How to Find the Right Shelter/ Rescue for You

It’s great to support all shelters and rescues. However, if you have specific needs or do not meet certain requirements, it is important to know that ahead of time. There is a lot to keep in mind and research when deciding to adopt from a rescue or shelter. For starters, do your research. Visit their website to see the guidelines they have in place especially during COVID because a lot of shelters and rescues right now are by appointment only. Another thing to consider (during COVID or after), is that they may want you to print the adoption application and have it filled out when you come. Always remember your license or some form of identification as well.

Aside from operational things and guidelines, rescues and shelters may have certain rules or restrictions for adopters. For example, I once went to a rescue that only adopted dogs out to people over the age of 25. It is important to not argue these rules, and accept that they have them in place for their own personal and valid reasons. Another thing to look out for especially with rescues is a home check. Rescues are usually looking for people with fenced-in, decent-sized yards. If you live in an apartment or your yard is not fenced in, places that do a home check and require that sort of thing may not be for you. However, if you are looking to adopt and do not have a fenced-in yard, remember a dog is a huge commitment and requires a certain amount of exercise depending on the size and temperament!

Other Considerations

When looking for a dog to adopt, you may be considering things other than the rules and regulations put in place by rescues and shelters. You may be looking for a specific breed like a French Bulldog. DO NOT SHOP FOR ONE! Stay away from breeders and pet stores. There are plenty of rescues for any specific breed you would want if you just do your research! Examples of French Bulldog rescues are the French Bulldog Rescue Network and S.N.O.R.T Rescue, which are all different bully breeds. If you like large breeds and have experience with them, there are specific rescues for that as well. If you are looking for a Mastiff, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, etc. then Big Dogs Huge Paws is the rescue for you!

If you have no size or breed preferences, and you are more of an “I’ll know which dog is right for me when I see it” (like I am), then check out the links below! I will be linking rescues and shelters that I have visited and keep up with on social media. Keep in mind I am from Bergen County, New Jersey, and I go to college in Conway, South Carolina, and my girlfriend is from Northern Virginia so most of the recommendations are in or around those areas.

Shelters I’ve Visited That You May Consider

1. Horry County Animal Care Center: Located in Conway, SC. This is where my girlfriend and I adopted Scooby, and several of our friends adopted dogs from them as well.
2. Grand Strand Humane Society: Located in Myrtle Beach, SC. I’ve visited this humane society several times and they are often looking for foster homes. One of my friends fostered a dog and ended up adopting her from here!
3. The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: Located in North Myrtle Beach, SC. They get a lot of their dogs from HCACC, so these dogs are really in need of homes. The staff is very friendly and nice here as well!
4. All 4 Paws: Located in Pawleys Island, SC. My girlfriend and I fostered two little old lady Chihuahuas from this rescue. They were just the sweetest! They have small and large breeds and are also frequently looking for foster homes (as well as adopters!)
5. Saint Frances Animal Center: Located in Georgetown, SC. I have never personally been there but I have frequented their website and met people who adopted dogs from there. They always have a lot of available dogs for adoption!
6. Pet ResQ Inc.: Located in Tenafly, NJ. My family fostered from this rescue for several years and got our two family dogs from them! They typically have small breed dogs.
7. Bergen County Animal Shelter: Located in Teterboro, NJ. I have never been personally but this is the main shelter for Bergen County.
8. Fairfax County Animal Shelter: Located in Fairfax, VA. They are very thorough in their adoption process to make sure their doggies get the best homes! This is also possibly the cleanest shelter I have ever been to!
9. Pet Rescue Alliance: Located in VA. They do not have a facility and are entirely based on having foster families for all of their dogs. My girlfriend’s two family dogs are from here!

If you have adopted or fostered from a different rescue or shelter, reach out to me so I can include them and we can help other people from different areas! As always, I hope this helps, and visit my contact page with any questions.