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 Long Beach, California dog rescue & shelters with an adoption guide.
Top 5 Dog Rescues & Shelters in Long Beach, California
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) Sparky and the Gang Animal Rescue
Sparky and the Gang Animal Rescue Information and Details:
- Mailing Address: Long Beach, CA, United States
- Website: https://sparkyandthegang.com/
- Phone: (310) 809-6374

2) The Fix Long Beach Pets and Animals
Fix Long Beach was founded in 2013 with a mission to reduce unwanted cats and dogs from ending up in the shelter by offering free spay and neuter services to individuals that could not normally afford these services. Since 2013 they have been able to spay and neuter over 12,000 pets.
While Fix Long Beach main mission is spay and neuter, they have also rescued and found forever families for hundreds of dogs and cats.
Previously they had monthly or bi-weekly mobile spay and neuter clinic in local parks in Long Beach. At each clinic they were able to spay and neuter 50+ cats and dogs. Fix Long Beach also offered low cost vaccinations, flea medications, nail trims and free microchips.
The Fix Long Beach Pets and Animals Information and Details:
- Address: 1749 Magnolia ave, Long Beach, CA, United States
- Website: https://fixlongbeachpets.com/
- Phone: +1 562-337-8268

3) Live Love Animal Rescue
Live Love Animal Rescue specializes in dog walks, pet sitting, and overnight visits, all in-home so your fur-kids can thrive in the environment they love and are most comfortable in. Included in the Rescue services are a free in-home consultation, training reinforcement, photo updates, and loads of love!
Through Live Love’s client portal, you can request services, manage your pets’ care instructions, GPS track your pets’ adventures, receive updates with adorable pics of your fur-kids, communicate with your Pet Care Professional, pay for services and view past invoices, and much more!
the Rescue Team Live Love is licensed, bonded, and insured, and each member of the Rescue Pet Care Professionals team is not only vetted, trained, and background checked, but also experienced, professional, and passionate about animals.
If they don’t trust them with the Rescue pack, they wouldn’t trust them with yours! Live Love Animal Rescue Cause Live Love is a social enterprise that believes in business for good, in allowing Live Love Animal Rescue clients to be their benefactors, and in evolving the seemingly separate pet care and animal rescue industries into one. For every pet care service you order, Live Love helps an animal in need.
Live Love Animal Rescue, 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization, rescues homeless animals by providing them the necessary medical care, allowing for physical and emotional rehabilitation, finding them their perfect forever homes, and showering them with love throughout their journey
Live Love Animal Rescue Information and Details:
- Address: Long Beach, California, United States
- Website: https://liveloveanimalrescue.org/
- Phone: (562) 810-5350

4) spcaLA PD Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center
spcaLA is proud to introduce you to your Friend for Life! The spcaLA P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village offers pet adoptions, dog training classes, the spcaLA Marketplace (where you can get all your pet supplies), and much more. Pets receive veterinary care, age and species appropriate vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, microchips, and plenty of TLC prior to adoption.
The Village is also home to Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS), which provides city services to area residents. Visit LBACS to search for a lost pet or purchase or renew pet licenses.
Established in 1877.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) was founded in 1877 and is the first organization to promote animal welfare in Southern California. Society for the Prevention Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) is an independent, nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Southern California since 1877.
spcaLA PD Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center Details:
- Address: 7700 E Spring St, Long Beach, CA 90815, United States
- Website: https://spcala.com/locations/
- Phone: +15622162542

5) Seal Beach Animal Care Center
The Seal Beach Animal Care Center and all the animals in Center care thank Seal Beach Animal Care Center members, the City of Seal Beach, and the public for their continued support. The SBACC is a California non-profit 501-C3 Corporation #33-0192138. All donations made to the Care Center are tax deductible, with the largest share going directly toward the care of Seal Beach Animal Care Center animals.
Seal Beach Animal Care Center Information and Details:
- Address: 1700 Adolfo Lopez Dr, Seal Beach, CA 90740, United States
- Website: http://www.sbacc.org/
- Phone: +15624304993
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.