Greetings from the city of Pittsburgh and its dog rescue community! If you’re looking to add a furry friend to your family, you’ll find plenty of options in this charming city.
From shelters to rescue organizations, there are many people working to help dogs in need find their forever homes.
Whether you’re looking for a specific breed or just want to bring a dog into your life, you’ll find plenty of options in Pittsburgh.
With its rich history, vibrant culture, and beautiful landscapes, this city is a wonderful place to adopt a dog and make a difference in their life. So, let’s dive in and discover the best dog rescue locations in Pittsburgh!
Top 5 Dogs Rescues in Pittsburgh, PA & 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) Animal Friends
Animal Friends Information and Details:
- Mailing Address: 562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, United States
- Website: https://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/
- Phone: 412.847.7000
2) Paws Across Pittsburgh
Paws Across Pittsburgh is a 501(c)(3), foster based, non-profit animal rescue located in the Pgh area. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome homeless, abused and/or unwanted dogs and cats.
They are run solely by volunteers with the goal of providing vet care, socialization skills and nutritional needs while living in a loving foster home. All animals that enter into the rescue will receive appropriate vet care, spay/neuter, vaccinations and preventative treatments.
Their goal is to assure a loving, forever home for each one of their animals. Paws Across Pittsburgh strongly believes in Force Free training methods for their animals. Force Free methods use positive reinforcement to help motivate the dog, while building a trusting, loving bond.
Paws Across Pittsburgh Information and Details:
- Address: Springdale – PA – 15144, United States
- Website: https://www.pawsacrosspittsburgh.com/
- Phone: 412-495-2799
3) Animal Lifeline Pittsburgh
They are a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing humane solutions to animals in need of a second chance. Their organization, made up of caring volunteers, provides free transport to at risk animals from overcrowded shelters, disaster relief and animal cruelty conditions.
Animal Lifeline Pittsburgh Information and Details:
- Address: 139 E. 8th Ave. Homestead, PA 15120, United States
- Website: https://www.animallifelinepgh.org/
- Phone: +1 412-464-9575
4) Bridge To Home Animal Rescue
Bridge To Home is dedicated to helping dogs find their forever homes. Their dogs are kept in foster care and live with their foster families until the perfect forever is found.
Bridge To Home Animal Rescue Information and Details:
- Address: 84 Kopper Kettle Road, Washington PA 15301, United States
- Website: https://www.bridgetohome84.org/
- Contact: [email protected]
5) Steel City Greyhounds
Steel City Greyhounds is committed to ensuring that the quality of homes found will take precedence over the number of greyhounds placed. Steel City Greyhounds Inc., a 501 (c) (3) Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation has been established to promote adoption of retired racing greyhounds in the metropolitan Pittsburgh and surrounding western Pennsylvania regions.
Steel City Greyhounds Information and Details:
- Address: 6890 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15208, United States
- Website: http://steelcitygreyhounds.org/wp/
- Phone: +14123622470
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.