• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
dogwheelchairlife_logo

Dog Wheelchair Life

Teaching people to care for a paralyzed dog

  • Home
  • Resource Page
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Resource Page
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • IVDD
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Other Spine Problems
  • Daily Care
  • Resources
  • Amazon Favorites
  • IVDD
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Other Spine Problems
  • Daily Care
  • Resources
  • Amazon Favorites
Two dachshunds waiting to be adopted

Special Needs Dog Rescue Groups

Home » Blog » Special Needs Dog Rescue Groups
February 18, 2022 by Sharon Seltzer
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Why disabled dogs are surrendered+−
    • Here are points to consider:
  • About the directory
  • The State-By-State Special Needs Dog Rescue Group Directory
  • Canadian Special Needs Rescue Groups
  • Looking for more information?
Two dachshunds waiting to be adopted

Do you know there are special needs dog rescue groups in nearly every U.S. state? I started making a directory a few years ago after pet owners emailed me with questions about them.

People would ask how to adopt a disabled pet or they wanted to know where they could donate a deceased dog’s belongings. The list came in handy to direct them to a group close to where they lived.

My goal now is to share the state-by-state directory so more pets can find a loving home.    

Most of the special needs dog rescue groups are small volunteer-based nonprofits. And many focus on one specific type of disability like paralysis, blind or deaf pets and senior dogs. My list contains the names of organizations that rehabilitate and rehome dogs with mobility problems or find new families for sweet senior pups.

These amazing groups give dogs who would otherwise be considered unadoptable at a city shelter, a chance to receive medical care, adapt to life with their disability and be adopted.

According to the ASPCA, an estimated 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. shelters every year. In a municipal shelter where they are required to take custody of every homeless pet, dogs with disabilities don’t receive much attention.

We rely on the special needs rescue groups to give them a second chance.

Why disabled dogs are surrendered

There are many reasons that land special needs pets in animal shelters, but most of them fall into 3 categories: money, time and confidence. If you’re thinking about adopting a disabled dog, you can use these categories as a checklist to see if you’re prepared for the endeavor.

It’s not just a matter of putting a pup into a dog wheelchair and life returns to normal.

Here are points to consider:

Do you have the financial resources to care for a special needs animal?

Tests like MRIs or spinal surgeries are costly, if your vet prescribes them.

Many dogs require ongoing physical therapy, hydrotherapy and laser therapy that have fees involved.

Dog wheelchairs can cost hundreds of dollars, especially for large dogs.

Do you have the time to physically take care of a disabled dog?

Most paralyzed dogs are also incontinent. That means they need to have their bladder manually expressed 2-4 times a day or they might have to wear a diaper that requires regular changing.

Rehab and vet appointments can eat into your time for other commitments, as well.

Dogs should not stay in a dog wheelchair 24 hours a day. Do you have the time to put them into their cart, supervise their exercise and then help them out of their wheels to rest?

How confident are you about learning to be a caretaker?

The first weeks of taking care of a paralyzed dog are filled with angst and worry. It’s normal to be overwhelmed as you learn the skills to be a caretaker. But the job isn’t for everyone. Pet owners should ask themselves if they have the resilience to move forward.

Your dog will look to you to lead the way. If you are confident, your pet will be too.

About the directory

Below are special needs rescue groups listed by state along. To reach an organization, click on the words highlighted in purple and it will take you to contact page for each group. Because some states do not have a dedicated organization, you’ll also see listings, highlighted with an *. These are municipal or private no-kill shelters that provide medical care for pets in their custody.

I’ve also started to include a list of rescue groups in Canada who focus on dogs with disabilities. You can find the first entry at the end of this post.

If you know of a rescue group not listed, please leave their name and website address in the comments section. They will be added to the directory if they meet the criteria.

The State-By-State Special Needs Dog Rescue Group Directory

Dog in a wheelchair at a special needs dog rescue group

ALASKA

*Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue

ALABAMA

*The Ark

ARIZONA

Mayday Pit Bull Rescue & Advocacy – This group may love Pitbull’s, but they also rehabilitate dogs with paralysis and other mobility problems.

ARKANSAS

Care For Animals

CALIFORNIA

Dharma Rescue

Marley’s Mutts

Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption

Two Hands Four Paws

Umbrella of Hope

COLORADO

Golden Growls Senior Rescue

Harley’s Dream

Old Dogs New Digs

Planned Pethood Plus

Red Fern Animal Rescue

CONNECTICUT

Perfect Imperfections

The Simon Foundation

DELAWARE

*First State Animal Center and SPCA

FLORIDA

Big Dog Ranch Rescue

Get Along Dachshund Rescue

Isle of Misfits

Lovey Loaves Sanctuary

Broken Wiener Refuge

GEORGIA

*Bosley’s Place

HAWAII

*Dog People of Oahu

*Paws of Hawaii

IDAHO

Heath’s Haven Rescue

ILLINOIS

Young At Heart Senior Pet Adoptions

INDIANA

ARF Sanctuary

IOWA

Iowa Farm Sanctuary

KANSAS

S.N.A.R.R. Special Needs Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation

LOUISIANA

*Capital Area Animal Welfare Society

MAINE

Rescue Charlie’s Friends

MARYLAND

Leashes End

Pets with Disabilities

Senior Dog Retirement Home Rescue

MASSACHUSETTS

*Save A Dog Rescue

MICHIGAN

*Michigan Humane Society

MINNESOTA

*Pet Haven

MISSISSIPPI

*East Mississippi Animal Rescue

MONTANA

*Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter

*Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter

Two dogs waiting to be adopted
Depositphotos

NEBRASKA

Hearts United for Animals

NEVADA

*Hearts Alive Village

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Rolling Dog Farm

NEW JERSEY

Special Needs K9

NEW MEXICO

Lap Dog Rescue

*Sunflower Sanctuary Animal Rescue

NEW YORK

SNARR Northeast

The Mr. Mo Project

Willow’s Wings

NORTH CAROLINA

Hartman’s Haven

Jan’s Animal Rescue

Misplaced Mutts

NORTH DAKOTA

*4 Luv of Dog

OHIO

*Mid-Ohio Animal Welfare League

OKLAHOMA

*Oklahoma Alliance for Animals

OREGON

Senior Dog Rescue of Oregon

*Oregon Dog Rescue

PENNSYLVANIA

Luke’s Hidden Haven

Luckydawg

*Paws Across Pittsburgh

Umbrella of Hope

RHODE ISLAND

*Animal Rescue Rhode Island

*Providence Animal Rescue League

SOUTH CAROLINA

Angel’s Hope

Raintree Jacks

Match K-9 Rescue & Rehab

SOUTH DAKOTA

*B-Squad Rescue

TENNESSEE

*LoveHandlers

Snooty Giggles

TEXAS

Big Dog Rescue Project

Paws R’ Us

Apollo Support & Rescue

UTAH

*Ruff Patch Rescue

VERMONT

*Passion for Paws

VIRGINIA

Gray Faces Acres

Hotdog Hill Sanctuary

WASHINGTON

Lily’s Pad Rescue

Ginger’s Pet Rescue

WEST VIRGINIA

*Little Victories Animal Rescue

WISCONSIN

*Albert’s Dog Lounge

*Cocos Heart Dog Rescue

WYOMING

*Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary

*Black Dog Animal Rescue

Canadian Special Needs Rescue Groups

Special Needs Animal Rescue League (SNARL)

Looking for more information?

Organizations That Donate Dog Wheelchair To Pet Families

9 Dog Physical Therapy Exercises To Do At Home

The Amazing Normal Life of A Disabled Dog

About Sharon Seltzer

I’m a blogger, professional writer and co-founder of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society. I’m also a pet mom who’s raised 9 dogs, 6 cats and lots of other critters. When my dog Sophie became paralyzed in 2008, it was a lonely experience. It took months to find all of the resources to help her live a quality life. My mission is to share those services with other pet owners and to teach people how to care for a disabled dog.

You May Also Like

Dog wearing life jacket

Best Dog Life Jackets for Safety and Fun

PawRamp from Alpha Paws

Enter To Win an Indoor PawRamp from Alpha Paw

Old dog with stethoscope

Will You Join The Dog Aging Project?

Two dachshunds waiting to be adopted

Special Needs Dog Rescue Groups

Previous Post: « Dog Valentine's Day photo Treasured Dog Valentine’s Day Photo Contest
Next Post: Will You Join The Dog Aging Project? Old dog with stethoscope »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar

Sophie-on-grass
Join Our Newsletter and Receive the Essential Guide of Products For Handicapped Dogs

Essential Guide of Products
Click Here for the E-Book

Walkabout Harnesses – Mobility Products For Dogs
My favorite harnesses for disabled dogs.
My favorite harnesses for disabled dogs.

HandicappedPets.com
walkin-all-pet-products[1]

Must-Read Articles
German shepherds are prone to Degenerative Myelopathy

Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs: What Pet Owners Should Know

Josie the dog doing physical therapy

9 Dog Physical Therapy Exercises You Can Do At Home

Longhair dachshund with IVDD

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Dogs: Understanding the Condition


Barkertime Products for Incontinent Dogs
Barkertime-collage

Recent Posts

  • Best Dog Life Jackets for Safety and Fun
  • Enter To Win an Indoor PawRamp from Alpha Paw
  • From PT to Myofascial Release Specialist to Owner of Doggon’ Wheels
  • At-Home Light Therapy for Dogs
  • Will You Join The Dog Aging Project?

Recent Comments

  • Sharon Seltzer on What You Should Know About Pressure Sores and Hygromas in Dogs
  • Lauren on What You Should Know About Pressure Sores and Hygromas in Dogs
  • Sharon Seltzer on Why Hydrotherapy for Dogs Is Quickly Gaining Popularity
  • Sharon Seltzer on Dog Wheelchairs: How to Choose The Right Cart for Your Pet
  • Joesph on Dog Wheelchairs: How to Choose The Right Cart for Your Pet

Archives

  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020

Categories

  • Daily Care
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • IVDD
  • Other Spine Problems
  • Resources

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

DogWheelchairLife.com is a blog that teaches pet families how to care for their paralyzed dog. As the owner, I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and the Amazon Influencer Program. These are affiliate programs designed for sites to earn advertising fees (commissions) by linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate and Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, visit the Affiliate Disclosure page

We Are A Resource for Pet Owners

Dog Wheelchair LIFE teaches pet families how to care for their paralyzed dog. This is not a medical site and I am not a veterinarian. I am a blogger and pet mom who was the caretaker for Sophie, a paraplegic dog. I’m also a co-founder of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society in Las Vegas, NV and an animal writer who has contributed to websites and magazines.

The information shared on this site is based on my personal experience and the research I do for each story. Please do not use the content from this blog in place of professional veterinary care.

Articles from this site may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from me, Sharon Seltzer.

Join Our List

  • Legal/Privacy
  • About
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 · Dog Wheelchair Life · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Solution

Close Popup

Join our newsletter and get my free e-book

Essential Guide of Products For Handicapped Dogs!