Time spent in the great outdoors is always rewarding.
Out on one of Pennsylvania’s nature reserves, you’re wondering…
“How can it get any better than this?”
Well, with a dog at your side, of course!
Nature trails with man’s best friend?
Now, that’s the goal.
So let’s get you started finding one.
Keep reading to discover:
- 11 of the best dog rescues in Pennsylvania.
- How you can get in touch with each of them.
- What makes each different from all the others.
- And much more…
Table of contents
- 11 best dog rescues in Pennsylvania
- #1: Columbia Animal Shelter
- #2: Speranza Animal Rescue
- #3: To Love a Canine Rescue, Inc.
- #4: Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries
- #5: Brandywine Valley SPCA | Pennsylvania
- #6: Lycoming County SPCA
- #7: Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue
- #8: Animal Friends
- #9: Bucks County SPCA
- #10: Morris Animal Refuge
- #11: All 4 Paws Rescue
11 best dog rescues in Pennsylvania
#1: Columbia Animal Shelter
| Website | https://columbiaanimalshelter.com/ |
| Address | 265 S 10th St, Columbia, PA 17512, United States (Google Maps) |
| Phone | +1 717-681-6858 |
| info@columbiaanimalshelter.com | |
| Social media | Facebook, Instagram |
| Operating hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 AM – 4 PM Thursday: 9 AM – 7 PM Saturday & Sunday: 10 AM – 2 PM |
The Columbia Animal Shelter began with a dream. And that was to establish the best cat shelter in Columbia.
CAT shelter?
Yes, cat shelter. That was the dream. The reality, however, includes dogs.
They want the best for their animals. And for the potential pet owners as well. So they go the extra mile to educate applicants. This ensures a better experience for both pup and parent.
Highlights
- On-site clinic.
- Youth programs.
- Spay and neuter.
- Informational seminars.
#2: Speranza Animal Rescue
| Website | https://www.speranzarescue.org/ |
| Address | 1216 Brandt Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, United States (Google Maps) |
| Phone | +1 717-609-6020 |
| info@speranzarescue.org | |
| Social media | Facebook, Instagram |
| Operating hours | Daily: 8 AM – 2 PM, 5:30 PM – 7 PM |
The English translation of the Italian word speranza is hope. And that’s precisely what Speranza Animal Rescue specializes in.
They give dogs hope.
They pull out canines from kill shelters. Especially those on the euthanasia list. They take in the abused and neglected. And they also open their doors to surrendered pets.
Dogs with ailments are treated and rehabilitated. Then they’re evaluated for rehoming. Some with behavioral issues cannot be adopted. Speranza takes care of them for life.
But for one of the others, you could be the fulfillment of that hope.
#3: To Love a Canine Rescue, Inc.
| Website | http://tlcrescuepa.com/ |
| Address | N/A |
| Phone | +1 610-908-2855 |
| info@tlcrescuepa.com | |
| Social media | N/A |
| Operating hours | N/A |
At to Love a Canine Rescue, it’s naturally all about love.
They work towards their ultimate goal that no dog will get left behind. Whether stray, surrendered, or abandoned. Whether pup or senior. And whatever breed.
Love goes a long way. A very long way. But of course, that isn’t all there is to it.
Dogs at TLC receive veterinary care. They get all the shots they require. They’re spayed and neutered. And they’re also microchipped.
It’s never “job done, thank you very much” when a dog is adopted.
TLC remains interested in their dogs’ wellbeings. And their foster families and trainers are always at the ready to help the adoptive families.
If you’re looking to adopt from this rescue, you’ll have all the support you’ll need.
#4: Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries
| Website | https://secondchanceas.org/ |
| Address | 725 Gee Rd, Tioga, PA 16946, United States (Google Maps) |
| Phone | +1 570-376-3646 |
| secondchanceas@yahoo.com | |
| Social media | |
| Operating hours | Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM Monday & Wednesday: Closed |
Over at Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries, every dog gets a second chance.
And yes, that’s what every rescue offers, or should offer.
But for Tioga County and the communities around, no other shelter goes as far.
They operate on 10 acres of land. And they’ve rehomed over 800 animals since 2016. For a shelter in a rural area, that’s impressive.
You might also like: Adopting A Rescue Dog: The First 7 Days [Checklist]
#5: Brandywine Valley SPCA | Pennsylvania
| Website | thttp://www.bvspca.org/ |
| Address | 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380, United States (Google Maps) |
| Phone | +1 610-692-6113 |
| info@bvspca.org | |
| Social media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube |
| Operating hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 12 PM – 7 PM Thursday: 11 AM – 7 PM Saturday & Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM |
It’s all you could expect from an SPCA center. Big hearts and high standards.
Their beautiful mission drives them. To put the “human” back in humane. And they’re working at it from different locations.
They have shelters and animal health centers. They’re in Dover, Georgetown, West Chester, New Castle, and Plymouth Meeting.
You can drop in at either of them. And you’ll get that level of quality they always deliver.
Highlights
- Humane euthanasia.
- Low-cost veterinary care.
- Animal protective services.
- Fetch by the Dodo pet insurance.
#6: Lycoming County SPCA
| Website | http://www.lycomingspca.org/ |
| Address | 2805 Reach Rd, Williamsport, PA 17701, United States (Google Maps) |
| Phone | +1 570-322-4646 |
| lycospca@lycomingspca.org | |
| Social media | Facebook, Instagram, YouTube |
| Operating hours | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 11 AM – 6:30 PM Wednesday & Saturday: 11 AM – 4 PM Sunday: Closed |
Here’s another great SPCA on a different corner of Pennsylvania.
They offer all the excellent services that are guaranteed by their name.
But their mission has one more thing on the agenda. Investigating and prosecuting abuse or cruelty complaints.
You can help them out by adopting from them. That will be one less possibility of abuse and cruelty they have to worry about.
Highlights
- Spay/neuter assistance.
- Lost and found reporting.
- Education services & tours.
- Euthanasia, cremation, and burial services.
#7: Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue
| Website | https://www.dvgrr.org/ |
| Address | 60 Vera Cruz Rd, Reinholds, PA 17569, United States (Google Maps) |
| Phone | +1 717-484-4799 |
| info@dvgrr.org | |
| Social media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok |
| Operating hours | Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 4 PM Saturday & Sunday: Closed |
It’s likely that people hear the words “good dog” and imagine a Golden Retriever.
That smiling face with tongue out gives the Mona Lisa a run for its money.
So it may come as a surprise that there are actually Golden Retriever shelters in operation. But the sad fact is, there are.
The Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue also houses a few related breeds. They take in Labradors, Goldendoodles, and Labradoodles too.
If any of these breeds are on your wishlist, this is the place to go. But I should also warn you. You’ll want to adopt them all. You can’t. But you’ll really, really want to.
#8: Animal Friends
| Website | http://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/ |
| Address | 562 Camp Horne Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, United States (Google Maps) |
| Phone | +1 412-847-7000 |
| Speak@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org | |
| Social media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube |
| Operating hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday – Friday: 11 AM – 7 PM Saturday & Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM |
Don’t let the name mislead you.
The loving pooches over at Animal Friends are really animal family. The very competent staff will make sure that you get the right dog for you.
They’ve been in operation for 75 years (the organization, not this set of staff). And the experience they have gives them an edge.
So if you want your own animal family, check out the contact details above.
Highlights
- Pet therapy.
- Low-cost pet care.
- Pet retention and support.
- Animal friends for veterans.
Reading tip: 17 Critical Tips To Take Care Of A Rescue Dog (Guide)
#9: Bucks County SPCA
| Website | https://buckscountyspca.org/ |
| Address | 60 Reservoir Rd, Quakertown, PA 18951, United States (Google Maps) |
| Phone | + 1 267-347-4674 |
| N/A | |
| Social media | Facebook, Instagram |
| Operating hours | Monday – Friday: 12 PM – 6 PM Saturday & Sunday: 12 PM – 3 PM |
And here’s yet another SPCA in Pennsylvania.
Bucks County SPCA.
They march with the same objectives as the other SPCA establishments. But there’s one feather in their cap that they highlight.
Their lifesaving rate in 2015 was at 63%. They’ve leaped from that to an impressive 93% today.
You could contribute to that statistic. And guess what? You can get your new buddy in less than a week!
Highlights
- End-of-life services.
- Dog training classes.
#10: Morris Animal Refuge
| Website | https://www.morrisanimalrefuge.org/ |
| Address | 1242 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, United States (Google Maps) |
| Phone | +1 215-735-9570 |
| N/A | |
| Social media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube |
| Operating hours | Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday: 11 AM – 4 PM Wednesday & Friday: 11 AM – 4 PM Thursday: Closed |
Morris Animal Refuge has a long history.
They’ve been helping animals and rehoming them since 1874.
Like I said. Long history.
Back then, pets weren’t typically given veterinary care. And back then, Morris Animal Refuge’s ambulance was a horse and wagon. No sirens.
Flash forward over a hundred years later. Today, they have more than just a proper ambulance with wheels and sirens.
They’ve evolved with the times. Their facilities and veterinary care are very current. But their spirit remains the same.
Helping animals find a home with a whole lot of TLC is the goal.
I’m sure that’s something a dog would find in yours.
Highlights
- The Life Saver Fund.
#11: All 4 Paws Rescue
| Website | https://www.all4pawsrescue.com/ |
| Address | N/A |
| Phone | +1 610-731-1086 |
| info@all4pawsrescue.com | |
| Social media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram |
| Operating hours | N/A |
Thirteen thousand lives saved since May 2009. And still counting!
Many of these poor rescues were rejects from commercial breeding facilities. And of course, there were also the regulars: the surrenders, abandons, and strays.
At All 4 Paws Rescue, it’s really simple. They just want dogs to have a soft bed, a full belly, and safe playtime outdoors.
Just those things you’re yearning to give a pup.
So why not head on over?