The Best Houston, TX Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025

Friends For Life Animal Shelter

We're here for the undercat and underdog, regardless of their breed, age or condition. Houston-grown, we're here to help our neighbors care for the pets they love. We're not done until every animal has a safe home. Until then, we'll be innovating, improving and tracking results to find the most effective ways to save lives.

THREE LITTLE PITTIES RESCUE

Three Little Pitties Rescue is a non-profit, 501c3 all-breed dog and cat rescue dedicated to saving animals out of desperate situations, primarily in the Houston, Texas area. From 2018 to 2024 the rescue has saved 13,000+ animals and delivered them to better lives up north.

Donna's love pet rescue

Our charitable, tax-exempt mission is to save as many lives as possible by giving homeless and lost animals a warm and special touch to show them that they are loved so they can trust again and return that love. I served in the military (Navy) from 1989 till 1993. My passion in life has always been to work with and care for animals. I have 7 dogs of my own (Palen, Rocsco, BK, Chico, Beau, Star and Annie). All of my dogs, except Palen, were found and taken in by my facility, The Dog House Pet Salon. If I could take every rescue home with me, I would. We have taken in over 290 homeless and lost animals since we opened our doors for business at The Dog house Pet Salon in 2009. We have re-homed 289 of them. Dash has been with us for one year. Dash needs a little more training to become confident and trust humans again. If I cannot re-home one of my loved ones, they will stay with me and live a good life. We believe that every lost animal with a microchip, rabies id/vet tag number or a name tag should be able to be identified and the parents contacted in a matter of seconds. We created the innovative My Pet Credentials mobile app for that very reason ‚an easy to use digital platform to empower the parents of lost pets with a means to find their lost pet quickly and efficiently without the need of calling, faxing or emailing. Pet owners, pet salons, rescue shelters and veterinarians can download the MPC app or register at www.mypetcredentials.com. The cost to pet owners is $16.99 annually. The platform is free for pet salons, rescue shelters and veterinarians. I am most proud of the lost and found function that is part of the MPC pet service platform. Pet owners enter the microchip number or rabies id/vet tag number in their pet's profile. If someone finds the pet, they can use the MPC mobile app or go to www.mpclost.com to identify the lost pet by entering any one of three tracking numbers. The MPC platform will immediately display: A picture of the pet (front, left and right Image) The pet's name, age, gender, breed, color and markings The pet's most current vaccinations A button to contact the owner who will receive a text, email and mobile app notification with the good Samaritan‚ name, phone number, email and message When someone finds a pet, MPC‚ lost and found function assists in reuniting the lost pet with their family, quickly and efficiently, by giving the Samaritan the ability to enter the lost pet's name, age, gender, breed, color and any markings along with any microchip, rabies id or vet tag number (tracking numbers) and upload an image of the lost pet. Once the tracking information has been entered by the Samaritan the family of the lost pet will be able to go to our universal lost and found website, www.mpclost.com, to input their pet's tracking information and our platform will display to the family an image of their pet, the pet's name as reported by the good Samaritan, age, gender, breed, color and any markings and the name, address and phone number where the pet can be reunited with their family. This innovative process reunites lost pets found with a microchip or rabies id or vet tag number with their families quickly and efficiently by eliminating the need to post lost and found flyers or waste time calling animal shelters, city pounds or veterinarians to locate their lost pet. I could go on about all the features of the MPC platform such as transfer of ownership, vaccination records storage, vaccination reminders and scheduling appointments with your pet salon. We created Donna's Love Pet Rescue for people who want to help end homelessness for animals and provide an easy to use digital platform to help identify pets, contact owners of lost pets quickly and efficiently and allow owners of lost pets with a microchip or rabies id or vet tag number to be registered with MPC for a quick and joyous reunion! The donation we receive from you helps with. Vetting Food Training Fostering Transportation Spay and neuter Our goal is also to educate the community on the importance of spay and neutering, having dogs vetted and properly trained and provided with appropriate identification markers. Animals are family too. To make a tax-deductible donation by mail: Donna's Love Pet Rescue 5917 Richmond Ave. Houston, TX 77057

Texas Sled Dog Rescue

Texas Sled Dog Rescue is a small rescue focusing on finding fur-ever homes for sled dog types (Siberian huskies and Alaskan Malamutes, and mixes). While in rescue, we will place them in foster homes, provide basic training as needed, and vetting which includes vaccinations, spay or neuter, microchip and other medical services as needed. Our volunteers are involved in all facets of rescue including but not limited to fundraising, transporting, evaluating dogs, respresenting the rescue at local dog events, fostering, etc.

Caitie's Foster Fam Rescue

Founded in May 2021, we are a non-profit 501(c)3 rescue made up of animal-loving individuals. Our team consists of animal rescuers who have been making a difference in the lives of homeless pets for over a decade. We each started as volunteers and fosters, specializing in medical needs cases. Because of the high demand for more medical fosters and rescuers, we decided to join together and start our own non-profit rescue. We are an entirely foster-based organization, so we do not have a physical shelter. All animals are kept in loving foster homes. Our founder, Caitie, has been fostering medical cases in the Houston area for over ten years.

Wag Again Rescue

Wag Again is a section 501(c)(3) foster based dog rescue group with years of animal and rescue experience amongst our volunteers. Wag Again is committed to helping the neediest, as well as the readily adoptable, among our community's most vulnerable creatures. We are a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to restoring the dogs under our care to physical and emotional health as they await placement in loving, responsible homes. Virtually all donated funds will be spent directly on the care of the animals. Wag Again stands ready to help you, the prospective adopter or foster home, find a companion who will thrive in your home. We are here to assist you in every way possible throughout the adoption process and will continue to be a helpful resource after you have welcomed your new pets into your life.

Corridor Rescue

Corridor Rescue was born in 2009 when Deborah Hoffman, while driving through the area to work, realized there was a horrible problem with abandoned and stray animals. Her tenacity and love for the dogs would not allow her to stand by and watch...Corridor Rescue was conceived! Corridor Rescue is named after a 14 square mile area of Northeast Houston dubbed ‚'The Corridor of Cruelty'. The sheer number of dogs abandoned, dumped and allowed to roam the streets in this area is mind boggling. But sadly, the Corridor area is known for animal cruelty. The animals are unwanted, seen as a nuisance, and in some cases wrongly thought of as aggressive. People hit them, throw things at them, shoot them, fight them, and even deliberately run them over. Corridor Rescue has grown phenomenally over the last decade. What started as a one-woman show now has multiple volunteer teams and a kennel facility where we are able to take our rescued street dogs directly off the street for rehabilitation. The facility can house up to 30 dogs and is staffed with two Veterinary Technicians and three Kennel Technicians. The dogs receive medical care and enrichment to begin healing and to put them on the road to their forever home. Corridor Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is solely funded by the generosity of our wonderful donors and supporters. We are a volunteer-based organization, always looking for enthusiastic, outgoing, motivated, and animal loving volunteers to join our team. Corridor Rescue has a number of areas that you can help save lives.

Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue

Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue is a Houston area 501(c)(3) non profit organization dedicated to rescuing homeless and abandoned puppies and dogs from high-kill shelters and owners who can no longer care for them. By working with committed volunteers, foster homes, local veterinarians, trainers, and boarding facilities, we are able to rescue countless animals every year, provide them with loving foster care, and ultimately find them well-matched, carefully screened forever homes. We also plan to serve as a resource to our community and all pet owners by providing education and information on responsible pet ownership, including the importance of spay/neuter, positive behavior training, and good nutrition and care.

In the name of Zoey

Forgotten coast animal rescue

Our co-founders Rachell Jones and Courtney Lomelo met in 2019 where all good rescue ladies hang out: Facebook groups dedicated to rescuing dogs. Although Rachell lives in Florida, and Courtney in Texas, together they networked and found a home for their first dog together! His name was Ryder. Courtney began rescuing street dogs in 2011 and Rachell entered the rescue world in 2018 inspired by countless dogs displaced by Hurricane Michael in Florida. The duo went on to network several more dogs on high-kill Houston shelters' euthanasia lists. They got to know each other over late night calls and Facebook messages. A true modern friendship! Finally, they decided to officially form a rescue together and Forgotten Coast Animal Rescue was born. Forgotten Coast Animal Rescue was named for Rachell's home coast in Florida. Presently, FCAR operates primarily in Houston, Texas. We hope to expand to North Florida, the forgotten coast, in the coming years to care for Rachell's home state.

Sunnyside Street Dogs

At Sunnyside Street Dogs, we believe every dog deserves a loving home and a happy life. We rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome street dogs, ensuring they receive the care and love they need. Our mission is to create a world where every dog is valued, protected, and cherished.

Greater Houston German Shepherd Dog Rescue

is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization founded in 2008. We are a breed-specific organization dedicated to rescuing and rehoming German Shepherds in Houston, Texas and surrounding areas. GHGSDR is guided by three core values: dedication, integrity, and compassion. We are devoted to finding homes for our GSDs with people who want to continue our mission of giving these dogs a better life and a second chance. Our GSDs are obtained from public shelters after they have completed a stray-hold period or they are surrendered to us directly by their owners. We strive to ensure that each dog in our care is given the love, attention, and medical care they need to thrive. We believe that every dog deserves a second chance at a happy life. All of our rescued German Shepherds are placed in a foster home while we work tirelessly to find loving, forever homes; carefully matching each dog with an adoptive family who will provide them with the love and care they deserve. We attribute our success in rehoming German Shepherds to our wonderful volunteers. We have many volunteers who have been with us since inception, which gives us stability and a sense of history. We also have newer volunteers who bring enthusiasm and new ideas to our group, which is essential for us to continue our mission. As an all-volunteer run organization, we all hold different jobs in our actual lives. We are not professionals in animal behavior, training, or health, but we work closely with local veterinarians, trainers, and other animal welfare organizations to ensure that our dogs receive the best possible care and support.

Saving Our Companion Animals - Fort Bend County

All Border Collie Rescue

All Border Collie Rescue ("ABCR") is a registered 501c(3) non-profit volunteer-run organization dedicated to the rescue of border collies across Texas. Founded in November of 2008, ABCR has rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed over 1,500 border collies. The dogs we rescue come from many different sources, including shelters, owner relinquishment, abandoned strays and sometimes even other rescues that aren't well equipped to work with this breed. Many of our rescues come to us emaciated, mistreated/abused, HW+, and with numerous other health and behavioral issues. These dogs are placed into our experienced foster network of volunteers, many of whom have had decades of experience with border collies. In these foster families, the dogs are loved, safely nurtured back to health and become family-ready companions with new leases on life.

Citizens for Animal Protection

New Best Friend Dog Rescue

We are a foster based 501(c)(3) non-profit rescue and take pride in staying true to what rescue is supposed to be about – the dogs! We have taken in more than 600 puppies and dogs and at any given time we have approximately 60 animals in our program, all living in foster homes. Thanks to the best fosters there are, we are still going strong! Saving puppies and dogs is not just about picking them up from the street or pulling them from a shelter. It is about fostering, vaccinating, nurturing, spaying or neutering, and ultimately about finding a great forever home. It may be a lot of hard work but the rewards are so worth it! All puppies and dogs deserve a chance – no matter where they came from, whether or not they have the “cute” factor, or whether their lineage is pure “mutt.” Each has a beautiful spirit – they just need a chance to show it. We take pride in keeping their welfare as the focus of our group and making sure this happens. We hope you share the affection for our four-legged (and sometimes three- and two-legged) friends and will join us in helping them along the path to happiness with a new home and a family who will love them. It’s always possible, it just takes some work.

Jake's House of Animal Rescue

Our facility in Willis, TX provides wide-open spaces, caring staff & volunteers, and natural surroundings where animals can come to heal. Besides the connection to nature, our well-trained staff will work with each animal individually by providing a personalized restorative plan that heals them physically & emotionally in preparation for adoption. The journey begins with being rescued. From the moment a pet arrives and their paws touch the grass, we want them to know they are safe, loved, cared for and valued. They will have everything they need to heal from physical and emotional wounds, and grow into a happy, playful dog that is ready to go home with you! OUR PROGRAM We Believe in: • Making the dog whole (both on the inside and on the outside). • Ensuring quality over quantity. • Offering a resort-level accommodations, because every dog is and will be a family's priceless and treasured pet. • Helping dogs heal from the constant fight or flight mode they've experienced before being rescued. • Giving each dog the attention and care they need to learn how to build trust. • Connecting dogs with families that are the right fit for each other. • Training new owners during the adoption process with some of the unique rehabilitation methods and words we've been using at Jake's House, so the consistency and healing can continue in their new home. • Offering support after our dogs go to their new home including free consultations with our behavioral specialists as everyone is adjusting to life together with emails or chats. • Offering continued training if necessary. This is How it Works: • Complete an initial assessment. • Develop a physical plan and a behavioral plan for each dog's specific needs. • Create a multidisciplinary team-based approach. • Chronicle each dog's story, keeping a detailed file on each dog with the details of their story that will create more understanding as their new family adjusts to being together. • Focus on the end-goal: Come up with a projected length of stay until they're ready to go "help a human." • Finding the right family that pairs well with who they are, so that their forever home truly is forever.

Big Love Rescue

The Charity's specific purpose is to rescue lost or abandoned dogs from shelters, from the streets or from owners who are no longer able to care for them. Our goal is to prevent further euthanasia of these animals. All dogs receive medical care and behavioral training as needed to prepare them for a new home. ​We do not have a facility. All of our dogs are in foster homes. The charity will also focus on efforts to educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering their animals to prevent the overpopulation of animals in Texas.

Animal Shelter Volunteers of Texas

The Animal Shelter Volunteers of Texas (ASVT), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was established in 2010 to assist the Conroe Animal Shelter by coordinating the volunteer, foster, transport and rescue programs at the shelter. In 2016, ASVT severed the relationship with the Conroe Animal Shelter but our primary missions remains the same. • We are dedicated to helping abandoned, abused and neglected animals. • We assist in providing medical care, supplies and surgeries for animals in need. • We provide foster homes to help socialize homeless animals. • We place animals into permanent, loving homes. • We help with spay/neuter programs for community owned pets. • We help fund the transport of animals to other states with high adoption needs.

Abandoned Animal Rescue

Founded in 2002 by dedicated animal lovers Angie Fenton, Barbara Schulz, and James Gordon, AAR is entirely managed and maintained by volunteers. Each day approximately 40-50 volunteers (from pre-teens to seniors) care for the animals, oversee adoptions, and staff the front office. Additionally, volunteers chair many fundraising events and participate in civic events. AAR’s policy is to treat the animals in our care as we would our own pets; we never euthanize a healthy, treatable, rehabilitatable, manageable animal. AAR has spent thousands of dollars on medical care and behavioral training; AAR has never euthanized to make space. We had Chopper for almost five years before he was adopted by a wonderful loving couple. The History of AAR 2003 - Humble Beginnings AAR was born in a leased liquor store that we converted into a tiny shelter with a small lobby, one room for spay/neuter surgery, and two small rooms for rescued cats and dogs. 2006 - Moving On Although it was exciting to get started, we knew we wanted more. It took about three years, but with the support of several major donors, AAR purchased one acre with a large building on it. This allowed for the ability to shelter about 30 dogs, 20 cats, and have a large surgery room. With more community support, we purchased the 5 acres behind the Hufsmith location. Our plans were to build a 10,000 sq ft brand new building on the back of the property. 2017 - The New Chapter Unfortunately, building codes and the shape of the second property made adding on impossible with the money we had raised. In 2016, after looking at numerous properties, we purchased seven acres in Magnolia. The large 2-story /3-car garage property was transformed into Offices, Lobby, Cattery, and Clinic. The larger dogs received new kennels with indoor/outdoor access. The grounds were transformed to include an interactive dog exercise area – Clark’s Bark Park – in memory of a young animal lover.

Belle's Buds Rescue

Belle’s Buds Rescue is passionate about making a difference in the lives of people and dogs. We want to save dogs of all sizes and breeds. We envision a day where every adoptable dog has a loving, safe, forever home, and is no longer suffering alone on the streets. We rescue, heal, foster, and adopt dogs in need. Belle's Buds Rescue was co-founded by Tammy Livingston and Julia Stanzer, neighbors and best friends that share a love and passion for dogs and animals alike. Belle's Buds Rescue was formed to carry on the memory of Tammy's beloved dog Belle. Belle had a caring spirit, a calming manner and the dedication to care for every person and animal that crossed her path. Belle was not only an amazing therapy dog who changed the lives of many people, she was truly an angel on earth to many furry friends as well. While Belle can never be replaced, Tammy was left with a hole in her heart after she survived two floods at her home, lost her husband, and then shortly after lost Belle in December 2017. Tammy and Julia ventured together on-line and at shelters to give another loving dog a forever home. It was at that time they learned about the severity of the stray dog problem in Houston and they also wanted to make a difference in the lives of abandoned dogs by offering foster homes. ​ In April of 2018, Julia was on her way to work when she saw a dog running across a Farm-to-Market road and suddenly get hit by a truck. The driver of the truck never hit his breaks and kept on going leaving the dog crying in agony. Without even thinking, Julia ran to the dog, picked him up and put him in her truck. After calling animal control and even going to the police station but not getting the answer she wanted to hear, she called Tammy and they both agreed they need to just take him to the vet. She picked up Tammy and together they took him to the closest vet where they put him on oxygen and offered to give him the best care while they searched for his potential owners. Miraculously he had no broken bones! After posting on social media looking for owners and asking for help, an amazing Good Samaritan called the vet and paid the entire bill so they could bring Adam home. It was at that pivotal moment when they both agreed it was time to start their own dog rescue; so they took Adam under their wing and started calling themselves Belle's Buds Rescue. Fast forward to June 2020, BBR opened a NorthEast hub with co-leaders Lia Post and Michelle Sayer primarily based in Upstate New York (Rochester area) and Jen Foster joined our team Winter of 2022. Today and thousands of dogs later they have truly found their calling matching dogs with their forever homes and making a difference in the lives of so many furry friends and people alike.

Animal Rescue Kingdom (A.R.K.)

Animal Rescue Kingdom (A.R.K.) is a small rescue group. We save dogs out of high kill shelters and off the streets in Texas and transport them for adoption up North. We have been rescuing dogs in Texas for over 17 years! We are a registered 501c3 organization.

Who Rescued Who

D&A Animal Rescue

D & A Animal Rescue is a no kill, foster based non – profit organization just outside of Houston. At D & A we wish that no animal endures the pain and suffering of a life on a chain, abandonment, abuse, or neglect. Our volunteers work to support and preserve the precious lives that are in our care regardless of the mountains we must climb to get there. We assist dogs in distress without regard to age, breed, or ease of placement. All animals in our care are spayed or neutered, receive all appropriate veterinary care and treatment, micro-chipped and placed in a nurturing foster home while they await adoption to their permanent homes. Our adopters must have a home that is loving, responsible and committed. We have a comprehensive adoption process which includes taking considerable care in finding good matches and educating prospective adopters about the responsibilities and costs of bringing a dog into their homes and lives. Education is key to combating this epidemic in the animal welfare community.

Saint Bernard Rescue Foundation, Inc. - Texas

To act as a shepherd for Saint Bernard dogs and puppies that are without suitable caretakers and are in need of help; to shelter the homeless; to care for and find homes for the unwanted, abandoned, neglected and abused; to feed the hungry; to provide medical services to the sick, injured and lame; to assist in the rescue of those subjected to conditions hazardous to their well-being or to confinement in government or private shelter, who without intervention would be needlessly Euthanize; to provide for the humane disposition of those not sound in mind, body or temperament; to educate the public as to the characteristics of, and proper care for, the breed so as to promote compatible, loving, lasting home/family placements; to educate the public as to responsible pet ownership so as to prevent accidental litters and to prevent inhumane trafficking in puppies and dogs, and so as to promote the most humane manner of disposition of pets at journey’s end; to encourage, promote and support research respecting the breed that explores or improves relations between the breed and owners or sheds light on the causes of abandonment, neglect or abuse, or promotes the public’s understanding of the special characteristics and attributes of the breed or that is designed to improve the welfare of the breed in any manner. Though the Foundation is established to provide services primarily to the Saint Bernard, the foundation will not refuse services to any dog in need of immediate and caring attention.

Good Lif3 Bully Rescue

FosterDocHouston Dog Rescue

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit saving dogs in Houston, Tx. In July of 2022 we took in 6 puppies and their mama off the streets. Zuleikha had been finding dogs a home since her residency but had always dreamed of creating a true shelter. After caring for these 7 dogs and finding them all wonderful homes, we decided it was time to make that dream a reality. In June of 2023 we moved out to the country to allow us to expand the rescue. We now have a larger shelter on site as well as amazing fosters who help us save as many dogs as possible. We believe every dog deserves a happy, safe, healthy life in a great family. Join us while we save lives and make our dreams come true!

SPCA PETS SNAP of Montgomery County Texas

VISION We understand that fulfilling our vision will mean a partnership with the entire community and all of our stakeholders. We envision a county where each companion animal finds a permanent and compassionate home, where communities are enriched by the special bond between people and animals, where cruelty no longer exists and where each home practices responsible pet ownership, including spaying and neutering their pets. With this clear and unified understanding of our purpose, direction and path we set out our core values: VALUES We are guided by the belief that no adoptable or treatable companion animal should be unnecessarily euthanized due to space, time, looks or breed. · STEWARDSHIP: We manage and allocate all our resources to remain steadfast to our mission, to achieve the greatest good, and to ensure the future of our organization. · QUALITY CARE: Our actions and decisions are based on providing the best medical care and services to the most animals. We respect the life of each individual animal, while focusing on the welfare of volunteers, community, and the animal population as a whole. · COMMUNITY-FOCUSED: We enrich the community we serve by placing safe, healthy companion animals in responsible, loving homes. · RESPECT: We treat all persons and animals with dignity and respect in a non-judgmental manner. The general public, our clients, donors, volunteers, business partners, suppliers and board members are all viewed as our partners in improving animal welfare and in fulfilling our Mission. · INTEGRITY: We interact with each other and the communities we serve in a way that is respectful, fully transparent and ethical. · INNOVATION: We develop, implement and share new ideas, creative solutions and leading nonprofit practices.

LND Animal Rescue

Houston Animal Rescue Team - HART

HART is a non-profit, 501c3 organization. Donations to the organization are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Whether as an adopter, a foster, a volunteer or by helping us financially, we hope you’ll experience being part of Houston Animal Rescue Team -HART! HART facility on a beautiful 5-acre property in North Houston. HART’s board designed a safe and enriching environment for the abandoned animals that HART rescues. Volunteers now transport pets on “freedom rides” almost daily from shelters around Texas. Since the homeless and abandoned pet population is so large, HART is pursuing several channels to reduce euthanasia in local shelters. Besides rescues and adoptions, HART will provide advocacy, education and outreach on our website, at community events and in schools to raise awareness about responsible pet ownership, including the importance of spaying and neutering. HART sponsors interstate rescue transports, allowing more than 3,000 animals to be welcomed and adopted out quickly by humane societies in northern states. Besides those with fosters, HART’s property currently average 70 animals on-site, under the care of an Animal Welfare Manager.