There are dozens, if not hundreds, of rescues operating in BC. It can be hard to navigate, and to know which ones are going to provide the screening, matching and support to ensure that your next family member is a fit for you. For more information on what constitutes a responsible rescue, check out our website. A volunteer has compiled this list of rescues that work with BC animals, serving adoptive families in the Metro Vancouver area. We thought it was worth a share!
PDF version here.CatsCARES Cat ShelterCat Therapy and Rescue SocietyKatie’s Place Animal ShelterRoyal City Humane SocietyVOKRADogsA Voice4Paws Canine Rescue SocietyCross Our Paws
Dhana Metta (specializes in small and special needs dogs)
Little Paws Rescue (small dogs) Breed specificBC Chihuahua Rescue HugABull Advocacy & Rescue SocietyLoveabull Rescue SocietyRescue A Boxer
TNT Sharpei RescueVancouver Shar Pei Rescue
Tip: you can also check with breed clubs to see if they have rescue programs.Dogs & catsSAINTS (seniors and special needs dogs)Squamish Neighbourhood Animal Partnership and Protection Society (SNAPPS)Other speciesSmall Animal Rescue SocietyRabbitatsGreyhaven Exotic Bird SanctuaryReptile Rescue, Adoption & Education SocietySheltersMost cities have an animal shelter! Check out their pages and social media accounts:Chilliwack CARE CentreCoquitlam Animal ShelterCountryside Kennels (PoCo/Pitt Meadows)
Delta Community Animal ShelterLangley Animal Protection SocietyNew Westminster Animal ShelterRegional Animal Protection Society (Richmond)Surrey Animal Resource CentreVancouver Animal ShelterWhistler Animals GaloreAnd of course, there’s a wide network of BC SPCA branches! spca.bc.caYou can always browse sites like Petfinder to look at cute furry faces. Remember that the guideline is "buyer beware". A listing on the site does not guarantee that the rescue is a good one, or even that the dog is in BC. Further readingNavigating the Rescue System
What is Responsible Rescue?No Puppy Mills Canada----Disclaimers:1. Inclusion on this list is not a quality guarantee! A rescue may be fantastic but change under new leadership. Always do your research and watch for any "red flags" no matter which organization you work with.2. Exclusion on this list does not necessarily mean a rescue is bad. There are hundreds of groups throughout BC and we can't know about them all. There are some resources on our website that can help you determine what to look for in a rescue.3. We have chosen to focus this list on rescues that work with local dogs. We feel that this is important work, and BC dogs need love! We also wished to keep the scope of the project manageable.

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