8 Best Small Dog Rescues in Florida!

Are you searching for the best small dog rescues in Florida with available dogs for adoption? Florida is the Sunshine State, wonderful for retirement, and a terrific place to find a home. However, it’s also among the most populated with homeless or abandoned dogs.

Whether animals have been displaced because of storms, left behind by senior citizens who have moved into care facilities, passed away, or just abandoned by their owners, these puppies need homes like yours.

We’ve compiled a list of the best small dog rescues in Florida so that you can help end this instance of homelessness. Small dogs make excellent companions, and most are in shelters without fault. This is the place to start if you want to bring one of these puppies into your home.

Before you scroll down this list of small dog rescues in Florida with available dogs for adoption, you can check out these other dog rescue shelter recommendations from our team at We Love Doodles: Best Bichon Frise Rescues in Florida and Best Chihuahua Rescues in Florida.

Find a Small Dog Rescue Shelter Near Me in Florida

Our team at We Love Doodles created this list of the best small dog rescues in Florida to help you find a companion.

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1. Fawn’s Family Small Dog Rescue

Fawn’s Family Small Dog Rescue is based in Orange Park, just south of Jacksonville. Northern Florida families will want to check out this nonprofit shelter with its adorable babies looking for a family like yours. Fawn’s Family is a nonprofit organization, and your support will assist the shelter in helping reduce the homeless population and educate the public about responsible pet ownership.

You can view the adoptable puppies on Fawn’s Family website and read a brief biography of your dog. You’ll learn a bit about their history, health, and personality. When you’re ready, click to adopt and begin the application. The shelter team wants to know about your household, pet experience, and what you’re looking for in a dog. When a suitable match is found, the shelter volunteers will contact you.

A home visit is required, and if all goes well, you’ll be selected to adopt a new small dog. Adoption fees will range from $175 to $350 – the adoption fee will be based on the dog’s age, health, and breed. The fee covers, in part, the money spent on your dog’s spaying or neutering, vaccinations, and rehabilitation when necessary.

Fawn’s Family Small Dog Rescue Details

• Location: Orange Park, Florida
• Phone Number: (904) 773-3553
• Email Address: [email protected]
• Website: Fawn’s Family Small Dog Rescue

2. Florida Yorkie Rescue

Florida Yorkie Rescue specializes in small dog breeds, and they serve the entire state of Florida. That said, you’ll need to look elsewhere if you live outside the Florida borders. This rescue is committed to keeping their sweet Yorkies in the Sunshine State.

An application must be submitted before you’re permitted to meet the dogs, and a home visit is required. If possible, have the entire family present – furry members included. Florida Yorkie Rescue aims to find the perfect home for every dog instead of the perfect dog for every home.

With that in mind, know there may be a waiting list for a puppy. The team will not adopt you if you have children under 12. The adoption fee will vary from dog to dog and will be based on the veterinary attention that your puppy received while in foster care.

Some dogs enter the system quite healthy, while others may need rehabilitative care. The shelter can let you know how each dog has been treated. All will be altered (spayed or neutered) and vaccinated upon arrival at your home.

Florida Yorkie Rescue Details

• Location: Serves all of Florida
• Email Address: [email protected]
• Website: Florida Yorkie Rescue

3. Shih Tzu Rescue, Inc.

Shih Tzu Rescue, Inc is headquartered in Davie, Florida, and specializes in the small dog breed. They’re a not-for-profit organization that relies heavily on the support of the local community. Your support, whether through donation, adoption, or volunteering, greatly helps the shelter in its mission to rescue small dogs in Florida.

While Shih Tzu Rescue, Inc specializes in Shih Tzus, many small dog breeds are available for adoption. Scrolling through the list of adoptable puppies, you’ll find terriers, Yorkies, Min-Pins, and even Chihuahuas. Check out the adoptable dogs on the Shih Tzu Rescue, Inc website and choose the baby you’d like to make your own.

Information about your dog can be found by clicking on the dog’s picture. You’ll find biographical information as well as videos and pictures. The shelter has posted details about the health of each dog and its history if it’s known. While the shelter is based in Weston, most dogs will be picked up in Ft. Lauderdale.

Shih Tzu Rescue Inc does not disclose adoption fees on its website. Instead, they ask that you call them to discuss your dog’s medical and “personal” history to determine the required fee. Some dogs will need more rehabilitation than others, as the puppies come from all walks of life.

Shih Tzu Rescue, Inc. Details

• Location: Davie, Florida
• Phone Number: (954) 680-6456
• Website: Shih Tzu Rescue, Inc.

4. FLUFF Animal Rescue

“From Lonely and Unloved to Forever Family.” That’s what FLUFF stands for, and that’s what FLUFF Animal Rescue wishes to realize for the animals that cross their path. The rescue takes in cats and dogs from the Seminole area, then rehabilitates and re-homes the deserving animals into loving homes forever.

You can view the available pets on the FLUFF website – note that some animals are adoptable only as bonded pairs. The adoption fee may vary based on the dog’s health, age, and breed, but each puppy’s price is listed within its bio. You’ll need to fill out an application to adopt a dog or cat from FLUFF Animal Rescue.

Tell the team about your experience with animals, physical home, and family members. A home visit may be required, and the team will let you know whether a fenced yard is required for a particular dog.

Your dog will be spayed or neutered, vet-checked, and current on vaccinations when it’s time to go home with you. If you’d like to assist with caring for dogs before they’re placed in permanent homes, consider applying to become a foster home.

FLUFF Animal Rescue Details

• Location: Seminole, Florida
• Phone Number: (727) 258-7448
• Email Address: [email protected]
• Website: FLUFF Animal Rescue

5. Limbo Chihuahuas

Next on our list of the best small dog rescues in Florida is Limbo Chihuahuas. This shelter specializes, of course, in chihuahuas, though there are sometimes other small breed puppies available. They’re a small-scale rescue, and only a handful of dogs are usually adoptable at a time.

Check back frequently for the most recent updates. On the Limbo Chihuahuas website, you’ll find three applications. You can submit your information to be considered for adoption, as a foster home, or as a volunteer. The team will ask about your experience with dogs, your lifestyle, and the type of dog you’re interested in.

From that information, you’ll be matched with a puppy that’s perfect for you. Adoption fees range based on the health and age of your dog. The fee will be listed with the puppy’s picture when the dogs are available. Most adoption fees are considered donations and are tax-deductible. Speak with your tax adviser for more information.

Your dog will be nose-to-tail vet-checked, altered, vaccinated, and wormed at pickup time. If your puppy has outstanding health issues, the Limbo Chihuahuas team will inform you before adoption.

Limbo Chihuahuas Details

• Location: South Pasadena, Florida
• Phone Number: (727) 423-0226
• Contact: Limbo Chihuahua’s Contact Page
• Website: Limbo Chihuahuas

6. Poodle and Pooch Rescue of Florida

Poodle and Pooch Rescue of Florida doesn’t specialize in small dogs but instead rescues dogs of all breeds from high-kill shelters and situations of neglect. Additionally, some rescued puppies have medical needs that their former owners were unwilling or unable to address.

Poodle and Pooch Rescue of Florida is a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization, and your support is appreciated. You can assist the organization in its mission by applying to be a foster family for a deserving puppy. If you are certain a permanent puppy is right for you, fill out the application to adopt.

You can look at the available dogs on the Poodle and Pooch website, then view information about the dog’s history. The adoption fee is listed within the dog’s biography and reflects the care given to the dog while in foster care.

Once you’ve selected a dog and have gotten preliminary approval from the shelter, you’ll need to schedule an interview and a home visit. The Poodle and Pooch team wants your new puppy to meet each of your family members, including your pets. If all goes well, you’ll have a new dog to call your own as soon as the same day.

Poodle and Pooch Rescue of Florida Details

• Location: DeLand, Florida
• Contact: Poodle and Pooch Rescue of Florida’s Contact Page
• Website: Poodle and Pooch Rescue of Florida

7. Glimmer of Life

Glimmer of Life Small Dog Rescue is located in Davie, Florida, and is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. The shelter was founded by the owners of a small pet boutique, and the shelter pampers each dog that comes through the rescue accordingly. Check out the available puppies to adopt a dog from Glimmer of Life.

Some are special needs, while others are perfectly healthy; clicking on the dog’s picture will show you more information. From there, you can select the “apply” option and begin to provide your information to Glimmer of Life. They’ll want to know about your history with pets and your household – dogs will be matched to the most appropriate family.

Your dog will be altered, vaccinated, wormed, and microchipped when it’s time to join your family. Your adoption fee helps defray this cost; speak with the shelter about that fee as in most cases, your donation is tax-deductible. Check with a financial professional to make sure.

Glimmer of Life Details

• Location: Davie, Florida
• Phone Number: (954) 436-2910
• Email Address: [email protected]
• Website: Glimmer of Life

8. Crossed Paws

Crossed Paws Pet Rescue is located in Winter Haven, Florida, just outside Lakeland. Like other shelters on this list, they are a volunteer-run nonprofit and can accommodate as many as 50 dogs at once. When this article was written, the shelter was full, so there’s a good chance there are plenty of loving, adoptable puppies today as you’re reading this guide.

Crossed Paws has adults, seniors, and puppies available for adoption that you can meet at one of the rescue’s many adoption events. If you’d like to get to know the dogs better, why not consider volunteering to assist at one of the shelter’s fundraisers?

Let the Crossed Paws team know if you have a few hours to donate, and they’ll assign you to a task that best suits your abilities. Once approved to adopt a dog, you can choose the one you’d like to call your own from the list on the website.

The dog’s biography lists pictures, ages, and general health conditions. The shelter welcomes special needs pets, but any medical needs will be disclosed to you before adoption. Your adoption fee will reflect the breed and age of your dog as well as its health.

Crossed Paws Details

• Location: Winter Haven, Florida
• Phone Number: (863) 229-5259
• Email Address: [email protected]
• Website: Crossed Paws

Conclusion For The “Best Small Dog Rescues in Florida”

Florida residents are a diverse lot. Senior citizens, young college students, and everyone in between call the Sunshine State home. Unfortunately, there’s a population in the state that doesn’t have a place to call home: abandoned, neglected, and unwanted dogs.

If you’d like to make a difference in the life of a loving, loyal puppy, then take a look at the shelters we’ve researched. These nonprofits have a common goal: to end animal homelessness across Florida. Every dog adopted means there’s room for one more dog to find a warm, welcoming home in its place, so find your new furry friend today.

For more guides similar to this list of small dog rescues in Florida, you can check out these other dog rescue shelter recommendations from our team:

• Best Small Dog Rescues in Colorado
• Best Small Dog Rescues in New England
• Best Small Dog Rescues in California

Before you adopt a small dog companion from a rescue shelter in Florida, you can learn more about raising small dogs by watching “What’s Different About Training Small Dogs” down below: