The Best New Mexico Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025

NMDOG

NMDOG is an in-the-trenches rescue serving the chained, the abused, the abandoned dogs of New Mexico. Headquartered out of Albuquerque, this small, 501(c)3 non profit, all volunteer, foster based rescue was established in 2010, touching the lives of thousands of dogs ever since

Animal Humane New Mexico

Founded in 1965, Animal Humane New Mexico is the state's leading private 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organization serving more than 10,000 homeless and at-risk dogs & cats each year. We never euthanize based on age or length of stay and since 2010, have re-homed 100% of healthy pets in our care. We support every companion animal at Animal Humane with outstanding veterinary, social and emotional care, and love. As a private nonprofit shelter, we receive no city, state or federal funding; each dollar judiciously spent is earned or raised. We are nationally recognized as a top U.S. charity based on financial accountability, transparency, and administrative-to-program cost ratios. Animal Humane is among only 9 percent of nationwide charities to have received five consecutive annual four-star evaluations, the highest possible, from Charity Navigator, including a top score of 100 for accountability and transparency.

Santa Fe Animal Shelter

On July 18, 2005, the Santa Fe Animal Shelter left its home of 66 years—the only home the organization had ever known—and moved to our new, two-building, 100-acre campus. We left a structure that had helped us serve thousands upon thousands of animals for the better part of seven decades. And while that home held so much history and love, the needs of our community meant we needed more. Thanks to a partnership with the City of Santa Fe and the Bureau of Land management, we moved to a parcel of land with hiking trails, room to walk dogs, and amazing sunsets. After a multi-year fundraising drive, the first phase was completed: two beautiful new buildings in which we can provide a higher level of care to the animals in our community. The Lapides Adoption Center serves healthy, adoptable animals. Every detail of the new Shelter is designed for the comfort and health of the animals. From the tiled banco in each dog kennel to the spacious, cozy, cat colony rooms; from the radiant floor heating for our four-footed visitors to “cuddle” rooms where potential adopters can visit with an animal in an area designed to simulate a home environment. The second building, the Robin Sommers Animal Admissions & Care Center, allows us much more room to house stray and abandoned animals as we care for them during their stay with us. High-tech ventilation systems allow us to better control the spread of contagious diseases and to safely treat the animals in our care much more effectively. A third building, The Clare Eddy Thaw Hospital, was completed in the summer of 2013 and proudly opened to further serve the needs of the community. The Roddey Burdine Rehabilitation Center opened in May 2015 and is the proud home of our Behavior team, who works one-on-one with traumatized animals. We welcome you to visit the haven we are providing to the animals of our community. Two five-acre dog parks are available so that the Shelter will not just be a place to adopt an animal or find a missing one, but one to visit over and over again. We have built this Shelter for you, our community, to use as a resource and a place to find joy with the animals. The staff of the Santa Fe Animal Shelter brings years of collective experience in animal welfare and related fields to the Shelter.

Lap Dogs Rescue of New Mexico

Lap Dog Rescue of New Mexico (LDRNM) is a rescue organization whose mission is to recover, rehabilitate and permanently rehome New Mexico's small companion dogs who find themselves living in shelters, unsuitable homes or navigating other harsh conditions. The stories are ongoing and the needs never end. Lap Dog Rescue of New Mexico was founded during the mid-1990's by Marie Steele and Tamara Marquez-Nugent and granted its Federal 501C-3 status as a non-profit charitable organization in 2001. LDRNM is overseen today by Marie's son, Brian Spence, President of LDRNM, and supported by dedicated volunteers from all over the state. Our small army of animal champions enables us to respond whenever the need arises and wherever it arises

German Shepherd Dog Rescue of Central New Mexico

German Shepherd Dog Rescue of Central New Mexico is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer-based animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing homeless German Shepherd Dogs. By working with a small network of volunteer advocates, foster caregivers, local veterinarians and shelters, German Shepherd Dog Rescue of Central New Mexico is able to rescue several German Shepherd Dogs every year. We focus primarily on shelter dogs, evaluating them, addressing any medical needs, and providing them with temporary homes. We ensure all dogs are spayed/neutered and we use our extensive experience with the breed to find matching homes for each one. German Shepherds are wonderful – intelligent, athletic, loyal – and we want every dog in our care to go to a loving permanent home!

Almost Home NM

We are a nonprofit organization focused on helping make the world around us a better, happier place for pets. With the help of our dedicated fosters and volunteers we provide a second chance for hundreds of homeless and abandoned pets every year. We have recently expanded to also become a safe, happy place for dogs to come when their loved ones go out of town. I have been caring for animals my whole life and now that I am retired from law enforcement and hearing all the horror stories about dogs in boarding I wanted to offer a place where dogs can come to play, be safe, loved, and have fun when their owners are unavailable. The dogs have indoor/outdoor kennels which are heated in the winter and cooled in the summer, playtimes out on the property throughout the day, and extra services without nickel and diming the owners for wanting their pets to be loved, healthy, and happy. Please check out our boarding section for more information and photos.

Fur-get Me Not Canine Rescue

Fur-get Me Not Canine Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit rescue. Our mission is to rescue and rehabilitate canines that may be in danger of being euthanized or unable to be adopted due to their temperament. We focus on canines that are timid/fearful and/or have behavior problems that just need extra time and help to overcome their faults to get adopted. It all started with my childhood dream to have every dog I see. As an adult, I realized this dream wasn’t realistic. Working at a local animal shelter, you see the reality…. not all make it out alive. The timid, fearful, shy or the ones with behavior issues don’t stand a chance when compared to a cute puppy in next kennel. With my love for our four legged friends, I made it my mission to save the ones that are overlooked. We all have our flaws. However, we have family and friends who love and accept us way we are. Is it too much to ask for the same acceptance for our furry friends? These guys just need a little extra love.

Tickled Pink Weimaraner Rescue

A Barking Chance

We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on helping make the world around us a better, happier place for companion animals. We have a program where we take dogs and cats from high kill or rural shelters, place them in a loving foster home, provide them with vetting, training and find them suitable homes.

Watermelon Mountain Ranch Animal Center

Watermelon Mountain Ranch was founded in 1996 by Lee and Sophia DiClemente whose love for animals continues to flow through the day-to-day operations at the Ranch. What began as a grassroots effort with a small dedicated group of volunteers has grown into New Mexico's Largest No Kill Animal Shelter, encompassing a 10 acre main campus facility, two resale stores, offsite adoption centers and various humane programs serving the community. These programs include our Canine/Feline Foster Care, Humane Education, Volunteers, on- site Vet Clinic, Lee's Retirement Village (for senior dogs), Don's Angel Fund (for injured animals), and our most successful program, Molly's Mercy Missions (saving animals facing euthanasia in shelters across the Southwest and Juarez Mexico). Since the inception of Watermelon Mountain Ranch, we have helped to save the lives of over 200,000 animals, placing them in loving homes.

Jemez Valley Animal Amigos

Welcome to Jemez Valley Animal Amigos – an all volunteer, foster focused, rescue group in the Northern New Mexico Jemez Mountains. We serve the Jemez Valley, including San Ysidro, Canon, Ponderosa, Jemez Springs, La Cueva, and Sierra Los Pinos. Established in 2001, we were incorporated in 2002 in New Mexico as a non-profit and obtained our IRS tax free 501(c)(3) status in 2003. Donations to us are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. In 2006, we were awarded New Mexico’s Milagro Award for our excellence in direct animal services. While we might be small, we are mighty and impressive in our efforts to better the lives of the animals we take in! We don’t have a shelter, but rely on a select group of foster homes for our rescued animals. We provide all animals in our care with a complete vet check up, shots, and when of age, we have them spayed or neutered, preferably before adoption. We require an application to be completed by all potential adopters. Prior to visiting the animal, our board must approve the application. If during the visit, all parties feel that it is a good match, the animal can go to her forever home that very day. We DO require an adoption donation that varies based on the age of the animal and whether the animal has been spayed or neutered – your financial support is so greatly appreciated.

Rebel Paws Rescue

Here at Rebel Paws Rescue our goal is to save the lives of dogs by means of rescue and transportation. We also aim to provide proper medical care as well as spay/neuter each dog. Ultimately we wish to adopt them out to loving families and educate there new families on a number of different things. Rebel Paws Rescue was founded March 29, 2016 by Tonya, Belinda, Nancy and Tess. Four women with a passion for life of all kinds, particularly dogs in need. Almost every neighborhood and household has a dog, some of them are in need of something, whether the guardians do not have the means to provide for the dog or the dog has an unnoticed health concern. Our goal is to provide both knowledge and assistance. To help educate guardians to become a more informed pet parent. Encouraging and promoting community involvement to help the strays of the neighborhood find their homes again. The number of animals in shelters is astoundingly high, and growing, and helping keep the population of dogs down by providing spay and neuter services is an ongoing task. There are also dogs in these very same shelters that are on the list to be euthanized because of lack of resources, even the simpler cases, which just need someone to work through the behavioral challenges many of these dogs face. These are not bad dogs, they just need to find someone willing to help them become the dog they are meant to be, a companion. Transporting these dogs to other cities and even states could be a pivotal moment in the dog’s life, giving them a second opportunity to have a loving family life. On occasion there are circumstances where the guardian is in a position where they are unable to keep their dog. Once the dog has been relinquished to our care, we will assess the dog’s behavior and temperament, and any medical needs that should be addressed. After the initial assessment of the dog, we aim to find an appropriate and loving home for the dog or depending on its needs we will transport and transfer it to a better equipped facility. Helping the dogs of homeless guardians is not something very many people consider. They are subjected to the winter cold and the summer heat and we aim to help by providing jackets, water, food and other needs while building a rapport with the guardian. Sometimes medical intervention may be necessary; sometimes it is just about getting the dog spayed or neutered, and current on vaccinations. Unfortunately, incarceration for what ever reason, is something that affects dogs too. When guardians end up going to jail, for even a short amount of time, these dogs often have nowhere to go and the local law enforcement are forced to have the animal transported to the shelter. Some guardians come back for their dog and some, sadly, do not. Providing a place that is not in the shelter where these dogs can still have a place to feel safe and loved is important to the dog’s well-being. Educating guardians encourages the bond between them to become stronger. Providing fresh water and feeding them multiple meals a day, taking them out for a walk creates a trusting and loving relationship. Providing education to the guardians regarding basic medical needs, vaccinations, and the benefits on the dog’s life to spay or neuter, and even bringing them inside where they can be a part of the family life inside of the home. How to keep the dog safe and secured when they are outside and still following all local laws is something that is changing in just about every county in New Mexico. Explaining these laws and assisting is something we strive to do.

Siberian Husky Rescue of New Mexico

Siberian Husky Rescue of New Mexico is an all-volunteer, 501 (c)(3) rescue organization devoted to rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding new, permanent, loving homes for Siberian huskies, and often, husky mixes that have ended up neglected, abused, or unwanted. We generally take in and place dogs within New Mexico; however, occasionally, we can take and/or place dogs out-of-state. We prefer to work with potential adopters and other husky rescue organizations to ensure matches are found within their state. The organization began in late 1998 when a red Siberian husky that was not expected to live much longer due to her injuries was saved from a local shelter by the organization’s founder. Over time, as Cinnamon recovered from her injuries, she not only survived but thrived, proving to be a Christmas miracle! Thus was born our motto “Saving Siberians, one life at a time.” From those humble beginnings, many more huskies found their way to the organization, where people across NM volunteered their time, opened their homes, and donated funds to support this cause-for the love of the Siberian husky. We are a growing rescue, and our dogs reside at either our homes or approved volunteer foster homes until we make a match with an adopting person or family. We have dog yards as well as dog runs that allow for lots of exercise. We use portions of our homes to teach our rescue huskies how to behave inside a typical house. We offer socialization with dogs and people and interactions around neighborhoods. As they progress in their rehabilitation, our rescue huskies have an opportunity to visit dog parks, attend adoption events and go to pet stores. All of our dogs are spayed or neutered to prevent additional unwanted litters and are given proper veterinary attention and microchipped. The dogs are usually socialized with other dogs so we can determine how they will react around other dogs and humans. Ensuring good nutrition is also part of the dog’s physical healing. Since Siberians, and most dogs in general, are pack animals, we tend to place most of our dogs with another companion dog or with people who have more time at home. We try to avoid situations where the dog is left alone in the backyard for long periods of time while owners work. Also, as a general rule, Siberians don’t do well in small yards or apartments, as they tend to be active, working dogs with a long history of pulling sleds or “working for a living.” There are always exceptions as each dog is unique. Over time, we have seen almost all of our dogs go to some really great homes! Our mission is truly…”Saving Siberians, One Life at a Time”.

Argos, A Shelter Dog Rescue

Argos, a Shelter Dog Rescue’s mission is to rescue, provide medical care, and successfully re-home dogs at risk of being euthanized in New Mexico shelters. We work closely with other rescues, professionals, and shelters to provide much needed education to the public. Argos, A Shelter Dog Rescue, is a non-profit charitable 501(c)3 foster-based rescue. A Board of Directors is responsible for the management of the rescue. As we are an all-volunteer organization with no physical facility, all funds received go directly to the care of our rescue dogs. The work of the rescue .. intake, foster, transportation, adoption, fundraising, social media .. is done by a group of volunteers dedicated to finding loving forever homes for these rescue dogs. We work with local shelters, vet clinics and other rescue organizations.

Rio Rancho Animal Resource Center

Friends of the Mountainair Animal Shelter

The Friends of the Mountainair Animal Shelter (FoMAS) is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life of all dogs who come to our shelter. Our mission strives to ensure that all dogs rescued by the Mountainair Animal Shelter receive the highest quality of care and are matched with the right families who welcome these dogs into their homes. We also provide the Mountainair community and surrounding areas with resources and information regarding animal welfare. Who We Are Our volunteers have single-handedly rescued dozens of dogs from high-kill shelters, rehabilitated them for medical problems or emotional stress and gotten them adopted into loving homes. We believe there is a permanent home for every single dog.

Torrance County Animal Services

Doberman Rescue of New Mexico

New Mexico People's Anti-Cruelty Association

PACA / AAR was started in 1973 and is the oldest no-kill dog and cat rescue group in New Mexico. Our main focus is abandoned, neglected, unwanted, and abused cats and dogs. We provide all needed medical care or surgeries, spay/neuter, vaccines and microchips. We provide a safe haven until an adoptive home is found through our foster-based program. This allows our animals to be in a home environment, giving us the opportunity to assess their personalities and specific needs. This process gives us the ability to place the animal in the right adoptive home by matching the needs of the adoptive person or family with the most suitable animal available.

New Mexico Animal Friends

Cross My Paws Animal Rescue

Cross My Paws Animal Rescue of New Mexico, a beacon of hope in the heart of Albuquerque, extending its compassionate reach across the entire state. Our journey began with a profound realization by our founder, Lani Nash, who, upon moving to New Mexico in 2016, was confronted with the unsettling reality of animal suffering that was impossible to overlook. Witnessing the widespread cruelty, neglect, and abuse, Lani's heart was moved by the silent pleas for help emanating from these innocent beings. New Mexico's alarming 24% euthanasia rate underscored the magnitude of the crisis, revealing that the path to healing would require a collective effort from our community. It became evident to Lani that the afflictions faced by these animals were not just isolated incidents but a pervasive issue stemming from human indifference and negligence. The turning point came when the distress of these animals resonated personally with Lani, transforming their struggle into a shared one, compelling her to act. Cross My Paws was born from the conviction that we must do better for our furry friends. We understand that adoption alone cannot solve the problem; we need systemic change. Affordable veterinary care, including spaying and neutering, is vital to prevent further suffering. Education and community involvement stand at the core of our mission, as we believe in enlightening hearts and minds to foster a more compassionate world for all living beings. At Cross My Paws, we are dedicated to ensuring no animal is left to suffer. We champion the belief that every life, whether human or animal, is precious and deserving of love, kindness, and the fulfillment of basic needs. Join us in our quest to not only rescue and rehabilitate but to fundamentally transform our society into one where every paw is cherished and every animal is treated with the dignity they deserve. Together, we can make a difference.

EnchantMutts, Inc.

New Mexico Boston Terrier Rescue

We are a small non-profit organization passionate about helping rescue, protect, and place Boston's in loving homes across New Mexico. Milagro Boston Terrier Rescue (MBTR) began in 1999 with an elderly Boston Terrier named Mr. Buggs. His owner had passed and left Mr. Buggs an orphan. Mr. Buggs was a dancer who loved to prance about everything. Rescue of Boston Terriers in New Mexico was being done by Nancy Gage of Los Lunas and Dyl Osborne of Abiquiu. Both had decided it was time for them to look for help with the Bostons and they came to me. My Grandmother, Rev. Mable E. Dawe ( 1904-2006) was born in McIntosh near Estancia. While living in Gallup in the 1930's, she developed and affection for Boston Terriers, then called Boston Bulls. Her two favorites, Dempsey and Beans, were featured in stories she shared through the years. It was and continues to be my homage to Nana that is my inspiration in 1999 and continues today. When you have a rescue, it's essential to have a 501c3 to raise money for the dogs. My Corrales neighbor, Joyce Fay, operated Bro & Tracy Animal Welfare in Corrales. MBTR worked as a separate entity under Bro & Tracy until 2014 when MBTR was approved as a 501c3. Milagro Vineyards and Winery is our business in Corrales. We started growing grapes in 1985 and began using the name Milagro, miracle in Spanish, to convey the Divine intervention needed to grow grapes in the fickle climate of New Mexico. The Boston Terrier rescue has always operated in tandem with the vineyards and winery, so, using the same name worked on many levels. The work of the rescue is only successful with the same Divine intervention relied on to grow the grapes. It is our core value and reason for success.

Pitties and Kitties Rescue

Since 2023, our animal rescue organization has been dedicated to caring for and promoting the rights of responsible pet ownership animals through numerous initiatives. We are dedicated to taking the "unwanteds" but we want to help all that need our help. Our main goal is to educate and improve the treatment of animals around the world and give the animals in our care a loving and lasting forever home. PKR volunteers rescue the dogs and cats in our program directly from high kill shelters and other sources that desperately need help. All the dogs and cats in our program are temperament tested and then evaluated on a daily basis until they find their new home. Most PKR animals are in foster homes where they are socialized with other dogs, cats, children or adults. Our foster families play a big part in our success as they not only show the animals unconditional love and invite them into their home, but they also spend countless hours working with their foster animal to ensure they are stable and well mannered pets. PKR takes the responsibility of choosing good adoption prospects very seriously. Although we don’t expect the animals to come to us with perfect manners, we do expect them to be friendly with most, if not all humans. PKR does not tolerate human aggression and we will not place animals for public adoption that exhibit human aggressive behavior. As responsible animal owners and rescuers, it is our duty to make sure the animals in our program are good breed and species ambassadors. ​ PKR is new and has a network of dedicated previously registered 501c3 volunteers and helpers. We started the process of obtaining our 501(c)3 on 2/20/23, and as of 3/2/23, our rescue is officially registered as a 501(c)3 non profit organization. Your donations are tax deductible!

Homeless Animal Rescue Team

The Homeless Animal Rescue Team is Valencia County's premier animal rescue organization. The HART is staffed by a Board of Directors, consisting of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three Directors. The HART staff has extensive knowledge and has undertaken local and state-wide animal issues. HART staff have collaborated and/or initiated a number of efforts which have led to recognition as a state-wide resource for individuals and agencies serving New Mexico's animal population. Since 1996, it has embarked on an agenda of promoting the concept and practice of the No-Kill Sheltering of Animals and has expanded its agenda beyond Valencia County to include the State of New Mexico. Within the HART organization are programs that deal with different issues concerning animals. We house a No-Kill Shelter Plan, we house a Foster Home Program, we house a new Spay and Neuter Assistance Program. Also, we house a new Education Program, under which individuals from the very young to the very old can partake in multimedia education/service projects that benefit specifically the animals in the environment, and contribute to environmental education for all individuals.

Bernalillo County Animal Care Services

We provide animal care and protection services for all of Bernalillo County. We foster the human-animal bond by protecting the safety and welfare of Albuquerque’s animals and people. Bernalillo County Animal Care and Resource Center is committed to: • Providing humane care to companion animals • Reuniting lost pets with their owners • Adopting pets to loving homes • Enforcing Bernalillo County animal ordinances • Educating the public about animals, their needs, and our critical role as a community resource

ABQ Chihuahua Rescue, Inc.

ABQ Chihuahua Rescue provides safe homes and health care for stray, abandoned, and abused companion Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes, and education for the general public regarding the responsibilities of ownership and the humane treatment of companion dogs. Presently these services are provided in the county of Bernalillo in the state of New Mexico. ABQ Chihuahua Rescue provides the state of New Mexico with the valuable service of providing homes for dogs without homes. Revenues to support are inadequate to meet the state's needs in caring for abandoned dogs. Resources to accommodate the needs of abandoned dogs are often decreased to meet the "human" need. Unfortunately, when dogs are dumped in the vast landscape for financial resources, New Mexico cannot meet the situation. In Bernalillo County, there are only a handful of animal control officers to patrol a very large metropolitan area. Bernalillo is one of the most populated counties in New Mexico. It is surrounded by Indian reservations that are also drastically short of funding for abandoned dogs. Spay, neuter and vaccination laws are infrequently or selectively enforced and in the southwest, there is a value placed upon an individual's freedom to roam in wide-open spaces. Unfortunately, humans often provide the same rights to their pets, who cannot protect themselves. As a result, dogs are often lost, killed, and forgotten. There are countless reasons for these dogs to be abandoned. Age, Health, Pregnancy, and Disease are only a few reasons that these dogs find themselves under the ABQ Chihuahua Rescue's care. ABQ Chihuahua Rescue, Inc is a small but effective non-profit organization. Since its formation, the organization has helped numerous dogs through New Mexico. Its primary function has been to care for these homeless dogs and to find them a furever home.

Viva! NM Rural Animal Rescue

County of Los Alamos Animal Shelter

Clovis Animal Shelter