Pet adoption is an amazing way to bring a furry companion into your life and give a loving home to an animal in need. However, with so many animal shelters and rescue organizations out there, it can be difficult to know where to start.

That's why we've put together a comprehensive list of the best pet adoption centers in San Diego. From small local rescues to large nationwide organizations, these centers have all earned a reputation for providing top-notch care and finding forever homes for their furry friends. Whether you're looking for a dog, cat, bird, or even a more exotic pet, we've got you covered.

So head over to one of these pet adoption centers in San Diego, CA and get ready to find your new best friend!

A pet wellness exam and vaccinations are essential steps to ensure a healthy and happy start for your newly adopted furry companion. These preventive measures not only safeguard your pet against potentially life-threatening diseases, but they also serve as a foundation for building a strong bond with your pet. Luckily, our team of mobile veterinarians in San Diego, CA can bring these vet services to the comfort of your home!

Baja California Spay Neuter Foundation

511 E San Ysidro Blvd, San Ysidro, CA 92173
We care about over population of our pets in US and Mexico. We're here to put an end to unwanted liters of dogs and cats, homeless animal suffering and over population by providing low cost high quality spay and neuter services. We're here to promote and provide spay and neuter education and training to veterinarians while promoting the cause of humane animal care and responsible animal ownership through community education. We talk to kids, adults, doctors, civic leaders and most importantly we talk to you.
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Del Mar Dog Rescue

San Diego, CA
Our organization is committed to keeping pets safe, happy and healthy while they wait to be placed in a forever home. Del Mar Dog Rescue is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing abused, neglected, abandoned, stray dogs. We are solely operated by volunteers and rely on funding from adoption fees and charitable donations. The purpose of Del Mar Dog Rescue is to be of service to the animals that do not have a voice and give them the care and loving companionship they need. Our mission is to rescue dogs that are abused, neglected, abandoned, homeless and helpless. Our goal is to remove animals from impoverished, intolerable conditions and provide them with proper nutrition and necessary veterinary care. Including appropriate vaccinating, evaluation by a veterinarian, necessary treatment, and (age appropriate) spaying or neutering of all dogs that come into our care.
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Tender Hearts Dog Rescue

2658 Worden St, 228, San Diego, CA 92110
We are in the beginning stages of developing strategies to save as many dogs as we can. No dog is too big or too small, no breed is excluded. Our plan is to rescue as many abused and abandoned dogs as is humanly possible!
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Maltese & More Rescue

San Diego, CA
We are an all-volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing puppy mill, abandoned, and unwanted small dogs. Our volunteers are located within Southern California. We are funded solely by charitable donations, which go directly to the care and medical needs of the animals we rescue. Our mission is to work together as a group, and in conjunction with other animal rescue groups as well as the Department of Animal Services, to rehabilitate, medically treat, spay/neuter, foster, and place each animal we rescue into loving, quality forever homes. We work to educate the public about the importance of spay/neuter and about proper and humane animal care.
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ResQue Ranch

15108 Highland Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92025
ResQue Ranch is an equine rescue and rehabilitation center, providing shelter, food, physical therapy, socialization, training, and adoption opportunities for rescued and rehabilitated horses. We rescue neglected, abused, abandoned, emaciated, retired, lame, and injured horses, all of whom otherwise remain at great risk of ending up in the slaughter pipeline. Rescued and rehabilitated horses will, when ready, be offered for adoption to eligible, permanent, and caring forever homes.
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San Diego Companion Rabbit Society

4807 Mercury St, Ste A, San Diego, CA 92111
Our Mission is to rescue abandoned domestic rabbits within our community and find them new homes, support our local shelters in the care of their rabbits, and educate the community on the proper and responsible care of domestic rabbit companions.
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Shanti's House

La Jolla, CA
Shanti's House is located on the grounds of a senior assisted living facility. A unique alternative to the traditional method of TNR (trap, neuter, release) used to control the feral cat population. The sanctuary on the other hand provides lifetime care for every cat that is lucky enough to call it home. Every cat goes through some degree of rehabilitation and behavior modification to prepare them for forever homes. The cats remain in place until they are tame enough to be adopted and are never released to "barn programs." How Shanti's House helps feral cats and the community Reduces shelter intakes Opens space for more rescues Reduces the incidence of euthanasia Reduces the incidence of homeless litters Reduces exposure and suffering Decreases acts of cruelty Promotes “adopt not shop” thus discouraging the cat mill industry Provides an innovative business model that offers free A-Z hands-on mentoring which can impact cat colonies locally, across the US, and even abroad
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We Saved a Puppy Animal Rescue

San Diego, CA
Our organization is committed to keeping pets safe, happy and healthy while they wait to be placed in a forever home. We also offer affordable veterinary care, give us a call to find out more. 1-877-787-7728 You can also see the lives that we save on our Instagram page: @wesavedapuppy
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Pits and Tits

San Diego, CA
Pits and Tits is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to animal advocacy and breast cancer research. We strongly advocate for "Pit Bull" type dogs through education outreach, animal rights legislation and rescue efforts. Our organization brings positive awareness to "Bully" breeds and promotes responsible pet ownership. We also support "Finding A Cure" efforts directed towards eliminating breast cancer. Our organization currently operates a rescue sanctuary in Southern California that houses a variety of "Pit Bull" type dogs and other breeds. We also operate "The Pitty Committee"-a rescue group committed to saving "red listed" California shelter dogs.
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Namastray

San Diego, CA
Creating a mindful approach to cat adoption We rescue at risk cats and kittens and place them into loving forever homes.
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Grandma Betty's Animal Rescue

San Diego, CA
Grandma Betty's Animal Rescue is a non-profit, volunteer based organization dedicated to assisting cats and dogs (and pigs and chickens and so on...) through its rescue, foster, and adoption activities. We find loving homes for unwanted, abandoned, homeless and abused animals. Grandma Betty's mission is to save as many of our pet companions lives as we can. Our mission started as a child, rescuing stray cats and dogs and bringing them home. During the pandemic we saw the increase in abandonment of pets at the local shelters and the amount of animals being euthanized and realized that we needed to do something. Our shelters are overrun and current legislation needs to change. California is the second highest on the list of animals euthanized in 2021 at 110,000. Overall, California has a 76 percent save rate, with 90 percent considered to be the benchmark for no-kill. This needs to change. To save lives, we need the assistance and support of our community—now more than ever.
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San Diego Animal Sanctuary

4193 University Ave, Unit 5242, San Diego, CA 92165
San Diego Animal Sanctuary is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer-based animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing, training, rehabilitating, and rehoming dogs and animals at risk of being euthanized, homeless, neglected, or abused. Providing sanctuary from the moment of rescue until they find their forever home, and for some animals a forever sanctuary to call home.
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SoCal Rescue Tails

La Jolla, CA
Our goal is rescuing homeless animals in southern California. All of our adoptable animals have been fully vetted, and are looking for their forever home!
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Sunrise Rescue

San Diego, CA
Our goal is to save as many sick, injured, abused and neglected animals as possible, and find them loving forever homes. We go for the tough cases, as well as pulling animals from euthanasia lists, hoarding situations, and Mexico. What's too hard for everyone else is just right for us!
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Thrive Animal Rescue

San Diego, CA
Thrive Animal Rescue comes to the aid of abandoned and discarded dogs of all breeds, ages and situations. By providing medical aid, love and support our goal is to place them in their final forever home.
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TLC K9 Rescue

Escondido, CA
Hello, my name is Suzanne Mikhail. I am the Founder of TLC K9 Rescue which is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Escondido, CA. Our mission is to provide care, comfort and compassion to dogs and puppies in need. We work hard to save as many owner surrenders, abandoned, abused, sick, injured and neglected dogs as possible. We provide our rescues with the highest quality of medical care and spare no expense when it comes to our severely injured dogs that need surgeries. We do not have a shelter. We are an all-volunteer organization that receives help through our fostering program. We provide our dogs loving foster homes and insure their safety until they find families that will love and cherish them for the rest of their lives. We are completely non-profit. All our hard work is funded by donations from generous supporters like you. We cannot do all of this without your kindness and help. Hands and Paws Together Forever!
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In conclusion, there are a variety of exceptional pet adoption centers in San Diego, each dedicated to connecting loving families with their perfect furry companions.

As you embark on this wonderful journey of pet parenthood, remember that the health and well-being of your new family member is a top priority. Our mobile veterinary services in San Diego, CA are designed to make your life easier, providing comprehensive care and convenience right at your doorstep.

Book a mobile vet appointment today and let's ensure your beloved companion enjoys a lifetime of happiness and health together with you.

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