Dog adoption is a beautiful thing. There are millions of pets in shelters and rescues waiting for forever homes. Adopting a dog can help homeless animals and set an excellent example for others.
Dog adoption isn’t suitable for everyone, and it’s not something you should get into lightly. Getting a dog is an important decision that will affect your life for many years. If you’ve decided dog adoption is for you, this is excellent news!
Bringing an adopted dog into your home should be a rewarding experience for you and your family. Before looking for your future best friend, arm yourself with the knowledge to navigate the world of dog adoption and make the best possible decision.
We’ve compiled a list of the top Alaska dog rescue & shelters with an adoption guide.
Top 5 Alaska Dog Rescue & Shelters
Adoption is an alternative that benefits everyone when it comes to acquiring a pet: the family, animal protection entities, and, of course, the dog itself
Shelters across the country house approximately eight million companion animals each year. Yet, nearly 50% of them are euthanized due to the shelter’s lack of resources.
1) Matanuska Susitna Borough Shelter
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Animal Shelter is currently home to many pets who are waiting to be adopted into new loving homes. Most of these cats and dogs were brought in as strays and cannot be reunited with their owners, or they were surrendered by owners who are no longer in a position to care for them.
Generally, dogs at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Animal Shelter are available for an adoption fee of $145. This helps to cover the cost of spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, licensing, and age-appropriate vaccines.
Matanuska Susitna Borough Shelter Information and Details:
- Mailing Address: 9470 E. Chanlyut Circle, Palmer, AK 99645, United States
- Website: http://www.matsugov.us/animalcare/
- Phone: +19077465500
2) Juneau Animal Rescue
Juneau Animal Rescue serve the community by promoting animal welfare and strengthening the animal-human bond. To improve the lives of pets through education and protection. To shelter stray, abandoned, and surrendered pets and find them loving homes.
With more than 50 years of proudly serving Juneau’s pet population through rescue, adoption, grooming, boarding, and animal control, Gastineau Humane Society is pleased to introduce a new era for the organization.
They are continually grateful for the generous support of the community and look forward to the next 50 plus years of service as Juneau Animal Rescue.
Juneau Animal Rescue Information and Details:
- Address: 7705 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK 99801, United States
- Website: http://www.juneauanimalrescue.org/
- Phone: +19077890260
3) Loving Companions Animal Rescue
Loving Companions Animal Rescue, Incorporated is a non-profit shelter and sanctuary created to save and care for unwanted, abandoned animals in the State of Alaska. All of their staff are volunteers who receive no pay, work many hours to help the community and promote a better life for animals, and offer an alternative to killing pets.
Loving Companions Animal Rescue have a desire to save from destruction those older pets that have become hard to place because of their age or disabilities. They will provide a warm, comfortable home and try to place them with a new family, or ensure they are able to live out their natural life.
Loving Companions Animal Rescue offers a variety of special service programs for low-income pet owners to help them keep their pets during difficult times.
These programs are; free boarding of pets to clients in the Center for Non-Violent Living, the Rescue Mission, homeless members during severe weather, and patients in medical facilities requiring assistance with their pets, and referrals from other social service agencies.
They offer a pet food bank for families in need, free transportation of pets from locations throughout the state to ensure their survival, special veterinary assistance for emergencies or to save the life of a pet.
Free adoptions for senior citizens of senior pets when funding available and help in other ways to ensure that our senior citizens are able to have a companion. Our special services change and expand as the need arises and they make every effort to accommodate.
They desire to create a better world for pets, support low-cost spay and neuter, set up a system of foster homes, maintain a sanctuary, and provide a flexible adoption program.
Loving Companions Animal Rescue Information and Details:
- Address: 1360 Old Richardson Hwy, North Pole, AK 99705, United States
- Website: http://www.lovingcompanionsanimalrescue.org/
- Phone: +19074880516
4) Alaska Mindful Paws
Alaska Mindful Paws is a non-profit organization in Homer, Alaska dedicated to providing shelter, care, and advocacy to homeless animals in our community. Their goal for adopting animals into homes is to make the best match possible for people and animals…
-
Adoption of an animal is not on a first-come, first-served basis
-
They evaluate adoption applicants based on the animal’s needs.
-
Applications may take a few days to evaluate and process
-
They recommend your entire family come and visit with an animal to ensure it is the right fit for your home.
-
Meet & greet sessions with family dogs are strongly encouraged.
Alaska Mindful Paws Shelter Information and Details:
- Address: 3575 Heath St, Homer, AK 99603, United States
- Website: https://www.alaskamindfulpaws.org/
- Phone: +19072353141
5) Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue
Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue was originally formed as a Rescue organization to help meet the needs of the Mat-Su Valley and its pet overpopulation problems. The dogs and puppies taken in were literally saved from certain death. As an all-volunteer organization it hasn’t been easy but thanks to hundreds of dedicated and compassionate volunteers ADPR has continued to grow and succeed.
Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue continues to rescue from numerous shelters around the state, as well as from villages spread all over Alaska!
All of Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue animals are spayed and neutered, current on vaccinations, microchipped, and are kept in foster care until the right forever home is found for them.
Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue Information and Details:
- Address: P.O. Box 876888, Wasilla, AK 99687, United States
- Website: http://www.akdpr.com/
- Phone: +19077457030
Dog Rescue & Shelter Online
We hope that one of the shelters listed above can help you find your future dog, but if for some reason that doesn’t happen you can always opt for different alternatives.
For this reason, we’ve added these alternative platforms. These platforms will help you connect with people who have dogs for sale or adoption near you. It can be a great alternative in looking for your future pup within the comfort of your home.
AKC Market Place
Finding trustworthy dog breeders, groomers, and trainers can be challenging. AKC Marketplace is your trusted resource to help make a lifetime of responsible dog ownership safe, happy, and healthy.
AKC Marketplace® is the only website that exclusively lists puppies from AKC-Registered litters, so you can choose a breeder with confidence.
Adopt A Pet
If you want to give an abandoned puppy a second chance, a shelter is definitely the place to find a dog.
Adopt a pet is North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website. They help over 21,000 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to millions of adopters a month, for free.
Puppies for sale Today
Puppies Today has over a decade of experience, established in 2008. They pride themselves on connecting loving families with new furry friends and have happy customers all over the nation. They provide all of their customer’s puppy payment plans and health guarantees to ensure the best experience and peace of mind when adopting a puppy through their service.
Check Out Our Dog Breeders Page :
DOG BREEDERS NEAR ME | PUPPIES FOR SALE
How much does it cost to adopt a dog?
Generally, it will cost around $50 to $150 for a dog – and because typically shelters and rescuers give pets medical treatment, you’ll save money on a medical examination; you’ll also likely save on spay or neuter surgery, which can cost around $50 to $300.
Aside from the puppy’s price, it would be best to consider the expenses that would come with it. For instance, you may want to get the essential things for your puppies like grooming tools, food, and shelter.
What kind of dog should you adopt?
If you have decided to adopt a dog, you may want a mixed breed dog. Or, you can have your heart set on a specific dog breed. It is possible to adopt purebred dogs from shelters and rescues if you plan ahead. However, if you’re not set on a particular breed, you should still have an idea of the type of dog you want.
Consider age, size, care needs, health concerns, and activity level. Have your wishes in mind before you go looking. Better yet, create a list of dog characteristics that is divided into three areas:
- What do you absolutely need in a dog: Do you have children, cats, or other dogs? The dog you adopt must be able to get along well with everyone in your home. Are you in an apartment or small house and need a small dog? Are you allergic to certain types of dogs and need a hypoallergenic breed? These are just some of the things to consider.
- What you would like in a dog but can live without: Maybe you have a soft spot for a specific breed but will be happy with a mix of that breed. Maybe you want a dog with short hair, but don’t worry about a little extra grooming if you meet a big long-haired dog.
- What is not acceptable to you: these are dealbreakers. What qualities would prevent you from even considering a certain dog? Dimension? Temperament? Maybe you have a fear or dislike for a certain dog breed. Perhaps you are renting out your home and have to meet specific rental requirements.
Write everything down and take the list with you. That way, when you go out and see all those cute faces, you will know where to start.
When not to adopt a dog
It is best to avoid adopting a dog in the following circumstances:
- You are in the process of moving
- You are remodeling or repairing your home
- You are about to have a baby (it is usually best to have the baby and let life stabilize a bit before introducing a new dog)
- It’s the holiday season ( dogs aren’t meant to be gifts and holidays are usually too hectic for a new dog)
- You or someone in your family is going through other major life events (the new dog may be lost in the shuffle or be overwhelmed by chaos)
The Dog Adoption Process
Well done! You have found your new dog. Now is the time for formalities. Most organizations require an application before they can adopt. This is to prevent pets from falling into the wrong hands. While it may sound like an interrogation, these groups have policies in place for a reason. Fortunately, many people have no problem getting approval.
Some groups require a waiting period before bringing your new dog home, possibly due to a medical procedure that has been done. Some dogs may have a waiting list, so ask questions beforehand.
Find out what the adoption fee includes (vaccines, spay/neuter, etc.). Before signing the contract, learn what you expect from yourself and what the group will do to help you. If the dog is too young to be spayed or neutered, the contract will require it to do so in the future. Also, find out what happens if you can’t keep the dog.
Most organizations ask you to return the dog to them if you can no longer care for it (don’t give it away to someone else). Find out what is known about the dog’s history and what health problems, if any, were noted while the dog was in their care.
Final Thoughts
Remember, it can take a long time for a dog to adjust to a new home. You and your family will need time to adjust. You may notice that your new dog has behavioral problems, fears, phobias, or lacks training. If the adaptation period is long and complex, it’s a good idea to seek the assistance of a dog trainer or behaviorist.
You may need to consult more than one. Be patient and follow the advice of the experts. If you feel that you have genuinely exhausted your options, you may decide to give up on your new dog.
Remember to try to get your dog back to the place of adoption first. If this is not an option, you need to be responsible and find a good home for your dog. I hope you never have to be in this situation.
