Animal Shelters & Rescues by Country

Adopting from a shelter or rescue gives a dog or cat a second chance. Choose a country to find organisations near you — then contact them about adopting, fostering, volunteering or donating.

Before you visit

  • Check the shelter's website or call ahead — many work by appointment only.
  • Some rescues have no kennels: their animals live in foster homes, so adoption starts online.
  • Expect a home check and an adoption fee that covers vaccinations, microchipping and neutering.

Not sure which dog suits you?

Shelters can tell you a lot about each dog's personality. Our breed guides help you know what to ask about energy, grooming and life with children or other pets.

Take the breed quiz →Adoptable dogs in the US →

Directory compiled from Dogs Trust, Battersea, Wamiz and RescueGroups.org, with regions from OpenStreetMap. Listing is not an endorsement — details can change, so please confirm with the organisation.