This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in Kansas. These remarkable organizations have been recognized for their unwavering dedication to the well-being of countless dogs. We've compiled this list by gathering heartfelt testimonials from both the Sniffspot community and the wider public, ensuring a comprehensive perspective on these exceptional shelters.
#98 in United States, #1 in Kansas
#12 in senior dog
Senior dog
Always & Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary (a.k.a. Always & Furever or A&F) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue network operating out of Spring Hill, Kansas. In our early days, Always & Furever was nothing more than a converted barn for senior dogs to live out the rest of their days surrounded by love, a true senior sanctuary. Over the past 4 years, we have transformed into a massive operation of amazing people and more than 5,000 lives saved.
"Jen and her team do so many amazing things for all the dogs and cats they save. It is..."
— amanda w.
Supporter
"This shelter helps SO MANY dogs, saves them from imminent euthanasia at other shelters, provides endless veterinary care, and gives..."
— krista r.
Supporter
#100 in United States, #2 in Kansas, #1 in Wichita
Wichita
The Kingman County Humane Society in Kingman, KS was established in 2001. It is operated by volunteers dedicated to finding permanent, loving homes for the animals under their care. Until permanent homes can be found, our animals are cared for in our shelter or in foster homes where they can be assessed for temperament, and given lots of attention. Our mission is to create and support meaningful connections by enhancing the lives of dogs, cats and the people in our communities who love them. We strive to reduce animal population through mandatory spay/neuter of all adoptable pets. We do not euthanize healthy or treatable animals, reserving euthanasia for terminally ill, severly injured or animals that are a danger to the public. Our ability to maintain a "humane shelter policy" requires the support and committment of adopters, volunteers, and the communities we serve. Your donations, along with adoption fees, are our primary means of financial support. We do not receive government support. We thank our amazing volunteers and donors for sharing their generosity and talent year around.
#100 in United States, #2 in Kansas, #1 in Wichita
Wichita
The Valley Center Animal League, Inc., was founded in 2009 when the local animal shelter was shut down. Our original goal was to prevent impounded animals from being transported to the Wichita Animal Shelter after 3 days. From there we evolved into a licensed “Group Home Shelter” in order to establish a network of individual foster homes.
#100 in United States, #2 in Kansas, #1 in Wichita
Wichita
Wichita Animal Action League, or WAAL, is a state-licensed rescue and 501c3 nonprofit organization. We are a foster-home-based rescue and do not operate a full time facility. Our goal is to fill the gap created from the financial and personnel constraints of local governments resources. We fulfill our mission with three main branches of service: 1. Adoption 1. Saving animals at risk of euthanasia at local shelters 2. Providing rehoming services to owners to prevent pets from entering the shelter system 2. Spay/Neuter Services 1. Spay It Forward, a voucher program designed to stop unnecessary pet euthanasia by combating its source: overpopulation 2. TNR services 3. Community Outreach 1. Providing welfare checks for neglect/cruelty concerns 2. Emergency rescue responding when others say, “We don’t do that,” including saving cats in trees, ducklings in storm drains, and starving horses 3. Assisting the city shelter with vet care costs for medical-emergency cases 4. Donating supplies to owners in need 5. Assisting owners with vet bills 6. Empowering the community with vaccination and supply clinics 7. Providing food for community per food banks 8. Providing low cost microchips for the community 9. Offering dog training grants for low-income owners We are 100% reliant on donations to provide these life-saving services. We need your help to carry out our mission! Whether you are called to volunteer, foster, adopt, or donate, we need you, and so do the animals!
#100 in United States, #2 in Kansas, #1 in Wichita
Wichita
Cowley County Humane Society is committed to providing compassionate care, nutritious food, medical care, and comfortable housing to animals. Since the early 2000's, we have been dedicated to caring for and promoting the rights of animals through numerous initiatives. Our main goal is to educate and improve the treatment of animals around the world.
#100 in United States, #2 in Kansas, #1 in Wichita
Wichita
Kansas K-9 ResQ was founded in 2001 by Shadow's foster mom and the couple that adopted him. Inspired by Shadow, this group formed their desire to help other unwanted dogs. The founders vowed that a dog in their rescue would never go without proper and timely veterinary care, as Shadow had. With a handful of members and a very tight budget, only four dogs were adopted into forever homes that first year. Since that time, our group and our budget have grown substantially. In addition to the generosity of donations, our group members work tirelessly to raise funds to help dogs in need. We hold raffles, microchip clinics and a vast variety of other fund raisers. Over the years we have saved the lives of many hundreds of dogs. The dogs in our program are typically unclaimed strays from the Wichita Animal Shelter. A vet promptly sees all dogs that are taken into our program and their medical needs are attended to immediately. The dogs in our care live in foster homes where they are crate and house trained and assessed as to what kind of permanent home would best suit them. They live with their foster families until their forever home is found. We are proud of scripting happy endings for many once-discarded animals. The original founders continue their work with the rescue, and over the years they have inspired many other people to join them in their efforts. We now have a nine-member Board of Directors and dozens of foster parents and volunteers. Our group includes members who come from all walks of life, and are united with a common love for dogs and the desire to help animals in need. Kansas K-9 ResQ volunteers are extremely dedicated and through their hard work funds have been raised to help many animals in need. No longer having to scrape by, we regularly help dogs with special needs, such as those who have been confiscated in hoarding cases, cruelty cases, and in puppy mill raids; dogs that have been hit by cars; dogs with severe skin issues; dogs with heartworms; and dogs that have had major leg and joint injuries. We take in dogs of all ages and all breeds. Kansas K-9 ResQ volunteers work hard to continue Shadow’s legacy. His memory inspires the members of this group to continue our mission of “Making the world a better place…one dog at a time.”
#100 in United States, #2 in Kansas, #1 in Wichita
Wichita
The McPherson Animal Shelter was built in 2006 and opened its doors to the public on January 1, 2007. The building is able to house 16 dogs at one time. We are funded by the City of McPherson. We only take in dogs that are found running at large in the city limits; we also take surrender dogs that live in the city limits of McPherson. We keep them for 6 days to give the owner a chance to claim his/her pet. If they are not claimed after 6 days, we put them up for adoption.
#100 in United States, #2 in Kansas, #1 in Wichita
Wichita
We are a non-profit dog rescue in the Rosalia, KS area. We began as a small senior center / hospice but have grown and now rescue dogs that are scheduled to be euthanized. We believe all good dogs deserve a second chance. Please read our story and check out our adoptable pets and our adoption stories. If you think you might be interested in adopting one of our pets or if you would like to help us in our endeavor to save unwanted pets, please contact us. The House That Alex Built In the summer of 1991, a colleague at Southwestern College convinced me to be a foster parent for a dog at the Winfield Animal Shelter. I went to the shelter and there were so many that I just pointed at the first one I saw: a cocker spaniel jumping up on the cage door. This dog had already been spoken for by a member of the local law enforcement, so I decided I really should take a longer look and there I saw her-a small brown puppy, sitting in the middle of the kennel. She was the only dog not jumping up and down and barking. She just sat there looking lost and confused. I thought, "We have a lot in common" and home she went. A week later I returned to the shelter and adopted little Alex. Miraculously she survived her first year of life living with a senior in college who had some not so bright friends that would try to feed her everything from all the pepperoni off a large pizza to chocolate brownies. And I must admit, I left a glass of peppermint schnapps down one night. She moved about 10 times during her life and although always afraid of being left the first few days in a new place always adjusted. In 1994, Alex and I added a new member to the family, when I married John -- that June we sent out invitations for a wedding reception/graduation party/belated birthday party for Alex. We were married in the backyard of our rental in Manhattan. Alex sat on my sister's lap. Some children I had babysat for when I was younger and who had adopted my parents as grandparents, brought balloons, a tablecloth and presents for Alex. So there at the wedding reception was Alex's little birthday table. In 2002, Alex was diagnosed with cancer. She put up a valiant fight but died two months later. During those two months, she went to work with me everyday and when I was in class, colleagues kept an eye on her. At the time I was also a member of the team negotiating the new contracts for the teachers at Butler Community College. This team included five other faculty, one dean, four VPs and the president of the college. Alex went to all the meetings during those two months, becoming an unofficial mascot. Right after finals week, we went to my parents' house, so that they could see Alex. My sister and her boyfriend drove down from Manhattan to see her too. Whenever we were at my parents' house, my dad would always share part of his hashbrowns with the doggies. Unfortunately when Alex was younger, she was diagnosed with bladder stones and had to go on a special diet, so dad could then only sneak her the tiniest of a piece. That last Saturday morning, he asked me if Alex could have hashbrowns and I told him she could eat whatever she wanted. I think he may have bought a separate order just for her. Dad was so happy the breakfast tradition could be reinstated. That night we went to sleep and Alex woke me at about 2 AM to go outside. We came back in and went to sleep. At about 3:30, John and I heard her cry out. We got to her and she tried to roll over from her side to lie on her stomach, but she couldn't. I reached for her head. She wagged her tail and then her little head rested in my hand. As always Alex took care of me. She waited until my semester was over, until I was surrounded by family and then she made the decision, so I wouldn't have to. We decided then that we would move to the country to help other dogs. It has taken six years, but we finally made it. Alex's House was initially envisioned as a place for old and sick dogs who had been abandoned by their owners at area shelters to go to ensure that their remaining time was a happy and comfortable one, but we quickly realized that dogs of all ages in this area are in need of rescue and so we opened our home to as many as we could.
#100 in United States, #2 in Kansas, #1 in Wichita
Wichita
Since our inception in 2014, Beauties and Beasts has been working tirelessly to break the cycle of abuse and neglect of cats and dogs through awareness and education campaigns, advocating for and saving animals at risk of euthanasia at our local shelters, and through community outreach. Beauties and Beasts is 501(c)3, nonprofit organization that is volunteer led and is 100% dependent on generous donations from individuals, corporations and foundations. We currently maintain a private boarding facility for approximately 50 adoptable dogs, while the remainder of animals in our care are in foster homes. 300-350 animals are routinely in our care and our capacity is only limited to the number of active fosters. We do not discriminate against breed, age, medical needs, or behavior. We love ALL animals and breeds the same, and believe they all deserve a chance to become happy, healthy adoptable companion pets.
#100 in United States, #2 in Kansas, #1 in Wichita
Wichita
The Animal Control Department enforces City of Hutchinson ordinances that govern the housing and care of animals. Those enforcement activities include returning stray dogs to their owners, investigating animal cruelty or neglect and violations of dangerous animal laws. An Animal Control Officer is on regular duty Tuesday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Animal control is on an emergency basis on Sunday and Monday and after hours.
#100 in United States, #2 in Kansas
The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City is a 501(c)3 is a nonprofit organization located in Kansas City, Kansas. Established in 1912, The HSGKC has practiced over 100 years of faithful service to the lost, abandoned, and neglected pets in the greater Kansas City area. We are also a full-service veterinary care clinic, focusing on providing affordable veterinary care to our community. We have provided life-saving care to over 100,000 animals since the opening of our clinic. The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City is the only organization of its kind; providing adoption services, lost/found pet services, education, and an affordable public-facing veterinary clinic. In 1944 we became the first no-kill animal shelter in the KC area, taking in many pets who are sick or injured and in need of medical care and providing adoption services to our community. We are the ONLY no-kill animal shelter and affordable care clinic in Kansas City. While located on 10 acres, our plan is to expand our building footprint in order to provide the community with more services. We intend to be able to double our capacity for care in both our shelter and our veterinary clinic; a service that is needed very much in our community.
#100 in United States, #2 in Kansas
Animal Control is responsible for enforcing city ordinances regarding animals including the leash law, vaccination and licensing requirements, and checking on neglected or abused animals. Animal Control Officers can issue citations for violations in these cases. They also pick up loose animals and injured animals with no identifiable owner. Leavenworth Animal Control also facilitates the adoption of unclaimed animals from the Animal Control Shelter. Leavenworth Animal Control strongly urges pet owners to spay or neuter their pets. Animal Control also promotes responsible pet ownership through education efforts and advocacy.
#100 in United States, #2 in Kansas
Clay County Animal Rescue & Education Center (CCARE) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), volunteer-driven organization dedicated to rescuing, caring for and adopting out homeless dogs into loving and responsible forever homes. We educate the public on respect for all animal life, including the importance of feral animals being spayed or neutered in order to reduce their numbers in our communities. Our organization goes beyond the confines of shelter walls to build an extensive network of knowledgeable, experienced, talented and caring individuals who share these common goals.
#100 in United States, #2 in Kansas
Founded by Beatrice Martin Peck in 1946 to serve Franklin County's homeless animals, Prairie Paws' first name was the Franklin County Humane society. Through her own expense and effort, Beatrice established and named the first building The Bea Martin Peck Animal Shelter on March 25th 1947, which was completed and welcomed it's first residents in 1948. Beatrice and her volunteers also investigated reports of animal cruelty, and their efforts led to the enactment of many ordinances and regulations regarding animal care that remain today. Beatrice never stopped advocating for helpless animals until her death in 1967. The animal shelter she founded would continue to save lives for more than 60 years after her passing. In 2010 a similar group of hard-working animal advocates designed, funded and built a state-of-the-art facility under the current name "Prairie Paws Animal Shelter". Prairie Paws Animal Shelter has grown tremendously but is still a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) animal shelter operating under the same philosophies with which it was established over 70 years ago. The Manhattan location, also known as the T Russell Reitz Animal Shelter, was added in 2023 in partnership with the City of Manhattan KS and other area municipalities. Roughly 5,000 animals a year are served through our various programs at our two facilities.
#100 in United States, #2 in Kansas
We were founded on June 20, 2016, right outside of El Dorado, KS. Heartstrings Animal Advocates is a small rescue that is an in-home foster based rescue. We are always in need of more fosters in order to help us continue to change numbers into names. Who We Are One of our main focuses is to help other shelters who have animals in need or in bad situations get to rescues. We network with rescues in larger areas who have more adopters available to help us out. Because of this we are constantly transporting animals. Each animal travels with its medical records, collars and leashes, and in a travel crate. The rescue is run by volunteers, each with our own families, so we need help with transports to keep helping animals in need get to their new rescues. We frequently send to rescues in Kansas City, the Omaha area of Nebraska, as well as Colorado. If you are planning a trip and have some room for a furry friend or 2 to tag along contact us at heartstringsanimaladvocates@gmail.com to see if we have anyone needing to hitch a ride at that time. Our History Heartstrings Animal Advocates, Inc., is a non-profit foster based animal rescue founded on June 20, 2016, in El Dorado, KS. Our mission is to assist animals in high kill shelters by changing their numbers to names and placing them with furever families. In November of 2023, we partnered with Moline Vet Clinic and Dr. Robert Black DVM to reopen intake and begin helping more animals
#100 in United States, #2 in Kansas
Purple Power Animal Welfare Society (Purple PAWS) is a 501c3 non-profit organization based in Manhattan, Kansas, that advocates for and rescues homeless cats and dogs in Kansas and beyond. We are licensed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture as a Pound/Shelter. Purple PAWS is dedicated to the idea of a no-kill nation. We believe our culture can end the unnecessary euthanasia of dogs and cats by: • Spaying or neutering all companion animals • Promoting adoption of homeless pets • Effective regulation of breeders We work as an all-volunteer network to advocate for these three things in our area and fundraise in support of our mission. Our board members and volunteers are not paid; all funds go to supplies, medical care, and other needs of the animals we care for.
Welcome to the 2024 Kansas Sniffspot Top Dog Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top rescues and shelters in Kansas chosen by the Sniffspot community and the public.
Sponsored by Sniffspot, the largest global network of private dog parks, each park offers secure, private bookings on private land, including fenced, water, indoor, and beach parks. As a hub for rescue dogs, our sponsorship underscores our dedication to supporting shelters and rescues. Explore Kansas dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.
Same-day adoptions are encouraged, adopters must be over 18 years of age, be able to pay the adoption fee and have permission from the home-owner.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.