20 Reputable Dog Rescues in San Diego County, California (Their Adoption Fees)

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The Best Dog Rescues in San Diego County

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, approximately 3.1 million dogs enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year.

Even though 2 million dogs are adopted every year, approximately 390,000 shelter dogs are still euthanized every year. Sad.

You can help dogs that end up in shelters/rescues by adopting these dogs.

We have researched and compiled a list of the best dog rescues in your area.

We should mention that our list is not exhaustive because any non-profit organization that takes dogs off the streets and offers dogs second chances deserves to be on our list. However, we do not have the space to include everyone.

If you know of any reputable dog rescue that we have not included on our list, please drop the name of the rescue in our comment section below.

Note that the animal rescues listed in this article did not pay us to include them in the list. We did our research without bias.

As a disclaimer, we will like to advise you to do your due diligence before working with any of the listed dog rescue organizations.

Also, always conduct your research and consult with specialists in your region before making any pet-related decisions.

If you think that rescuing a dog is not for you, and you want to buy a puppy instead, see our article on how much dogs of different breeds cost. Also, see our list of reputable dog breeders in different US states here.

See other dog rescues in the state of California here.

See other dog rescues in other states here.

  1. Bichon FurKids Rescue

    2. Best Dog Rescues in El Cajon

    Bichon FurKids Rescue focus on rescuing Bichon`s, mixes, and other small dogs to provide them a new home from owners that can no longer care for them. Adoptable pets are vaccinated, spayed/neutered, microchipped, and they go home with supplies.

  2. Baja Animal Sanctuary

    3. Best Dog Rescues in El Cajon

    Baja Animal Sanctuary rescue animals that are roaming the street starving or homeless. Adoptable dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, treated for flea/ticket, and dewormed

    Baja Animal Sanctuary is a no-kill shelter.

  3. Animal Rescue Resource Foundation (ARRF)

    4. Best Dog Rescues in El Cajon

    Animal Rescue Resource Foundation (ARRF) work to end suffering on ill and abandoned animals. They educate the community on spay/neutering. Adoptable pets are spayed/neutered and up to date on vaccinations.

  4. Animal Rescuers Without Borders,Inc.

    5. Best Dog Rescues in El Cajon

    Animal Rescuers Without Borders focuses on rescuing animals from Mexico although they still rescue pets in the US. These animals are medically evaluated for 3 weeks before being available for adoption. Adoptable pets have been medically tested, microchipped, registered, dewormed, vaccinated, and provided flea preventatives.

    • ✔Adoption Fee: Small breed: $150-$500 Medium/large breed: $200-$500 Seniors or medically ill: $75-$300 American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or any of these breed mixes: $150

    • ✔Website: website

    • ✔Email: adoptions.arwob@gmail.com

    • ✔Facebook Page: Facebook

  5. Last Chance at Life All Breed Rescue

    6. Best Dog Rescues in El Cajon

    Last Chance at Life All Breed rescue dogs from animal shelters and humane societies. They specialize in boxers, but accept other breeds. The dogs they rescue are about to be euthanized due to illness or behavior issues. Adoptable pets are medically evaluated and treated, spayed/neutered, tested, vaccinated, microchipped, and start obedience training. Medical records will be available to the future owner.

    Last Chance at Life All Breed Rescue is a no-kill shelter.

  6. Animal Advocates of the U.S.

    7. Best Dog Rescues in El Cajon

    Animal Advocates of the U.S. have been rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned animals in low-income communities from U.S and Mexico since 2006. They provide the animals food, shelter, medical evaluation and treatment. Adoptable pets are vaccinated, spay/neutered, de-wormed, and de-flead.

  7. Baja Dog Rescue

    8. Best Dog Rescues in El Cajon

    Baja Dog Rescue was founded in 2010. Their goal is to rescue dogs that have been abandoned or neglated to rehabilitate them to enter a new safe home. While in the rescue they receive medical evaluation and treatment. They are fed, nurtured, and provided safe shelter. Adoptable pets are spayed/neutered and vaccinated.

    Baja Dog Rescue is a no-kill shelter.

  8. San Diego Humane Society-Escondido Campus

    9. Best Dog Rescues in El Cajon

    San Diego Humane Society-Escondido Campus rescue animals from local shelters. This rescue has a training facility to rehabilitate animals behaviors, a kitten center with around the clock care to ensure they grow healthy, responders to rescue animals that are suffering or abandoned, and a veterinarian. They offer the local community with low cost spay/neuter and vaccinations. Adoptable pets are vaccinated, de-wormed, de-flead, spayed/neutered, and medically evaluated.

  9. IMPS – Internet Miniature Pinscher Service, Inc. – Southern CA/NV region

    10. Best Dog Rescues in El Cajon

    Founded in 1998, IMPS rescue homeless and abandoned miniature pinscher to place them in foster care until they can be adopted. Adoptable pets are spayed/neutered, microchipped, medically evaluated, monitored for temperament, and medically treated.

  10. San Diego Humane Society – Oceanside Campus for Dogs

    11. Best Dog Rescues in El Cajon

    San Diego Humane Society meet the needs of the animals by providing unwanted animals continuous care to maintain their health. They also provide the community support for animals in need. Adoptable pets are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Adopters receive a free vet check and waived enrollment fee for pet insurance.

  11. San Diego Spaniel Rescue

    12. Best Dog Rescues in El Cajon

    Since 2002, San Diego Spaniel rescue cocker spaniels from being homeless and abandoned to provide medical care and temporary shelter.

  12. Labrador Rescuers

    13. Since 2004, Labrador rescue abandoned and unwanted labrador retrievers or mixes to provide medical care and rehome. Adoptable pets are medically examined, vaccinated, tested, spayed/neutered, medically treated, and microchipped.

  13. California Labradors Retrievers and More

    14. The Mission Statement of California Labradors Retrievers and More: “Labs and More is one of Southern California’s most active Rescue with over 350 dogs in our care at any given time. Even though we are growing and strong we remind our adopting families that we are a Non Profit – Grassroots – Volunteer run Organization. We adopt to patient, kind and respectful families who understand we are Volunteers. Matching families with appropriate dogs is our priority and we do not operate by first come first adopt. This year our Volunteers will celebrate the rescue of our 12,000th Dog in need of a chance at LIFE! We rescue for need not for breed and search out those who without our help have no chance of getting adopted from shelters. This year alone over 300 dogs in our care will get needed surgery, life-saving treatment, or other major medical care. We take in hundreds of pregnant moms who will be able to deliver their puppies in the safety of a home and loving arms. All our dogs and puppies are spayed or neutered prior to being adopted.

    We cannot save them all but we will save all we can with the help of the generous support of people like YOU!”

  14. The Animal Pad

    15. The Mission Statement of The Animal Pad: “We are The Animal Pad, an all breed dog rescue located in San Diego, Ca. We focus on rescuing dogs from high kill shelters in Southern California and off the streets of Mexico. We are currently a foster based organization with plans to build a sanctuary here in San Diego. Please like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theanimalpad and check out our website: www.theanimalpad.org”

  15. Passion for Pitties

    16. The Mission Statement of Passion for Pitties: “Please keep in mind, at this time Passion for Pitties is strictly donation and foster based. If we do not have fosters willing to open their homes to house the dogs we are trying to save then we are sadly unable to assist these sweet dogs and most of them will wind up euthanized.
    We are important and need volunteers in order to survive along with the dogs. We are their voice, without us they have no one and have already been failed by at least 1 human in their lives….the one that dropped them off at the shelter in the first place.

    We are strictly a 501(c)(3)non-profit organization which means without constant donations from the public we will not have funds for medical as well as all other needs of the dogs.
    We do not take in owner surrenders, we will courtesy post for you if desired.
    The only time we are able to take in an owner surrender is if the owner is able to hold the dog and financially sponsor the dog until we find a loving home no matter the duration of time.

    If you are willing to be a financial sponsor for one of our dogs please contact us.
    If you are desiring to be a foster parent to help us save a sweet Pit please complete our foster application located on our website under adorable adoptables.
    If you are interested in adopting one of our beloved dogs please complete our adoption application located on our website.
    www.passionforpitties.com

    Thank you for your continued support

    The Passion for Pitties Family

    Once we have 20 dogs in the rescue, we are considered full…

    We do NOT warehouse our rescued shelter dogs, all of our dogs are placed in a loving foster home environment.  If you wish to open your home and join the Passion for Pitties family of fosters team please contact us. 
    This is the only way we are able to save those that need our help, it`s teamwork along with senselessness.

    As our rescued Pit Bulls are matched up successfully with their forever loving homes, the adoption fee then is utilized to help another in need as long as the foster is still willing to keep their home open.

    Without long term fosters we are only able to help as many dogs in need as solid foster homes are available.

    We do not “warehouse” our dogs…all of our dogs are behavioral tested in the shelters to assure they are sound.  All of our dogs are placed in loving foster home environments until their forever loving families are found.”

  16. No Wagging Tail Left Behind Animal Rescue

    17. The Mission Statement of No Wagging Tail Left Behind Animal Rescue: “A Little Bit About Us…

    Wagging Tails is an all breed, non-profit rescue that places hundreds of dogs each year. We pride ourselves on our reputation of ongoing support for adopters and their new family members. We are volunteer and donation based- our main goal being to care for and give loving homes to dogs in need.

    Sandy`s first rescue dog, Bonnie, was a cattle dog mix that was transported to her home in the trunk of a car with 8 puppies. She found homes for the puppies and kept Bonnie. Since that day, Sandy has been helping place dogs in loving homes. No Wagging Tail Left Behind came to life when Sandy began taking in six plus dogs a week, mostly from El Centro, to find them homes.

    With the help of board members Jean Whitney and Laura Morkan, Wagging Tails received a non-profit status on May 12, 2012. Since then, the rescue has grown in size with volunteers who handle paperwork and attend adoption events. We look forward to increasing the number of dogs placed each year, our volunteer staff, and our donations!”

  17. Maltese Rescue California

    18. The Mission Statement of Maltese Rescue California: “Maltese Rescue California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization staffed entirely by dedicated volunteers. The dedicated rescue volunteers work tirelessly to ensure unwanted, homeless Maltese are placed in permanent loving homes. Maltese come to our rescue from many sources; animal shelters, animal control agencies, owner surrenders, other rescue groups, veterinarians, death of the primary caretaker, people whose health has changed, and those facing loss of home. 

    Our rescue volunteers provide adoption services for Maltese acquired from shelters or surrendered by their owners.  Approved foster homes are utilized to care for abused, sickly, and homeless Maltese until such time as an adoptive family is approved for the dogs forever home.

    A vital component of Maltese Rescue California is the education of the public regarding breed characteristics, responsible dog ownership, training and humane care of a Maltese.”

  18. The Rescued Dog

    19. The Mission Statement of The Rescued Dog: “The founders of The Rescued Dog forged our bond during our volunteer work together at a local dog rescue. We recognized in each other a mutual respect for our human friends and the dogs we were helping to rescue. When the time came to start our own rescue, our collective mission was clear: save at-risk dogs from high-kill shelters and place them in loving, forever homes for the benefit of the dogs and humans alike.  We believe the best way to end pet overpopulation and animal cruelty is a unified front with local shelters, other rescue groups and the community.

    While The Rescued Dog is currently a foster-based rescue, our long-term goal is to have a kennel and training facility, which will enable us to increase our number of rescues and take time to train and, if needed, rehabilitate dogs in need.

    The founders of The Rescued Dog are committed to saving the right dogs for the right people, and offering support and education to ensure a successful forever situation for both our dogs”

  19. Hope2K9 Foundation

    20. The Mission Statement of Hope2K9 Foundation: “We are a California-based, all breed dog rescue, turning displaced, unadoptable, or differently abled dogs into diamonds from the rough.

    Dogs available for adoption through our rescue have been fully trained for obedience and manners, both on and off leash, and require kickass adopters who will not only be committed to maintaining that training, but enhancing it. Hope2K9 Rescue is an extension of Home2K9 Dog Training and Rehabilitation, where we work with dogs of all breeds, ages, and with all manor of behavior issues. Many of the dogs who come through our program are truly awesome family pets, just waiting for direction, leadership, stability, and structure.

    Our adoptable dogs have been enrolled in a minimum three week board and train program, they have been evaluated with other dogs, children, small animals, car rides, city life, and much more. By adopting a fully trained dog from Hope2K9 Rescue,”

  20. Tails of Mana

    21. The Mission Statement of Tails of Mana: “Our focus is rescue, care, fostering, adoption, education, community outreach. All with the goal of uniting the right animal with the right person and family.”