven for rescue animals in need of love, comfort, and protection.
The shelter takes in animals that have been neglected, abused, or abandoned, and provides them with food, water, shelter, grooming services, medical treatment, and training until they are adopted into loving homes.
The founders of Barc Shelter were inspired to open an animal shelter after witnessing first-hand how many animals are left without any place to go when their owners can no longer take care of them.
They founded the shelter intending to provide these animals with love and care while they wait to be adopted into loving homes.
Today, Barc Shelter is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of animals by providing them with a haven and caring for them until they find their forever homes.
They ensure that all rescued animals have access to food, water, shelter, grooming services, medical treatment for any injuries or illness that might require it.
Barc Shelter Details
- Location 6797 Grand St 921, Brooklyn, NY
- Website: Barc Shelter
- Phone Number: (718) 486-7940
- Email Address: [email protected]
6. Buffalo Pug and Small Breed Rescue
Rescue dogs are truly the best dogs. That’s why we want to introduce you to a very special rescue organization: Buffalo Pug And Small Rescue.
Based in Buffalo, New York, and founded in 2003, Buffalo Pug And Small Rescue is a volunteer-run non-profit organization that is focused on the adoption of dogs to anywhere within 100 miles of Rochester or Buffalo.
They are committed to providing loving care for their rescues so that they can ensure a smooth transition into new homes. Before adoption, all dogs are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, heartworm tested, and tested for parasites.
They also ensure that each dog is introduced to basic obedience training so that they can be well-adjusted and happy members of your family.
Buffalo Pug And Small Breed Rescue Details
- Location: 27200 Military Rd, Tonawanda, NY
- Website: Buffalo Pug and Small Breed Rescue
- Phone Number: (866) 796-8786
7. Lollypop Farm, The Humane Society
The Humane Society of Greater Rochester, a private non-profit charity and the community’s leading animal welfare organization has been helping animals and people since 1873.
Their mission is to improve the lives of companion animals and the people who love them, by providing shelter, preventative veterinary care, adoptions, and education.
Lollypop Farms, The Humane Society Details
- Location: 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY
- Website: Lollypop Farms
- Phone Number: (585) 223-1330
- Email Address: [email protected]
8. Pause 4 Paws Animal Rescue
Last on the list of dog rescues in upstate New York is “Pause 4 Paws Animal Rescue.” Pause 4 All Paws Animal Rescue (501c3) & Seniors To The Rescue (501c3), located in Little Falls, NY.
It is a non-profit rescue dedicated to saving the lives of animals, who have been abused, neglected, and abandoned. They rescue dogs who are on death row at local kill shelters and provide them with temporary shelter until permanent homes can be found.
Because the need to help our animal friends is so great and because local shelters, which take in hundreds of thousands of unwanted pets every year are simply overwhelmed by the number of homeless animals.
Pause 4 Paws Animal Rescue Details
- Location: Little Falls, NY.
- Website: Pause 4 Paws Animal Rescue
- Phone Number: (315) 791-7297
- Email Address: [email protected]
Conclusion For The “Best Dog Rescues in Upstate New York”
There are a lot of great rescues in Upstate New York, and most of them need to be commended for the wonderful jobs they do.
While we couldn’t fit all these wonderful rescues in one article, you can rest assured that you can get a great rescue dog from the above rescues.
For more guides similar to this list of dog rescues in Upstate New York, you can check out:
Before you adopt a dog from a rescue in Upstate New York, you can learn more by watching “The First Steps For Training Your Rescue Dog” 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.
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