Good Shelters and Good Rescues focus on saving the lives of homeless dogs across the country. And with about 6.5 million animals in shelters and rescues, we highly encourage you to consider adoption.
Did you know you can find a dog with the characteristics you want in a shelter or rescue organization? For example, if you have your eye on a particular breed, there are a lot of great rescues that specialize in certain breeds and will even help transport a dog to you from another part of the country. Adoption might also make sense for you if the cost of getting a dog from a breeder is too high or if your lifestyle is better suited to an adult dog than a puppy.
Regardless of your preferences, you should always feel confident that the organizations you’re dealing with have your and your new dog’s best interests at heart. We believe there are certain standards of care that all organizations should meet. Good Dog is committed to ensuring that each shelter and rescue featured on our site meets the following criteria.
All of our recognized organizations must prioritize the welfare of the animals in their care, including animals in foster homes or at other offsite locations. Responsible daily care includes a clean living environment, food, water, daily enrichment and shelter. Many of the organizations on Good Dog go above and beyond these basic standards to ensure that their dogs are healthy, happy and prepared for success in their new homes. All Good Shelters and Good Rescues are based in the United States and must also be in compliance with local laws and regulations related to animal sheltering.
We believe every dog deserves a loving home. By supporting responsible dog ownership and organizations who put the needs of their dogs first, we’ll help put an end to inhumane, unethical and deceptive practices in the dog world.
All of the rescues and shelters on Good Dog are committed to ending pet homelessness by supporting adoption, spay and neuter, as well as programs around delayed shelter intake. Commitment to these important issues means fewer dogs in shelters and more happy dogs on couches in loving homes.
Our goal is to make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about where to get your new furry friend. Transparency around these practices helps hold organizations accountable and gives adopters the information necessary to make their own choices.
Every shelter and rescue recognized on Good Dog is also in good standing with GuideStar Charity Check. You can rest assured that you are adopting your new family member from an organization that is transparent about their programs and results, financials and operations.
We also make sure that every rescue and shelter we partner with is an approved 501(c)(3) public charity or municipal shelter.
Good Shelter and Rescue Code of Ethics
Our Standards and Screening