When searching for that perfect rescue dog to add to your household, it often isn’t an instant fit. It could take days, weeks, or even months to find a compatible critter. Here are several different places to begin your hunt for your new best friend:

Public Animal Shelters

These agencies employ trained animal control officers who are dispatched to pick up strays and aggressive animals, accept pets relinquished by owners, or seize animals from cruel or abusive situations. Officers conduct temperament testing and assess any known history for each dog to determine whether the animal is adoptable. Most public shelters do euthanize animals if they cannot find a home for them after a certain length of time.

Private Dog Rescue Organizations

These rescues may have some paid employees but tend to rely greatly on animal-loving volunteers to conduct business. Private rescues are more likely to have a “no-kill” policy, keeping a dog alive in either a kennel or foster care until an adopter is found.

Purebreed Dog Rescues

If you're looking for a particular breed but don't want a puppy, a purebred dog rescue is the ideal place to look. These organizations accept surrendered pets from owners and purebreds that arrive in public and private shelters and house them in their own facility or in foster care until adopted. (Find purebred dog rescue information in the breed pages and the City Guides for dog rescue organizations in your area.)

Senior Dog Rescue

Several rescue organizations have started to specialize in adoption services for senior dogs abandoned in the later stages of life. Oftentimes, these dogs still have a reasonable life-expectancy and are excellent pets, especially for older people who prefer to adopt a mellow, older dog.