According to the ASPCA https://www.aspca.org/helping-people-pets/ shelter-intake-and-surrender approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters nationwide every year. Some of these animals are rescued from cruel situations like puppy mills, hoarding cases, and dog fighting rings. As a result, these dogs frequently struggle with trauma and require additional care and rehabilitation. Others are stray animals that are often found on the streets and brought in by local authorities or by good Samaritans.
Of the 3.3 million dogs in shelters approximately 670,00 of them are euthanized. This represents about 20% of canines in shelters being euthanized.
Each year approximately 1.6 million dogs are adopted from shelters and from online adoptions services translating to about a 48% adoption rate. One of the biggest challenges facing animal welfare organizations today is the sheer number of dogs in need of assistance. Due to the overwhelming number of animals in shelters they often struggle to adopt out these loving animals which is why it’s important to focus on adoption when selecting your next pet dog.
Below is a list of the top adoption websites where you can find your next pet dog.
Alphabetized List of Dog Adoption Websites
Adopt a Pet https://www.adoptapet.com/
AKC Rescue Network https://www.akc.org/akc-rescue-network/
ASPCA https://www.aspca.org/adopt-pet
Best Friends Animal Society https://bestfriends.org/adopt-and-foster
Petco Foundation https://petcolove.org/put-your-love-into-action/learn-about-adoption/search-adoptable-pets/
Petfinder https://www.petfinder.com/
PetSmart Charities https://petsmartcharities.org/adopt-a-pet/find-a-pet
Petango https://www.petango.com/
Rescue Me https://www.rescueme.org/
The Shelter Pet Project https://theshelterpetproject.org/