Looking to adopt a dog in Delaware?
If you want to make a difference for a dog in need, consider adopting from local dog rescues in Delaware.
We found several rescues across Delaware that have more than enough options for you to choose from.
Adopting from a rescue means saving a life and making more space for other dogs in need.
1.) One Dog More! (Dover, DE)
Because of pet overpopulation, many animals wind up in shelters.
Unfortunately, they may be at risk of euthanasia if the shelter becomes too full despite being perfectly adoptable.
One More Dog! is a dog rescue that removes these dogs from high-kill shelters and places them in caring foster homes.
Dogs receive medical attention and, most importantly, love and affection from their fosters.
The rescue also provides outreach and educational programs which help to encourage responsible pet ownership.
They educate locals on the importance of spaying and neutering their animals, as well as general proper dog care.
If you are thinking of adopting a dog from this rescue, take a look at their adoption application here.
- See what dogs are available here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Dover, DE 19904
- Phone: (302) 632-6680
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: onedogmore.org
- Social Media: Facebook
2.) LnF Dog Rescue (New Castle, DE)
This rescue accepts dogs no matter their breed, background, or situation.
All dogs are welcome at LnF Rescue, and the volunteers and organizers here are dedicated to each dog’s health, safety, and happiness.
One of the ways that LnF Dog Rescue will help you find the right dog is through their Meet Your Match survey.
You can fill out the survey to see what type of dog suits your lifestyle best.
The rescue will then look at their available animals to see which one might be the right one for you.
There is an adoption fee of $400 for dogs under 5 years and a $225 fee for dogs over 5 years.
- Check out their application form here.
- View their dogs available for adoption here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 70 Ivy Lane New Castle, DE 19720
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: lnfdogs.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
3.) A Buddy For Life (New Castle, DE)
This rescue was first established in 2006 after the founder came across a homeless chocolate lab.
They wanted to take in animals that other shelters and rescues were not willing to accept.
Several of the dogs that A Buddy for Life has helped have had medical issues like being heartworm positive.
Other dogs have come from difficult backgrounds, including puppy mills.
Regardless of where the dog comes from, they will be welcome at this rescue.
A Buddy for Life partners with several local vets to ensure that the animals in their care get the crucial medical services they need to get healthy and find loving forever homes.
When you adopt a dog from this rescue, you will pay an adoption fee ranging from $125 to $450, depending on the dog’s age.
You can find their adoption application form here.
- Their available dogs for adoption are listed here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: New Castle DE 19720
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: abuddyforlife.org
- Social Media: Facebook
4.) It Takes a Village Animal Rescue (Middletown, DE)
Founder Cindi Moulson established this rescue in 2014.
Since then, It Takes a Village Animal Rescue has helped countless dogs that might have been euthanized in shelters find the perfect, loving forever home.
This rescue encourages adopting rather than buying dogs, as this helps prevent overcrowding in shelters which leads to the unnecessary euthanasia of animals.
When dogs arrive at the rescue, they are appropriately vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and receive microchips.
Many of the dogs that come to the rescue are from southern states that experience more issues with pet overpopulation.
If you decide to adopt a dog from this rescue, you will pay an adoption fee of between $300 to $450 depending on the dog’s health and age.
You can fill out their adoption application here.
- Their available dogs for adoption are listed here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 2495 N Dupont Pkwy Middletown DE 19709
- Phone: (302) 690-1963
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: itavar.com
- Social Media: Facebook
5.) Renee’s Rescues (Hockessin, DE)
Dogs wind up in rescues and shelters for a variety of reasons.
One of the most unfortunate reasons is that the dogs come from puppy mills.
This is a highly unethical breeding practice that results in dogs being trapped in small cages and used only for breeding purposes.
Renee’s Rescues focuses on helping dogs that come from puppy mills get the rehabilitation they need to find forever homes.
Their vision is to one day see an end to cruel breeding practices like puppy mills by educating the public on them and supporting local legislation that would lead to stricter breeding laws.
Renee’s Rescues also partners with other local rescues to help adopt out as many dogs as possible.
If you would like to adopt a dog from this rescue, you will need to take a look at their adoption application form here.
- View their available dogs for adoption here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 1297 Hockessin DE 19707
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: reneesrescues.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
6.) Senior Dog Haven and Hospice (Wilmington, DE)
Older dogs can make wonderful companions.
However, the sad reality is that many of these dogs are overlooked because of their age or health.
Senior Dog Haven and Hospice offers a loving, comfortable place for these older dogs to stay.
They accept dogs over the age of 7 and provide them with safe fosters homes to stay in until they find loving families to live out the rest of their days with.
The rescue takes in senior dogs that have been abandoned, as well as senior dogs whose owners must give them up for any reason.
Senior Dog Haven and Hospice can also offer financial assistance for owners struggling to care for their animals.
If you would like to adopt one of their dogs, fill out the application form here.
- You can see their dogs available for adoption here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 1441 Wilmington DE 19899
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: seniordoghaven.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
7.) Fur-Ever Paws Dog Rescue (Newark, DE)
This rescue works with shelters in southern states, where dog overpopulation is a serious problem and many dogs wind up in high-kill shelters.
Fur-Ever Paws Dog Rescue removes these dogs from the shelters.
This gives the dogs the chance to find loving homes instead of being needlessly euthanized.
It also makes more space in the shelters for other homeless animals.
This rescue is completely foster-based.
Staying in foster gives dogs the chance to get one-on-one attention and care instead of having to deal with shelter environments, which can be stressful for many dogs.
They are always looking for new fosters to help support their mission. Learn more about becoming a foster here.
If you would like to adopt one of the dogs here, take a look at their adoption application.
- Their dogs up for adoption are listed here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 9 Deasy Dr Newark DE 19702
- Phone: 302-312-5129
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: fur-everpaws.com
- Social Media: Facebook
8.) 2nd Chance Furbabies Animal Rescue (Harrington, DE)
The volunteers and organizers that run this non-profit rescue know that a dog is so much more than just a pet.
They are family members and deserve to be treated with love and respect.
This is why this rescue aims to improve the lives of both people and animals everywhere by rescuing homeless and unwanted dogs.
They also offer education to the community on the importance of spaying and neutering pets, which helps reduce pet overpopulation and keeps dogs out of already crowded shelters.
Animals that come to the rescue receive basic vetting as well as training and rehabilitation to prepare them for adoption.
The rescue is situated on a large piece of property where the dogs get to run around and play while they wait for their loving forever homes.
There is even a pond where dogs can go for a swim.
- You can see their dogs up for adoption here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 352 Toby Collins Lane Harrington DE 19952
- Phone: 302-242-3019
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: furbabiesanimalres.wixsite.com
- Social Media: Facebook
9.) Greyhound Pet Adoptions of Delaware (Bethany Beach, DE)
Many greyhounds are used for racing across the United States.
Unfortunately, when these dogs retire from the racetrack, many of them are treated inhumanely.
Greyhound Pet Adoptions of Delaware takes in dogs that have retired from racing, as well as younger dogs who were not able to race for a variety of reasons.
They help these dogs get the support they need while they wait for adoption.
The rescue provides important education to the public on how to care for greyhounds, and what wonderful, affectionate family members these dogs can be.
There are various other services available through the rescue as well, including a dog sitting service.
When you adopt one of the dogs available through Greyhound Pet Adoptions of Delaware, you will need to pay a $425 adoption fee.
This helps cover transportation for the dogs, vet care, and other supplies.
- Their available dogs are listed on their homepage.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 107 Canal Rd Bethany Beach DE 19930
- Phone: (302) 462-5204
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: gpadelaware.org
- Social Media: Facebook
10.) Faithful Friends Animal Society (Wilmington, DE)
This rescue was first established in 2001.
They were founded to help reduce the number of pets that were needlessly euthanized because of overcrowding in local Delaware shelters.
They take in animals that have been abused, neglected, or find themselves homeless.
The team also advocates for responsible pet ownership, providing important education on how to look after animals and giving owners the support they need.
One of the things that Faithful Friends Animal Society offers to that end is community vet care.
This ensures that dogs in the Wilmington area receive important vetting services like spaying and neutering as well as vaccinations.
There are other services available through the rescue including a pet food bank and a line you can call if you need help with pet care.
- You can find their available dogs as well as their adoption application here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 12 Germay Dr Wilmington DE 19804
- Phone: 302-427-8514
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: faithfulfriends.us
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
11.) Whimsical Animal Rescue (Seaford, DE)
For 20 years, Whimsical Animal Rescue has provided their community with crucial rescue services. Animals come to them after living on the streets as strays.
Other animals come to the rescue because their owners have to make the difficult choice to surrender them.
A lot of the dogs come from local shelters that are struggling with overcrowding.
Regardless of the reason why animals will find all the love they need through this rescue.
They will be provided with basic vet care like heartworm prevention, spaying and neutering, and vaccinations.
When you adopt one of their available dogs, you will pay an adoption fee of between $75 to $400.
The fee you pay will depend on the dog and what type of care they received while in the rescue.
Whimsical Animal Rescue aims to keep their adoption fees as low as possible.
You can find their application form here.
- Adoptable dogs are listed here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: P. O. Box 1697 Seaford DE 19973
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: delawarerescue.com
- Social Media: Facebook
12.) Grass Roots Rescue (Milton, DE)
This rescue takes in dogs regardless of their age, breed, or health.
They do not turn down any dogs based on these factors and are more than happy to accept and help dogs that other rescues and shelters may turn away.
They also provide community education on animal welfare, as well as resources for spaying and neutering animals to help reduce the number of unwanted pets.
In some situations, they are also able to provide financial aid for emergency vet care.
Grass Roots Rescue partners with several vets in the area to help ensure their animals get the appropriate care when they come to the rescue.
If you would like to adopt one of Grass Roots Rescue’s dogs, you will pay an adoption fee.
This fee varies depending on the dog.
- Their dogs available for adoption are here.
- Fill out their adoption application form here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Milton, DE 19968
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: grrde.org
- Social Media: Facebook
Final Thoughts On Adopting From Dog Rescues In Delaware
Anyone who is in Delaware and looking to adopt a dog should consider looking into any of the above rescues.
These Delaware rescues are dedicated to helping the animals in their care, as well as helping owners find the perfect dog match for them.
If cannot commit to something long-term like adoption but want to help your local Delaware rescue, there are ways you can do that.
Fostering, volunteering, or donating money or items can all make a huge difference.