30 Best Animal Shelters of 2020 That Make America Proud

Animal shelters are the unsung heroes of a modern society. Anyone who’s traveled around the world has been to countries where homeless cats and dogs are so rampant that it often feels like they outnumber the people. Thankfully, United States has some of the best animal shelters in the world, and we couldn’t be more proud of them.

The High Purpose of Shelters

Animal shelters for dogs and cats are great not just for us and for our outdoor habitat, but for the animals themselves. As tough as it is to see a dog locked up in a small cage in a shelter, the alternative of a dangerous life on the street is never better for a homeless dog. The phrase “a dog’s life” is not without meaning after all. Stray dogs also pose risk to the public simply because they’re trying to survive.

Animal shelters already know they cannot solve the problem of pet homelessness, but even then they still do whatever they can to treat the symptoms of this global issue. They provide accommodation, food and water, and veterinary care and sterilization care for stray dogs and cats. They train, re-train and rehabilitate unwanted and problematic pets, and organize visits from future pet-owners-to-be for the pets they keep in the shelter.

Sadly, even among dog lovers, these rescue organizations and cat dog shelters rarely get enough praise for the work that they do. However, all good animal shelters definitely need more recognition and appreciation from both pet owners and non-pet owners alike. Your praise and appreciation through words and presents lets shelters and their volunteers know that their work matters, and cash donations can improve the quality of life of their hosted animals.

While some animal rescue organizations do a decent job of following protocols, some of the best animal shelters out there go above and beyond for their mission to help stray pets, and deserve recognition for their outstanding work. Today, we’re ranking 30 of the best animal shelters in America. If you’re looking to adopt a pet or you simply want to help out an animal shelter near you – take a look below.

30 Animal Shelters That Make America Proud

Arizona Animal Welfare League

Where: Phoenix, Arizona
Address (Google maps): 25 North 40th St. Phoenix, AZ 85034
Website: https://aawl.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAWLeague/

Let’s start things off with one of the older animal shelters on this list. The Arizona Animal Welfare League was first formed in 1971, but in the 1990’s they also started working on saving animals on other shelters’ euthanasia lists.

The AAWL quickly became one of the biggest no-kill shelters in the country, as well as “a leader in innovative behavior training, medical care, adoption, education and community outreach programs.”

 

Humane Society of Sarasota County

Where: Sarasota, Florida
Address (Google maps): 2331 15th Street, Sarasota, FL 34237
Website: http://www.hssc.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Humane.Society.of.Sarasota.County

The best no-kill shelter in its area, the Humane Society of Sarasota County is a staple of its community. The Feline and K-9 programs of this shelter provide great training and behavioral reprogramming for problematic, untrained, sick, and unwanted animals.

Their veterinary staff is also an example of what makes the Humane Society of Sarasota County a worthy inclusion on our list of the best animal shelters in the country.

 

Pet Haven of Minnesota

Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Website: https://pethavenmn.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PetHavenMN

Another one of the older pet welfare organizations on our list, the Pet Haven in Minneapolis was founded in 1952. Proudly wearing the badge of Minnesota’s First Foster-based Animal Rescue Organization, the Pet Haven is still continuing its great work 65 years later.

Offering great medicinal and behavioral care for their animals, as well as expertly and efficiently finding new homes for them, the Pet Haven of Minneapolis definitely deserves its name.

 

BARC Shelter

Where: Brooklyn, New York
Address (Google maps): 86 N 1st St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Website: http://www.barcshelter.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarcShelter

The Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition, or BARC for short, is a great example of what an animal rescue and shelter should look like.

Providing a safe haven for lost, unwanted and sickly animals, as well as finding them new homes with loving owners, the BARC shelter is the ideal place for you to check out if you are in the area and you’re looking for an animal shelter.

 

Greyhound Pets of America

Where: Longwood, Florida
Address (Google maps): 1260 S Ronald Reagan Blvd, Longwood, FL 32750
Website: http://www.greyhoundpetsorlando.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreyhoundPetsOfAmericaGreaterOrlando/

Located in Greater Orlando, the Greyhound Pets of America is a smaller animal shelter, focused on Greyhounds. It was founded in 1996 as a chapter of the National Greyhound Pets of America organization and it has been a staple of the organization ever since.

Representing them in this list of the best animal shelters, GPA/GO is a 100% volunteer organization that never returns a Greyhound and offers the best possible care for their animals.

 

New York Bully Crew

Where: Long Island, New York
Address (Google maps): 1457 Montauk Hwy, East Patchogue, NY 11772
Website: https://www.nybullycrew.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newyorkbullycrew

Founded in December 2010, the New York Bully Crew specializes in Pitbull rescue, but also provides care and help for all other dogs and animals in need they can find. The NY Bully Crew does a great deal of work in rehabilitating pitbulls and finding them loving and responsible owners, however, they also act to raise awareness of the horrible acts of violence done against Pitbulls, due to the awful clichés that still exist about them.

 

Animal Humane Society

Where: Multiple locations throughout Minnesota
Website: https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/animalhumanesociety

With their five Twin Cities adoption centers, the Animal Humane Society helps more than 23,000 animals in need each year, as well as thousands of others through their programs for pet owners. One of the best animal shelters in the Upper Midwest, AHS is an example of everything an animal shelter should be and do, offering every form of care a homeless, unwanted, or sick animal can need.

 

Bainbridge Humane Society

Where: Bainbridge, Georgia
Address (Google maps): 1250 Cox Avenue, Bainbridge, GA 39819
Website: http://bainbridgehumanesociety.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bainbridge-Humane-Society/163347990361569

The Bainbridge Decatur County Humane Society was formed 15 years ago, in 2002. Created as an answer to several other shelters before it that couldn’t manage to do what the animals of Decatur County needed them to, the Bainbridge Humane Society is an exemplary open shelter that accepts all lost, wounded, sick, or unwanted animals, treats them and finds them new homes.

 

Milton Animal League

Where: Boston, Massachusetts
Address (Google maps): 181 Governor Stoughton Ln, Milton, MA 02186
Website: http://www.miltonanimalleague.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miltonanimalleague/

Another animal shelter that makes us proud is the Milton Animal League. An animal welfare organization that is an example of all other with its unconditional love for animals and the great veterinary and behavioral care they offer, they categorically deserve a spot on our list.

If you are in the area and you are looking for an animal shelter of the highest quality, the Milton Animal League is the perfect place to check out.

 

Humane Society of Memphis

Where: Memphis, Tennessee
Address (Google maps): 935 Farm Rd, Memphis, TN 38134
Website: http://memphishumane.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumaneSocietyOfMemphisShelbyCounty

One of the older entries in our list is the Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County – working for the well-being of abused, injured, and homeless dogs and pets ever since 1933, the Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County is one of those animal shelters that hundreds of others are built to emulate.

Providing shelter, nutritious food, and great veterinary care for hundreds of animals at a time, this shelter is well deserving of a spot on our list.

 

Dane County Humane Society

Where: Madison, Wisconsin
Address (Google maps): 5132 Voges Rd, Madison, WI 53718
Website: http://www.giveshelter.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiveShelter/

An open admission animal shelter in Wisconsin, the Dane County Humane Society welcomes all animals, regarding of their history or condition.

They offer amazing care for both the behavior and health of the pets in their care, but more importantly, they also guarantee new homes for all cats and dogs that are in decent health and have only treatable health and behavioral conditions.

 

Ramapo Bergen Animal Refuge

Where: Oakland, New Jersey
Address (Google maps): 2 Shelter Ln, Oakland, NJ 07436
Website: https://rbari.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rbarishelter

The merging of two great animal welfare organizations nearly 40 years ago lead to the creation of Ramapo Bergen Animal Refuge.

Bergen Animal Rescue Inc. and Ramapo Animal Refuge Inc. had been staples in animal welfare in Oakland for years, and that goes even more so for the Ramapo Bergen Animal Refuge. Rescue, rehabilitation, medical care, a no-kill policy, and finding new owners – RBARI does it all.

 

Austin Pets Alive!

Where: Austin, Texas
Address (Google maps): W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78703
Website: https://www.austinpetsalive.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austinpetsalive/

One of the undisputed leaders in the no-kill animal shelter movement in the U.S., the Austin Pets Alive! shelter in Texas is a model for what a modern animal shelter should look like.

They started their path by targeting animals on the euthanasia lists of other local shelters and establishing data and statistics based on them and the countless animals that Austin Pets Alive! had saved. The end result is clear – one of the best animal shelters in the country.

 

Wayside Waifs

Where: Kansas City, Missouri
Address (Google maps): 3901 Martha Truman Rd, Kansas City, MO 64137
Website: http://www.waysidewaifs.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaysideWaifs

Another great no-kill animal shelter that deserves our attention is Wayside Waifs. The largest pet adoption campus in Kansas City, Wayside Waifs places 5,500 animals each year in loving foster families. Established as far back as 1944, today the shelter is committed to keeping animals in their care for as long as it takes and never euthanize them unless there’s a medical condition requiring it.

 

DeKalb County Animal Services

Where: Atlanta, Georgia
Address (Google maps): 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341
Website: http://www.dekalbanimalservices.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeKalbCountyAnimalServices/

Managed by LifeLine Animal Project, the Animal Services division of DeKalb County is a non-profit organization that does a lot of great work for the homeless animals in their county.

The DeKalb County Animal Services offers a great support for the entire animal welfare community by helping with homeless adoption, offering spray and neuter services, and advocating for the lives and well-being of pets and animals in the county.

 

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA)

Where: Los Angeles, California
Address (Google maps): 5026 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Website: https://spcala.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spcaLA/

Not just one of the older ones, but the oldest entry in our list, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) has been working tirelessly for the well-being our pets and animals ever since 1877.

With a lot of great programs such as Cruelty Investigations, Disaster Animal Response Team, Humane Education, and many others, spcaLA is much more than just one of the best animal shelters.

 

Muttville Senior Dog Rescue

Where: San Francisco, California
Address (Google maps): 255 Alabama St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Website: http://www.muttville.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Muttville.Senior.Dog.Rescue

Another great shelter in San Francisco, Muttville specializes in unwanted dogs – dogs that have grown too old and too sickly and their owners have rejected them.

As horrible as this sound for some, the sad truth is that this happens quite often and Muttville makes sure that such dogs get the care they need and deserve, as well as find new homes with owners that will love them for what they are.

 

Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando

Where: Orlando, Florida
Address (Google maps): 2727 Conroy Rd, Orlando, FL 32839
Website: https://petallianceorlando.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PetAllianceGO/

One of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the U.S. and a well-deserving entry in our list the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando was founded all the way back in 1937 as the Orlando Humane Society.

80 years later, these animal welfare pioneers are still continuing their great work of delivering expert care for homeless, unwanted, wounded, or sickly animals.

 

Best Friends Animal Society

Where: Kanab, Utah
Address (Google maps): 5001 Angel Canyon Rd, Kanab, UT 84741
Website: https://bestfriends.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestfriendsanimalsociety

Founded in 1984 – a time when the shelters in the U.S. were still killing millions of cats and dogs across the country – Best Friends Animal Society made all the difference. Today, the Best Friends Animal Society is a leading national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters.

In addition to running lifesaving programs in partnership with more than 2,100 animal welfare groups across the country, Best Friends has regional centers in New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Salt Lake City, and operates the nation’s largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals.

 

Nevada Humane Society

Where: Reno, Nevada
Address (Google maps): 2825 Longley Ln, Reno, NV 89502
Website: http://nevadahumanesociety.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nevadahumanesociety

The Nevada Humane Society is one of the most famous animal shelters in the U.S. for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is the amazing 94% save rate for animals in their care for 2012. A basically unprecedented percentage, it clearly shows the devotion and dedication the folks at the Nevada Humane Society have to their animals. Keeping up the quality of work since then as well, this shelter is still one to look for.

 

Humane Society of Silicon Valley

Where: Milpitas, California
Address (Google maps): 901 Ames Ave, Milpitas, CA 95035
Website: http://www.hssv.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humanesocietysv

Operating for over 85 years, the Humane Society of the Silicon Valley is a great place for pet rescue, shelter, and adoption.

With a 48,000 square-foot state of the art Animal Community Center that opened in 2009, with an impressive medicine program, with amazing volunteer and educational programs, and with their exceptional devotion and dedication to their mission, the Humane Society of Silicon Valley defiantly makes America proud.

 

City of San Jose Animal Care & Services

Where: San Jose, California
Address (Google maps): 2750 Monterey Rd, San Jose, CA 95111
Website: http://www.sanjoseanimals.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanjoseanimalcarecenter/

Famous for their “Feral Freedom” program, The Animal Care & Services of San Jose made a well-deserved name for themselves by decreasing the euthanasia rates of cats in the county by forty percent (40%!).

In addition to that, the Animal Care & Services of San Jose also provide a lot of other programs to its county, making sure that as many wounded, unwanted, and homeless animals get better and find the right owners.

 

Ellen M Gifford Cat Shelter

Where: Brighton, Massachusetts
Address (Google maps): 30 Undine Rd, Brighton, MA 02135
Website: http://www.giffordcatshelter.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giffordcatshelter/

Something made specifically for our feline friends, the Ellen M Gifford Cat Shelter in Brighton provides safe haven for abandoned, stray, abused, and wounded cats.

Founded in 1884 by Ellen Gifford, the Gifford Cat Shelter is the oldest no-kill animal shelter in the US. For over a century they have been a great example of how to humanely house animals without euthanizing, confining them in small cages and boxes. Offering great care for its inhabitants, this is truly on of the best animal shelters.

 

Stray From the Heart

Website: https://strayfromtheheart.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strayfromtheheart/

Ever since it was founded in the year 2000 by Beth Silberg and Toni Bodon, Stray From the Heart has been one of best animal shelters in New York and the country as a whole.

Rescue, rehabilitation, and finding new homes – Stray From the Heart does it all and does it expertly. In addition to that, their “no questions asked” policy is another great incentive for dog-owners-to-be to give this shelter and the pets it houses a chance.

 

Members of the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance

Where: Various locations
Website: http://www.mdawalliance.org/

An alliance of over 25 different shelters, we thought that the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance deserves a spot on our list as a single entity for their collective excellence in animal welfare.

The collective animal save rate of the Members of the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance is over 85%, making them some of the best shelters in the country. Offering amazing care and rehabilitation, the shelters in the Metro Denver Alliances are ones you’d want to check out.

 

Greenhill Humane Society

Where: Eugene, Oregon
Address (Google maps): 88530 Green Hill Rd, Eugene, OR 97402
Website: http://www.green-hill.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenhillhumane/

The Greenhill Humane Society SPCA provides a safe shelter and amazing veterinary care for stray, unwanted, and wounded animals.

They also actively advocate for animals and pet owners, work towards humane care for animals, and treats all of its adoptees with compassion and respect – definitely an animal shelter that’s worth our attention.

 

Tompkins County SPCA

Where: Ithaca, New York
Address (Google maps): 1640 Hanshaw Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
Website: http://www.spcaonline.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SPCA-of-Tompkins-County-255433035902/

Another great no-kill shelter in New York, the Tompkins County animal shelter has been a no-kill shelter since the start of this century. As if that’s not enough, however, the Tompkins County SPCA is also registered as the first “Green” animal shelter in the U.S. by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Tompkins County SPCA achieved that by being environmentally minded, and having facilities that are designed in the best possible way for the animals in them, the people working for them, and its environment as a whole.

 

Multnomah County Animal Services

Where: Portland, Oregon
Address (Google maps): 1700 W Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060
Website: https://multcopets.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MultnomahCountyAnimalServices/

Located in Oregon, the Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS, for short), are a member of the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland (ASAP) – a coalition of the largest animal welfare organizations in the area.

MCAS is well-deserving of a place on any list of best animal shelters – they have various different programs for rescue, rehabilitation, and vet care for dogs, resulting in over 90% save rate for dogs, placing them amongst the top in the country.

 

Quincy Animal Shelter

Where: Quincy, Massachusetts
Address (Google maps): 56 Broad St, Quincy, MA 02169
Website: http://www.quincyanimalshelter.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QuincyAnimalShelter.org/

For those in Boston, the Quincy Animal Shelter is one of the best animal shelters in the area. A no-kill shelter and a 100% volunteer-run organization that was incorporated in November 1999 as a non-profit Massachusetts charity, the Quincy Animal Shelter has saved and placed into loving homes thousands of animals since then.

A small capacity shelter with a big heart, the Quincy Animal Shelter is a great addition to our list of the best animal shelters.

 

Richmond SPCA

Where: Richmond, Virginia
Address (Google maps): 2519 Hermitage Rd, Richmond, VA 23220
Website: https://www.richmondspca.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RichmondSPCA/

Last on our list, but not anywhere else, the Richmond SPCA is a leader among the no-kill, non-profit humane shelters in the U.S.

Saving thousands of lives every years and taking care of several hundred animals each day, the Richmond SPCA excels at everything an animal shelter should – rehabilitation, veterinary care, adoption, sterilization, as well as educating the community and its future pet-owners on how to best take care of their furry friends.

 

Do you have a nomination for the best animal shelters in America?

Did we miss some? We probably did – there are so many other great shelters and pet-related organizations out there that need more recognition. Let us know about any great animal shelters that we missed in the comments below.

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