Pet Adoption Centers in Westchester
Deciding to get a pet is super exciting for many families. In Westchester, you’ll find many pet adoption centers and non-profit organizations with animals who are lost, abandoned, and mistreated, looking for forever homes. Keep reading to see our list of pet adoption options in Westchester County, where you can meet your future furry family member and give them a loving home. However, if you’re unable to adopt many of these organizations offer ways to foster and/or volunteer.
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- Westchester County offers many trusted pet adoption centers and non-profit organizations like the Humane Society of Westchester, SPCA of Westchester, Pet Rescue, among others, each providing adoption, fostering, and volunteer options.
- Some organizations, such as Paws Crossed Animal Rescue, follow a no-kill policy, ensuring animals remain safe and cared for until adoption.
- Several shelters, including For the Love of Dogs Rescue and Rescue Right, focus on family dogs and offer dedicated support for new pet owners.
- Rock and Rescue provides youth volunteer programs and animal therapy services, adding a unique community element to adoption.
For the Love of Dogs Rescue
Address: Ossining, Westchester County, NY 10562
Timings: Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Pricing: Adoption fees vary by dog age and breed.
Specialty: The shelter specializes in providing care, comfort, and permanent homes for rescued family dogs.
For the Love of Dogs Rescue is a pet adoption center in Westchester County that provides shelter, daily care, and attention to dogs in need until they are adopted. Adopt a family dog at this Ossining-based shelter. This has included the placement of over 1,000 dogs. Current listings and an application are indicated on their website. Reach out at a lovedogs.bedfordny@gmail.com or via phone at 914-487-3018 for more information. For families exploring Westchester County pet adoption centres, this shelter is a top choice, helping dogs find safe, permanent homes.
Humane Society of Westchester
Address: 70 Portman Road, New Rochelle, NY 10801
Timings: Open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Pricing: Adoption fees vary per animal.
Specialty: The organization focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming a wide range of animals, including dogs, cats, and small pets.
At the Humane Society of Westchester, you and your family can find dogs or cats for adoption. Additionally, they have other animals for pet adoption such as bunnies, turtles, guinea pigs, birds, and hamsters, to name a few. A private, non-profit organization, the Humane Society of Westchester has been serving the community for the past 100 years started as the New Rochelle Humane Society in 1911.
Open seven days a week, this shelter provides homes for lost, abandoned, and mistreated animals, servicing 19 communities in Westchester County. In addition, families can foster animals and provide pets with a home until they are adopted. Prospective adopters must be at least 21 years old and must provide proof of home ownership or a lease noting any pet policies. Adoption fees vary per animal. Finally, families can view photos and descriptions of pets available for adoption on their website. 70 Portmand Road New Rochelle, NY.
The SPCA of Westchester
Address: 590 North State Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510
Timings: Walk-ins are welcome Monday to Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Pricing: Adoption fees vary per animal.
Specialty: The SPCA specializes in animal welfare enforcement, rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption services.
Did you know that The SPCA of Westchester was founded in 1883 by Ossining resident Mary Dusenberry after she observed the abuse of horses? Today, their mission is to protect animal welfare by providing shelter, rehabilitation, adoption services, and help in finding lost pets. Additionally, The SCPA of Westchester is the only humane society in Westchester empowered to enforce laws related to animal cruelty. If you’re thinking about adopting a pet in Westchester County, this SPCA center is a friendly, welcoming spot where dogs, cats, and small animals are ready to meet their new families.
In 2021, The SPCA opened their new 27,000-square-foot Animal Rescue Center. This has enabled them to accommodate more than 200 animals as well as to expand our rescue programs and services. Additionally, they are able to offer their catteries aka condos where they can lounge, move, and relax. For adoption, families will find dogs, cats, and small animals. They also allow walk-ins from Monday-Sunday from 12:00pm-3:30pm for same day adoptions. In addition, you can find a list of available pets on their website. Finally, if you’re not ready to adopt, families can volunteer to walk and train shelter dogs or care for cats. SPCA Westchester, Inc., 590 North State Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510
Rock and Rescue
Address: 55 Truesdale Lake Drive, South Salem, NY 10590
Timings: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Pricing: Adoption fees depend on the pet.
Specialty: The organization specializes in cat rescue, adoption, therapy programs, and youth volunteer opportunities.
Located in South Salem, Rock and Rescue is a non-profit organization with a mission to rescue and re-home pets in need. They primarily specialize in cats. However, they do have some adoptions for dogs, guinea pigs, and other small pets. In addition, they have volunteer opportunities where kids (ages 12 and up) can participate in a variety of fun jobs. They also offer therapy services throughout Westchester. This includes the use of kittens in nursing homes, schools, yoga classes, and more under the guidance of Rock and Rescue. 55 Truesdale Lake Dr, South Salem, NY 10590.
Paws Crossed Animal Rescue
Address: 100 Warehouse Lane South, Elmsford, NY 10523
Timings: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Pricing: Adoption fees vary per animal.
Specialty: Paws Crossed specializes in no-kill rescue, adoption, and a barn cat program for cats that cannot live as traditional pets.
Paws Crossed is a private organization and a no-kill organization where you can adopt a cat or a dog. Additionally, they have a PCAR Barn Cat Program for cats who cats can’t be adopted as traditional pets as well as needs for volunteers and families to foster pets. 100 Warehouse Ln S, Elmsford, NY 10523
Pet Rescue
Address: 7 Harrison Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528
Timings: Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Pricing: Adoption fees depend on the type and age of the animal.
Specialty: The organization specializes in rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming homeless and abandoned cats and dogs.
It’s one of the most visited pet adoption centers in Westchester County for families seeking their new furry family members. Found in 1982, Pet Rescue is a non-profit animal rescue organization with a mission to save homeless, abandoned, or neglected dogs and cats and find them caring homes. Families can find photos and biographies of pets available for adoption on their website. This also includes the fostering or adoption of cats and dogs. To apply, adopters must be at least 23 years old, ready to adopt in 7-10 days, and live within 125 miles of Harrison. Additionally, they have many volunteer opportunities in development, donor management, fundraising, dog walking, clinical procedures, Kitty Cottage, property management, and more. 7 Harrison Ave, Harrison, NY 10528.
Pet Adoption League
Address: P.O. Box 914, Yonkers, NY 10704
Timings: By appointment only.
Pricing: Adoption fees vary per animal.
Specialty: The league specializes in evaluating animals for temperament to ensure compatible family placements.
This non-profit and all-volunteer organization has saved more than 3,500 animals since its inception in 1996. A non-profit organization, the Pet Adoption League evaluates animals for temperament to help match them with a compatible owner. Families must fill out a pre-adoption form in order to adopt. This also assists the team to find the pet that is right for your family. P.O. Box 914 Yonkers, NY.
Rescue Right
Address: 402 Old Post Road, Bedford, NY 10506
Timings: Open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Pricing: Adoption fees vary by animal.
Specialty: Rescue Right specializes in offering a safe sanctuary and permanent homes for dogs and cats in need.
Located in Bedford, Rescue Right is a dog and cat adoption and sanctuary who places animals in forever homes. Incredibly, this includes placement for over 350 kittens and adult cats every year. Pictures of adoptable pets can be found online or in person from Monday-Saturday from 10:00am-5:00pm. 402 Old Post Road, Bedford, NY
How to Choose the Right Pet for Your Home?
- Think About Your Daily Routine: Families should look at how their days run and choose a pet that fits their morning and evening schedules, because some pets need more outdoor time while others enjoy staying inside.
- Understand Your Living Space: You should think about where you live and how much room you have, because smaller spaces may work better for certain pets while larger homes can welcome animals who like to move around.
- Match the Energy Levels: Every family has its own pace, and choosing a pet that enjoys the same level of play or rest helps everyone feel happy and comfortable together.
- Consider Your Child’s Needs: Families should also think about how old their children are, how they play, and what makes them feel safe, because some pets are better for gentle play, while others enjoy more active interactions.
- Ask Questions at the Center: Families should talk to the staff and share what they are looking for, because the team knows each animal and can guide you toward a pet that fits your home and your heart.
Conclusion
Whether you want to meet friendly dogs or spend time with calm cats, Westchester County offers many reliable pet adoption centers where families can find a new companion and help animals in need. Each center focuses on giving pets safe shelter, care, and a permanent home. From large organizations like the SPCA of Westchester to smaller rescues such as Rock and Rescue or For the Love of Dogs Rescue, each plays an important part in supporting animal welfare. Families can choose to adopt, foster, or volunteer, knowing their effort makes a difference for pets across the country.
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