Top Dog Rescues in South Carolina

If you want to adopt a pooch from one of the best dog rescues in South Carolina, below we’ve featured 8 for your perusal.

1. Eunoia Rescue (Charleston)

Eunoia Rescue is a nonprofit dog rescue organization based in Charleston, SC. Their team of dedicated volunteers works tirelessly to rescue dogs from local shelters and foster them until they can be adopted by loving families. At any given time, they have 50-80 dogs and puppies in their care. Eunoia Rescue is entirely based on foster families and has no shelter where pets are housed.

Eunoia Rescue relies solely on private donations for funding. Most animals that enter their care come with costly medical issues, which means the team can always use financial support to continue their good work. If you would like to donate to Eunoia Rescue, you can do so here. Dogs listed for adoption are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and have up to date vaccines. To view Eunoia Rescue’s available dogs, click here.

2. Pawmetto Lifeline (Columbia)

Pawmetto Lifeline is a nonprofit organization based in Columbia. Their aim is to reduce pet homelessness throughout the Midlands communities, including Lexington and Richland counties. They use numerous avenues to achieve this – they rescue animals and collaborate with like-minded organizations to move dogs and cats from high-kill shelters to no-kill foster families. They also offer a range of free education programs to local schools to promote responsible pet ownership.

To adopt a dog from Pawmetto Lifeline, you must be 21 years of age, and your application for adoption must first be approved. Prior to being adopted, each dog is spayed/neutered, microchipped, has up to date vaccines, and has been de-wormed. To view their adoptable dogs, click here. If you would like to donate to Pawmetto Lifeline, you can do so here.

3. Richardson Rescue (York)

Richardson Rescue is a nonprofit organization based in York, SC. This team of dedicated individuals works hard to find forever homes for all the dogs and cats that come into their care. They also strive to educate the public to promote responsible pet ownership and reduce the number of homeless, stray, or abandoned dogs and cats.

As well as adoption services and community outreach, Richardson Rescue has a low-cost spay/neuter program to make these services more affordable to pet owners and reduce the number of pets in shelters. To view their available dogs, click here. If you would like to make a 100% tax-deductible donation to Richardson Rescue, you can do so here.

4. Recycled Pets (Rock Hill)

Recycled Pets is a nonprofit organization based in Rock Hill, SC. They are a volunteer-based group who are striving to improve the lives of dogs and cats throughout South Carolina. Their dedicated volunteers rescue homeless or abandoned animals and don’t discriminate based on age, breed, or health. The organization was founded in 2000 and has since grown into a very successful rescue organization.

As well as rescuing dogs and cats, Recycled Pets emphasizes the importance of spay/neuter programs to prevent pet overpopulation. They have recently implemented their own spay/neuter service to make these surgeries more affordable. All rescued animals are spayed/neutered prior to adoption. If you would like to adopt from Recycled Pets, you can view the available dogs here. You can also donate to Recycled Pets by clicking on the button on the left side of this page.

5. Pet Helpers (Charleston)

Pet Helpers is one of the leading pet rescue organizations in South Carolina. Based in Charleston, SC, this nonprofit organization was founded in 1978 by now-president Carol Linville. She learned that 8,000 pets each year were euthanized at local shelters and decided to do everything in her power to change this. Forty years later, Pet Helpers has evolved into a huge network of committed volunteers who rescue, foster, and rehabilitate pets before finding loving homes for them.

As well as offering animals for adoption, Pet Helpers also has a spay/neuter clinic where they provide affordable surgeries. They also engage the public and offer educational services to promote responsible pet ownership. If you’re looking to adopt from Pet Helpers, you can view their available dogs here. If you would like to donate to the organization, do so here.

6. PETSinc (Columbia)

PETSinc is based in Columbia, SC, and has been operating throughout the Midlands for 30 years. They are a nonprofit animal rescue organization that takes unwanted, abandoned, or homeless pets from overcrowded, high-kill shelters and places them in foster care until they can be adopted. Their team of dedicated volunteers is responsible for rescuing over 1200 animals each year that are then placed in foster care or adopted into a permanent home.

As well as offering animals for adoption, PETSinc has a low-cost vet clinic offering affordable immunizations, exams, microchipping, and even surgeries. If you’re looking to adopt, available dogs can be viewed here. Or, consider making a donation to PETSinc.

7. Chapman’s Dachshund Rescue (York)

If you’re a fan of the Dachshund, Chapman’s Dachshund Rescue is the dog rescue you’ve been looking for. Based in York, SC, this rescue is located on 13 acres and is designed exclusively to rescue Dachshunds. In 2019 alone, over 350 adoptions were made possible by the team at Chapman’s, who received over 1100 applications from prospective Dachshund parents!

If you’re looking to adopt from Chapman’s, you can view the adorable Dachshunds here. Alternatively, consider making a donation to the organization here. Donations go towards veterinary costs, dog food, caring for the dogs, and facilitating adoptions.

8. Carolina Poodle Rescue (Rock Hill)

Carolina Poodle Rescue is run by a team of dedicated volunteers who rescue and rehabilitate pets in need. This nonprofit organization is based in Rock Hill, SC, and is a no-kill private rescue group. They support spay/neuter initiatives and houses their rescued dogs at Dreamweaver Farm, where they typically care for over 150 animals at any given time.

All dogs are spayed/neutered prior to adoption. You can view their poodles, poodle mixes, and other small breeds that are available for adoption here. The organization is funded solely by adoption fees and donations – click here if you would like to donate to Carolina Poodle Rescue.

“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.”