The Best Georgia Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

Thomasville Humane

Thomasville Humane is a charitable organization committed to promoting the humane treatment of animals through a variety of means, including adoption programs, foster care programs, spay and neuter services, and community education projects with the long-term goal of eliminating unwarranted euthanasia.

Adopt a Golden Atlanta

Adopt a Golden Atlanta [AGA] is a volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to finding warm, loving permanent homes for Golden Retrievers [both purebred and high golden mixes] in order to prevent them from becoming strays or adding to the shelter overpopulation. If a non-golden is best friends with a golden who is surrendered to us, non golden will not be left behind and will accompany the golden into our program and placed with the golden to live together in their new home. Golden Retrievers, regardless of medical needs or age, will receive comprehensive evaluation, spay/neutering services, veterinary care, behavioral training if required, and safe passage into a permanent loving home. In addition to providing those services, Adopt a Golden Atlanta is intent on treating dog owners who are faced with surrendering their dogs with the utmost respect, understanding and compassion. It is also our obligation to educate and assist the metropolitan Atlanta general public, and dog owners specifically, regarding issues such as responsible pet ownership, spay/neutering, obedience training, and veterinary/specialists referrals. Our goal is to reduce the number of Golden Retrievers sent to shelters. AGA will never allow a golden to die in a shelter. AGA relies solely on donations and has a 501(c)(3) classification with the IRS. Your donation is tax deductible. We also meet the requirements for corporate matching, employee giving and volunteer grant programs.

South Georgia Equine Rescue Inc

We are a small rescue in South Ga taking in all animals from cats and dogs to horses and sheep. We try to spay and neuter community dogs as people will allow and educate to help prevent these issues from continuing for years to come.

Lucky Dog Rescue Ranch Inc

North Georgia animal alliance

North Georgia Animal Alliance, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) organization comprised of volunteers. We operate on the financial support of donations, grants and corporate sponsors.

bullpenrescue

Located in the green rolling hills of Northeast Georgia, The Bullpen provides assistance and sanctuary for giant breed dogs and other vulnerable companion animals. We believe that by integrating grassroots community education and outreach, coalition building, support for existing animal welfare efforts, and our own independent rescue operations, we can eliminate needless euthanasia and improve the overall health and well-being of our four-legged friends.

Project Freedom RIde

Providing a much-needed service to dogs in need is the driving force behind PFR. We are their trusted companions in this life-changing journey from danger to safety. We are 100% donation driven and make anywhere from 1 - 2 transport trips per month thanks to everyone's support.

Friends to the Forlorn Pitbull Rescue, Inc

Dekalb County Animal Services

The animal shelter of DeKalb County Animal Services (DCAS) is managed by LifeLine Animal Project, a nonprofit organization working to end shelter euthanasia. LifeLine provides humane care for the animals at the shelter, veterinary care including spay/neuters, pet adoptions, animal reclaims, volunteers, foster homes and rescue group coordination.

Pulled From Wreckage Ranch & Rescue

Fulton County Animal Services

LifeLine Animal Project, a nonprofit ending the shelter euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals, has been managing the Fulton County Animal Services (FCAS) shelter since 2013. FCAS provides humane care for the animals at the shelter, veterinary care including spay/neuters, pet adoptions, animal reclaims, volunteer and foster opportunities and rescue group coordination. Also, we provide field enforcement services through our Animal Services Officers.

Hands to Paws Rescue

We are a grassroots organization that begin with incorporation in 2015. Organized initially by Kathryn Ellis with friends and family that were concerned about the animal situation in the CSRA. The group received initial Non-profit status in September 2016 and have been GA Dept of Agriculture licensed since 2016. We have NO PHYSICAL FACILITY as we are a foster home rescue! To this day the rescue continues to be an All-volunteer, non-paid Board of Directors. All activities are volunteer-based and the rescue is an All-donation (or grant) based funding rescue!

German Shepherd Dog of Georgia

It all began in 2004. We started this rescue effort in an effort to help German Shepherds find better homes. Since then, we have helped hundreds of German Shepherds find loving companions. Using the homes of other volunteers, we have continued our mission to find homes for German Shepherds in Metro Atlanta and North Georgia

Brassknucklepinupsrescue

Star Bright Animal Rescue

Star Bright Animal Rescue is a 501C3, non-profit organization run by volunteers in central GA and New England areas. We rescue dogs and puppies from high kill and all kill animal controls, and strays, anywhere they need help, we try to help as many as we can. Most of the puppies that you see in New England shelters and websites (including our own) come from southern states. Nearly 95% of our the fur babies in our program come from a shelter in Georgia which we have developed a close partnership with the goal of saving lives from needless euthanasia. The remaining 5% come from abandoned and owner surrender situations.

Clovers in the Ruff Inc

Our amazing team of volunteers are committed to helping animals in our community. We take our convictions and turn them into action. We believe that shelter dogs make the best family pets and make it a top priority to find forever homes for dogs rescued from high kill shelters. Think you would be a good fit? See our contact page for more information!

Go Dogs Go Rescue

350,000 cats and dogs are euthanized in GA every year for space. All of the dogs in our rescue were once URGENT, when we get one adopted, it makes room to save another. We are a group of ladies who have many years of working in rescue in central GA who have come together to form our own rescue. We are 501c3 non profit. We all have one thing in common, we want to save dogs, and whilst they are with us, we want them treated like they are our own, looked after and loved. We all have different strengths in different areas, and so each person works on the thing they do best, a strong team working together with one goal, saving the dogs.

American Black and Tan Coonhound Rescue

Madison Oglethorpe animal shelter

Southern Style Great Dane rescue

SSGDR is a 501c3 nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Tennessee. SSGDR is owned and operated by a Board of Directors and a dedicated group of volunteers. We are a foster home based rescue. We do not have an actual brick and mortar building. Foster homes are located in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

Whiskers fund

Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia

Angels Among Us Pet Rescue

Angels Among Us Pet Rescue (Angels Rescue) was founded in February 2009 by a small group of individuals committed to saving the growing numbers of unwanted, abandoned, abused, and stray dogs and cats in animal control facilities and other at-risk situations across Georgia. With the help of donors, fosters, and other volunteers, in just ten years, this organization has saved the lives of over 20,000 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. Our efforts are funded by tax-deductible contributions from compassionate people and organizations who care. The mission of Angels Among Us Pet Rescue is to “Rescue One Until There Are None,” and dog by dog, and cat by cat, we strive to live this philosophy every day. To achieve the ultimate goal of our mission, we focus on: (1) saving as many animals as we can from shelters and through owner surrenders, seeing each animal through every step of the process from the actual rescue freedom ride to the loving foster home and ultimately to the “forever” home they were meant to have. (2) raising awareness to educate the public on the plight of animals that have found themselves in Georgia’s shelters or have suffered neglect or abuse in order to underscore the responsibilities of pet ownership and to advocate to be the voices of these animals, some of whom have suffered unimaginable cruelty and abuse.

Southeast GSP Rescue

‚ÄãWe are a close-knit group of volunteers in AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC & TN. We find loving homes for GSPs in need, promote animal welfare & responsible breeding, and educate the public about this incredible breed that has brought us together.

LifeLine Animal Project

Human Animal Support Services (HASS) is a new national coalition of shelters. They are reimagining sheltering by promoting community involvement and helping people and pets stay together. Our ultimate goal is to reduce the number of animals who unnecessarily enter the shelter by refocusing efforts, resources and support to offer community-based solutions. As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, LifeLine Animal Project, like many other shelters, was supported by animal lovers who fostered pets, adopted, helped lost or found animals get back to their homes. This support gave animal welfare organizations the opportunity to collaborate with our communities in new ways and has allowed us to create a better model of animal services.

Atlanta Humane Society

The Atlanta Humane Society is a no-kill shelter providing sheltering and adoption, veterinary care, and community outreach to the Atlanta Metro. As one of the oldest charities in Atlanta, Georgia, we have been caring for our community and animals for more than 148 years.

Cobb county animal control

Cobb County Animal Services was established in 1971. As part of Cobb's Department of Public Safety, we serve the entire county, protecting the residents and animals of Cobb. The mission of the Cobb County Animal Services Unit is to enforce state laws and county ordinances pertaining to animal control and management; educate the community on responsible pet ownership and wildlife care and provide housing and care for homeless animals, while coordinating their adoptions when possible and humane euthanization when adoptions are not possible.

Best Friends Humane Society

Best Friends Humane Society is a private, non-profit organization. Our goals include providing shelt

Renegade Paws Rescue

Renegade Paws Rescue is a 501(c)(3) volunteer based organization dedicated to providing the highest level of care for unwanted, abused, or injured dogs in the Coastal Empire and surrounding areas.

Southern Comfort Animal Rescue, Inc.

outhern Comfort Animal Rescue, Inc. (SoCo Rescue) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that rescues and re-homes abused, unwanted, and abandoned companion animals. We primarily house dogs of all breeds, ages, shapes and sizes, and occasionally offer cats for adoption as well. We are a small rescue and the only resource for homeless dogs in a rural county of Georgia.