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13 Best Dog Rescues In New England (2023 Guide)

Best Dog Rescues In New England

Thinking of adopting a furry friend?

The adoption process can take time.

However, finding the perfect shelter and pet is worth it.

With so many available options…

How do you find the best one?

Sit back, relax, and…

Discover:

  • Requirements and information needed to get started.
  • Different services offered by the different shelters in the area.
  • The 13 best dog rescues in New England as reviewed by actual people.
  • And so much more…

All the information gathered below is based on research and reviews from Google Maps and Yelp.

These are reviews given by people with prior experience in every place listed below.

Searching places one by one is time-consuming, so my goal is to summarize all necessary data for you. 

All information below has been gathered and compiled for easier access and less research time.

Disclaimer: All ratings and reviews are correct and true during the writing and research of this article. However, changes may be made over time that can affect the data stated here. 


13 best dog rescues in New England


#1: Potter League For Animals

Rating: 4.5

Reviews: 26

Website: potterleague.org

Address: 87 Oliphant Ln., Middletown, RI  02842, United States

Phone: ‭+1 (401) 846-8276‬

Opening Hours:

  • 10 am- 5 pm (Every day)

Social Media:

Services

Adoption

Adoption of animals from PLA requires adopters to fill out a questionnaire sheet before being evaluated by the staff.

Adoption fees are $500 up, and this includes:

  • ID tag.
  • Vaccines.
  • Microchipping.
  • Spay or neuter.
  • Martingale collar.
  • 1-month crate rental.
  • Bag of Hill’s pet food.
  • Admission to Doggy 101.
  • Flea and tick medication.
  • Discount for a basic obedience class.
  • 14-day certificate for veterinarian exam.

Viewing and Adoption hours:

  • Thursday- Monday: 10 am- 5 pm
  • Tuesday- Wednesday: 10 am- 7 pm
Spay and Neuter

The shelter offers a low-cost spay and neuter service by appointment only.

Surgery fees include:

  • Pain medications.
  • Elizabethan collars.
  • Rabies, Distemper/ Parvo vaccinations.

#2: Sterling Animal Shelter

Rating: 4.5

Reviews: 20

Website: sterlingshelter.org

Address: 17 Laurelwood Rd., Sterling, MA  01564, United States

Phone: ‭+1 (978) 422-8585‬

Opening Hours:

  • Sunday- Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday- Saturday: Appointment only

Social Media:

Services

Community Services

The shelter offers the following services:

  • Rescue group assistance.
  • Affordable veterinary care.
  • Veterinary training program.
  • Disaster rescue assistance.
Adoption

Meet and greets with the potential animal and the family is encouraged by the shelter.

This is possible by booking your schedule with the shelter before you visit and view.

Shelter adoption contract here.

#3: Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland

Rating: 4.5

Reviews: 12

Website: arlgp.org

Address: 217 Landing Rd., Westbrook, ME  04092, United States

Phone: ‭+1 (207) 854-9771‬

Opening Hours:

  • 11 am- 3 pm (Every day)

Social Media:

Services

Adoption

Adoptions are catered Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 11 am- 3 pm.

All adoptions are strictly by appointment only. No walk-ins and viewings are available.

#4: Buddy Dog Humane Society Inc.

Rating: 4

Reviews: 51

Website: buddydoghs.org

Address: 151 Boston Post Rd., Sudbury, MA  01776, United States

Phone: ‭+1 (978) 443-6990‬

Opening Hours:

  • 11 am- 5 pm (Every day)

Social Media:

Services

Volunteering

Due to COVID, the shelter is currently not accepting volunteer applications. No waitlist is available as well.

Adoption

Adoptable animals are posted on their website and Facebook page. 

All visits are by appointment only. Further evaluation is done through video calls or Zoom.

Adoption application here

Reading Tip: Adopting A Rescue Dog: The First 7 Days [Checklist]

#5: New Hampshire SPCA

New Hampshire SPCA

Rating: 4

Reviews: 26

Website: nhspca.org

Address: 104 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham, NH  03885, United States

Phone: ‭+1 (603) 772-2921‬

Opening Hours: N/A

Social Media:

Services

Surrendering

The surrendering process is currently done by virtual appointment and instruction. Call the shelter hotline for more information.

Pet help and resources

Their program includes the following:

  • Stray animals.
  • Lost and found pets.
  • Pet food assistance. 
  • Financial Assistance.
  • Domestic emergencies.
Adoption

Adoptions are done by appointment only or through virtual adoptions at this time. 

Adoption application here

#6: SPCA Montreal

Rating: 4

Reviews: 17

Website: spca.com/en

Address: 5215 Jean-Talon St W., Montréal QC H4P 1X4, Canada

Phone: ‭+1 (514) 735-2711‬

Opening Hours:

  • 11 am- 5 pm (Every day)

Social Media:

Services

Adoption

Available animals are either in the shelter, or special needs animals in foster homes.

Adoption is done by appointment only. Schedules are posted on their website. 

Lost and found

The shelter caters to lost and found animals within their jurisdiction. Fill up needed forms here

Microchipping and tagging

Implanting and registration services are at $45 per animal. 

Note: Microchipping is suspended at the moment. Check their website for updates.

You might also like: 13 Mistakes When Adopting A Rescue Dog (Guide)

#7: Lowell Humane Society

Rating: 4

Reviews: 16

Website: lowellhumanesociety.org

Address: 951 Broadway St., Lowell, MA  01854, United States

Phone: ‭+1 (978) 452-7781‬

Opening Hours:

  • 12 pm- 4 pm (Every day)

Social Media:

Services

Adoption

The shelter is currently by appointment only. 

Appointments are available from 12 pm- 4 pm, Tuesday to Sunday. 

Adoption fees include:

  • Deworming.
  • Flea treatment.
  • DHLLP vaccine.
  • Heartworm testing.
  • Bordetella vaccine.
  • Ear mite treatments.
  • Spay or Neuter surgery.
  • Collar, leash, and ID tag.
  • Microchip and registration.
Volunteering

Interested volunteers need to attend an orientation before being accepted into the program.

Volunteer waiver form here.

Surrendering

The shelter requires you to call ahead before surrendering any animal to ensure there is space for them.

Surrendering is done by appointment only. The shelter will provide your drop-off time and place.

#8: Animal Rescue League of Boston

Rating: 4

Reviews: 10

Website: arlboston.org

Address: 10 Chandler St., Boston, MA 02116, United States

Phone: ‭+1 (617) 426-9170‬

Opening Hours:

  • 1 pm- 6 pm (Every day)

Social Media:

Services

Adoption

Due to restrictions, adoption at the shelter is by appointment only.

Adoption fees include:

  • Deworming.
  • Vaccinations.
  • Spay and neuter.
  • Tag, collar, leash.
  • Behavior evaluation.
  • Flea, tick, and mite treatment.
  • Health screening and veterinary evaluation.

#9: Providence Animal Rescue League

Rating: 3.5

Reviews: 26

Website: parl.org

Address: 34 Elbow St., Providence, RI  02903, United States

Phone: ‭+1 (401) 421-1399

Opening Hours: N/A

Social Media:

Services

Vaccination Clinics

The shelter’s vaccination clinics are open to walk-ins. No appointment necessary.

Schedules of the vaccination clinics held each month are posted and updated on the shelter website.

Adoption

Adoptions at this time are via appointment only. 

Dog adoption fees include:

  • Deworming.
  • Vaccinations.
  • Microchipping.
  • Heartworm tests.
  • Spay and Neuter.
  • Flea and tick preventatives.
  • Pre-adoption care and post-adoption support.

Surrendering

The shelter offers surrendering and rehoming services by appointment.

The shelter staff will require an interview of the owner and an evaluation of the animal before it can be approved for surrender.

Surrender profile form here.

You might also be interested in: 17 Critical Tips To Take Care Of A Rescue Dog (Guide)

#10: Animal Welfare Society

Rating: 3.5

Reviews: 14

Website: animalwelfaresociety.org

Address: 46 Holland Rd., Kennebunk, ME 04043, United States

Phone: ‭+1 (207) 985-3244

Opening Hours:

  • 10 am- 4 pm (Every day)

Social Media:

Services

Adoption

Walk-ins and viewings are still currently closed to the public. All adoptions are done by appointment only.

Note: Adoption calls are taken daily after 9 am.

Volunteering

Due to the pandemic, the shelter is currently not accepting any volunteers for their program.

#11: Dakin Humane Society

Rating: 3.5

Reviews: 14

Website: dakinhumane.org

Address: 171 Union St., Springfield, MA  01105, United States

Phone: ‭+1 (413) 781-4000‬

Opening Hours: N/A

Social Media:

Services

Adoption

Adoption appointments are from Tuesday- Saturday at 12:30 pm- 4 pm.

Interested adopters must first choose an animal on their website before further instructions on the process.

Programs

The shelter also offers programs for the community such as:

  • Pet food aid.
  • Vaccine clinic.
  • Dog grooming.
  • Animal transport.
  • Humane Euthanasia.
  • Spay and neuter surgery.
  • Pet loss and healing support group.

#12: Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center

Rating: 3.5

Reviews: 11

Website: tjoconnoradoptioncenter.com

Address: 627 Cottage St., Springfield, MA  01104, United States

Phone: ‭+1 (413) 781-1484‬

Opening Hours:

  • 12 pm- 4 pm (Every day)

Social Media:

Services

Adoption

All adoptions and visits are by appointment only.

Interested adopters must first visit the website and choose their preferred animal before further evaluation.

Emergecy Response

The shelter’s animal control officers respond to routine calls daily, from 7 am- 10 pm.

Emergency response is available 24 hours a day for injured, sick, or lost and found animals.

#13: Manchester Animal Shelter

Rating: 3.5

Reviews: 8

Website: manchesteranimalshelter.org

Address: 490 Dunbarton Rd., Manchester, NH  03102, United States

Phone: ‭+1 (603) 628-3544‬

Opening Hours:

  • 12 pm- 4 pm (Every day)

Social Media:

Services

Humane education

The shelter offers lectures and information about the following:

  • Native wildlife safety.
  • Spay and neuter education.
  • Animal cruelty and neglect.
  • Dog bite prevention and safety.
  • Animal identification and safety.
  • Compassion and kindness towards animals.
Fostering

Foster application forms here.