Anyone who is in Virginia and thinking about adopting a dog should consider adopting through a rescue.
There are several rescues across Virginia that aim to help dogs and people find each other.
Rescuing a dog instead of going through a breeder can offer a dog in need a second chance.
These are 12 dog rescues in Virginia you should consider adopting from.
1.) Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation (Arlington, VA)
Since 2001, this non-profit rescue has helped countless animals find forever homes.
The rescue is located on a 63-acre ranch, where both dogs and cats get to spend comfortable days while they wait to be adopted.
This rescue takes in lost and homeless pets that are found on the streets.
They ensure that the animals that come to them are spayed or neutered to decrease the issue of pet overpopulation and ensure the animals live safe and happy lives.
To adopt a dog from this rescue, check out their upcoming adoption events here.
- You can see all the dogs available at the rescue here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 223953 Arlington VA 22205
- Phone: (703) 295-DOGS (3647)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.lostdogrescue.org/
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
2.) Capital Area Rescue Effort (Richmond, VA)
One of the major issues unwanted animals face is overcrowding at local animal shelters.
Unfortunately, many of the animals in these shelters end up being euthanized.
Capital Area Rescue Effort or CARE aims to take animals from these shelters where they may be at risk of euthanasia, offering them a second chance at life.
Every person applying to adopt a dog from CARE is thoroughly screened to make sure they are a good match for their dogs.
CARE takes in dogs of all ages and breeds, so you will be able to find the right dog for you.
- Take a look at their available dogs for adoption here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 575 Sandston VA 23150
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.carerva.com/
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
3.) Ring Dog Rescue (Richmond, VA)
Pit Bulls and other “bully” breeds get a bad reputation.
In the past, many of these dogs have been used in violent and aggressive sports like dog fighting.
However, many Pit Bulls make loving and affectionate animals.
Ring Dog Rescue knows this and strives to help these misunderstood dogs.
They also offer educational resources on how to properly care for this breed.
If you would like to adopt a dog from this rescue, you will find their adoption application form here.
If you are ready to take a look at the dogs available through this rescue, find them listed here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Richmond VA 23231
- Phone: (804) 622-4200
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://ringdogrescue.org/
- Social Media: Facebook | Twitter
4.) Sanctuary Rescue (Midlothian, VA)
This rescue is entirely foster-based, which allows dogs to get necessary one-on-one attention from their fosters while they wait to get adopted.
Many of their fosters are licensed vets, dog trainers, and knowledgeable animal enthusiasts.
All their fosters receive important training to ensure that the dogs get the best care possible.
They also have experience caring for orphaned puppies, and their fosters have experience with bottle feeding.
There will be an adoption fee of somewhere between $150 to $350.
Find their adoption application form here.
Also, make sure to take a look at all of their available dogs that are up for adoption.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Website: https://www.sanctuaryrescue.com/
- Social Media: Instagram
5.) Houlagans’ Rest (Midlothian, VA)
This rescue is dedicated to helping animals that other shelters or rescues may not be able or willing to take in.
They were founded after seeing the number of homeless animals after Hurricane Katrina, and they strive every day to help the animals in their area find the right homes.
Many of the animals that come to this rescue get to stay in loving foster homes until they are ready to be adopted.
The dogs staying with the rescue receive important vet care including vaccinations and spaying and neutering.
To adopt a dog from Houlagans’ Rest, you will pay a $250 to $400 adoption fee.
You can find their adoption application form here.
- Their available dogs are listed on PetFinder.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 10138 Hull Street Road Suite D Midlothian VA 23112
- Phone: (804) 893-0406
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.houlagansrest.com/
- Social Media: Facebook
6.) Save Our Herders Outreach (Midlothian, VA)
Are you an active person looking for a dog that can keep up?
Adopting a herding dog like a Collie or Shepherd might be the perfect option for you.
Save Our Herders Outreach or SOHO specializes in rescuing herding dogs.
They aim to save dogs at risk of being euthanized from overcrowded shelters, offering these dogs the second chances they deserve to find loving homes.
Are you thinking about adopting one of SOHO’s dogs?
- Take a look at their available dogs for adoption here.
If you find a dog you are interested in meeting, fill out the adoption application here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Midlothian VA 23112
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.sohodogrescue.com/
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
7.) Beacon of Hope Dog Rescue (Chesterfield, VA)
This rescue is run entirely by dedicated volunteers who want to ensure that the dogs that come to them always find the perfect forever homes.
All of the dogs that come to this rescue stay in foster homes where they receive love and affection until their adopters find them.
They also receive essential vet care like spaying and neutering as well as vaccinations.
Dogs of all breeds and backgrounds are welcome at Beacon of Hope Dog Rescue.
- You can see their dogs up for adoption here.
If you would like to adopt one of their dogs, fill out their online adoption application form here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Chesterfield VA 23832
- Phone: (804) 229-4043
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.beacondogrescue.com/
- Social Media: Facebook
8.) Shirley’s Angels Animal Rescue (Winchester, VA)
This animal rescue was named in honor of Shirley Burroughs, an avid animal lover whose daughter would become the president of the rescue.
Shirley’s Angels Animal Rescue is dedicated to helping every animal they take in, regardless of their situation or needs.
The animals stay in foster homes until they find the right families.
Before you adopt a dog from Shirley’s Angels Animal Rescue, the dog will have been neutered or spayed as long as they are old enough.
To adopt a dog, you will need to pay an adoption fee and fill out an application which you can find here.
If you would like to see who is currently available, find their adoptable dogs listed here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Winchester VA 22602
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://shirleysanimals.org/
- Social Media: Facebook
9.) Save the Tails Rescue Group (Leesburg, VA)
This rescue group does not have a facility where they keep dogs.
Instead, the dogs get to stay in safe and loving foster homes until their big adoption day.
One of the things that makes this rescue stand out is their commitment to matching the right dog to the right family.
They will carefully screen every applicant to make sure they can provide the right home.
This is an all-breed rescue, and you’ll find dogs of all different backgrounds here.
They list their dogs available for adoption on their Facebook page.
Once you find a dog you would like to adopt, fill out the adoption application which you can find here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 171 Leesburg VA 20178
- Phone: (888) 379-5558 x1
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.savethetails.org/sttlisa/Home.html
- Social Media: Facebook
10.) Dakota’s Dream Animal Rescue (Winchester, VA)
This rescue was established after the founders received a call that a breeder had abandoned some animals after moving out of Virginia.
The team found and rescued the animals, and the rescue was named after one of the cats, Dakota, that did not survive.
Today, the rescue aims to give every animal they take the best shot at a new and loving life.
For more than 10 years, they have helped countless animals find the right homes.
If you would like to adopt from this rescue, take a look at their adoption form here.
You can find their available dogs on PetFinder.
There will be a fee to pay when you adopt.
The specific amount will depend on what kind of care the dog received through the rescue.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO BOX 1814 Winchester VA 22604
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://dakotasdream.org/
- Social Media: Facebook
11.) Fierce Love Rescue (Stephens City, VA)
This rescue believes prevention is one of the best ways to fix the homeless pet issue.
That’s why they offer educational outreach programs along with rescue services.
Their educational programs help to instruct Stephens City residents on responsible pet ownership and providing support as well as cultivating relationships with owners, vets, and donors in the area.
They also offer special needs programs that aim to provide the additional support that some pets need.
This includes animals with disabilities, behavioral issues, or elderly animals.
Adult dogs cost $275 to adopt, while puppies cost $325.
These fees will cover the important care that the dogs receive while they are in the rescue.
If you would like to adopt a dog from Fierce Love Rescue, check out the dogs they have available for adoption.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Stephens City VA 22655
- Phone: (540) 227-7077
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.fierceloverescue.org/
- Social Media: Facebook | YouTube
12.) Their Voice Rescue (Delaplane, VA)
The compassionate team at this rescue works hard to provide every dog that comes to them with the chance to find the right home.
They primarily remove dogs from high-kill shelters around the country where the dogs are at risk of being euthanized.
They run a sanctuary, but many of their dogs stay in foster homes until they can be adopted.
Their Voice Rescue takes in dogs regardless of their age, breed, or background.
All dogs that come to the rescue also receive important vetting.
This includes vaccinations, microchipping, heartworm prevention, and other basic care.
You can see their available dogs for adoption here.
If you find a dog that you would like to meet, fill out their adoption application to get the process started.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Delaplane VA 20144
- Phone: (540) 497-3562
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://theirvoicerescue.org/
- Social Media: Facebook | YouTube
Summary Of Dog Rescues In Virginia
Adopting a rescue dog is one of the best ways to help a dog in need.
When you rescue a dog, you are offering them a second chance at finding happiness and a home.
There are lots of great dog rescues in Virginia to consider adopting from.
Make sure you consider all of the above rescues.
Many rescues in Virginia need the support of people like you to keep going.
If you are in Virginia and want to help your local rescue, donating or fostering are just a couple of great ways to do that.