Dog rescues play a crucial role in Winnipeg. Unlike government-owned shelters, pet rescues are driven by support from the community and private donations. These dog rescues invest a lot of time and resources in rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming dogs in the community.
Fortunately, there are dozens of dog rescues in Winnipeg where you can adopt your favorite dog breed. Adopting a dog is a great choice when looking for a new family pet or companion. The dogs in adoption centers are just as loyal, loving, obedient, healthy, and quirky as those that come from breeders.
However, before choosing a dog companion, you should factor in your lifestyle, personality, and the time and attention your new dog will need. Dogs are a long-term commitment, so you should choose one that complements your lifestyle.
Do your research to know which dog is best for you and your family before contacting a rescue team. Knowing the breed you want will also help streamline your decision-making process.
In this article are some of the best all-breed dog rescues in Winnipeg. These organizations rescue various breeds and sizes, so you can rely on them for your favorite breed. Keep reading to see our top picks.
Before you read this list of dog rescues in Winnipeg, check out: 7 Best Goldendoodle Rescues in Canada! (2023) and 6 Best German Shepherd Rescues in Canada! (2023).
1. Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter
Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter is the first registered charitable, no-kill animal rescue in Manitoba. The organization believes every dog has the right to life and loving care.
They have no limit to how long a dog can stay in their care while they find a suitable home. Their dogs can remain here for as long as possible until their forever families come for them. WPRS’s ultimate mission is to provide a euthanasia-free environment for unwanted dogs.
The organization has many awards and recognitions for its good deeds over the years and aims to do more with the support of pet lovers in the community.
WPRS takes in stray, abandoned, abused, neglected, sick, and injured dogs. In addition to putting a comfortable and safe roof over their heads, the team ensures the dogs are perfectly healthy, sound, and happy before putting them up for adoption.
All rescued dogs are thoroughly vet-checked and tested for various health issues associated with their unique breeds. Dogs diagnosed with any health issues are treated as soon as possible, with surgery included as needed.
They have many paid workers who work full-time positions as an adoption counselor or kennel attendant. The dogs and puppies always have someone caring for them and giving them all the attention and love they need.
Besides ensuring they are medically sound, this rescue team also ensures the dogs are emotionally and behaviorally sound. They run them through various socialization and behavioral training to ensure they are ready to join another family soon.
You can rely on them for various dog breeds, sizes, and ages. Another reason we love them is their long-term commitment to dogs. They provide lifelong support to all their adopters to ensure they get all the support they need when raising their new pets.
Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter Details:
- Location: 12-2727 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg
- Phone Number: 204-832-7387
- Email: info@wpgpet.ca
- Website: Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter
2. D’Arcy’s Animal Rescue Center
D’Arcy’s Animal Rescue Center is a charitable organization focused on taking dogs and puppies off the street and into overcrowded shelters. It is a non-profit that receives no government funding. The entire operation is run by the generosity of the public and via the community services they provide.
If you are looking for a place to adopt healthy and happy dogs or puppies, D’Arcy Animal Rescue Center comes highly recommended. They have a small team of dedicated staff that relies heavily on volunteers to help them through.
Fortunately, they have many dog-loving volunteers who are dedicated to helping these dogs and finding the best homes for them. They have a simple adoption process that does not require you to wait for weeks to see and go home with your new family member.
After filling out the online application, the next step is to meet the prospective dog. They recommend coming with all your family for the first meeting, as it would be a lasting memory. Once compatibility has been established, the next step is paperwork.
You have to talk to their adoption counselors about yourself and your new friend’s future home. Applicants are required to come with their rental agreement and photo ID for a smooth adoption process. Once everything is confirmed, you can zoom off with your new family member.
All their dogs leave vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped, and spayed or neutered. In addition, they go home with a lifetime of support, so you won’t be alone on your dog-raising journey.
D’Arcy’s Animal Rescue Center Details:
- Location: 730B Century Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Phone Number: 204-888-2266
- Email: info@darcysarc.ca
- Website: D’Arcy’s Animal Rescue Center
3. Manitoba Underdogs Rescue
As the name suggests, Manitoba Underdog Rescue aims to rescue dogs in unsafe situations. They strongly advocate for dogs who need help, especially those on the streets and in shelters. This organization rescues, rehabilitates, medically treats, and rehomes dogs of various breeds and sizes.
Manitoba Underdog Rescue does not care about the dogs’ past. Regardless of how rough their history is, the organization ensures they still have a shot at living the best life possible. MUR is not a kennel-based rescue nor does it have a central facility where you can meet all their dogs.
Rather, the organization is 100 percent foster-based. They rescue and place their dogs and puppies in foster homes until they find their forever homes. While in foster care, the pets are given the best treatment possible, including extensive vet care when necessary.
They are all tested for various health conditions and treated accordingly. In addition, the organization ensures the dogs are brought up to date on immunizations, dewormed, spayed or neutered, and microchipped before going home.
Manitoba Underdog Rescue is dependent on donations and adoption fees. So, there are other ways you can help them besides adopting. All donations go into rescue, medication, and rehabilitation operations.
Their foster program is only large enough to care for about 60 to 80 dogs at any given time; they need more foster homes to increase their capacity. They adopt 20 to 25 dogs monthly and have rescued more than 3,500 dogs so far.
Manitoba Underdogs Rescue Details:
- Location: 23-845 Dakota Street, Suite #382, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2M 5M3 (Mailing Address)
- Email: info@manitobaunderdogs.org
- Website: Manitoba Underdogs Rescue
4. Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue
Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue is a center dedicated to caring for dogs and puppies that have been neglected, abused, rejected, and surrendered by their previous owners. The organization is backed by a dedicated team whose goal is to ensure these dogs live better lives.
They give the dogs comprehensive rehabilitation to heal from their trauma and prepare them for a new forever home. MMDR does not just give out their dogs because they want to rehome them. They ensure the dogs are only adopted to loving, caring homes.
You would have to pass through an extensive screening process to adopt a dog from this rescue. They thoroughly screen their applicants to ensure they are the right fit for their dogs.
To prove that they really care about their dogs, this organization accepts back their dogs from adopters who can no longer care for their dogs for whatever reason. If you are relocating, ill, changing your lifestyle, or no longer financially stable to care for your dog, you can return them to the rescue.
MMDR is dedicated to the well-being of their dogs. They don’t use cages or kennels to raise them. Rather, the dogs are placed in foster homes after receiving appropriate vet care and immediate medical treatment needed.
Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue Details:
- Location: Winnipeg, MB R3T 5T5
- Email: adopt@manitobamutts.org
- Website: Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue
5. Manitoba Great Pyrenees Rescue
Lastly, we have Manitoba Great Pyrenees Rescue, a volunteer-based rescue organization located near Winnipeg. MGPR is focused on converting its rescues into wonderful family pets.
If you are looking to adopt an adorable companion, this dog rescue is here to help. The program specializes in rescuing and rehoming Great Pyrenees but accepts dogs of all breeds and sizes.
The non-profit is privately-run and partners with dog-loving volunteers and foster homes to rescue needy dogs within the locality. If this is your first time adopting or owning a dog, worry not, as there are tons of helpful resources on their website to guide you through your journey.
They also offer lifetime support to all their adopters, so rest assured you get all the guidance and advice you need when raising your new family member. Adoption fees start from $350, which includes neutering or spaying, vaccines, deworming, microchipping, and other medical treatments.
Manitoba Great Pyrenees Rescue Details:
- Location: Box 274, New Bothwell, MB R0A 1C0 (Mailing Address)
- Phone Number: 204-771-8045
- Email: mgprescue@gmail.com
- Website: Manitoba Great Pyrenees Rescue
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re struggling to keep up with your dog or need to rehome it for any other reason, try reaching out to a local dog shelter such as the organizations listed above.
The Labrador Retriever, Chihuahua, Pitbull, Beagle, and German Shepherd are among the most prevalent rescue dogs.
Fostering a dog can be a great way to see how a dog fits your lifestyle while also paying it forward in your community. To foster a dog in Winnipeg, apply with a local shelter or home-based rescue program like Manitoba Underdog Rescue.
Conclusion for “Best Dog Rescues in Winnipeg”
Pet overpopulation is a global crisis. These dog rescues in Winnipeg give a helping hand to the community by rescuing, medically treating, rehabilitating, and placing pups in loving forever homes.
You can save a dog’s life by adopting one from any of these rescues. Adoption also creates more space for these rescues to keep taking dogs off the streets.
For guides similar to this list of dog rescues in Winnipeg, check out:
- 5 Best Dog Breeders in Manitoba! (2023)
- The 5 Best St. Bernard Breeders in Ontario, Canada! (2023)
- 5 Best Dog Rescues in Manitoba! (2023)
Learn more by watching “15 Things Dogs Love the Most” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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