Hudson Valley Animal Shelter and Rescues:
21+ Places to Adopt your Next Furry Friend
My FB Group ‘Tails of the Hudson Valley’ was created to spread the word about animals that reside in either a Hudson Valley animal shelter or rescue. These organizations are very dear to my heart. The work they do is selfless and they mainly operate through donations and money from adoptions (which is not much, by the way).
When people say “Don’t Shop, Adopt”, it is very true! The amount of dogs that I feature in my group is crazy. If I could, I would adopt them all.
If you’re looking to add a furry little guy or girl to your family, then check this list of Hudson Valley Animal Shelters and Hudson Valley Animal Rescues.
This article contains an affiliate link or two. I make a small commission for purchases made through links at no extra cost to you. Read my disclosure for more info.
Why Choose a Pet from a Hudson Valley Animal Shelter
An animal at a Hudson Valley Animal Shelter and Rescue is not limited to a dog. Many animal shelters and rescues also have cats, hamsters, rabbits and more.
While many of these shelters and rescues do an amazing job in providing for these animals, they can always use supplies for their purpose.
Besides pet food, litter, pee pads, and so much more, they also happily take donations of old towels, old comforters and more…
How to Adopt a Pet from a Hudson Valley Animal Shelter and Rescue
Many animal shelters and rescues make it very easy to adopt a pet. There are often buttons on their websites where you can download an application right at home.
This ease helps not only the locations that are adopting Hudson Valley pets, but also the person who is interested in adopting a new pet at that particular Hudson Valley animal shelter. The information you give them will help their “matchmakers” identify the pet most suitable to your personality and lifestyle. Their main goal is to ensure that the pet they are adopting out find their ‘forever home’.
Some requirements include, but are not limited to:
- Being 21 years of age or older to adopt.
- Getting consent of the adoption from your landlord.
List of Animal Shelters and Rescues
DUTCHESS COUNTY
– Crate Escape Rescue, Inc: This small rescue in Wappingers Falls that do not have an age requirement for kids in an adoptive home. This eases the stress of many parents who are worried that their application may be denied. Their rescue specializes in saving pups from North and South Carolina in high kill shelters.
– Dutchess County SPCA Hyde Park: Having cared for tens of thousands of pets, this branch of the SPCA strives to not only help animals but also help people. Pets that are available include dogs, cat and other ‘pocket pets’ (rabbits, fancy rabbits and guinea pigs). Their application process includes a pre-screening and then meeting your potential pet before finalizing the adoption.
– Hudson Valley Animal Rescue & Sanctuary: This wonderful rescue and sanctuary is open by appointment only and have dogs, cats and other small animals up for adoption on their website. Located in Poughkeepsie, they also run a low-cost vet clinic with wellness appointments for cats and dogs, and a spay/neuter program for cats, dogs, and rabbits.
– Mid Hudson Animal Aid: This private, not-for-profit organization, located in Beacon, is dedicated to helping abandoned and abused animals throughout the Hudson Valley. This no-kill cat sanctuary gives the cats that are lucky to be there compassionate care in a free range environment. Open from 12-4pm and open for adoptions by appointment.
ORANGE COUNTY
– Bleu’s K9 Rescue: This all breed non-profit animal rescue is 100% foster and volunteer based. They are dedicated to saving dogs of all sizes and breeds. They do not have a ‘physical’ shelter, but work with the model of having their dogs in foster homes. They also serve the community and adopters by educating and encouraging responsible pet ownership with an emphasis on the need for spaying and neutering and break down the stereotypes of many “bully” breeds.
– Dumped & Stray Animal Rescue: Located in Middletown, this volunteer organization maintains a small shelter and feral cat sanctuary. The volunteers and foster families work tirelessly to ensure that shelter and food are provided for all local and homeless cats. Randall’s Place is their feral cat haven, where homeless cats can live happy and free!
– Fur-Get me Not Animal Rescue: This foster based animal rescue focuses on preventing the euthanasia of adoptable dogs, the prevention of cruelty/neglect toward dogs and the irresponsible breeding of dogs. Since they do not have a physical shelter, they rely on their foster homes to provide a loving home for the dogs until their forever home is found.
– Goshen Humane Society: This no-kill dog and cat Hudson Valley animal shelter works very hard to ensure that the animals at the shelter are in loving and caring homes until a permanent home can be found.
– Hudson Valley SPCA: Located in New Windsor, this No-Kill Sanctuary is dedicated to rescuing, sheltering and defending animals. They have rescued pets from hoarding situations and so much worse. They have both dogs and cats available for adoption. Some of their lucky residents will find new homes within a day or two of coming to them, while others might be with them for the rest of their lives.
IMPORTANT TIP:
It’s Better to Be Over-Prepared Than Under-Prepared
These items are essential for a successful outing:
- I love Cross Body Bags but some can be bulky and uncomfortable, but not this one. The sleek design is stylish and can be worn every season.
- When you’re out with your dog, these dog harnesses can be your best friend.
- When you’re out for a long period of time, it’s always a good idea to have essential gear, like these items.
– Humane Society of Blooming Grove: Located in Washingtonville, this Hudson Valley animal shelter has been in existence since 1975. They are dedicated to giving shelter to unwanted and abandoned animals. Open from Thursday through Sunday, they have both dogs and cats for adoption.
– Humane Society of Middletown: Founded in 1959, this no-kill, privately run shelter happily accepts adopters, as well as, volunteers. Adopting a pet at this shelter is wonderful experience. The staff is happy to guide you through the process of finding just the right pet, be it a cat, a dog, a hamster or even a bird.
– Humane Society of Walden: Their motto is “Bring Home Love” and this could not be any truer. This no-kill shelter is dedicated to helping stray and abandoned cats and dogs find their forever homes. Their animal shelter serves the communities of Montgomery, Walden, Maybrook, Crawford, Wawarsing, Shawangunk, and Mamakating, but will not turn away pets from across the country in need.
– Pets Alive: Located in Middletown, this wonderful rescue not only helps animals from the Hudson Valley, but also from all over the country. Open daily from 10am – 4pm, their selection of adoptable pets include: dogs, cats, horses, farm animals and rabbits.
– Warwick Valley Humane Society: Founded in 1954, the animal shelter has been operating since 1968. This Hudson Valley Animal Shelter is the second oldest humane society in Orange County NY. They also offer animal control services with contracts with the Towns of Warwick and Chester. They admit approximately 500 animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and more.
PUTNAM COUNTY
– Pawsafe Animal Rescue: This rescue exists to provide a better life for adoptable companion animals without homes and to assist in the effort to limit the overpopulation of these animals through a low kill methodology. They look forward to a society that no longer views adoptable companion animals as a disposable commodity and people responsibly spay or neuter their animals to put an end to the overpopulation that exists today.
– SNARR Northeast Adoption Center: This ‘Special Needs Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation’ is a very special place. Founded in 2011, this rescue has the difficult job of placing dogs with serious medical conditions, paralyzed dogs, deaf and blind dogs, severely emaciated dogs, dogs with neurological deficits & disease, dogs with injuries and orthopedic issues.
ROCKLAND COUNTY
– Hudson Valley Humane Society: This no-kill full service animal welfare organization provides the following functions for the community: Humane Law Enforcement, Animal Rescue/Shelter/Adoption, Low Cost Spay & Neuter Programs for Felines, Education Programs and so much more. If you’re on the fence about adopting a pet from this Hudson Valley animal shelter, you can sign up for their free newsletter which offers insight to featured animals.
– Hi-Tor Animal Care Center: Founded in 1973, Hi Tor Animal Care Center takes in over 2,000 animals each year and is the only open managed admission shelter in Rockland County. They have adoptable dogs, cats and other small animals.
ULSTER COUNTY
– Animals for Adoption: Entirely run by volunteers, this rescue not only adopts out dogs, they help a community and offer several unique programs:
- Special Needs Children: A select group of our dogs spends six at Green Chimneys, a residential school for special needs children in Brewster NY. They teach the kids to train the dogs. They gain self-esteem and a new skill; the dogs become more adoptable.
- Prison Trainers: Other dogs reside at a prison in Eastern PA where the prisoners learn dog training and behavior, and animal care. Prison officials find that these skills and interactions with the dogs provide a calming influence on prisoners and instill a sense of responsibility.
- Veterans Assistance: A few of the dogs with the most exceptional temperaments have been recruited by a veteran’s assistance organization that trains them especially for meeting the unique needs of veterans who have recently returned from war zones.
- Community Therapy Dog Work: They believe all of the adopters should be offered free training so that as many of the dogs as possible gain Certification as Therapy Dogs.
- Canine Community Center: They also see the shelter as a broader community resource where all dog owners can interact for education and recreation.
– Cast Aside to Survive Cat Rescue: They strive to end the suffering of homeless cats. They provide educational resources on spay/neuter and behavioral issues of un-neutered pets, offer low cost spay/neuter certificates to the community, and facilitate the fostering, socializing, adoption, spay/neuter and vaccinations of viable kittens from within the feral colonies.
– Mountain Haven Rescue: Located in Stone Ridge, this great rescue started as a pet food pantry. Mountain Haven continues to do what they can to help animals in need and at risk. They take great pride in providing the best possible care and fresh start for animals in need.
– Saugerties Animal Shelter: Dog and cat adoptions at this Hudson Valley animal shelter are done by appointment only with an approved application. Their new facility is a wonderful place for lost, abandoned and orphaned pets to find their forever homes.
– Ulster County SPCA Kingston: Open to the public from Tuesday through Sunday, by appointment only, they specialize in finding homes for dogs, cats and other small animals. Their mission is to prevent cruelty to animals by providing temporary shelter and finding adoptive homes for homeless, abused and neglected animals.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY
– A Good Dog Rescue: Located in Verplanck, this rescue cares for and adopts out dogs. All their dogs available for adoption have been examined by a veterinarian, spayed, neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped. Their volunteer group meets every Sunday at 10am to take the rescue dogs who have been living at Canine Kindergarten on a local pack walk. This is a fun social event for both the volunteers and the dogs.
– Paws Crossed Animal Rescue: Located in Elmsford, this rescue has helped over 2,000 families find their next loving pet. All pets available for adoption are spayed or neutered, up to date on most vaccines, dewormed, microchipped and tested for heartworm (dogs) or FeLV (cats). They have been bringing happiness to others since 2016.
LOOKING FOR A VET IN WESTCHESTER?
Reference this list of Veterinarians in Westchester County to find one right for you!
Other Places to Find a Pet
Sometimes you can’t find a pet that meets your particular requirements (ex – needing a small dog for apartment living) within the Hudson Valley animal shelter system. In times like these, there is no reason to fret, because there are websites and apps that will help in your search. Several of the animals listed on these reputable sites transport their pets up to the Hudson Valley (for an additional fee).
I have personally had a wonderful experience finding our dog this way. Since our first dog is very small, we were limited to adopting a small second dog. Our dog was transported from Arkansas and we could not have been happier with the entire experience.
Some of these reputable websites include:
READ MORE:
Wanna take your pet on a Road Trip? These tips will help make your trip a success!
Tips for a Successful Adoption at a Hudson Valley Animal Shelter and Rescue
Review Pet Profiles:
- Some pets are not a good fit for a home with children and/or other pets.
- Some pets require an active home, one where they can get daily exercise.
- Other pets require a fenced in yard.
Read the Fine Print of the Adoption Application
- Additional fees, such as transport fees, may be added on to the adoption fee, especially for pets adopted from out of state rescues.
- Adoption fees may differ depending on the type of pet you are applying for.
- Some animal shelters and rescues prefer non-family referrals on the application.
Until the Next Adventure…
