8 Best Dog Rescues in Northern Virginia

Finding yourself in a position to adopt a dog is always an exciting moment. There are a few ways to go about it – you can either adopt a rescue dog or buy from a pet-selling store or breeder. We are all about the former. Every day over 1,700 dogs and cats are put down in American shelters simply because they don’t have a home. When you adopt a dog from a rescue shelter, you are giving that dog a second chance. There are, however, other reasons why you should consider adoption from a rescue shelter. For one, you will be fighting the case of shutting down puppy mills for good. At the same time, by choosing to adopt, you become part of the solution to the nationwide homeless pet problem. Two, buying a dog isn’t cheap since the responsibility falls on you to get them vaccinated, microchipped, spayed, or neutered. When you adopt from a shelter, all these are covered and taken care of before you take your dog home saving you hundreds of dollars. If you are in Northern Virginia and considering adopting a pet, we have compiled a list of the best dog rescues in Northern Virginia.

Homeward Trails Animal Rescue in Northern Virginia

Located in Alexandria, VA, Homeward Trails Animal Rescue is a non-profit organization that rescues animals from individuals who can no longer care for them. They also adopt pets from rural shelters across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC that can no longer care for them. The owner, Founder Sue Bell, started rescuing dogs from shelters and finding them new homes in 2001. His efforts gave birth to an organization that has rescued over 28,000 animals.

Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation in Northern Virginia

The organization fosters a fun and positive environment with an open and friendly adoption process. Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation offers same-day adoption and a two-week trial period. They also love their rescues and are open to accepting them back if they lose their home. Each of their rescues is spayed or neutered, so that’s something you don’t have to worry about when you choose them as your adoption partners for your next pet.

Animal Welfare League of Arlington

If you are looking for a well-founded and well-partnered animal rescue organization, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington should be at the top of that list. The rescue offers the highest quality services. The organization has been in operation since 1944. All you need to do is fill out an application form to kickstart the adoption process.

Humane Society of Northern Virginia

The Humane Society of Northern Virginia is located in Dumfries, VA. Their motto is “Advocates for Abused and Abandoned Pets,” and they live up to that. Their main goal is to provide medical care and new homes to neglected, abused, and injured animals. While all animal shelters do that, the Humane Society of Northern Virginia takes it a notch higher. The organization provides rehabilitation and training to prepare all animals for placement in new homes. As you know, rescue dogs often have a hard time adapting to their new environments, which is what the organization strives to avoid by providing ongoing training.

Mutt Love Rescue

The organization, made up mostly of volunteers, is located in Fairfax, VA. Mutt Love Rescue is founded under the principle of rescuing every homeless dog, including from public shelters. The individuals at Mutt Love Rescue are passional and dedicated, so you can be sure they will cover all bases. Their adoption process is thorough, so every dog ends up in a good home. Once you adopt, it doesn’t end there as they go the extra mile of providing continued assistance and education programs for accepted applicants. It is no wonder Mutt Love Rescue is considered one of the finest rescues in not only Northern Virginia but in the entire state.

Project Second Chance

Project Second Chance is located in Alexandria, Virginia, and works on rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding forever homes for their rescued animals. The organization aims to rescue homeless and abandoned dogs in Puerto Rico. They provided spay and neuter services and feeding routes to aid abandoned and stray dogs. They also assist shelters and pups in need of emergency care. All this they do to address the animal welfare crisis in Puerto Rico.

Paws For Seniors

Paws For Seniors is all about bringing senior pets and people together. Every day they work hard to rescue older dogs and cats and provide them with medical care and rehabilitation. They then work to rehome these animals, but their policy is to match senior animals to senior citizens. Their goal is to provide companion pets to senior citizens. Each pet receives a complete medical exam, routine blood work, vaccination, dental, spaying/neutering, and other medical treatments. The pets stay in foster homes until they can find forever homes.

Operation Paws for Homes

This is another great dog rescue center in Northern Virginia that is doing an incredible job of rehoming at-risk dogs. Operation Paws for Homes rescues dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters in the southern region of the US, including Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Alabama. They also rescue dogs from outside the country by partnering with rescues and shelters in Kosovo and India.

Adopting a Rescue Dog: Things to Consider Before Adopting a Dog

This is sad, but around 3.9 million dogs in the US are abandoned and given up to rescue shelters annually. 74% of lost dogs with identifications are finally reunited with their owners, while the rest have to wait for well-wishers to want to provide them forever homes. Out of all rescued dogs, only 30% of them are purebreds. The rest are mutts! By adopting a dog from a rescue center, you’ll not only be saving its life but also freeing up space in the shelter for another abandoned dog in need of care. However, adopting a dog, especially a rescue, isn’t as easy as walking to a shelter and filling out adoption forms. Your lifestyle and personality and the amount of time spent at home are some things you need to consider. Dog rescues across the country do their best to match owners with animals that fit into their lifestyles.

At most rescue centers, pets are assessed by qualified staff and introduced to potential adopters based on their compatibility likelihood. If you are considering adopting a puppy, you must consider your lifestyle. Raising puppies takes a lot of work, time, and patience. Unlike adult dogs who already have established personalities and a better manageable energy level, puppies are the opposite. All in all, your puppy or adult dog will require ongoing training. You will need to keep this in mind before adopting a rescue.

Luckily, if you are in Northern Virginia, there are lots of dog training companies you can turn to. Off Leash K9 Training has been voted the best dog trainer in Northern Virginia since 2014. We provide different training packages that would work for all dogs, including rescues. Our training encompasses board and training packages, basic and advanced