If you’re a dog owner in Los Angeles, chances are you’ve scoured the internet for “free puppies in Los Angeles.” And if you’ve done that, you know that the search is never-ending.
Whether you’re looking for a specific breed or just a furry friend, it can be tricky to find free puppies Los Angeles residents can adopt. Here’s a rundown of where you can (and can’t) find free puppies in Los Angeles.
Before you scroll further down this guide, “Where Can You Get Free Puppies in Los Angeles,” check out: Where Can I Euthanize a Dog for Free or Cheap? Vet Advice! (2023) and Where Can You Get Free Dachshund Puppies? (2023).
The Shelter Scene
Let’s start with the most obvious places to look for free puppies in Los Angeles: animal shelters. Shelters are always full of adoptable puppies (and dogs of all ages), but unfortunately, they rarely have any that are available completely for “free.”
In most cases, there is an adoption fee to cover the cost of vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and other medical care that the puppy may have needed before being put up for adoption. However, this fee is generally much lower than what you would pay at a breeder or pet store.
So, while you may not be able to find a completely free puppy at a shelter, chances are good that you’ll find one that’s very affordable.
1. South LA Animal Shelter
The South LA Animal Shelter is a great place to adopt a new pet. They have a large variety of animals to choose from, and the staff is always willing to help you find the perfect match. The shelter is also very clean and well-organized, making it an excellent option for those who are looking for a new furry friend.
In addition, the South LA Animal Shelter offers a variety of services, including adoption counseling, spay/neuter services, and vaccine clinics. So whether you’re looking to adopt a new dog or cat or just want to know more about responsible pet ownership, the South LA Animal Shelter can be a source for free puppies Los Angeles families adore.
South LA Animal Shelter Details:
- Location: Los Angeles
- Phone Number: 213-482-9558
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: South LA Animal Shelter
2. Best Friends West LA Pet Adoption Center
The Best Friends West LA Pet Adoption Center is a great place to find a new best friend. The center is run by the Best Friends Animal Society, a national leader in animal welfare. The adoptable pets come from various backgrounds, and the staff is committed to finding the perfect match for each adopter.
The adoption process is straightforward, and all of the pets at the center are spayed or neutered and up-to-date on vaccinations. Best of all, the fees are waived for all active-duty military members and veterans. So if you’re looking for a puppy, be sure to check out the Best Friends West LA Pet Adoption Center.
Best Friends West LA Pet Adoption Center Details:
- Location: 5001 Angel Canyon Rd, Kanab, UT, United States, Utah
- Phone Number: 435-644-2001
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Best Friends West LA Pet Adoption Center
3. Wags & Walks Adoption Center
Anyone looking for a new furry friend in Los Angeles should definitely check out Wags & Walks. This adoption center is devoted to finding homes for Rescue Dogs, and every single dog is spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccinations.
Plus, each dog undergoes an extensive behavior assessment before being placed up for adoption, so you can be sure you’re getting a well-adjusted pup. So if you’re thinking of adding a four-legged friend to your family, be sure to pay a visit to Wags & Walks. You just might find your perfect match.
Wags & Walks Adoption Center Details:
- Location: 2236 Federal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064
- Phone Number: 866-588-9247
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Wags & Walks Adoption Center
4. The Rescue Train
If you’re a dog owner in Los Angeles, you might have heard of the Rescue Train. No, it’s not a literal train that rescues dogs — although that would be amazing, wouldn’t it? Instead, the Rescue Train is an organization that helps dogs from high-kill shelters and find them loving homes.
Since its inception, the Rescue Train has rescued over 1,600 animals and placed them in loving homes. The organization relies on donations from the community to fund its work. The Rescue Train is open to all animals but specializes in rescuing dogs and cats.
The organization has a team of volunteers who provide foster care for the animals until they are ready to go home. The Rescue Train also offers events and educational programs to promote responsible pet ownership.
The Rescue Train Details:
- Location: Los Angeles
- Phone Number: 323-899-5640
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: The Rescue Train
Friendly Facebook Groups
Another place to check for free puppies in Los Angeles is Facebook. There are several groups dedicated to connecting dog owners in LA and other cities. These groups are great because they allow you to connect with people in your area who may be looking to rehome their puppy.
While you’ll likely still have to pay a small rehoming fee, it will probably be lower than what you would pay at a shelter or pet store.
Here are a couple of Facebook Groups
Craigslist Conundrum
Craigslist is always a mixed bag. You can find just about anything on Craigslist, including puppies. However, we recommend using caution when considering adoption from Craigslist. People often use Craigslist to get rid of puppies they no longer want without charging any adoption fee.
While this may seem like a great deal, it’s important to remember that these puppies may not have had any vaccinations or medical care. As such, they may be more likely to get sick or pass on diseases to other animals (or humans).
So, while you can sometimes find free puppies on Craigslist, proceed with caution and make sure you do your research before taking one home.
Online Resources
Of course, there are also many online resources where you can find free puppies. For example, websites like Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet make it easy to search for adoptable pets in your area.
Additionally, these sites often have information on shelters near you that may have available puppies. Other great options include animal rescue groups and non-profit organizations.
5. Petfinder
Petfinder is an online database of adoptable animals that is searchable by animal type, age, gender, size, and location. This means that no matter what kind of dog you’re looking for, you can find it.
For example, let’s say you’re looking for a small female dog under the age of two. You can enter those parameters into the search bar on Petfinder, which will bring up a list of all the adoptable dogs that meet your criteria. You can then read each dog’s profile to learn more about them before making a decision.
The website also includes a blog full of helpful articles on topics like choosing the right pet for your family, introducing your new pet to your existing pets, and what to do if your new pet isn’t adjusting well to their new home. In other words, Petfinder has everything you need to make sure you’re prepared for your new furry friend before they even arrive.
And last but not least, Petfinder offers peace of mind. When you adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue organization listed on Petfinder, you can be confident that your new pet comes from a place that puts the safety and welfare of animals first.
Petfinder Details:
- Location: Nationwide
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Petfinder
6. Adopt-a-Pet
Thinking about adding a furry friend to your family? Look no further than Adopt-a-Pet, the world’s largest non-profit pet adoption website dedicated to finding homes for all adoptable animals.
Plus, the site is easy to use — you can search for adoptable pets by zip code, species, age, size, and more.
Not sure which type of pet is right for you? No problem! Adopt-a-Pet has tons of resources to help you learn about different types of pets and what it takes to care for them. They also have an extensive adoption process guide that outlines everything you need to know before you take the plunge and adopt a furry friend.
Adopt-A-Pet Details:
- Location: Nationwide
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Adopt-a-Pet
7. Petango
If you’re looking to adopt a dog, Petang can be a valuable resource. You can search for adoptable dogs by breed, size, age, and location. This can help you find a dog that is the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
In addition to helping you find the perfect dog, Petango also has a blog with helpful articles about dog care, training, and adoption. The blog is updated regularly with new content, so you can always find the latest information about how to take care of your furry friend.
There are many reasons to adopt a dog from Petango. First of all, you know that all of the dogs on the site are available for adoption. This means that they are in need of a loving home and would appreciate being part of your family.
Adopting a dog from Petango also helps to support local shelters and rescue groups. When you adopt a dog from Petango, you are giving them a second chance at finding a forever home.
Petango also offers a wide variety of adoptable dogs, so you are sure to find one that is the perfect fit for your family.
Petango Details:
- Location: Nationwide
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Petango
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re looking for dog parks, shelters, pet stores, groomers, or walkers, Los Angeles is a very dog-friendly city with lots of great options to consider.
You can’t keep more than four dogs at your residence unless you have a facility license.
According to California law, you must make a reasonable attempt to locate the dog’s owner for 90 days, and even then, they may be able to reclaim their dog at a later date in certain situations.
Conclusion for “Where Can You Get Free Puppies in Los Angeles”
Whether you’re looking for a new puppy or considering rehoming yours, there are many resources available to help you find the right pet for your family.
From adoption centers to local Facebook groups, there are many ways to find free puppies and connect with other animal lovers in your community.
So what are you waiting for? Start exploring today!
If you find this guide, “Where Can You Get Free Puppies in Los Angeles,” helpful, check out:
- 5 Best Beagle Rescues in Los Angeles, CA! (2023)
- 4 Best Goldendoodle Rescues in Los Angeles! (2023)
- Best Dog Rescue in Los Angeles (2023) – Top 7!
Before you adopt a puppy from a rescuer in Los Angeles, learn more by watching “How to TAKE CARE of a PUPPY 🐶 Complete Guide to Puppy Care” down below:
Dr. Sabrina Kong graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then. She grew up in the Bay Area and got her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through a program at the University of Tennessee.
When she isn’t in the clinic taking care of her four-legged patients, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her friends and her three-legged dog, Apollo. She adopted Apollo from her clinic when he was a puppy with numerous health issues. Dr. Kong truly cares about taking care of animals.