Friday, March 23rd is National Puppy Day, when people all across the internet will be sharing photos of their cute dogs. If you're missing out on the joy of having a pet, you can adopt an animal in need from one of the many Bay Area adoption centers, some of which we've gathered here for you.
Remember, adopting a pet is a huge responsibility and shouldn't be taken lightly. Pets are part of your family. Make sure to consider your housing and financial situations before adopting a pet, especially a young puppy that may soon grow to be much bigger. And even though it's National Puppy Day, don't forget that older dogs need love and furever homes too!
1. Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (arflife.org)
Pictured above: Manning, Logan, and Evan.
Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) is an award-winning, nationally recognized leader for its unique mission of “People Rescuing Animals…Animals Rescuing People.®” Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, ARF is a privately funded 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization supported by donors in all 50 states and internationally, receiving no government funding. In 2017, ARF earned the highest possible rating – four stars – from Charity Navigator for the tenth consecutive year.
2. Marin Humane (marinhumane.com)
Pictured above: Tracker
Marin Humane is made up of animal lovers, including staff, volunteers, donors, and partners. We’re an independent nonprofit and not affiliated with The Humane Society of the United States or the ASPCA. We transform lives through exceptional animal care, humane education, and advocacy. Every day, we inspire compassion and positive relationships between people and animals.
3. East Bay SPCA (eastbayspca.org)
Pictured above: Barnaby (Photo Copyright: Right Brain For Hire) and Nuna Mgregor
The East Bay SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has been an innovator in animal welfare since 1874! The East Bay SPCA is committed to the welfare of cats and dogs in the communities we serve. We strive to eliminate animal cruelty, neglect and overpopulation by providing programs and education that support people and companion animals.
Also, this month is St. Pittie's Month featuring reduced $17 adoption fees for all adult pitties and pit mixes, through March 25th.
4. Wonder Dog Rescue (wonderdogrescue.org)
Pictured above: Spanky and Eric
Wonder Dog’s current lifesaving mission is a synthesis of 26 years of rescue work. Our founder began in dog rescue in 1990 and started a Boston Terrier rescue in San Francisco. As the organization grew, so also did our ability to help other dogs in need. Today, we rescue all types of small dogs, from 6 weeks to 16 years! All of our dogs live in foster homes while awaiting adoption. There they are given the love and support they need to transition into their forever homes. We also rescue many dogs who are at the greatest risk, because of medical issues. While some of these dogs continue on to being adopted, many remain with us as foster/hospice, or fospice dogs… beloved dogs who need care and compassion at the end of their lives.
5. Rocket Dog Rescue (rocketdogrescue.org)
Pictured above: Ollie and William
Rocket Dog Rescue is a San Francisco Bay Area dog rescue organization run by a group of dedicated volunteers. We save dogs from death at over-crowded shelters and find them loving, happy homes. Now in our fifteenth year, RDR is stronger than ever, and has saved the lives of over 8,100 animals. Are you looking to adopt a dog in the San Francisco Bay Area? Look no further!
6. Humane Society Silicon Valley (hssv.org)
Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is an independent, privately funded 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with four locations. We have been connecting people and pets in the Silicon Valley community for over 85 years. HSSV opened a 48,000 square-foot state of the art Animal Community Center in 2009, a facility with an impressive shelter medicine program, exemplary volunteer and educational programs, as well as progressive behavior and training programs to supply ongoing support to adopters.
7. Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (peninsulahumanesociety.org)
The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (PHS/SPCA) is a local, private, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to animal welfare. Among our major programs, PHS/SPCA adopts fully 100% of the healthy dogs and cats in our care and also, through our charitably funded Hope Program, makes well and finds homes for thousands of animals who come to us sick, injured, or too young to survive without supportive care. PHS/SPCA is truly an open admission shelter, not only accepting many pet animals who might be refused at other shelters, but also taking care of injured and orphaned native wildlife from San Francisco through San Mateo and the northern half of Santa Clara County. Our work means 6,300 lives saved each year.
8. San Francisco SPCA (sfspca.org)
As the fourth oldest humane society in the U.S. and the founders of the No-Kill movement, the SF SPCA has always been at the forefront of animal welfare. As a result of our efforts and those of our community partners, San Francisco has the lowest euthanasia rate of any major city in the United States. No adoptable dog or cat in San Francisco goes without a home, even if they have medical or other issues. We imagine a community where every animal has a loving home. Where animals don’t need the support of San Francisco’s rescues and shelters. And we know how to get there.
9. Oakland Animal Services (oaklandanimalservices.org)
Oakland Animal Services is Oakland’s only “open admissions” shelter: We accept all of Oakland’s homeless, injured, orphaned, unwanted, lost, abandoned and mistreated animals, including companion animals, farm animals, exotic animals, and native wildlife. Every animal brought to our door is welcome, regardless of age, breed, temperament or medical condition. Our staff provides critical services to our community, sheltering thousands of Oakland’s stray animals each year and responding to animal-related calls for service in Oakland.
10. Family Dog Rescue (wearefamilydog.com)
Since 2010, Family Dog Rescue has rescued over 3000 dogs and matched them with loving humans, creating families with every adoption. From the underdogs of California's overcrowded municipal shelters to the street dogs of Mexico, Family Dog Rescue gives dogs in need a second chance. We welcome these dogs into our San Francisco shelter and foster program, providing them with medical care, temperament analysis, spay/neuter, vaccinations and finally, a loving family of their own. Family Dog Rescue is proud to save dogs of all kinds, including puppies, adults, mixed breeds, purebreds, and dogs with disabilities.
11. Furry Friends Rescue (furryfriendsrescue.org)
Furry Friends Rescue (FFR) is an all-volunteer non-profit Bay Area companion animal rescue organization, comprised entirely of experienced volunteers who collectively have rescued thousands of companion animals and placed them in forever loving homes. United and inspired by our compassion for all animals, we focus our talents on saving dogs and cats of all ages (babies to senior), all breed types, special medical/behavior needs and unadopted dogs and cats on "Put To Sleep" lists (PTS) from Northern California animal shelters. Each rescued animal is provided veterinary care and then live in volunteer foster homes where they get TLC and basic home training.
12. Copper's Dream Animal Rescue (coppersdream.org)
We're a 501c3 nonprofit, all-breed dog rescue based in the San Francisco Bay Area. All of our dogs live in foster homes until adopted - we don't have a physical shelter. Dogs can be adopted from adoption events throughout the year, or visited in their foster homes all week long.
Thumbnail Photo via Rocket Dog Rescue