"Paws New England is a rescue unlike any other...Any dog that ends up with PAWS has hit the jackpot. This group takes in some of the most difficult cases, hoarding, cruelty, and abusive situations, and will step up when other rescues don't. I have adopted 4 dogs from PAWS, and fostered many as well."
— melissa l.
Volunteer / foster, Fan
"An absolute inspiration to me and my family on what community can do when we work together. Thank you for bringing so much joy to our lives through our sweet pup"
— michael r.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
"PAWS New England works tirelessly to help as many dogs as they can (and honestly more than it probably can but they take them on anyway). They help and support the dogs (and their new parents) even after they've been adopted. They truly believe in creating good homes for the dogs and their adopters."
— timothy g.
Volunteer / foster
"We adopted my Roo from PAWS. She was found in TN with mange. They got her ba k to health & I adopted her before she even made it onto the adoption page. 3 years with her now & we couldn’t imagine life without her."
— heather g.
Adoptee
"Adopted my two best doggos through PNE and had such a great experience that I started fostering!"
— deryl p.
Volunteer / foster
"In 2012, PAWS New England pulled two extremely sick and emaciated dogs from Tipton County Animal Shelter. They both had suffered horrible neglect, living at the end of chains, outside 24/7 without shelter or food. Their condition meant they were most likely headed for euthanasia. But they thrived in PAWS volunteer foster care. A little over a month later, we adopted the younger of the two, brought her home to MA, then through her wonderful fosters, became close friends with her mother dog’s adopters, in RI. Bella AND Arabella have enjoyed many visits over the years, every time acting like they’ve never been apart. Bella has been our little friend, our baby, and our daughter through the years. Recently, when we felt she’d benefit from a companion, of course we turned to PAWS again, this time choosing a poor soul literally kicked out of a motel room. She’s young and energetic, despite some health issues that PAWS generously paid to treat. She’s a joy. Since 2005, Paws has saved countless dogs and helped make happy endings like ours. Whenever I hear anyone is looking to adopt a dog, I recommend the organization that saved both our babies’ lives."
— theresa b.
Adoptee
"I have been following Tiffany Croteau, a foster person through PAWS New England for a while. I see her genuine care and dedication for the wonderful furbabies she fosters while trying to find them their forever homes. I'm a mom for our 2, so loved, rescue furbabies who are so dear to us, Brody and Lilli and we are so grateful for the caring rescues who helped save them so we could welcome them into our family. People like Tiffany give so many animals a chance for a better life in a loving, safe home which they so desperately need and deserve."
— pam r.
Fan
"This rescue takes dogs that need medical help and help getting out of horrible situations and brings them to physicians and fosters that stay with them and their issues until they are well and can be adopted into loving homes. They provide help and education for fosters to train dogs with behavioral issues. The people involved with PAWS NE in the South and in the North are so dedicated to each and every dog that comes to us. It is amazing to me that so many people in different places come together to make this work for these abused and neglected dogs: fosters and transporters and people who arrange fund raises and adoption events. They easily take back dogs that have been adopted and didn't work well for some reason and find them new loving homes. I've volunteered for 7 years and watched how it all comes together because the main focus is the dogs' welfare in everyone's intentions and hearts. I love volunteering for PAWS NE. It's such a great rescue!"
— karen g.
Volunteer / foster
"I adopted my dog from this rescue and had a wonderful experience I have also helped participate in their fundraisers and give often. This rescue is so dedicated to the animals they save and always put them first. I can’t say enough about Paws New England"
— renee f.
Adoptee
"A family member is a foster. I've been blown away with how much time, energy and money they put into for the care of their dogs. They truly care able the well being of the dogs in their care. They make sure each dog go to the perfect home."
— shannon o.
Fan
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.
So: Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (cars, bikes, skateboards, and other fast-moving objects are also common triggers) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling not only feels embarrassing for you — 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.