High Sierra Animal Rescue in Portola started because Plumas County was facing a crisis—up to 200 healthy animals were being euthanized every year simply due to lack of resources and facilities. When HSAR was founded in 1999, the organizers decided that situation needed to change. They built a sanctuary where adoptable dogs and other animals could stay safe until finding permanent homes instead of facing that grim alternative. It’s worked. Over the past two decades, they’ve rescued more than 5,000 animals of all sizes, ages, and conditions.
The facility itself includes a state-of-the-art boarding wing that serves the local community while generating income to fund their rescue operations. When you visit, you’ll meet experienced staff and trained volunteers who clearly care about what they do. The organization goes beyond just placing animals—they actively work on responsible pet ownership education and host events designed to help dogs and people interact and bond. The most recent example of their expertise showed when they successfully nursed four young puppies through Parvovirus infections, bringing all of them back to health.
If you’re in Portola thinking about adoption, the team there can walk you through their current animals and what fostering or adopting actually looks like. They’re also straightforward about their policies and what they need from adopters. Beyond adoption, HSAR welcomes volunteers and donors who want to support the work. The organization has built something real in Plumas County—not a temporary fix, but a sustained effort that’s been operating successfully for over two decades.
The rescue operates with genuine gratitude toward the community members who make their work possible, and that partnership mentality shows in how they interact with visitors. Whether you’re looking to adopt, want to foster a dog temporarily, or simply want to support animal welfare in the area, they’re set up to work with you. Call ahead to ask about dogs currently available or to discuss volunteering opportunities.
