As one of the most pet-friendly cities in the country, anyone who wants to a rescue a dog in Atlanta will have no shortage of resources when the right time comes. Once you welcome Fido home, this Peach State city is chock full of dog-friendly restaurants, attractions, and of course, high quality vets so you can give your pup the best life possible.
But how do you actually find your furry family member? With dozens of shelters and organizations to choose from, it can be hard to know how to approach dog adoption in Atlanta.
We've gathered a list of rescues and shelters with all the information you need so finding your four-legged friend his "furever" home is easy.
Atlanta dog adoption & rescues
1. PAWS Atlanta
5287 Covington Highway, Decatur, Georgia 30035
PAWS Atlanta has been finding pets loving homes since 1964.
Currently, this Atlanta dog rescue organization is open by appointment only. You can set up an appointment by filling out an online application. You'll then speak with the shelter team about your preferences and lifestyle, and they'll send photos and videos of compatible pets.
After that, you can schedule an appointment to meet your potential fur baby in person—just make sure that you're over 21 years of age and have a valid ID. If the match is made, you'll pay the fee and the adoption is finalized.
Adoption fees range from $175-$275 depending on the age of the dog. There is a 15% discount for senior citizens (65+ years old) who are adopting a dog or puppy. These fees help cover food, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and microchipping prior to their adoption.
If you're not ready to adopt yet, you can also join their Foster Team and give pups a cozy place to shelter until they find their new homes.
2. Atlanta Humane Society
981 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
The Atlanta Humane Society has all of their adoptable pets available to view online. If you find one you like, you can visit the location at which your adoptee resides (West Midtown, Alpharetta, or Duluth) to meet them in person.
You'll be asked to complete a pre-adoption application and must be 18+ years of age, bring a valid ID, and have permission from your landlord or the primary resident of your household. If your application is approved and you're ready to adopt, the adoption fee for puppies between 2-6 months is $352, and for dogs 7 months and older, the fee is $200.
If you're not quite ready to make the adoption final, their Foster First Program lets prospective pet parents take their adoptee home for up to 14 days to confirm whether or not they're a good match.
Additionally, through their American Heroes Adoption Program, healthcare workers, first responders, current servicemen/women and veterans, and members of the National Association of Independent Truckers all receive a discount for the adoption fee.
3. Furkids
1520 Union Hill Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30005
Furkids is celebrating 20 years of delivering life and love to animals in need. With two locations in Alpharetta and Cummings, pet parents have dozens of adorable pups to choose from.
This dog adoption facility in Atlanta is open by appointment only. The process begins by filling out an adoption survey. Once that's complete, a staff member will reach out within 2-3 days to schedule an appointment to meet your pup in person. If it's a good match, you'll fill out some paperwork, pay the adoption fee, and take your new family member home.
Fees range between $75-$500 depending on the age and size of the dog. A 50% discount is available for those over 62 years of age, as well as members of the military, healthcare workers, teachers, and first responders.
4. Angels Among Us Pet Rescue
PO Box 821 Alpharetta, GA 30009
Angels Among Us Pet Rescue saves dogs and cats in high-risk situations, and many of the dogs who walk through their doors have been abused or neglected or are ill or injured. Of course, these pups deserve loving homes just as much as the others, so their adoption program helps them find new families. They've helped more than 19,000 pets find a home.
Hopeful pet parents can fill out an application online, and their Adoption Team will reach out typically within two days. All pets here are fostered, so if you're approved, you'll then talk with the foster of the dog you're interested in and schedule an in-person meet-up if you both agree that it's a good match. If that goes well, you'll have a home visit, sign a contract, and pay the adoption fee.
The fee for senior dogs is $150 (over 8 years old) and the fee for dogs under 8 years is $300. There is a $25 discount for seniors (over 65), veterans, and repeat adopters.
5. Fulton County Animal Services
860 Marietta Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Fulton County Animal Services provides adoption services through LifeLine Animal Project.
Once you find a pooch you're interested in, you can submit an adoption inquiry. You'll receive an email shortly after letting you know whether the dog is in the shelter or a foster home, and when you can arrange to meet them. The shelter team or foster parents will help determine if it's a good pairing, and if it is, you'll sign a contract and pay the adoption fee.
The adoption fee for dogs 5 years of age and under is $85, and the fee for dogs over 5 is $40.
6. Bosley's Place
3485 S Cobb Dr SE, Smyrna, GA 30080
If you're particularly interested in a younger puppy, Bosley's Place is the perfect place for dog adoption near Atlanta. Located in nearby Smyrna, GA, Bosley's Place is a sanctuary and nursery for neonatal puppies. It's the only recognized rescue with a special focus on orphaned newborn pups.
The process begins by first completing an application. Then, you'll have an interview and meet and greet with any available puppies. If there's a good match, the adoption team will perform a home visit and you'll sign an adoption contract and pay the fee upon approval.
Adoption fees range from $375-$600 .
Reviewed and fact-checked by
Kimberly Knapp, CVT