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 Pennsylvania dog rescue & shelters with an adoption guide.
Top 5 Pennsylvania Dog Rescues & 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) All 4 Paws Rescue
All 4 Paws Rescue is a non-profit, foster-based, all-breed, no-kill animal rescue based in Malvern, PA that offers rescue, rehabilitation, and sanctuary to animals in need. Their goal is to offer each and every one of these animals a safe, permanent and loving home. All 4 Paws Rescue was founded in May, 2009. Since inception, All 4 Paws Rescue has saved over 13,000 needy animals and continues to grow and save lives daily.
For most of the animals rescued by All 4 Paws, they are their last chance. Many reside in shelters that are not even open to the public but are instead holding facilities where the animals go to die. Many come from commercial breeding facilities that throw them away like trash when they are no longer useful for breeding purposes or not fit for sale. Puppies, purebreds, family pets – these are animals you would never expect to end up in these horrible situations but it is a sad reality. Through their extensive rescue network, All 4 Paws has developed relationships nationwide that allow them to save countless lives that would otherwise have been ended.
As a foster based rescue, their animals live in homes with their families and their personal pets so they are able to learn a great deal about them and work on preparing them for their forever home. There is no greater feeling than releasing these wonderful animals into a safe yard and watching them run and play as they should. They sleep curled up in soft beds in their homes when hours before they laid on concrete floors. They feel grass beneath their feet when many have never experienced the outdoors. Having never known freedom or a full belly, they are so very thankful. This is why they at All 4 Paws Rescue do what they do – because they all deserve a home.
All 4 Paws Rescue Information and Details:
- Mailing Address: Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355, United States
- Website: https://www.all4pawsrescue.com/
- Phone: 610-731-1086
- Email: [email protected]
2) Pennsylvania SPCA
The PSPCA’s mission is to protect animals, prevent cruelty and to improve the health and quality of life throughout Pennsylvania. They do this through their four physical locations – North Philadelphia, Danville, Lancaster and Main Line Animal Rescue, as well as through their Humane Law Enforcement Department which covers 18 counties throughout the state.
The Pennsylvania SPCA Information and Details:
- Address: 350 E Erie Ave Philadelphia, PA 19134, United States
- Website: https://www.pspca.org/
- Phone: +1 215-426-6300
3) Speranza Animal Rescue
Speranza Animal Rescue is funded entirely by donations from their generous supporters and is manned exclusively by volunteers. It takes a village to provide everything needed for the 50 dogs at the rescue, 30ish more in foster care, and the other animals on the farm. The Speranza mission to save the most abused and neglected animals would not be possible without continuous donations and annual fundraising efforts.
Speranza Animal Rescue Information and Details:
- Address: 1216 Brandt Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, United States
- Website: https://www.speranzarescue.org/
- Phone: (717) 609-6020
4) Pawzabilities PA Animal Rescue
PawZabilities PA is a 501c3 non-profit, no-kill, volunteer dog rescue organization serving Pennsylvania. They are dedicated to rescuing dogs left homeless for whatever reason – dogs in public shelters where they are at high risk of euthanasia due to pet overpopulation, dogs given up by their owners because of difficult circumstances, and those in danger of abuse or neglect.
They place dogs in loving, responsible, committed permanent homes, following a comprehensive adoption process which includes taking considerable care in finding good matches and educating prospective adopters about the responsibilities and costs of bringing a dog into their homes and lives.
Animals in their care are spayed or neutered, receive all appropriate veterinary care and treatment, and placed in nurturing foster homes while they await placement in their permanent homes. They assist dogs in distress without regard to age, breed or ease of placement. To the extent their finances allow, dogs in the greatest need take priority.
They are determined to keep administrative expenses extremely low so that virtually every dollar taken in goes directly to the care of the animals. Their group remains interested in and committed to the welfare of the dog beyond the adoption process.
Pawzabilities PA Animal Rescue Information and Details:
- Address: P.O. Box 254 Yardley, PA 19067, United States
- Website: https://pawzabilitiespa.org/
- Phone: +1 267-394-7773
5) PA Dog Rescue
PA Dog Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Unlike typical rescues, they do not have any dogs under their roof.
A dog rescue without any dogs? It might sound strange at first, but they are a rescue for the rescues.
PA Dog Rescue Information and Details:
- Address: Downingtown, Pennsylvania 19335, United States
- Website: https://www.padogrescue.com/
- Email: [email protected]
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.
