19 Best Dog Rescues in Pennsylvania

Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.

Looking for the best dog rescues in Pennsylvania? Lucky you, because that’s exactly what we have here.

If you thinking about adding a furry friend to your family, it is an important decision for you and your family, which is why getting information on dog rescues in Pennsylvania is critical. Our goal is to make finding the perfect dog rescue organization near you simple.

Quick note here: The main difference between dog rescues and shelters is that rescues are typically privately run and funded through donations, while shelters are organized by local government.

Dog rescues are not listed in any particular order. Check out other excellent dog rescues in other states here.

1. Speranza Animal Rescue

Location: 1216 Brandt Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Speranza Animal Rescue is a non-profit, volunteer-run rescue, rehabilitation center, and sanctuary dedicated to saving the most abused and neglected animals and placing them in loving homes as quickly as possible.

Speranza is situated on a 17.5-acre farm near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, which provides the ideal setting for providing time, compassion, and love to animals in need.

The organization is an all-breed rescue that focuses on Pit Bulls and other Bully Breeds, as well as agricultural animals that may have wound up in kill pens or were headed for slaughter.

2. Canine Rescue of Central Pennsylvania

Location: 85 Brittany Lane, Dillsburg, PA 17019

Canine Rescue of Central Pennsylvania, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization made up of all volunteers dedicated to assisting pets in desperate situations.

Since its inception in 2002, the organization has made significant progress in providing yet another vital resource for our furry friends.

Their goal is to become engaged in as many situations as possible in order to provide sanctuary, shelter, and new homes to as many dogs as possible.

Canine Rescue also works to form strategic alliances with other rescues and similar organizations in order to pool resources and raise public awareness about the huge problem of homeless animals.

The adoption process is divided into numerous sections in order to ensure that an animal is placed in the best possible home.

A home visit with the applicant is also a step in the adoption process, in addition to filing an application and spending time with a dog of interest.

3. All 4 Paws Rescue

Location: P.O. Box 122, Chester Springs, PA 19425

All 4 Paws Rescue, based in Malvern, Pennsylvania, is a non-profit, foster-based, all-breed, no-kill animal rescue that provides rescue, rehabilitation, and refuge to animals in need.

Their goal is to find a safe, permanent, and loving home for each of these creatures.

In May of 2009, All 4 Paws Rescue was established.

Since then, the team has rescued over 13,000 needy animals and it continues to grow and save lives on a regular basis.

They are the last hope for the majority of the animals saved, as many live in shelters that aren’t even open to the public and instead serve as holding facilities for animals who are about to die.

Another large group of dogs comes from commercial breeding operations, which discard them like trash when they are no longer suitable for breeding or are unfit for sale.

Puppies, purebreds, and family pets are animals you would never anticipate winding up in such terrible situations, yet it is an unfortunate reality.

All 4 Paws has created ties across the country through their broad rescue network, allowing them to save numerous lives that would otherwise have been lost.

4. Laura’s Hope Rescue

Location: 3385 Forest Street, Hop Bottom, PA 18824

Laura’s Hope Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, private dog rescue in Northeastern Pennsylvania run entirely by volunteers.

They provide unwanted dogs from all around the country a second opportunity after being abandoned at death shelters or surrendered by their owners.

These boys and girls learn what it is to be safe and loved, and then they show that love to their new family.

Laura’s Hope has rescued almost 1,300 dogs since its inception in 2009, a small rescue that has accomplished a lot.

The organization has a large number of puppies and dogs from the South who are available for adoption.

They collaborate with a number of Southern rescues and shelters to securely transport pets from overcrowded areas where placement is difficult.

One paw at a time, they work together as one giant rescue community to save lives.

5. Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue

Location: Pennridge Animal Hospital, 1419 Ridge Road, Perkasie, PA 18944 (Admin office only)

In 2003, a puppy named Harley entered Beth’s life and changed it forever.

This dog confirmed for her the career choice of veterinary medicine, and the value of animal rescue.

She was in college then and living on campus, but she decided to take care of him.

The rest is a real feel-good story: she moved into her own apartment to keep him, got rid of some other dreams, and pursued her passion for veterinary medicine.

In 2011, Harley’s Haven began with her and a small group of friends rescuing one dog in need – and that one puppy led to the development of this rescue, as well as the numerous other dogs and puppies they have rescued since then.

The team has gone from strength to strength, growing to over 50 volunteers and a full-fledge rescue outfit!

6. Home At Last Dog Rescue

Location: P.O. Box 1341, North Wales, PA 19454

Home At Last is made up of a group of volunteers whose mission is to preserve the lives of homeless dogs in high-kill shelters, as well as owner-surrendered pets in need of rehoming due to unforeseen circumstances.

They are not a shelter, and the dogs they rescue do not have a central location.

Dogs are rescued from shelters and then placed in foster homes until they are adopted.

By doing so, the team hopes to be able to provide an alternative to purchasing puppies from puppy mills and pet stores, thereby reducing demand for, and ultimately supply of, such dogs.

After the dog has been observed in a foster home, they make every effort to connect the dog with a suitable family.

7. Perry County Animal Inc (PCoAR)

Location: 379 Sugar Run Road, Millerstown, PA 17062

Perry County Animal Rescue (PCoAR) was started in 2009 because of the love for animals.

The core mission of PCoAR is to shelter lost and unwanted animals from Juniata and Perry Counties until a new home is found.

PCoAR promotes responsible pet ownership through spay/neuter education, vaccinations, and general pet care.

With the help of volunteers, PCoAR has successfully found homes for many animals as well as reuniting lost pets with their families.

There are many ways to contribute to their cause, including adopting a dog, donating, or becoming a volunteer.

8. Main Line Animal Rescue

Location: 1149 Pike Springs Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460

Main Line Animal Rescue receives no assistance from the federal, state, or local governments and is entirely reliant on the generosity of individuals like you.

You may help turn an animal in need into a loving family member by contributing, volunteering, or adopting.

Please consider the numerous ways you may open your heart to the pets they rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome while you check out what they do on their site.

Main Line Animal Rescue is one of the country’s largest no-kill shelters.

Thousands of animals in desperate need of veterinary treatment have been transported to MLAR from overcrowded city shelters and rural animal control facilities.

MLAR has raised and spent $6,242,410.44 at emergency vet hospitals and experts in the last ten years, treating thousands of animals with serious injuries and illnesses that other shelters couldn’t help.

Not only that, every three weeks, MLAR’s Wash ‘n Wag volunteers bathe about 160 dogs!

9. Animal Rescue League of Berks County

Location: 58 Kennel Road, Birdsboro, PA 19508

The Animal Rescue League of Berks County is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that cares for almost 4,500 animals each year, helping them find new homes or reuniting them with their appreciative owners.

They have worked relentlessly for more than 65 years to care for the ill, treat the injured, comfort the lonely, and protect the abused.

Their mission extends far beyond the shelter’s walls, whether it’s assisting families in need to keep their pets through surrender prevention programs, providing low-cost veterinarian services and clinics, or hosting outreach and education events throughout the county.

10. PawZabilities PA

Location: P.O. Box 254, Yardley, PA 19067

PawZabilities PA is a no-kill non-profit dog rescue organization based in Pennsylvania.

They are committed to rescuing dogs who have been abandoned for any reason, including dogs in public shelters who are at high risk of euthanasia owing to pet overpopulation, dogs surrendered by their owners due to tough circumstances, and dogs in danger of abuse or neglect.

They put dogs into loving, responsible, and devoted permanent homes after a thorough adoption process that involves vetting potential adopters and teaching them about the duties and costs of adopting a dog into their homes and lives.

Before you adopt, please make sure you are entirely prepared to open your heart and home.

Consider your way of life, as your new pet should fit in with your daily routine and your willingness to adapt.

Do some preliminary research online to familiarize yourself with the responsibilities of pet ownership.

11. Cross Your Paws Rescue

At Cross Your Paws Rescue, they have one aim in mind: to save lives.

They are helping to make the world a better place for all animals.

Their decision to start a rescue was not made lightly, and it came after years of voluntary work with other organizations.

Its mission is to make the world a place where malnourished and abused animals are no longer a reality.

It’s unheard of to find shelters full of dogs and cats awaiting euthanasia. They want euthanasia to be used to assist pets on their path to the Rainbow Bridge rather than to put an end to lives due to overpopulation.

As such, they have vowed to save as many lives as possible.

On top of adopting a dog, you can also donate dog and cat food, puppy pads, toys, leashes, collars, kitty litter, and cleaning materials.

Other Dog Rescues in Pennsylvania Worth Mentioning

There are several other dog rescues in Pennsylvania that are in need of your help, but unfortunately, we are unable to cover every single one of them.

Through online reviews and friends’ recommendations, here are more you can visit and support:

• PA Dog Rescue (Chester County)
• Bridge to Home Animal Rescue (Washington)
• Logan’s Heroes Animal Rescues (East Greenville)
• Pennsylvania Great Dane Rescue and Rehab (New Castle)
• Good Old Tails Senior Animal Rescue (Southern Pennsylvania)
• Wet Nose Rescue (Philadelphia)
• Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh)
• Because You Care (McKean)