New home for Family Dog Rescue

Photo by Family Dog Rescue

Family Dog Rescue, a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving homeless dogs a second chance, has just announced its relocation from San Francisco to Sonoma, California.  Read more.

Celebrate National Puppy Day: Your guide to puppy adoption

Happy National Puppy Day! Today is the perfect day to celebrate the love and joy that puppies bring to our lives. With so many homeless pups waiting for their forever … Continued  Read more.

Special events for you and your dog

Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash. Photo by Dave Kendrick.

DogTrekkers are a giving bunch as witnessed by their support for the adoption/rescue community through donations, volunteering, and attendance at  Read more.

Borrow a buddy at the Beachcomber Properties, Fort Bragg

Photo by Kamil Klyta.

The “Borrow a Buddy” program is a great partnership between the Beachcomber Motel, Surf & Sand Lodge and the Beach House Inn, all in Fort Bragg, and the Mendocino Coast Humane Society.   Read more.

Family Dog Rescue: A Sonoma haven for special dogs

Sonoma's Family Dog Rescue is no ordinary animal shelter. Nestled in the property that was once once the Aberglen Pet Resort, this establishment stands as a sanctuary specifically for dogs with special needs.  Read more.

Pawsport Yountville

Napa Humane Pawsport, Photo by Napa Humane.

Join Napa Humane for a dog-friendly wine tasting weekend benefitting its life-saving programs and services for Napa Valley companion animals. Pawsport Yountville perks are valid for the duration of the Pawsport event June 23-25, 2023.    Read more.

Napa Humane Walk for Animals 2023

Maya at Pawsport 2018, Hall Wines. Photo by Dave Kendrick.

Come support Napa Humane at the 12th annual Walk for Animals fundraising event at Yountville Community Park! This short stroll through town goes miles and miles for Napa Valley’s companion animals. Register, fundraise, walk, then participate in the day’s festivities, including raffles, contests, photo ops, and more.   Read more.

Welcome to summer events!

DogTrekker at Bark in the Park, San Jose.

Check out these events for a cause! If you missed California rescue/adoption events this spring, no worries, the summer season is just beginning. DogTrekker.com's event section is filled with adoptathons, fundraisers, walks, costume contests, and more. From Bark in the Park in San Francisco, to the Dog Surf-A-Thon in San Diego, to all in for the Wild Blue Dog Fall Camp in Lake Tahoe.  Read more.

Fireworks and Fido: the 4th of July’s impact on dogs

Despite the distress fireworks can cause, there are several strategies that can help keep dogs calm.  Read more.

The essential guide to adopting a rescue dog in California

Rescuing a dog is a rewarding experience but also a significant commitment. Here’s what you should do first and the questions you should ask to ensure you’re ready to provide … Continued  Read more.

Napa Humane Walk for Animals 2023

Come support Napa Humane at the 12th Annual Walk for Animals fundraising event at Yountville Community Park. This short stroll through town goes miles and miles for Napa Valley’s companion animals. Register, fundraise, walk, then participate in the day’s festivities, including raffles, contests, photo ops, and more. And when you register, use code DOGTREKKER for $5 off!   Read more.

Bark and Meow Around the Block

Poster by Berkeley Humane.

Berkeley Humane’s biggest annual adopt-a-thon and family-friendly event, Bark & Meow Around the Block, will return on Saturday, August 26, 2023!   Read more.

November: Adopt a senior dog

Senior “Bear” joins Rebecca and Elizabeth’s young family.

November is National Adopt a Senior Pet Month, a month dedicated to helping older pets find loving homes. Senior pets are the last to be adopted from shelters, leaving them with an increased risk of euthanasia. We thank all of the DogTrekkers who took our challenge to raise funds during the fifth annual Saving Senior Dogs week and encourage those who haven’t yet to give this month.   Read more.

Top therapy dog breeds: Discover the best canine companions for emotional support

Therapy dogs are more than just pets; they are trained companions that offer invaluable support to individuals dealing with various challenges. Whether it’s providing comfort in hospitals, schools, or private … Continued  Read more.

The East Bay SPCA now celebrating its 150th anniversary

Proud of its legacy of innovation and leadership since its founding in 1874, the East Bay SPCA has continuously evolved to address community needs and animal welfare challenges. Key milestones include establishing its first shelter in downtown Oakland in 1922, implementing spaying and neutering initiatives in 1962 and 1988, and opening the Spay/Neuter Surgery Center, the largest of its kind in the  Read more.

Pleasant Hill recognizes two exciting anniversaries in 2024

The eastern side of the Bay is world-renowned for its dog-friendly outdoor recreation. It’s also home to amazing animal welfare organizations that have cared for furry friends for several generations. Two standout organizations are celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2024. The East Bay Regional Park District, the largest of its kind in the U.S., turns 90. A short distance away, the East Bay S  Read more.

Where to adopt a dog in Greater Palm Springs

Jax is a three-year-old mix. Photo by Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

If you’re hanging out in the desert, and you want to share your experience with a rescue dog, here are our suggestions. Greater Palm Springs offers prime spots for welcoming … Continued  Read more.

The East Bay SPCA Growl Meow & Wine silent auction is live

The East Bay SPCA Growl Meow & Wine silent auction is now open to the public! You can bid on hundreds of gifts and packages, ranging from a one-night stay at the Claremont Hotel and Spa to sustainable dog leashes from High Tail Hikes. 100% of the proceeds from this auction will support our mission of keeping pets and people together. Browse the great packages.  Read more.

How to pick the right rescue dog for your lifestyle

Skylar was rescued from a high-kill shelter in Turlock. Photo by Roger Coryell, Skylar’s person.

Walking into a shelter, the atmosphere is a mix of hopeful barks and the quiet shuffling of paws. You pass row after row of kennels, each occupied by a dog … Continued  Read more.

The joy of a ‘foster fail’ in dog rescue

The foster system: a lifeline for dogs In the world of dog rescue, the term “foster fail” is widely recognized and celebrated. Despite what the term might suggest, a foster … Continued  Read more.

Compassion Without Borders rescues 28 dogs in mission to Mexico

Meximutts arrive in Santa Rosa. Photo by Victoria Vonthal.

As the summer sun bakes California, the highways are dotted with camper vans bound for adventure. But for Moncho and Dr. Christi Camblor, founders of Compassion Without Borders, the call … Continued  Read more.

Bark & Meow Around the Block

Berkeley Humane’s biggest annual adopt-a-thon and family-friendly street fair, Bark & Meow Around the Block returns on Saturday, September 7, 2024! This outdoor, free-to-attend event at 2700 Ninth St. Berkeley features hundreds of adoptable animals from shelters and rescues throughout the Bay Area, along with live music, food and beer, pet and other vendors, and so much more.   Read more.

Help Napa Humane create a year of paw-sitive moments

Napa Humane is dedicated to promoting the welfare of companion animals through protection, advocacy, education, and by example. You can contribute to their mission and showcase your pet in their 2025 calendar by participating in their Pet Photo Contest. Hurry, the contest ends on September 30, 2024.   Read more.

Bark in the Park

Photo by Bark in the Park.

Grab your best friend and a leash and head to Bark in the Park Saturday, September 21 at William Street Park in downtown San Jose! Dogs and their people will have a great time at the largest dog festival in the United States with more than 15,000 dog lovers and 3,900 dogs. Money raised from Bark in the Park benefits local community and pet-focused organizations.  Read more.

Looking for a cute new pup?

Photo by Livermore Police Department.

In Northern California, more than four dozen abused Chihuahuas have been rescued from a hoarder’s home. 50 dogs were rescued from “dirty conditions” in December at a man’s home in … Continued  Read more.

Why adopt an older dog?

When most people think about adopting a dog, they automatically think of puppies. There’s good reason for that: puppies are adorable, and everyone loves them. But what if you don’t want to deal with the messes and chewing? What if you want a dog who is already house-trained and knows how to behave? That’s where older dogs come in.  Read more.

The story of Sid: A senior dog rescue (video)

Senior dog Sid was rescued from a shelter and lucky enough to go into the fospice program through Muttville Senior Dog Rescue.   Read more.

Join the DogTrekker challenge!

Sara woofs her appreciation. Photo by Lily’s Legacy.

At DogTrekker, we’re guided by one simple mission: Leave no dog behind. We support rescue and adoption animal welfare organizations – including Lily’s Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary in Petaluma, which finds homes for large-breed senior dogs, and San Francisco’s Muttville, serving senior and special needs dogs – to build a better world for all four-legged friends.  Read more.

Muttville, celebrating 15 years, 2007-2022!

Photo by Muttville.

Happy birthday, Muttville family! We’re commemorating our first 15 years with as many milestones, surpassing 10,000 dogs rescued!  Read more.

Napa Humane’s annual Walk for Animals is back, live!

Walk For Animals 2022

The 11th annual Walk for Animals event benefiting Napa Valley's companion animals is not only the community's largest pet-friendly event, it's also Napa Humane's biggest annual fundraiser.  Read more.

Monterey Bay Labrador Retriever Rescue vets save Cali

From: Judy Kreger, Founder & CEO, Donate Here!   Monterey Bay Lab Rescue is continuing to take in Labs and Lab mixes that need rescue, virus or no virus. Our great fosters are always ready and willing to open their homes and their hearts to welcome in any Lab in need. And our vet continues to provide full vet care for all of our rescues including any surgeries they might require.   &  Read more.

Marin Humane cancels Woofstock, needs support

From: Nancy McKenney, CEO/President, Donate Here!   Marin Humane has been hard at work for animals, and the people who love them, during this period. Our beloved foster families are taking good care of the shelter animals and adoptions are now resuming with modifications. We’ve moved many programs, like humane education and dog training classes, online where possible.   Marin Human  Read more.

Muttville set to rescue their 8,000th dog!

“I had no idea how we were going to do this,” says Sherri Franklin, founder and CEO of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. “I just knew that we had to.”   Muttville finds homes for over 1,000 senior dogs a year, many in shelters across California slated for euthanasia. They have over 80 seniors available for adoption at any one time, many in foster homes. But there are always  Read more.

Meet Faraday, a hospice story from Lily’s Legacy

Meet Faraday. Rescued by two good samaritans from years wandering alone in the vineyards of central California, this lost soul with the gentle heart was taken to a local vet for treatment. The news was very sad. Faraday suffered from Dilated Cardio Myopathy and A-Fib. He was given six months to live. Knowing they couldn't support Faradays needs, his saviors reached out to Lily's Legacy Se  Read more.

Norsled

These days, a lot of huskies, malamutes and other big furry snow-loving dogs find themselves in shelters, often after finding new and imaginative ways to get in trouble. People fall hard for those cute fuzzy puppies--and are often unprepared for big, high-energy, playful, demanding escape artists. As the Bay Area's go-to rescue for Nordic breeds, NorSled (Northern California Sled Dog Rescue) o  Read more.

Peace of Mind dog rescue

Finding homes for senior dogs and advocating for senior dogs and senior people on the Central Coast is the mission of this rescue that holds an annual “Oldies But Goodies” fundraising event each year.    Read more.

Lionel’s Legacy senior dog rescue

This San Diego-based senior dog rescue is dedicated to saving one senior dog at a time and educating young minds to create a legacy of compassion and advocacy.   Read more.

Grand-paws senior sanctuary

Photo by Grand-Paws Senior Sanctuary.

Grand-Paws mission is to rescue primarily large-breed, senior dogs who’ve been abandoned and let them live out their lives in the Acton sanctuary or in a permanent foster home.  Read more.

Muttville senior dog rescue

Muttville founder Sheri Franklin was named a Top 10 CNN hero in 2016 for her efforts in changing the way people think about and treat older dogs. Her organization’s goal is to create better lives for aging canines through rescue, foster, adoption and hospice.  Read more.

Macy’s holiday windows

If you're going to San Francisco this holiday season, don't miss the chance to check out Holiday Windows. It's a SF collaboration between the San Francisco SPCA, San Francisco Animal Care and Control, and Macy's Union Square to bring a bit of joy and cuteness to the often stressful shopping experience--and over 10,000 pets over the years have found new homes thanks to this beloved   Read more.

North Valley Animal Disaster Group 2019

In the last few weeks, as fires have raged across California, and all too many of us have had to leave our homes on short notice -- or been unable to get home following an evacuation order that left our critters stranded and in harm's way -- we're very grateful to all the first responders and the many volunteers who went to heroic lengths to keep everyone safe. In particular, we appreciate  Read more.

Dog Samaritans at Westin Mission Hills

Since 1978, Animal Samaritans has been nurturing the human-animal connection in the Coachella Valley. Their network of community support has allowed the Samaritans to provide a no-kill shelter in Thousand Palms, as well as a veterinary clinic, humane education, and more. So far their Animal Adoption Rescue Program has saved over 15,000 pets, and that's just the start.  Read more.

New training classes at the East Bay SPCA

The East Bay SPCA has completely revamped their training classes to accommodate the modern needs of the urban or suburban dog while using the most effective, cutting-edge, scientifically supported learning theory and teaching methods. "Skill Builders" is the entry level class designed to teach general good manners in the home and the foundation necessary for more advanced training.  Read more.

Norcal Poodle Rescue

Were you and yours part of the epic Poodle Day festivities in Carmel last week? People and poodles gathered from all over,and it was great fun fora great cause: NorCal Poodle Rescue. More...  Read more.

Helen Woodward Animal Center 2019

Meet Goose, a pretty 2-year-old Siberian husky mix who's currently residing with Helen Woodward Animal Center. A nice medium size at 42 pounds, she's a smart, high-energy young girl. She'll do best with a husky-savvy person who can give her the exercise and guidance she needs. She'll be happy to accompany you on long walks, scenic hikes, morning jogs… you get the idea. If Go  Read more.

Humane Society for inland Mendocino County

For almost 30 years now, the Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County has been providing a safe haven for the county's critters in distress, finding them new loving homes, and helping the surrounding community with spay/neuter and other support services.  Currently hoping for a home of her own, with their assistance, is Ruby here, an 8-year-old yellow Lab who recently lost her owner   Read more.

Tri-Valley Animal Rescue 2019

Little Poco has had quite a lot to deal with lately. When this scruffy, sweet terrier mix was 6, his elderly owners surrendered him to the East County Animal Shelter in Dublin because they could no longer care for him. The poor guy was emaciated and had quite a few deferred medical issues, including seriously dire teeth. Sad as all this was, though, Poco's luck was about to change, thanks to s  Read more.

Butte Humane Society 2019

Here's Cruiser, a happy, playful Lab/pit mix guy who, like lots of other dogs, lost his home due to the Camp Fire. Luckily for him he landed with the good folks at Butte Humane Society in Chico, where he's waiting for his new folks to come find him.  Read more.

Santa cruz spca 2019

This just in from our friends at Santa Cruz SPCA -- they're building a new state-of-the-art facility, and construction's already under way. Meanwhile, Charlie Chaplin here is looking for HIS forever home. A 6-year-old mini-dachshund boy, he's especially interested in a career as a lap dog where he can show off his talents for snuggling.  Read more.

Friends of the Animal Community 2019

Now 7 months old, Chester was pretty much still a puppy when his wild ways landed him in the shelter. Luckily for him, Friends of the Animal Community, an all-volunteer rescue group dedicated to helping Tuolumne County shelter animals, took him in.  Read more.

Peace of Mind dog rescue

Cinnamon here is the poster girl for graceful aging. At 14, she's not only kept her looks and sweet disposition, her joie de vivre is also just fine. She loves to explore, hang out with other dogs, hang out with people, and snuggle with them whenever possible. Technically, Treeing Walker Coonhounds are not lap dogs, but Cinnamon probably wouldn't mind your making an exception for her. She&  Read more.

Mutual Rescue book & film

A young competitive athlete suffers a debilitating and unexpected stroke that leaves him helpless and facing a long road to recovery. A young dog, abandoned and abused, is navigating an uncertain future. Two individuals, both dealing with obstacles they never anticipated.  Read more.

Contra Costa Humane Society

Piper photo by Contra Costa Humane Society.

Contra Costa Humane Society is a small independent humane society formed in 1991 by the merger of two local animal welfare  Read more.

Pets Without Partners 2019

Alvin, it appears, is a family dog. He loves people, adult and kid. He gets along with other dogs. He gets along with cats. But country life has been a problem for this little 15-pound terrier mix, because he chases the chickens, chases the ducks, and would probably chase bunnies and rodents if there were any.  So he's now looking for a home where he can share his winning personality with  Read more.

How to choose your next rescue dog

By Jeannine Berger DVM, DACVB, DACAW, CAWA, Vice President of Rescue and Welfare, San Francisco SPCA When rescuing a dog, you can take two different paths. The big question to ask yourself is whether you want “that” dog or “a” dog. Have you already fallen in love with a specific dog, or are you open to possibilities? Depending on your answer, there are different ways to   Read more.

Mutual rescue

If you’re looking for a great read, order Mutual Rescue: How Adopting A Homeless Animal Can Save You, Too by Carol Novello. The first book about the transformational impact that adopting homeless animals has on us, it’s packed with stories about pets and people healing each other and the science behind the bond. It will touch you, inform you and confirm what every pet owner knows: the  Read more.

Family Dog Rescue 2019

"A dog can make a house a home," says SF's Family Dog Rescue, which has been helping families of all sorts and dogs of all sorts, regardless of barriers, find each other since 2010. Thousands of dogs, some strays from SF and around the Bay, and more recently, dogs rescued from the streets of Mexico, birthplace of Family Dog founder Angela Padilla.  Read more.

North Valley Animal Disaster Group

If you're feeling both helpless and grateful as rains finally douse the catastrophic Camp Fire, you're not alone. But there are a lot of heroes stepping up to render aid who could use your support to make a big difference.  Read more.

Waggin’ trails Rescue Foundation 2018

Not long ago Phoebe (black) and Henry (blond) were tiny puppies, facing a bleak future in a rural California shelter with few resources and little foot traffic. Luckily for them, the shelter called on Waggin' Trails Rescue Foundation in Huntington Beach, and things were quickly looking up. With volunteers around the state, Waggin' Trails came to the rescue fast.  Read more.

German shepherd rescue of Orange county

It's hard to believe now that Gia was once in mortal danger, but there she was, stuck in a high-kill shelter with no prospects. Luckily for her, the good folks at German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County swooped her to safety.  Read more.

Pets lifeline 2018

Wherever Chavo came from, he was much loved and knows how to be a good dog. That's the report from his foster parents at Pets Lifeline in Sonoma, who took in this little 3-year-old Chi guy from the Sacramento area in his hour of need.  Read more.

Jessica’s haven

Back in 2008, serendipity struck when Laura Cottingham and Laura Hislop took over a dog kennel in San Rafael—and Hislop's daughter Jessica, who had some disabilities, didn't care that much for people, but loved animals, was in heaven. The dogs loved her right back, and Jessica's Haven & Rescue was born as a place for kids and adults with disabilities to spend quality time wit  Read more.

Haven humane society saving lives in carr fire

As fires rage through Northern California, Haven Humane Society is on the front lines, providing refuge to the animals of families fleeing the region as well as those picked up by good Samaritans and first responders in the field since the disaster began. Currently, with evacuations ongoing, they're sheltering over 700 animals whose people have been forced to leave their homes, as well as stra  Read more.

Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch 2018

Meet Bart, a large, easygoing senior guy who may be a bit past his crazy running-around stage but is enjoying excellent health in his golden years. He's looking for people who share his taste for the more relaxed sort of leisure activities: lounging in the sun, watching TV, and going for the occasional quiet stroll. Other dogs? He likes 'em. If Bart sounds like the guy for you, get in touc  Read more.

Rocket Dog rescue 2018

San Francisco's Rocket Dog Rescue is celebrating its 17th birthday, mostly doing what it does best—saving dogs who really, really need it. Since they opened their Urban Sanctuary and Adoption Center in East Oakland, they've become a trusted resource in the surrounding community. Which is why, in the wee hours of the morning a few weeks ago, a homeless person in the neighborhood call  Read more.

Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue 2018

If you're seeking a calm, easygoing companion for your road trips who's also happy to just hang out with you around the house, look no further than 6-year-old Charlie, who's seeking a new home through the adoption program at Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue.  This guy has a mild demeanor, pays attention, and likes to please. When out and about, he just wants to get along with ever  Read more.

California labradors, retrievers and more rescue

Strolling on the beach. Chilling on the couch. Mai Tai is definitely up for both those things and can't wait to meet you to discuss it all. This 2-year-old boxer girl doesn't let her tripod status slow her down a bit, and her zest for life is matched by her good manners. Adults, kids, dogs, puppies, she loves them all. Restaurants? Coffee shops? Car rides? She's your perfect companion. Mai Tai   Read more.

Helen Woodward Animal Center 2018

Looking for the perfect companion for your outdoor fun? Look no further than this smiley guy. At 5 years old and 60-ish pounds, Wilson here is just the right size for long walks in the country or long snuggles on the couch, both of which he likes. He's a mix of Australian shepherd and Newfoundland, so he's got a big brain, a good work ethic, and just wants to learn the right thing to do so  Read more.

Animal Rescue Foundation 2018

Meet Lisbeth Salander, Nordic heroine, who's just emerging from puppyhood and anxious to find her lifelong family. Preferably one who's interested in getting out and exploring — this girl comes from huskies and border collies, and needs something to do. She loves exploring outdoors, and also playing with her human and canine friends. At 58 pounds, she's just about the perfect siz  Read more.

Family Dog Rescue 2018

San Francisco's Family Dog Rescue's guiding philosophy is "We believe that when you adopt a dog, a family is created" — and they exist to help create and sustain those families. From their new headquarters in the Bayview, Family Dog offers a safe haven to dogs in need — puppies, adults, mixed breeds, purebreds, and dogs with disabilities — whether they're st  Read more.

Monterey Bay Labrador Retriever Rescue 2018

Maya, DogTrekker's Director of Barketing™, says: "It's been a busy year for me since last spring, what with all the new responsibilities I've taken on here at the office and settling in with Rox and Dave. Things are pretty sweet for me now—which is a big relief. Like many dogs of Carmel, I had a pretty great life back in the day. Then my owner died, and it all fell a  Read more.

Dogwood Animal Rescue

In 2015, some dedicated animal lovers and veteran rescuers looked around at the state of things in Sonoma County and thought, what can we do to help? Dogwood Animal Rescue was born, with the mission to provide support to animals by rescuing, rehoming and helping animals in need of spay and neuter, and providing education about animal welfare to the community.  Read more.

Napa Humane 2018

Our friends at Napa Humane have found themselves extra busy in recent months, as the fires of fall swept across the region last October, causing many critters to go astray in dangerous conditions or lose their homes, temporarily or permanently, as their humans fled the flames and gathered in evacuation centers. Working with other local animal welfare groups, Napa Humane stepped up during and after  Read more.

Deaf dogs rock

It all started with Nitro, a little white boxer pup with one blue eye. Extremely cute, the skinny little stray was a great favorite with the staff at the shelter in Salem, VA, who were pretty worried about his future, because Nitro was deaf. They were especially worried he'd get adopted by someone smitten by his looks and personality, and completely clueless about the keeping the dog safe and   Read more.

Lily’s Legacy 2017

Lily’s Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary reports that, thanks to the kind generosity of lots of volunteers and supporters, 2017 has been a great year for the dogs in their care. At Lily’s, large-breed senior dogs who find themselves homeless have a safe haven for their golden years, whether they live out their days at the sanctuary or find new forever families.  Read more.

Humane Society Silicon Valley 2017

It's official: Humane Society Silicon Valley is a model shelter. So says the Koret Shelter Medicine Program of the University of California at Davis, which announced in October that HSSV achieved model shelter status by demonstrating and documenting that it meets all 543 “must, should and ideal” standards set forth by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV). In fact, HSSV is  Read more.

Leave no paws behind 2017

The call came in to Leave No Paws Behind — a young husky, barely a year old, had landed in a high-kill Southern California shelter in such rough shape that they were going to euthanize her immediately if rescue didn't turn up. No way, said LNPB founder Toby Wisneski, AKA Ms. Toby, and Miracle was soon safe and getting vet care. Now, much revived from her sad state, Miracle is headed for   Read more.

San francisco SPCA 2017

Looking for a sweet, loving young dog? Meet Matt Cain. This one-year-old German shepherd mix boy loves to meet new people, eat delicious treats and get tons of affection. He is blind, but that doesn't stop him from enjoying everything life has to offer. He will need daily mental and physical exercise to keep his mind and body in tip-top shape so if you think Matt's the   Read more.

Pets Lifeline 2017

Photo: Arabella - Pets Lifeline Puppy Arabella can't hear a word you're saying (despite her incredibly cute ears), but it's never occurred to her that she's missing anything. Currently a guest of Pets Lifeline in Sonoma, she's having a fine time in her foster home, where she's learning hand signs for basic commands and doing very nicely. Her three canine foster sisters are  Read more.

Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch 2017

When Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch says it doesn't give up on the dogs it takes in, the commitment is real. Take the story of Annie, who landed there after an unsuccessful shelter adoption. The pretty white pit-mix girl's separation anxiety and fear of confinement were so severe she'd break out of crates and scale fences with ease. Her deafness made it harder to communicate and reassure   Read more.

High Sierra Animal Rescue

If you seek a companion for your High Sierra adventures, look no further than Jack, seen here enjoying an outing to the Feather River with his friends at High Sierra Animal Rescue. This guy, believed to be a Lab/pug mix, may be small, but he's got a bigger dog's adventurous spirit. At 6, he's ready to join you on the trail, at the shore, and also in some cozy relaxing when day is done.  Read more.

Orphan dog rescue

Mike and Karen Schaver had long dreamed of buying a big ranch to provide a safe haven and lots of TLC for homeless dogs (and other critters), and get them ready for new families. Finally, in 2004, they found an 80-acre property in Clearlake, each of them working several jobs to build a house and hospital facility as they welcomed their first foundlings. Orphan Dog Rescue was born.  Read more.

Helen Woodward Animal Center 2017

Meet Jacket! This big, happy-go-lucky Lab-shepherd mix is still a puppy at heart—he's not quite 2. The world is pretty new and exciting for him, and he's still working on adult social graces, but he's a smart boy and loves to learn. If there's play involved, so much the better (check out his video). He'd be a lap dog if he could—he loves to snuggle with people and r  Read more.

Humane society of Tuolumne County 2017

Peter and Mary here got a bad start in life. Luckily for them, they landed at the Humane Society of Tuolumne County when they were 12 weeks old. "It was apparent right from the first meeting they had not been socialized with people," says shelter operations manager Doryene Rapini, "They seemed almost feral—but once we said we would take them, we kept our word."  Read more.

Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Rescue 2017

Meet Bandit. He's 12. Or maybe 13. But you'd never know it. He's remarkably healthy, happy, playful, and good-natured, with no health issues other than slightly creaky hips. He loves car rides. He loves fetch. He loves walks. His manners are excellent. Other dogs fine. He is, in short, a real gem and the perfect companion for your DogTreks. (Read all about him on Golden Gate Labrador R  Read more.

Santa Cruz SPCA 2017

At Santa Cruz SPCA, it's all about creative community partnerships. Like when the local Anthropologie hosted adoptable dogs in a fashionable setting. Or the dog-friendly Jerk House offering a day of Jamaican cuisine and fun activities for people and dogs at the restaurant, then donating 10 percent of the proceeds to SCSPCA.  Read more.

SPCA for Monterey County 2017

The SPCA for Monterey County got the call: Three tiny puppies, about two weeks old, trapped under a classroom in Salinas. No mom in sight.  Swooped to safety, the little ones quickly got the medical attention they needed and then went to a nurturing foster home.  Read more.

Arf 2017

Meet Brad Pitt. Like his namesake, this 2-year-old pit bull mix is strong, handsome, and fond of outdoor adventures. He's also very happy to sit there soaking up the TLC from his people when it's time to relax. Brad had a run of bad luck before landing at Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation in Walnut Creek. After landing in a city shelter, he was receiving heartworm treatment whe  Read more.

Bay area german shepherd rescue 2017

Meet the lovely Rex, the perfect companion for your DogTreks and family outings. He's a big, happy guy, who gets along great with people, dogs…and cats too! He's your guy for fetch, hikes, beach trips, and beyond. When it's time to chill at home, his house manners are excellent, and he sleeps all night in his crate. This three-year-old German shepherd dog is currently enjoying   Read more.

Waggin’ trails 2017

Landing in a shelter is rarely a good thing if you're a dog. If you're in an overcrowded California rural shelter with no resources and less foot traffic, your prospects are pretty bleak. Luckily, though, there's help on the way from Waggin' Trails Rescue, which works with many partner rescues to get these overlooked dogs safely into foster care and address any medical issues that  Read more.

Muttville senior dog rescue 2017

Last year marked some milestones (like 912 senior dogs saved in 2016!) and accolades for Muttville, as founder Sherri Franklin was named a Top 10 CNN Hero in the CNN Heroes program. Since its founding, Muttville has drastically changed the way senior dogs are treated in the shelter system—once seen as "unadoptable," they're now valued, and the ripple effects extend out into the  Read more.

Napa Humane 2017

Since we last checked in with Napa Humane, they've been working hard for the critters of Napa Valley. Besides working with local shelters and rescues to get dogs (and other species) into loving forever homes, Napa Humane offers community support resources to keep pets well and happy with the families they've already got—and prevent them from landing in the shelter system in the first  Read more.

Pyrpaw Rescue

Photo by Tychon Krug.

Some months ago, Bear was facing death before his life had really started, through no fault of his own. At 2 1/2, the happy, healthy Great Pyrenees dog became a pawn in a domestic dispute, and one of the family members brought him to be "euthanized" to spite another.  Read more.

Rocket Dog Rescue 2016

Things looked grim for young Chance. An energetic young German shepherd, he'd managed to get hit by a car, shattering his left front leg in the process. Fortunately for him, Rocket Dog Rescue swooped in and got him the medical attention he needed, and after months of recovery in his foster home, you'd never know he was ever in such dire straits.  Read more.

The tiny pitbull

A few years ago, in the wake of harrowing treatments for a life-threatening cancer, North Bay resident Christine Del Ponte started volunteering with dogs in nearby shelters. "After all of my treatments, I was left feeling very depressed," she recalls. "I was looking for something to help me work my way out of that dark space, and I found dogs." She was soon drawn to those who   Read more.

Pets Lifeline 2016

Meet Sean and Connery. Wandering homeless through the streets of Sonoma County earlier this year, these two Chihuahua-mix BFFs were in rough shape. A skin condition had left them itchy and raw, and their feet were in such bad condition they could hardly walk. Luckily for them, though, they landed at Pets Lifeline, where much-needed medical attention and lots of love restored them to the happy,   Read more.

Muttville Senior Dog Rescue 2016

It's been an eventful year so far for the good folks at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. In July, Muttville founder and executive director Sherri Franklin was named a CNN Hero (one of 25) for her work as an example of "everyday people making a difference." In this case, to thousands of senior dogs who once faced a grim future, and to the people who've come to see them as the lov  Read more.

Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch

Once, handsome Gunner had his own happy home and loving family. Then came the Napa earthquake, and he lost both. In foster care, this happy pit mix, now 5, has shown himself to be a real people-loving sweetie, who loves to play and wants to be by your side. Snuggles? Belly rubs? Look no further.  Read more.

Lily’s Legacy

When her owners split up, Deli lost her home. Luckily, she landed at Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary in Petaluma, where her people-loving ways and playful nature have won her lots of friends. Don't be fooled by those white hairs—this 8-year-old Lab mix is healthy and happy, with plenty of energy for walks, runs, ball-chasing, and other fun.  Read more.

East Bay SPCA

Meet Robin Hood! This foxy little guy, currently enjoying the hospitality of the East Bay SPCA while he awaits his new home, got his name for his free spirit and his resemblance to the Disney cartoon character. Now he wants to join your merry band. He's a young Chihuahua mix, but a bit bigger; like a small terrier. At 2, he's old enough to know his own mind; he's smart and independent,  Read more.

Home Society Silicon Valley

Meet the lovely Cheechoo, as fine a canine companion as ever was. When he landed at Humane Society Silicon Valley a few months back, this 8-year-old pit bull mix was suffering from an epic flea allergy; his skin may have been in sad shape, but his sunny disposition and eternal optimism never wavered. As he healed up, he occupied his mighty brain by learning an impressive repertoire of skills in HS  Read more.

Peninsula Home Society and SPCA

Coco is a happy, healthy girl in search of her forever home. In January, when she first landed at Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA, it was another story entirely. She had a severe skin infection that had caused a lot of hair loss, and she was shut down and fearful. But the PHS veterinary staff started treating her skin miseries, while volunteers and training staff worked on her confidence. Soon  Read more.

Monterey bay labrador retriever rescue

Monterey Bay Labrador Retriever Rescue got its start four years ago when some longtime Lab rescue volunteers noticed that while a number of Lab groups served the greater Bay Area, there was something of a gap in Monterey and San Benito Counties. "It seemed like a good idea," recalls founder/CEO Judy Kreger. History's borne this out, as about 125 Labs a year have been finding loving f  Read more.

Waggin’ trails rescue foundation

Location, location, location. If you're a shelter dog, it can make the difference between life and death. Especially in overcrowded, underfunded shelters in remote areas, conditions are often poor (like no protection from the elements) and your prospects of getting out safely even worse, because would-be adopters never go there. Enter Waggin' Trails Rescue Foundation and its volunteers de  Read more.

Tails of gray

These days, senior dogs often end up homeless through no fault of their own and don't fare well when they land in overcrowded, stressful shelters very unlike the loving homes they once knew. Or worse, after who knows how many years of neglect. But things are looking up a bit for these elder dogs, as a growing number of rescue groups focus on getting them to safety and into loving homes fo  Read more.

Marley’s mutts

Back in 2008, Zach Skow was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease, the result of lifelong alcohol abuse. And it was the prospect of rescuing dogs—specifically, dogs who were as scorned, despised and rejected as he was in that state—that made him decide to get healthy and live. He soon launched Tehachapi-based Marley's Mutts, to rescue and heal the dogs who didn't fare so   Read more.

Animal samaritans

Meet Fritz. This 8-year-old schnauzer landed in animal control, and his people never came and got him. Luckily for Fritz, the good folks at Animal Samaritans took him in.  Read more.

Humane society of Tuolumne County

When Abbott here was 4 months old, he ingested a corncob, which quickly got stuck in his intestines. Despite his obvious distress, his human family refused to have him treated. Fortunately for this goofy young Dane mix, Humane Society of Tuolumne County took custody of him.  Read more.

Family dog rescue

Not so long ago, the soulful Felipe was trying to survive on the streets of Tijuana. His quick wits and friendly personality served him well, but by the time he crossed paths with Family Dog Rescue, he was starving and hairless. Shortly after arriving in San Francisco, Felipe's life took a big turn for the better when an FDR foster family took him in, nursed him back to health (and hair!), and  Read more.

Arf 2016

Meet Milky Way, prospective companion for your DogTreks to infinity and beyond. He's a young kelpie mix—which means he's got a lot of energy, and a mighty brain that needs to be occupied. He's also a little too interested in chasing cats and small critters, so he seeks a home without them. In return, he offers a lively curiosity, a goofy sense of fun, and loyal friendship for lif  Read more.

Bay area german shepherd rescue 2016

Every day a family in the Bay Area contacts Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue to get help rehoming their German Shepherd Dog. Perhaps surprisingly, BAGSR volunteer Rob Holloway says this is a good thing, because the dog will be safe and BAGSR can help.  Read more.

Helen woodward animal center

Piccolo The good folks at Helen Woodward Animal Center have seen quite a few surprising things in their decades of providing resources and support to the San Diego area's animals and their people.  Read more.

Leave no paws behind 2015

Franco and Billy. Photo courtesy of Leave No Paws Behind Without a doubt, it was a heartrending photo: a Southern California shelter volunteer, her arms wrapped protectively around Tony, a scared-looking, elderly Jack Russell terrier. Her Facebook post explained that she'd done everything in her power to find him a home, but he had mere hours left and she was begging for help.  Read more.

Butte humane society 2015

Meet Hooch, a happy young fellow who seeks a spot as the only dog in a loving home. A smart guy who loves practicing his obedience skills (especially if treats are involved), this handsome pit mix has lots of energy, so he prefers a home where he can get plenty of play time and exercise. Thanks to his energy levels, he's a bit overwhelming for small children, but gets along beautifully with   Read more.

Napa humane 2015

Napa Humane's mobile adoption van. Photo courtesy: Napa Humane Thanks to innovative thinking, creative collaborations and a whole lot of community support, Napa Humane is able to provide a wide range of services to the county's critters and their human families. Partnering with the Napa County Animal Shelter, these good folks bring dogs (as well as kitties and rabbits) from the shelt  Read more.

Second chance german shepherd rescue

Falco. Photo by Second Chance German Shepherd Rescue.

Falco. Photo Credit: Second Chance German Shepherd Rescue Pulled in the nick of time from a high-kill shelter in Fresno, young Falco had barely arrived in his foster home when his rescuers realized that something was seriously wrong. The young German shepherd was much too thin, but when he tried to eat he screamed in pain. Luckily for Falco, he'd been taken in by Second Chance German Shepherd  Read more.

Pets lifeline 2015

Troy. Photo courtesy: Pets Lifeline Not so long ago, little Troy here was on the streets. He was dirty. He was missing a lot of meals. He was also a really, really good escape artist, eluding his would-be rescuer, a kind policeman, for three weeks before he was captured and brought to safety. Since then, Troy's become quite the star at Pets Lifeline in Sonoma. Since he doesn't have to be  Read more.

Santa cruz county shelters and rescues

Willa and Thea. Photo courtesy Santa Cruz SPCA Thanks to a lot of community commitment, hard work, and creative connections, Santa Cruz County is a great place to be a dog—even if things aren't exactly going your way at the moment, your family needs a bit of help to stay together, or you find yourself homeless.  Read more.

Golden gate labrador retriever rescue

Recently, the good folks at Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Rescue noticed that a growing number of the dogs who needed them came with health issues that were treatable, but often pricey. They also were encountering many elderly Labs who suddenly found themselves homeless and facing a bleak future due to their people's life changes. GGLRR responded by launching a Special Needs/Senior Fund, dedi  Read more.

Helen woodward animal center

Cabo DogTrekkers in the know already have San Diego's famous Dog Beach on their destination list. Now, if you time it right, you can add a new dimension to your water adventures with your best friend, because the SoCal Surf Dog Club is offering surfing and paddleboarding classes for dogs for five weekend days this summer.   Read more.

Maddie’s pet adoption days 2015

Happy 2014 adopters. Photo: Maddie's Fund Good news for homeless pets around the Bay: It's the return of Maddie's Pet Adoption Days! Named in honor of the little miniature schnauzer who brought joy to the Duffield family in the days when Dave Duffield was first launching PeopleSoft, Maddie's Fund is the result of his promise to hel  Read more.

East bay spca 2015

  Things have been pretty lively over at the East Bay SPCA lately. Especially since the Oaktown Pup video, featuring EBSPCA dogs, people, and even Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf showing off their dance moves, went viral — it passed 1 million views some time ago.  Read more.

Paws rescue (paws are wonderful support)

Founded at the height of San Francisco's AIDS epidemic when food-bank volunteers banded together to provide support for their clients with pets, Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS)is still going strong — and keeping families together. Many dogs and cats end up in shelters because their people are going through health and/or financial problems, and it's a loss all around: The anima  Read more.

Senior dogs with a lot of living to do

They may be getting up in years, but senior dogs still want to have fun. Getting out and about with their beloved folks is a big part of keeping them happy and healthy. Just ask Shelley, who will celebrate her 16th birthday on May 1. She's one of the resident dogs at the Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary, and takes her responsibilities as office supervisor quite seriously. From the time   Read more.

San francisco spca 2015

Meet Marco. As part of its lifesaving work, the San Francisco SPCA provides a safe, caring haven for many dogs who'd otherwise fall through the cracks because of age, breed, medical condition, or sheer bad luck. Just like Marco here. Whether at one of the SFSPCA's facilities or in the care of one of its many foster homes, they soak up the TLC — and reveal their true selves &mda  Read more.

Martin resorts supports Woods Humane

Martin Resorts’ collection of premier hotels on the Central Coast includes four hotels that are dog-friendly: Pismo Lighthouse Suites, Best Western PLUS Shore Cliff Lodge and The Inn at the Cove in Pismo Beach; and the Paso Robles Inn in the heart of downtown Paso Robles.  Read more.

Woods humane society 2015

Holly is all smiles. We've talked before about SLO's own Woods Humane Society. Especially how their determination, creativity, and innovative community partnerships have made a life-saving difference to dogs, cats, and other creatures who find themselves needing homes and TLC.  Read more.

Rocket dog rescue 2015

Oliver Here's Oliver, who's just over three months old. He's currently having a fine old time in his foster home and playing with the resident dog while he waits for his forever person to come along. But it almost didn't turn out that way.  Read more.

City of Sacramento’s front street shelter

We've told you before about the dramatic turnaround of the City of Sacramento's Front Street shelter. Once a dark and deadly place for dogs, it's much safer and happier these days, thanks to an upbeat staff and an extended network of hundreds of volunteers, fosters, and local rescues. As well as generous supporters who make a life-saving difference to dogs like Poe here, who find them  Read more.

Marin humane society 2015

Brownie out and about with his halo. The good folks at Marin Humane Society have a long history of going the extra mile for the critters in their care — so it's a good thing that's where Brownie landed.  Read more.

Puppy rescue mission

Landfill is one lucky puppy. On Veterans Day, the call went out on Puppy Rescue Mission's Facebook page from a soldier in Afghanistan:  Read more.

Bay area german shepherd rescue 2014

Remember Travis, the German shepherd who found himself abandoned in a taxi, from our recent profile on Petaluma Animal Services? We're happy to report that after a relaxing, rustic stay in his foster home, which came about after PAS reached out to Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue, Travis is now in his forever home.  Read more.

Petaluma animal services

Last year we told you about the good folks at Petaluma Animal Services. Driven by the philosophy of "Save Them All? Yes!" and realizing the community would never get to that state if it had to rely on taxpayer funds, they took over the operation of the city's animal care and control services. "As an open admission shelter, we have to take any animal regardless of breed, age, or  Read more.

Spca for Monterey County

Daisy Since we last checked in with the good folks at SPCA for Monterey County, they've come to the rescue of a remarkable range of animals—you'd expect dogs and cats, but here you can also adopt Buddy, a very handsome rooster. Or Abel the horse, who came to the SPCA in bad shape as part of a cruelty investigation, but is now in much better health and spirits.  Read more.

Norcal aussie rescue 2014

Rhett was in dire straits when he landed at the Front Street city shelter in Sacramento as a stray: he had numerous bite wounds and was covered with foxtails. Recognizing that this emaciated young Aussie needed more than they could provide, Front Street put out a call to NorCal Aussie Rescue.  Read more.

Pets lifeline rescue

Cassie Back in 1982, when Sonoma County had no animal shelter or rescue organizations, a group of dedicated souls decided to do something about it, and Pets Lifeline was born. Now saving hundreds of dogs and cats each year, Pets Lifeline has grown into an indispensable resource for the county's animals and those who love them, offering a haven for stray and homeless pets, plus sp  Read more.

Jessica’s haven and rescue

It's a sweet thing when people with special needs and homeless dogs come together and help each other out. That's what happens at Marin-based Jessica's Haven and Rescue, whose philosophy for their helpers with autism and other disabilities is "to be responsible for yourself, to be responsible to others, and to be responsible for something else" — in this case, rescue  Read more.

Redefining animal rescue

Keeping the family together. (CC) somthing.from.nancy We wanted to share this story from Jessica Gary at BarkPost about a group of dedicated volunteers in Los Angeles revolutionizing the way shelters are handling pups, and their families in need, that may be the catalysis to keeping more dogs out of shelters and with the families who love them.  Read more.

Strut your mutt 2014

Fun for all at Strut Your Mutt. On August 23, head for Treasure Island in San Francisco. Once you get there, join the happy throngs converging on the Great Lawn for the second annual Strut Your Mutt festival, where you, Sadie, and your BFFs can take part in a walk or fun run and raise funds for animal rescue.  Read more.

Golden gate labrador retriever rescue 2014

Shiloh Some of the dogs who land at Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Rescue were found as strays or come from bad situations. Young Lab/border collie mix Titus wandered the streets of Madera before being rescued; Silicon Valley girl Bailey, a 1-year-old chocolate Lab, was in a stairwell at Intel, but nobody claimed her. Others, especially the seniors, have had long and happy lives with the sam  Read more.

Ruby and jack arrive from india

Intrepid DogTrekker Dave Bratton had some unexpected fun this morning hanging out with these cuties, two dogs that just arrived from India. Ruby and Jack are rescue puppies from Dharamsala, India, home of the Dalai Lama. The good people at Dharamsala Animal Rescue (pictured) are working hard to care for the many feral dogs that roam that city. Ruby was skin and bones and dying o  Read more.

Humane society of Tuolumne County

Jamie is looking for her forever family Since 1947, the Humane Society of Tuolumne County, located in Jamestown, has been dedicated to providing a safe haven for the area's animals who find themselves lost, homeless, or in need of a bit of help. Thanks to a dedicated small staff and a whole lot of committed volunteers, dogs and cats get plenty of TLC and training at the shelter and in foster   Read more.

Humane society silicon valley

Luna and Phoebe The good folks at Humane Society Silicon Valley are going all out for Maddie's Pet Adoption Days, with multiple adoption stations. Drop by their Animal Community Center in Milpitas, plus the PETCO Neighborhood Adoption Centers in San Jose and Sunnyvale. Things will be really festive at the Milpitas location, where friendly staff will be on hand   Read more.

Pets without partners

Woody. Photo: Pets Without Partners Every Saturday morning at PetSmart in Redding, a dedicated band of volunteers converge with a bevy of foster dogs in search of their forever families. Pets Without Partners doesn’t have a shelter, but thanks to hardworking, knowledgeable volunteers, trainers, and fosters, as well as enthusiastic community support; they save hundreds of dogs and cats ea  Read more.

Peninsula humane society and spca 2014

Our good friends at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA are always coming up with creative ways to help pets, wildlife, and the people who love them. One innovative program that's been quite successful is TAILS (Transitioning Animals Into Loving Situations), a partnership between Peninsula Humane and the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office that pairs minimum-security   Read more.

Lily’s legacy 2014

Big old dogs who find themselves homeless face an especially bleak future in most shelters just because they're seniors. For those lucky enough to be taken in by Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary, however, life takes a big turn for the better.  Read more.

Lily’s legacy senior dog sanctuary 1

Jame. Photo: Lily's Legacy Big old dogs who find themselves homeless face an especially bleak future in most shelters just because they're seniors. For those lucky enough to be taken in by Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary, however, life takes a big turn for the better.   Read more.

Rocket dog rescue

Duncan and Joey. Photo: Rocket Dog Rescue Meet Duncan (in beige) and Joey (in white), two young brothers in arms who stuck by each other through abusive experiences and have landed safely at Rocket Dog Rescue, where they're now looking for a forever home that keeps them together.  Read more.

Animal rescue recon

Abby. Photo- Animal Rescue Recon Meet Abby, an extremely cute little dachshund-terrier mix, who, true to her gene pool, is more explorer than couch potato — despite the fact that she's been blind and deaf since birth. As with many such dogs, it's never occurred to her that there's anything "wrong" with her; she gets along great with other dogs, loves the dog park, and   Read more.

Holiday cheer and dog rescue

Varsha With the holidays coming up, all of us at DogTrekker salute the life-saving work of dog rescues, and heartily recommend that you join us in adding your favorite rescue to your gift-giving list so they can do even more.    Read more.

Mendocino coast humane society 2013

Photo by Mendocino Coast Humane Society.

Since we last checked in with the good folks at Mendocino Coast Humane Society, who have been pitching in since 2001 to help the county's critters in need, they've continued to enlist community support to save lives and make things better.  Read more.

Great dane rescue of northern California

These can be scary times for Great Danes. Colleen Leahy, who co-founded Great Dane Rescue of Northern California in the Sacramento area back in 1987, says it's a rare day that she doesn't hear from someone looking to re-home a Dane. Sometimes it's just a mismatch, in which the humans are simply unprepared to deal with training and caring for a big dog. More often, people l  Read more.

Leave no paws behind

Later this year, we'll be expanding our DogTrekker coverage to include Southern California. In the course of getting ready for this exciting development, we came across a rescue whose work really impressed us, and we wanted to share them with you. Like our beloved friends Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco, Leave No Paws Behind rescues senior and special needs dogs in imminent dange  Read more.

Sammie’s friends

Things were bad at the Nevada County Animal Shelter in 2001, when Cheryl Wicks first arrived as a volunteer wanting to help out. The resource-strapped facility was swamped with homeless animals, and adopters were scarce. There was no money to treat sick or injured animals at the shelter. Staff was often uncaring, and there were no volunteers to walk the dogs, cuddle the cats, or make the animal  Read more.

Peninsula humane society and spca

"Our philosophy with older pets is like this," says Scott Delucchi of Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, "They give us so many good years. When they enter their twilight years, it's our turn to give back and be there for them until the very end when they need our love, patience and compassion most." Kensey here is a senior at 10 years old, but as you'll see from this v  Read more.

Maddie’s pet adoption days

Yolo It's that time of year again... Yes, coming up June 1-2 are Maddie's Pet Adoption Days, in which the foundation created in memory of the Duffields' beloved miniature schnauzer Maddie sets out to find homes for dogs and cats in local shelters and rescues by paying the adoption fees, allowing adopters to take home their new family members free of charge.  Read more.

East bay spca 2013

Meet cuddler extraordinaire Dilly at the East Bay SPCA's Dublin facility, where he's currently waiting for the people who will love him forever so he can love them back. This sweet little guy with the big, soulful brown eyes is a Chihuahua/Cairn terrier mix, about 1 1/2 years old, and has won many fans with his affectionate, low-maintenance disposition. He'd really like someone to s  Read more.

German shepherd rescue of northern California

Over the last 11 years, German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California has saved over 3000 dogs—301 last year alone, thanks to a dedicated network of volunteers, trainers, and sympathetic veterinarians. Unlike many groups who cherry-pick the cutest and most quickly "adoptable" dogs from shelters and leave the rest to their fate, GSRNC strives to save them all, from the very old   Read more.

Woods humane society

With nearly 55 years of animal rescue under its collar, Woods Humane Society is one of San Luis Obispo County’s favorite local nonprofits.  Here dogs and cats waiting for their forever families find respite under the loving care of dedicated staff and volunteers.  Read more.

San francisco aid for animals 2013

Since we last checked in with San Francisco Aid for Animals, the fledgling group has been building a strong foundation for its lifesaving work. As we reported then, hard economic times often put families in a terrible position when their pets need urgent, costly medical care.  Read more.

Humane society of Tuolumne County

Meet Legs, a sweet, active young thing who's looking for someone to share a fun life with. Descended from border collies and Ibizan hounds, she has beauty (those ears!), brains, and a strong work ethic, so she needs good outlets for all that energy—and a fenced yard. Besides a human BFF, the friendly and affectionate Legs would probably love a dog buddy to play and hang out with.  Read more.

City of Sacramento animal care services 2013

In the old days, the City of Sacramento's animal shelter was a notoriously dark, even abusive institution. When we checked in with them a couple of years ago, new management was arriving on the scene with a determination to do better. Now, says Animal Care Services Manager Gina Knepp, "We have been doing so much out-of-the-box, crazy, innovative stuff at City that I don't know where t  Read more.

Home at last

Those spotted ears! Meet cute, snuggly Celery, a silly young thing currently in search of her BFF at Home at Last Rescue. Her vet calls this young pit bull mix "a happy, healthy mutt," which she shows by her gentle, loyal demeanor. She enjoys moderate activity like daily walks, but also thrives on scritches, belly rubs, and the comforts of domestic life. She returns the favor by hav  Read more.

Rescue recap 2012

Our friends in the shelter and rescue community have been doing some great things over the last year, so we wanted to share a few highlights (and invite you to send us more!.  Read more.

Sequoia humane society

Photo by Sequoia Humane Society.

Tux is one of many cute dogs who have found a safe place to land at the Sequoia Humane Society in Eureka while waiting for their forever home. A privately funded organization, Sequoia Humane addresses multiple aspects of its no-kill philosophy in a holistic fashion—so not only are Tux and his pals safe and sound while they wait, they also get plenty of walks and TLC from dedicated volunteers  Read more.

Pets unlimited 2012

Meet little Rocky, 10 pounds of cuteness in search of a forever home. Found wandering the streets of Fremont, he was taken to safety by the good folks at Pets Unlimited in San Francisco. A dachshund-Chihuahua mix, Rocky is 12 years old, but you wouldn't know it from his playful nature and charming ways. Not only is he a favorite with the people he meets, he's great with cats and other dogs  Read more.

Doris day animal foundation turns 35

Actress and animal advocate Doris Day celebrated her 88th birthday this year, and it will come as no surprise that her love of animals and highly practical commitment to their welfare in the Doris Day Animal Foundation, which turns 35 this year, is as strong as ever. (Or that Carmel's Cypress Inn, which she's co-owned for over two decades, remains legendary for its pet-friendly   Read more.

Marin humane society adoptathon

Lacey Our friends at the Marin Humane Society are working extra hard to find new homes for the dogs, cats, and other critters who come their way, and reunite lost ones with their families. The special effort comes because Marin Humane's the only Bay Area finalist in the ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge, and hoping to score some grant money by successfully placing lots of pets—at least   Read more.

Animals rescued in oregon

Last month in Oregon a ranch was a raided and over 150 animals were rescued in varying stages of neglect. Now, we know that Oregon is out of DogTrekker’s usual roaming area but we felt we had to tell this story in hopes of preventing anything like it from happening here, or anywhere again.  Read more.

Marin humane society in the rachael ray 100k challenge

From now to the end of October, our friends at the Marin Humane Society are working extra hard to find new homes for the dogs, cats, and other critters who come their way, and reunite lost ones with their families. The special effort comes because Marin Humane's the only Bay Area finalist in the ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge, and hoping to score some grant money by successfully placing lo  Read more.

Nor cal aussie rescue 2012

"If they're adoptable, I don't care about the age," says Kim Kuenlen of Nor Cal Aussie Rescue, adding that having the sanctuary in Grass Valley allows her to keep each dog safely until exactly the right home comes along. Thus current residents range from lovable 5-month-old red merle puppies Apple and Flynn, whose respective owners couldn't deal with their Aussie energy, to   Read more.

Bluegrass and dog rescue

Back in the day, Emmylou Harris was rarely known to tour without her canine travel companion, the poodle mix Bonaparte. Then, when Bonaparte passed on, the singer decided to honor him by rescuing dogs who'd run out of time in Nashville, Tennessee shelters. For the last eight years, Bonaparte's Retreat fosters (including Harris herself, who's currently caring for seven adoptables) ha  Read more.

Eastern sierra animal rescue

Founded in 2008, Eastern Sierra Dog Rescue helps save dogs who land in the Inyo County Animal Shelter in Big Pine. Besides recruiting foster homes to get dogs out of the shelter, they hold regular adoption events where shelter dogs can meet and greet prospective adopters. In addition, they work to educate the community at large about dog welfare.  Read more.

Copper’s dream

As a teen growing up in Cupertino, Jennifer Wang volunteered at a local shelter, only to be horrified at the number of cute, healthy animals who never made it out alive. As a student at Stanford, she founded the Stanford Animal Action Group, which raised funds for no-kill shelters in the area. After graduating from Harvard Law School, she wanted to do more, so she joined forces with her younger si  Read more.

Haven humane society 2012

As its name suggests, Haven Humane Society has been providing a safe place to land for the Redding area's stray, abandoned, and otherwise homeless animals since 1952. Currently under construction, its new Anne Morgan Adoption Center, due to open this fall, will make things even better by doubling the shelter's capacity to house dogs and cats waiting for their new families.   One of th  Read more.

“voluntourism” opportunities at milo

The Milo Foundation's Sanctuary in Mendocino County—283 acres of woods, meadows, creeks and hills—is home at any moment to hundreds of critters, most of them in transit from shelters to their forever homes, but some of them permanent residents.  Read more.

Breeder, shelter, or rescue?

Whether you get your dog from a rescue, a shelter, or a breeder, you want that person's primary motivation to be the dog's well-being, not your cash. Trust your instincts. Take your time. Breeder, shelter, or rescue, if they're responsible, they'll ask you a lot of questions. (The San Francisco SPCA has some thoughts on what to expect from a responsible breeder.)   You'  Read more.

San francisco spca takes on puppy mills

Locally, the San Francisco SPCA started noticing that a high percentage of people who brought their dog to the SPCA's veterinary and spay/neuter clinics said they'd bought the dogs from online breeders. Conducting a survey, the SPCA found that about 30% of the local dogs in its sample appeared to be puppy mill alumni. And all too often, these dogs end up in the shelter system, with hea  Read more.

Border collie rescue of northern California

Border Collie Rescue of Northern California focuses on one of the more active, brainy, challenging—and, as their many fans will attest, rewarding—breeds around. And, like many rescues these days, they're seeing a lot of dogs whose owners fall on hard times and can't keep their completely lovely companions. The star of one such sad story is Ben here, who was actually adopted from the rescue as   Read more.

Contra costa humane society

Founded in 1991, Contra Costa Humane Society (CCHS) works to improve and save the lives of animals in the county through a variety of successful programs, from low-cost spay-neuter assistance (SNAP) to the AniMeals program (a partnership with local food banks and Pet Food Express) to help people having hard times keep their pets, instead of having to give them up, by providing pet food to 450 need  Read more.

Bones animal rescue

BONES (Better Options for NEglected Strays) in Covelo was started by a dedicated group of volunteers in rural Mendocino County who realized that between the area's economic issues and its isolation from animal services, critters in need were often in dire straits. They set about rescuing local pets and farm animals, and were soon so successful that they were able to start taking in some from other  Read more.

Butte humane society

Since 1911, Chico's Butte Humane Society, one of the county's oldest nonprofit agencies, has been coming to the aid of animals in need, helping the lost and abandoned find new homes, and also helping prevent future problems through public education and promotion of compassion and responsible stewardship. Recently BHS opened a low-cost spay and neuter clinic to help the local community comb  Read more.

Humane society for inland Mendocino county

At its shelter in Redwood Valley, the Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County offers a safe haven for dogs and cats who find themselves in trouble.  Read more.

Great dane rescue of northern California

Photo by Paparazzi Ratzfatzzi.

Great Dane Rescue of Northern California stands ready to act as a safety net for these lovable giants, whether it's a matter of landing in a shelter, developing medical issues because their people don't understand large-breed nutritional issues, or ending up in some other fix.  Read more.

Lily’s legacy

Photo by Lily’s Legacy.

When Alice Mayn, a longtime foster for NorCal Golden Retriever Rescue, got word that a 12-year-old golden in ill health had been picked up wandering the streets of Santa Rosa, she rushed   Read more.

Badrap

Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls (BADRAP) has been working for over a decade to help the bully breeds when they landed, as they all too often did, in shelters, but the rescue came to national prominence for its role in saving the canine victims of Michael Vick's horrific abuse, as documented in Jim Gorant's bestselling book The Lost Dogs. In addition to rescuing hundreds o  Read more.

Golden gate labrador retriever rescue

Photo by Anil Sharma.

There's a reason Labrador retrievers are the most popular dog breed in America. You probably have met many representatives of this gentle, intelligent, family-loving breed, or even or been loved by one.  Read more.

Golden state greyhound adoption

Photo by Tonia Kraakman.

Golden State Greyhound Adoption places retired racing greyhounds in adoptive homes in the San Francisco Bay Area, the greater Sacramento area and beyond.  Read more.