Featured rescues/shelters
Dawg Squad
Los Angeles
The Dawg Squad is a renowned non-profit 501(c)3 corporation based in Los Angeles, dedicated to rescuing dogs from the streets, abusive situations, neglect, and high-kill animal shelters across Southern California.
Read more
Delaney’s Dog
Los Angeles
Delaney's Dog, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, is a volunteer-run, all-breed dog rescue dedicated to serving the Los Angeles and surrounding Southern California communities.
Read more
Doris Day Animal Foundation
Los Angeles
The Doris Day Animal Foundation (DDAF) in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Southern California, is a renowned nonprofit 501(c)(3) Public Charity dedicated to supporting animals and their devoted caregivers.
Read more
Fur Baby Rescue
Los Angeles
Fur Baby Rescue, located in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Southern California, offers a temporary, safe haven for cats, dogs, puppies, and kittens.
Read more
L.A. Animal Services
Los Angeles
L.A. Animal Services (LAAS) operates six modern animal shelters in Los Angeles, Southern California, providing top-notch care for approximately 60,000 animals annually.
Read moreOther rescues/shelters
Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue
Beverly Hills
Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue, a 501(c)(3) foundation based in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, Southern California, is committed to saving dogs from euthanasia in local shelters.
Read moreAfghan Hound rescue
San Dimas
Afghan Hound Rescue of So. California, Inc. is a reputable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in San Dimas, Los Angeles County, Southern California.
Read moreAnimal Hope & Wellness
Sherman Oaks
Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles County, Southern California, is dedicated to rescuing abused and neglected animals, both locally and internationally.
Read moreBasset Hound Rescue
Whittier
Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California (BHRSC) in Whittier, Los Angeles County, is a dedicated sanctuary for distressed, abandoned, injured, or homeless hounds. Their mission is to provide healing and forever families for these hounds in need.
Read moreBeagles & Buddies
South El Monte
Beagles & Buddies is a dog rescue and shelter organization in South El Monte in California’s Southern California dedicated to finding loving homes for dogs in need.
Read moreBest Friends–Los Angeles
Mission Hills
Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles is a renowned organization dedicated to the mission of transforming Los Angeles into a no-kill city.
Read moreBig Love Animal Rescue
Valley Village
Big Love’s team is made of up seasoned rescuers who have spent many years rescuing frightened and abandoned animals of all ages and sizes from sidewalks and dumpsters to alleyways and gutters.
Read moreBill Foundation
Beverly Hills
Bill Foundation, a Los Angeles-based 501c3 non-profit Animal Rescue, is dedicated to rescuing dogs in need.
Read moreBoxer Rescue LA
Encino
Boxer Rescue Los Angeles, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, operates with a passion for connecting boxers in need with caring homes in Encino, Los Angeles County, Southern California.
Read moreBurbank Animal Shelter
Burbank
The City of Burbank Animal Shelter has been providing quality Animal Control services since the 1950’s.
Read moreDeaf Dog Rescue Of America
Santa Clarita
Deaf Dog Rescue of America, located in Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County, Southern California, is a dedicated organization specializing in the rescue, training, and placement of deaf dogs of all breeds.
Read moreDogs Without Borders
Encino
"Dogs Without Borders is a foster-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit rescue located in Los Angeles, serving the Encino area in Southern California.
Read moreForeverhome Pet Rescue Inc
Cerritos
Incorporated in 2006, Foreverhome Pet Rescue South is an all-volunteer, all-breed nonprofit pet rescue in Southern California, dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of abandoned and neglected animals.
Read moreForeverhome Pet Rescue Inc
Castaic
Incorporated in 2006, Foreverhome Pet Rescue South is an all-volunteer, all-breed nonprofit pet rescue in Southern California. Their focus is on rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of abandoned and neglected animals.
Read moreGrand-Paws Senior Sanctuary
Acton
Welcome to Grand-Paws Senior Sanctuary, a haven for abandoned senior dogs in Acton, Los Angeles County, Southern California.
Read moreHope For Paws
Los Angeles
Hope For Paws, a 501c3 organization based in Los Angeles, is dedicated to rescuing animals in the city and beyond to combat neglect, homelessness, and abuse.
Read moreInland Valley Humane Society
Pomona
The Inland Valley Humane Society & S.P.C.A. in Pomona, Los Angeles County, Southern California, is a welcoming haven for animals in need. As a "full access" shelter, they never turn away any animal seeking refuge.
Read moreL.A. Love & Leashes
Santa Monica
L.A. Love & Leashes is a renowned non-profit-run adoption space in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, Southern California, dedicated to finding loving homes for dogs and cats from L.A.'s city shelters.
Read moreLA Animal Rescue
Chatsworth
LA Animal Rescue is a small but mighty team of dedicated volunteers and fosters committed to creating happy endings for each of the homeless and abandoned animals who come into their care.
Read moreLeave No Paws Behind
Sun Valley
"Leave No Paws Behind (LNPB) is an all-breed, all-foster-based rescue in Sun Valley, Los Angeles County, Southern California.
Read moreLong Beach Animal Care
Long Beach
Long Beach Animal Care Services, located in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, Southern California, is dedicated to creating a safe environment for both people and animals.
Read moreMutt Match LA
Canyon Country
Mutt Match LA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation incorporated in 2009 by founder and director Sheilah Aragon. Thay are an all-breed, all ages rescue.
Read morePacific Pups Rescue
Los Angeles
Pacific Pups Rescue, a 501(c)3 Los Angeles-based rescue, is dedicated to aiding homeless dogs in need throughout Southern California.
Read morePasadena Humane Society
Pasadena
In Pasadena, Los Angeles County, Southern California, dog owners in Arcadia, Bradbury, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Monrovia, Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre, and South Pasadena can rely on the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA – Lost Dogs services.
Read moreMore Adventures in Los Angeles County
Roll, stroll and sniff: California’s most wheelchair-accessible dog-friendly beaches
Sand is where good intentions go to get stuck. A boardwalk ends, the dunes begin, and suddenly a wheelchair, a walker or a 14-year-old dog with stiff hips is parked at the edge of the very thing you drove out…
Read more
Cinco de Mayo with your dog: California’s best patios
Cinco de Mayo is one of California’s great outdoor holidays. The first week of May delivers reliably warm weather from San Diego to Sacramento, patio season hits full stride, and the margaritas flow. And if you have a dog? You’re…
Read more
Best dog-friendly trails in California
California has more dog-friendly trails than any reasonable person could hike in a lifetime. We've narrowed it down to ten picks that deliver the best combination of scenery, dog access, and that post-hike feeling of having actually done something with…
Read more
Best dog-friendly hikes in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has more dog-friendly hiking trails than any city in California, and most of them are good. Looking beyond LA? See the best dog-friendly trails in California. The problem isn’t finding a trail — it’s finding one that matches…
Read more
New for you: DogTrekker’s ulti-mutt spring event guide
Spring brings a packed calendar of dog-friendly events across California, from fun runs and beach festivals to wine tastings and costume parades. Many raise funds for animal welfare organizations, so you and your pup can play while making a positive…
Read more
Oreo’s Law: What California’s new disaster pet-rescue bill does
California's FOUND Act, signed into law in October 2025, changes how cities handle pets during evacuations. Named for Oreo, a Pomeranian rescued from the Palisades fire, the law requires better planning for animals in disaster zones starting January 2026.
Read more