If you’re looking for a list of the finest dog rescues in San Diego County, we’ve put together the following selection especially for you.
Click to Open Table of Contents>>>>>
1. Lucky Pup Dog Rescue
Located in San Diego, Lucky Pup Dog Rescue was founded in 2010 by Christine and Steve Haslet to rescue small and medium sized dogs from the death rows of some of the highest kill shelters in Southern California. Volunteers ensure that every dog transported into the rescue are spayed or neutered and vaccinated before moving to a foster family.
Because Lucky Pup doesn’t receive any government funding, they rely on volunteers, sponsors, and donations to provide for the dogs they do rescue. If you have questions or want see what dogs they have in care currently, contact them via one of the methods here.
2. Second Chance Dog Rescue
In 2008, Sandra D. Simpson, Jason Cordoba, and Maria Blake founded Second Chance Dog Rescue in San Diego to rescue abandoned and homeless shelter dogs, regardless of breed, age, or medical need, from all over the Southern California area, as well as Baja California region of Mexico. You can see all dogs currently in their foster network here.
If you’d like to support Second Chance Dog Rescue, you can donate money directly to the rescue or become a volunteer. You can also contact them via phone or email if you have any questions or need more information.
3. Baja Dog Rescue
Baja Dog Rescue in San Diego was founded in 2010 to help rescue and rehabilitate abandoned and stray dogs from the streets and local shelters of San Diego County and the Baja region of Mexico. Many of the dogs at the rescue have been saved from severe medical conditions or complications from ill-treatment by humans or living as a stray. You can see all dogs ready for adoption here.
As a non-profit, volunteer organization, Baja Dog Rescue requires both donations and volunteer work to operate successfully. Contact them if you have any questions about donating, volunteering, or adopting.
4. Surfers for Strays
Isabel Velasco and Natalie Ritenour founded Surfers for Strays in 2017 in San Diego so to rescue and rehabilitate abandoned stray animals found in nearby Mexican villages for forever homes across North America. They also work with local animal groups in Mexico to encourage the spaying and neutering of pets as a method of reducing the number of strays roaming the streets.
You can view the animals they have up for adoption here. You can support Surfers for Strays by volunteering to help foster or transporting adopted pets from Mexico to families in the United States. You can also donate or help fundraise for the rescue. Contact them to become a volunteer or foster a rescue pup.
5. The Animal Pad
The Animal Pad is another San Diego dog rescue focused on rescuing strays and shelter dogs from Mexico and Southern California. They take in dogs of all breeds and sizes, aiming to help and find homes for as many of these forgotten pups as they can, such as these dogs currently available for adoption.
The Animal Pad is always looking for volunteers and donations to help the dogs that come into their rescue. If you have any other questions or are interested in fostering a pup, contact them online.
6. Lionel’s Legacy
Are you looking to rescue a senior dog? Look no further than Lionel’s Legacy in San Diego, a rescue that almost exclusively rescues senior dogs from shelters and abandonment. They also work as to educate local children’s groups about humane treatment of animals, both in the home and wild. This includes financial assistance program for those pet owners who find themselves struggling to buy food or necessary veterinary treatment for their pets. Find your next senior pet here.
If you’d rather volunteer or support the rescue financially, you can do so by checking out their webpage. Use their contact form if have any questions or need more information about the rescue and their mission.
7. Forgotten Paws Animal Rescue
Located in San Marcos, CA, Forgotten Paws Animal Rescue works to rescue high risk small dogs at local shelters from being euthanized. The rescue focuses on small dogs, such as chihuahuas and miniature pinchers. You can find the dogs they have ready for adoption here.
A big part of what Forgotten Paws does is medically treat and rehabilitate these dogs out of the ‘red zone’ so that they can be adopted by a forever family. You can support this work with a financial donation via PayPal or by mailing a cash donation to their physical address. If you want to know how else you can support the rescue or have any other questions, contact them via the methods found here or via social media.
8. Wagging Dog Rescue
Wagging Dog Rescue was founded in Carlsbad, CA, in 2011 to rescue abandoned and helpless pets from euthanasia and instead put them in loving homes. Their pets come from all over the world and have a range of needs, but Wagging Dog Rescue works tirelessly to help each pet overcome their struggles so to finally find their forever home in San Diego, CA, or throughout the state of Colorado. Check out some of the pets they have available for adoption now.
Wagging Dog Rescue is always looking for volunteers to help with day-to-day tasks. They also rely heavily on contributions from the local community to support their high-quality care. Have a question or need more information? Contact them online.
9. K9 Connection Pet Rehoming and Adoption
In 2012, Vicky Hetrick opened K9 Connection Pet Rehoming and Adoption in Carlsbad, CA, to rescue abandoned and helpless dogs from the Escondido and Carlsbad areas, treat them medically, provide them with social rehabilitation via fostering, all in hopes of finding a loving family to adopt them. They take in a range of dogs regardless of age; you can see all dogs available for adoption here.
Because some dogs can come to rescue with dire medical needs, such as parvo or heartworms, K9 Connection depends on the monetary support of the local community. You can also contact them if you have any further questions or need more information about how to adopt or support their cause.
10. Paws 4 Thought Rescue
Located in Bonitas, CA, Paws 4 Thought Rescue aims to rehabilitate street and shelter dogs from the Southern California and Baja California regions. Each dog is vaccinated, socialized, and medically treated, if needed, before being placed in a foster family and their forever home. You can see the dogs they’ve already helped and are waiting for adoption here.
There are lots of ways you can support Paws 4 Thought Rescue, such as fostering, fundraising, and donating to their efforts. If you’d like to volunteer with the rescue or have any other questions, contact them online.