If you’re in need of a list of the best dog rescues in New England, we’re here to help. Below we’ve featured 10 top dog rescues and have summarized their organizations.
1. Great Dog Rescue New England (Massachusetts)
Great Dog Rescue New England is headquartered in Massachusetts but provides rescue services right across New England. This nonprofit organization is a shelterless rescue group that provides care for dogs that end up in high-kill shelters or are found abandoned on the street. The rescued dogs are placed in foster care where their temperament can be evaluated prior to adoption.
As well as rescuing dogs, Great Dog Rescue New England donates money to spay/neuter clinics to help reduce the number of pets that end up in shelters. They also promote community outreach and educational activities to inform the public about responsible pet ownership. To view their adoptable dogs, click here. You can donate to Great Dog Rescue New England here.
2. Our Companions Animal Rescue (Connecticut)
Our Companions Animal Rescue is based in Manchester, CT. This nonprofit organization was founded in 2002 after receiving a gift of land in rural CT on which a sanctuary could be built. The sanctuary aims to create a safe space for rescued animals, where they can recover and rehabilitate with other animals in a supervised, loving environment.
Many rescued animals are recovering from abuse, neglect, or traumatic experiences. The sanctuary is a low-stress, quiet environment where the animals can receive medical care, behavioral treatment, and finally, be adopted into their forever home. View adoptable dogs here, or donate to Our Companions Animal Rescue here.
3. Mary’s Dog Rescue and Adoption (New Hampshire)
Mary’s Dog Rescue and Adoption is based in Northwood, NH. They work closely with other rescue organizations located in southern states to rescue animals from overcrowded shelters and find safe, loving homes for them. The dogs receive quality medical care, and adoptive families are followed up with after the adoption to ensure a smooth transition for both dogs and humans.
Once dogs arrive at Mary’s Dog Rescue and Adoption, they are given delicious homemade chicken stew, toys to play with, treats, and more. They undergo a veterinary examination and are microchipped prior to being listed for adoption. View adoptable dogs here, or donate to Mary’s Dog Rescue and Adoption here.
4. Animal Rescue Rhode Island (Rhode Island)
Animal Rescue Rhode Island is based in Wakefield, RI, with a shelter in Peace Dale, RI. Since 1938, this nonprofit organization has been helping animals in need find their forever homes with loving adoptive families. In 2019, they were responsible for rescuing and adopting almost 500 animals.
Adoption fees include spay/neuter surgery, heartworm test/treatment, microchipping, flea treatment, all necessary vaccines, plus 30 days of health insurance for your new dog. In addition, you have the option to talk to an on-call behaviorist and can attend free K9 101 classes. To view adoptable dogs, click here. To donate to Animal Rescue Rhode Island, click here.
5. Riverside Rescue (Vermont)
Based in Lunenburg, VT, Riverside Rescue is a nonprofit organization that was formed in 2003. They provide help and support to dogs and cats (and sometimes other small animals) across Vermont and northeastern New Hampshire. They are a dedicated no-kill rescue shelter that welcomes all breeds and operates solely on donations.
Prior to adoption, all dogs are spayed/neutered, have all necessary vaccines, are tested for heartworm, and are microchipped. Riverside Rescue also offers a low-cost spay/neuter clinic to help promote responsible pet ownership. View adoptable dogs here, or donate to Riverside Rescue here.
6. Forever Home Rescue (Massachusetts)
Forever Home Rescue is based in Medfield, MA. This nonprofit organization is committed to saving the lives of dogs across Massachusetts by rescuing them from abandonment, abusive environments, or neglectful situations. Dogs are fostered prior to being listed for adoption.
Adoption fees include all veterinary costs, including vaccinations, transportation, spay/neuter surgery, and quarantine fees. Prior to adoption, all dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. View available dogs here, or donate to Forever Home Rescue at the bottom of this page.
7. Furry Friends Foster and Rescue (Connecticut)
Furry Friends Foster and Rescue is a nonprofit organization based in Monroe, CT. Founded in 2014, the organization does not have a shelter – all rescued dogs are housed with loving foster families until they can be adopted into their forever homes. Dogs are mostly rescued from local, overcrowded animal shelters, or occasionally from families who can no longer care for their pets.
Prior to adoption, dogs are spayed/neutered and fully vetted. You can view adoptable dogs here, or donate to Furry Friends Foster and Rescue here. You can also donate items of need, which can be found on the shelter’s Amazon wish list.
8. Little Rhody Rescue (Rhode Island)
Little Rhody Rescue is a nonprofit dog rescue organization located in Rhode Island. Their team works hard to find loving homes for dogs that have been neglected or abandoned, with all dogs rescued from overcrowded, high-kill shelters in Tennessee. Once rescued, dogs are spayed/neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and tested for disease.
Little Rhody Rescue is licensed in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire. Since first opening their doors, the rescue has adopted over 11,000 dogs to loving homes. View adoptable dogs here, or donate to Little Rhody Rescue here.
9. Long Trail Canine Rescue (Vermont)
Long Trail Canine Rescue is a nonprofit dog rescue organization based in Wilder, VT. Their team of dedicated volunteers rescue homeless dogs from overcrowded shelters in order to find better lives for them.
Long Trail Canine Rescue relies on foster families to care for dogs prior to their adoption. If you’re interested in adopting from the organization, you can view the adoptable dogs here. If you would like to donate to Long Trail Canine Rescue, follow this link.
10. Give a Dog a Home (Maine)
Give a Dog a Home is a nonprofit organization based in Sebec, Maine. They specifically rescue German Shepherd dogs from high-kill shelters in Texas. They are safely transported to Maine, where they undergo medical attention and loving foster care prior to adoption.
All adoptable dogs are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and given all age-appropriate vaccines. They receive heartworm/tick testing and treatment, and any other necessary medical care. View available dogs here, or donate to Give a Dog a Home here.
“Emily is an avid writer and dog lover who usually prefers the company of pets over people. Based in Los Angeles, when not stuck in traffic she spends her days reading in the sunshine, relaxing at the beach, or planning her next adventure.”
