You are probably here because you are looking for a new dog and don’t care to support breeders or puppy mills.
Finding a rescue dog will take time as each of these dog rescues in Vermont have an application process.
Most of these rescues are supported by people like you, who have the desire to save the life of a dog.
These rescues work hard to save dogs from being euthanized at local shelters and city pounds and they can only do that as long as people support their work.
Sadly, many dogs in Vermont have been left homeless through no fault of their own.
If you are thinking about adopting a dog, then check out these dog rescues in Vermont who can help you find the perfect match.
1.) Long Trail Canine Rescue (Wilder, VT)
Long Trail Canine Rescue knows that many animal shelters struggle with overcrowding.
As the pet overpopulation problem increases, more and more dogs and cats are winding up in shelters.
Unfortunately, these shelters do not necessarily have the space to care for these dogs.
Their only option may be to euthanize them. That is where rescues like Long Trail Canine Rescue come in.
This rescue removes dogs from highly populated shelters and offers them the second chances they deserve to find new homes.
Once the dogs are taken from shelters, they spend their days in comfy foster homes until they are adopted.
- If you would like to adopt a dog, see their available dogs here.
You can fill out their adoption application form here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 1115 Wilder VT 05088
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: longtraildogs.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
2.) Potter’s Angels Rescue (Barre, VT)
The dogs at Potter’s Angels Rescue come from a variety of backgrounds.
Many of them are pulled from high-kill shelters, while others have been abandoned or neglected.
This rescue also takes in surrendered animals when families need to make the difficult choice to give up their dogs.
Potter’s Angels Rescue works directly with the area’s animal control to help rehome strays that are found.
There are lots of great ways to support Potter’s Angels Rescue, including by checking out their shop where you can buy some of their merchandise.
- You can view their available dogs for adoption here.
You can fill out their adoption application here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 504 Mekkelsen Rd Barre VT 05641
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: pottersangelsrescue.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
3.) White River Animal Rescue (White River Junction, VT)
White River Animal Rescue was first established in 2009 by founder Amy Knight.
Since then, Amy Knight and her team have helped thousands of animals by removing them from shelters where they are likely to be euthanized.
Some of the dogs that they take in have less than a day to live before their scheduled euthanasia, some of them have only a couple of hours.
White River Animal Rescue believes that these dogs deserve to find loving homes, and will do everything they can to help.
Many of the dogs that come to the rescue have special needs.
White River Animal Rescue offers rehabilitation and training to these dogs to ensure that they can successfully be adopted.
Take a look at the dogs currently available through this rescue as well as their application form here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: White River Junction VT 05001
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: whiteriveranimalrescue.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
4.) Green Mountain Pug Rescue (Mendon, VT)
Have you been thinking about adopting a Pug? Pugs make excellent family dogs and are a very popular breed.
They are highly affectionate and loyal, and many owners enjoy their fun, goofy natures.
Sadly, many Pugs end up homeless or in shelters.
If you are in the Mendon Vermont area and thinking about getting a Pug, you should consider adopting from a rescue like Green Mountain Pug Rescue.
They take pugs from shelters, breeders, as well as from puppy mills.
They aim to help the dogs that come to them by ensuring they are in good health and offering all the necessary vetting to get them ready to be rehomed.
Transparency is important to this rescue.
If any of their dogs have chronic conditions or any other concerns, they will let potential adopters know so they can be prepared.
- See their available pugs for adoption here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 283 Town Line Road Mendon VT 05701
- Phone: (802) 279-8858
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: gmpr.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
5.) Good Karma Dog Rescue (Essex, VT)
The team that runs Good Karma Dog Rescue takes in dogs from shelters, as well as dogs that have been abandoned or neglected.
They also strive to help owners who must give up their dogs for any reason.
They know how challenging a decision like this is, and they want to help owners feel confident that their dogs will be rehomed to a good family.
They also work to provide education to their community, especially on the importance of spaying and neutering dogs.
Good Karma Dog Rescue pays attention to every dog’s individual needs to ensure that they are matched with the right home.
- To adopt a dog from this rescue, find their available dogs here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Essex VT 05452-9435
- Phone: (802) 595-5110
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: goodkarmarescue.com
- Social Media: Facebook
6.) VT Dog Rescue (Hinesburg, VT)
This rescue takes dogs from high-kill shelters, especially in southern states, before bringing them back to Vermont where they can be adopted by loving families.
VT Dog Rescue is one of the most welcoming rescues you will find.
While they do work hard to screen applicants and ensure that their dogs find the right homes, they understand how difficult it can be for certain applicants.
The team at this rescue never judges applicants, and instead focuses on making sure that both the dogs and the humans they work with find the companionship they need.
- If you would like to adopt a dog, find them listed on their homepage.
You can find their adoption application here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Hinesburg VT 05461
- Phone: (802) 482-2711
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: vtdogrescue.com
- Social Media: Facebook | YouTube
7.) Boxer Rescue of Vermont (Montpelier, VT)
The unfortunate reality is that many people mistakenly believe that Boxers tend to become aggressive because they are a “bully” breed.
Boxers are playful, loving, and loyal dogs that retain puppy like attitudes for much of their lives.
The Boxer Rescue of Vermont is dedicated to helping this breed.
They take dogs from a variety of situations including shelters and from owners who can no longer care for them, and offer them safe and comfortable foster homes until their adoption.
They also offer an array of additional services to the community including education on pet care, referrals, and counseling services for pet parents going through a difficult time.
- View their available Boxers for adoption here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Montpelier VT 05601
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: boxerrescuevt.com
- Social Media: Facebook | YouTube
8.) Riverside Rescue (Lunenberg, VT)
Riverside Rescue is a no-kill rescue and shelter that was first established in 2003.
At the time, there were no local animal shelters, and the community sorely needed one.
This rescue came to fill that need.
Not only does Riverside Rescue take in unwanted and homeless dogs, cats, and other small animals, but they also provide additional services to the Lunenberg community.
This includes a low-cost spay and neuter clinic.
The clinic allows pet owners in the community to spay and neuter their animals, which helps keep them healthy and reduces pet overpopulation and strays.
They regularly hold fundraising events to help them gather donations for their missions.
- You can view their adoptable dogs here.
You can fill out their online adoption application here, to get the adoption process started.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 236 Riverside Avenue Lunenburg VT 05906
- Phone: (802) 892-5300
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: riversideanimalrescue.org
- Social Media: Facebook
9.) Justice for Dogs (Wolcott, VT)
Many perfectly adoptable dogs do not survive in shelters.
Because of overcrowding, dogs are needlessly euthanized.
This is a tragedy that Justice for Dogs wishes to correct. Founder Amy Touchette established this rescue in 2007.
Since then, they have helped the Wolcott community by taking dogs from shelters and finding them new homes.
The volunteers and organizers that run the rescue believe that even dogs with behavioral or medical problems deserve to find loving homes.
If you are thinking about rescuing a dog, learn more about how you can adopt from this rescue here.
Justice for Dogs regularly holds events which all benefits the work they are doing.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 1014 Wolcott VT 05680
- Phone: (802) 472-3894
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: justicefordogsvt.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Twitter
10.) Little Woof Small Dog Rescue (Essex Junction, VT)
Many of the dogs that you will find at Little Woof Small Dog Rescue come from southern states, where pet overpopulation is a serious concern.
They take in local strays and unwanted animals as well, and they partner with several rescues across the country to help every dog they take in to find the perfect home.
Little Woof Small Dog Rescue focuses on smaller breeds.
If you have been thinking about adopting a dog but only want a smaller breed, this is the rescue to check out.
The team at this rescue knows how crucial services like vaccinations, spaying and neutering are.
They make sure that all the dogs that come to them receive these important services.
To adopt a dog from this rescue, you will need to fill out an adoption application form.
- You can view their available dogs for adoption here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 93 Essex Junction VT 05453
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: littlewoofsmalldogrescue.weebly.com
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
11.) A Canine Gem Rescue (Colchester, VT)
Like many rescues, A Canine Gem Rescue takes dogs out of crowded shelters where they are at risk of being euthanized.
Unlike other rescues, A Canine Gem Rescue does not just take in dogs they know will be easy to adopt.
They focus on removing dogs that may have special needs as well as senior dogs.
They believe that these dogs can make wonderful family companions, and they do everything they can to set them up for success.
This includes giving them basic medical attention, as well as keeping them in comfortable foster homes where they receive much-needed one-on-one attention until they are adopted.
Find their adoption application form here.
- View their available dogs for adoption on their homepage.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Colchester VT 05446
- Phone: (802) 989-1675
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: acaninegem.com
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
Final Thoughts On Adopting From Dog Rescues In Vermont
If you have been thinking about adopting a dog, getting a dog from a rescue is one of the best ways to make a difference and save a life.
Many dog rescues in Vermont are ready to help you find the right pup for you and your family.
All rescues need support in one way or another. Since most rescues are run as non-profit organizations, donations, volunteers and foster parents are what keep them running.
Make sure you check out each of these local Vermont dog rescues to find the pup you have been looking for.