If a search for the best dog shelters in North Dakota has brought you here, below we’ve featured 8 shelters for your review.
1. Homeward Animal Shelter (Fargo)
Homeward Animal Shelter is a non-profit animal shelter that takes in abandoned, unwanted, and lost pets from Fargo and its surrounds. As well as sheltering and caring for animals in need, they work with the community to promote spay/neuter programs, reduce pet overpopulation, and encourage responsible pet ownership.
Homeward Animal Shelter was founded in 1966 and has been responsible for the successful re-homing of more than 36,000 grateful pets. Dogs are available for an adoption fee of $200 to $250, plus tax. Puppies are available for an adoption fee of $300 to $350, plus tax. The adoption fee includes a veterinary exam, vaccines, de-worming, tick/flea check and treatment, heartworm test, and microchipping. View the available dogs here, or donate to Homeward Animal Shelter here.
2. Central Dakota Humane Society (Mandan)
The Central Dakota Humane Society runs a dedicated no-kill animal shelter (the only of its kind in the Bismarck-Mandan area) for pets in need across central North Dakota. The shelter has been operating for over six decades and relies on the hard work of their dedicated volunteers to rescue animals from situations of need.
At Central Dakota Humane Society, rescued pets have the time and space they need to rehabilitate until they can be adopted into a new family. If you’re interested in adopting, you can view the available dogs here. Before being listed for adoption, dogs undergo a veterinary exam, receive their vaccinations, are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and de-wormed. Dogs over one year of age are available for $250, while puppies cost $300. You can also donate to the Central Dakota Humane Society here.
3. Circle of Friends Animal Shelter (Grand Forks)
If you’re looking for an animal shelter in Grand Forks, ND, the Circle of Friends Animal Shelter is open for adoptions from Tuesday through Saturday. In 2019, the dedicated shelter volunteers cared for over 1800 pets. Some were reunited with their owners, others were adopted into new homes, and some were transferred to rescue organizations.
If you are 18 or over and looking to adopt a dog, view the available pets here. Dogs over six months of age are available for an adoption fee of $200, while puppies aged six months and under are $350. If you’re not in a position to adopt, you can also help by donating to Circle of Friends Animal Shelter.
4. Souris Valley Animal Shelter (Minot)
The Souris Valley Animal Shelter in Minot, ND, is a shelter and emergency housing program that has helped to save over 35,000 pets in need. Operating throughout northwestern North Dakota, Souris Valley Animal Shelter has been providing support and safety to animals in need for over four decades. As well as sheltering pets and facilitating adoptions, the shelter also strives to provide microchipping and spay/neuter services to as many animals as possible.
Adoptable pets can be viewed here. Adoption fees for puppies aged one year or younger are $250. All other dogs are available for $200. Adoption fees include vaccinations, de-worming medication, and microchipping and registration (local and national). Plus, all new adoptive families receive adoption counseling and support. If you’re not in a position to adopt, you can also help by donating to the Souris Valley Animal Shelter using the orange button on the top right of this page.
5. James River Humane Society (Jamestown)
The James River Humane Society has been operating out of Jamestown, ND, since 1985. This non-profit, no-kill animal shelter strives to save as many animals as possible and provide them with the care needed until they can be adopted into a new home.
The adoption fee for most dogs at the shelter is $200. If you’re adopting multiple pets, a $50 discount is applied to each additional animal adopted within 30 days. Pets currently available for adoption can be viewed here. All adoptable pets are spayed/neutered, de-wormed, and checked by a vet prior to adoption. You can also help by donating to the James River Humane Society here.
6. Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue (Lincoln)
Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue has one mission – to match every animal they rescue with the perfect new family. Founded in 2015, the rescue is run entirely by volunteers who are committed to saving animals from overcrowded city shelters where they may risk euthanasia. Based in Lincoln, ND, Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue also educates the community regarding responsible pet ownership and the importance of spay/neuter surgery.
If you’re interested in adopting, the first step is to complete an application. If approved, you can meet any pets you are interested in (available dogs can be viewed here). Adoption fees are $225 for puppies (one year or younger) and $175 for dogs over one year old. To help Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue continue their great work, consider making a tax-deductible donation here.
7. Humane Society of Richland-Wilkin Counties (Wahpeton)
The Humane Society of Richland-Wilkin Counties runs the Wahpeton Animal Shelter, a shelter based in Wahpeton, ND. Their mission is to provide new, loving homes for cats and dogs in need, as well as to promote programs and community education to reduce pet euthanasia and overpopulation. They also run foster programs to increase the quality of life of many shelter animals.
If you’re interested in adopting, the pets currently available can be viewed here. Dogs are available for an adoption fee of $200, which partially covers the costs of housing and caring for the animals during their time at the shelter.
8. Fargo Animal Pound (Fargo)
In 2020 alone, more than 1000 animals were successfully reunited with their owners or adopted into new homes thanks to the hard work of the Fargo Animal Pound. Based in Fargo, ND, this animal shelter serves Fargo and rural Cass County. Many animals are picked up as strays, while some are surrendered by owners who can no longer care for their pets. If you’re interested in adopting, call the shelter to schedule an appointment to view their currently available dogs. Many of these dogs are transferred to local animal rescues – consider contacting these businesses to learn more about the adoption process and viewing their available animals.
