Small Dog Rescue in Orlando FL

Dog rescues are a necessity in the animal world. They save dogs from being abandoned or euthanized, providing a safe place and medical animal services until they find their forever home.

Benefits of Dog Rescues in Central Florida

Prioritizing Animal Welfare

• The goal of dog rescues is to help save dogs from abandonment, neglect, and even abuse. They save lives, provide necessities, and help find forever homes through adoption.
• Rescues often provide the following dog care:
• A safe shelter
• Healthy meals
• Freshwater
• Grooming
• Veterinary care such as vaccines
• Rehabilitation, training, or behavior modification. Some pups need extra training help before being put up for a pet adoption.

Reuniting Pets and Owners

• While there are many dogs out there needing a new home, not everyone was abandoned. Natural disasters such as hurricanes affect 83% of pet parents. Many owners are ill-prepared and end up unintentionally being parted from their pets. Animal services such as pet rescues play a huge part in reuniting dogs that have separated from their owners due to natural disasters. A devastating storm is not the only reason a cat or dog might be separated from their family. Loud noises like fireworks, gunshots, or a loud truck backfire can startle your furry friend, causing them to run away in fear. The stress can cause scared pets to become lost.

Education and Awareness

• Those interested in rescue animal services or pet adoption should reach out to their local shelters and rescues. By working with the community, these organizations save the lives of vulnerable pets. Finding homes for stray or abandoned dogs, making improving pet’s lives and the community safer. Learn more and help save lives, make an adoption donation, and maybe even adopt a new friend!

Ending Puppy Mills

• Puppy mills often portray themselves as responsible breeders, but in reality are mass breeding operations. Dogs are bred in terrible living conditions with no regard for proper dog care. Puppies are raised with little consideration for their health, often leading to pups being sold with significant health problems. This can take a toll on new homes and families, both financially and emotionally.

Top Small Dog Rescues in Orlando, FL

Florida Little Dog Rescue

• Located in the Central Florida area, Florida Little Dog Rescue Group rescues pets from all over the state. Available pets have been spayed, neutered, seen by a veterinarian for necessary vaccines, treated for any diseases, and checked for parasites (we want heartworm-negative pups!) Before being adopted by their new family, they go over their entire medical history. Available dogs are placed with caring and loving foster parents while waiting for adoption!

Polka Dogs Pet Rescue

• Polka Dogz Pet Rescue has a two-fold mission. This registered 501c3 will help save dogs and rehabilitate them before adoption to the perfect family. They do lots of community outreach, teaching about the need for rescue and responsible dog ownership.

Little Rascals Rescue

• Lil Rascals Dog Rescue’s goal is to give a voice to the pets in the community who are struggling. They strive to help save every dog that has been abandoned, abused, or suffered neglect and find the perfect loving person or family. If you are thinking of adopting, check out Little Rascals. They put their heart into changing the lives of the dogs they save and the lucky people adopting these furry friends.

Poodle and Pooch Pet Rescue

• Poodle and Pooch Pet Rescue have a special niche that is incredibly important in the animal adoption world. They rescue the “leftovers,” or other dogs that might otherwise be abandoned for health issues, neglect, or even simply because they are old!

Happy Trails Animal Rescue

• Happy Trails Animal Rescue serves the communities of Orange, Osceola, and Seminole country in Florida. They do more than save the lives of dogs in need, they have opened a resource center for pet owners! Offering low-cost dog training, free grooming, a pet food pantry, veterinary financial, assistance, lectures, and service dog training, this resource center is a one-of-a-kind place for struggling pet parents who do not want to have to give up their beloved dog or cat. Their goal is to better the lives of pets and their families in the Central Florida area but educating a providing necessary resources.

Puppy Pleasers Rescue

• Puppy Pleasers Rescue is saving the lives of and finding homes for dogs that have been abandoned in shelters or whose previous families can no longer care for them. Registered as a 501c3, they are a non-profit and no-kill rescue. Their rescue efforts focus on puppies and giving the best start in life to these young pups. They do occasionally take in adult and larger dogs, as they believe that all dogs and breeds deserve a happy, safe home and the best care possible.

Pet Rescue By Judy

• Pet Rescue by Judy rescues and prepares abandoned pets for their new forever family. They are a no-kill, non-profit, and work tirelessly to save dogs, many of whom come to the rescue with medical issues. They do their best get pups healthy and ready for adoption.

Max’s Pet Connection Rescue

• In the Central Florida area, Max’s Pet Connection is a 501c3 non-profit rescue dedicated to small dogs. With a no-kill mission, they are focused on rescuing both small-breed and small mixes. They uphold a 100% spay/neuter policy and are committed to finding loving homes for abandoned and neglected small pups.

Pet Alliance

• Pet Alliance has a strong connection with the pet community in Central Florida and has worked tirelessly in the rescue world for dogs and cats in need. Previously known as the SPCA of Central Florida and the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, they are forerunners in teaching about proper animal care, especially in the shelter environment. Their mission is to bring services to pets and their owners.

Importance of Becoming a Foster Parent for Dogs

• If you want to help save abandoned pets, consider fostering! Foster parents need to be patient, calm, flexible, have dog behavior knowledge, and most of all, be loving! Housing every dog and cat through a shelter or rescue is ideal but is not always practical because of behavior or health issues, sparse housing, and resources. By fostering, loving homes are available to pets that might otherwise be stressed, scared, or even euthanized due to little available space. So consider opening your heart and home to rescue dogs in need!
• Some dogs might be more stressed in a shelter environment than others or could have medical issues requiring extra care. Fostering caretakers are a great option for these kinds of dogs, especially pregnant moms, puppies, or elderly dogs. These dogs are more prone to stress and need a calm, safe place to wait for their adoption. Becoming a foster means these dogs will get the special care needed to grow up safely and prepare for their perfect family.

How to Become a Foster Care Provider?

• To find out how to become a foster home for a local dog in need, contact your local animal control or shelter (or any of the rescues on this list!). Prospective foster parents will need to complete an application, plus provide information about their home and pet knowledge. Many rescues require a home visit and interview as it is important to make sure these vulnerable animals are heading to a safe environment. Make sure to carefully comply with any adoption and care instructions.

Conclusion

There are many ways the community can help homeless pets. The small dog rescues are always looking for volunteers to clean kennels, take dogs for walks, or make an adoption donation like food, treats, or old blankets. If you are looking to make a big difference, you might even consider fostering, giving a dog a temporary loving home while they wait for their new family. Contact any of these small dog rescues if you are either looking for volunteer opportunities or looking your new best friend!