Dogs for Adoption in California

6,837 adoptable dogs listed by shelters and rescues in California. Showing 5,821–5,850 of 6,837 below.

Every dog in California deserves a forever home — from puppies taking their first steps to adult dogs who are calm, house-trained, and ready to bond right away. All listings shown here are real dogs currently available for adoption from shelters and rescues in California. Availability changes daily, so confirm directly with the organization before making plans.

219 shelters and rescues in California currently list dogs on Every Dog's Chance.

How adoption works in California

California's listings are numerous and come from a broad mix of municipal shelters, humane societies and rescue groups, with a large share from around San Bernardino, Bakersfield and Riverside. A municipal or county shelter usually lets you walk in during open hours, while rescue groups tend to place dogs from foster homes and begin with an application.

When you find a dog you like, open the profile and reach the organization listed there. You can expect an application or a conversation, a meet and greet, and an adoption fee that the organization sets, often covering spay or neuter and vaccinations. Because listings cluster in a few cities, many groups help arrange transport within the state. The organization on the dog's profile keeps that dog's history, requirements and availability.

6,837 dogs in California — page 195 of 228

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Photo of Diego, adoptable Chocolate Labrador Retriever in Apple Valley, California

Diego

Chocolate Labrador Retriever • Male • Medium • Young

Diego is just over a year, 45#, a chocolate lab x with a smidge of white. He is a playful, energetic and kind guy who will enjoy having a k-9 pal. Ple…

Beagles and Buddies • Apple Valley, CA

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Photo of Echo, adoptable Pit Bull Terrier in Visalia, California

Echo

Pit Bull Terrier • Male • Large • 1 year

Meet Echo Echo’s story started with heartbreak—he was found as a puppy, lost and confused, lying in a gutter. A caring foster reached out for help, an…

PAW Estate Rescue and Shelter Inc • Visalia, CA

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Photo of Walter, adoptable German Shepherd Dog in San Jose, California

Walter

German Shepherd Dog • Male • Large • 4 years

05/04/26Meet one of a kind Walter! Walter is a 4 year old shepard that came to the shelter in mid-February. He loves other dogs and is even in our pla…

San Jose Animal Care Center • San Jose, CA

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Photo of Coco, adoptable Chihuahua in Phelan, California

Coco

Chihuahua • Male • Small • 3 years

The first step in adopting an animal is to fill out the application. For an application please see our website www.tanyasinc.org and download an appli…

Tanya's Adoption Network 4 Young Animals, Inc. (T.A.N.Y.A.'s, Inc.) • Phelan, CA

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Photo of Pop Tart, adoptable Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler in San Juan Bautista, California

Pop Tart

Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler • Female • Medium • 1 year

Poptart my age is 1yr old bouncy fun loving cattledog with cool markings . My story started dump in the central valley very shy not knowing what was m…

WoofDenRescue • San Juan Bautista, CA

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Photo of Beck, adoptable Dachshund in La Verne, California

Beck

Dachshund • Male • Medium • 2 years

Our Gentle Diamond in the Rough Beck's story didn't begin with soft beds or full bowls. This sweet dachshund/staffie mix was surviving life in a wash …

Our Underdog Rescue Squad • La Verne, CA

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Photo of Eliza, adoptable Pit Bull Terrier in La Verne, California

Eliza

Pit Bull Terrier • Female • Large • 3 years

Some dogs have a way of making an ordinary day feel a little brighter. Eliza is one of those dogs. This delightfully chonky, low-rider-ish girl is pur…

Our Underdog Rescue Squad • La Verne, CA

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Photo of Maya, adoptable Dachshund in La Verne, California

Maya

Dachshund • Female • Medium • 2 years

Maya has the kind of joyful spirit that makes people stop and smile. With her long, model-esque legs, adorable Dachshund/Staffie mix looks, and larger…

Our Underdog Rescue Squad • La Verne, CA

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Photo of Freesia, adoptable Pit Bull Terrier in La Verne, California

Freesia

Pit Bull Terrier • Female • Large • 2 years

Freesia is beauty, confidence, and quiet charm wrapped up in one absolutely stunning grey merle package. This gorgeous Pit mix has a statuesque presen…

Our Underdog Rescue Squad • La Verne, CA

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Photo of Carlos, adoptable Beagle in Marina del Rey, California

Carlos

Beagle • Male • Small • Young

Hi! My name is Carlos, but my foster calls me Potato. I am the perfect mix of big-dog presence and small-dog charm. I am sweet, gentle, and I love eve…

Forte Animal Rescue • Marina del Rey, CA

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Photo of Harpy Cryptid -- Blind, adoptable Chihuahua in Pittsburg, California

Harpy Cryptid -- Blind

Chihuahua • Male • 1 year

✨ ADOPTABLE LEGEND ALERT ✨ Meet Harpy — 7 lbs of chiweenie chaos, comedy, cuddles, and questionable decision-making. A shelter once estimated Harpy at…

Umbrella of Hope • Pittsburg, CA

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Photo of Storm, adoptable German Shepherd Dog in San Diego, California

Storm

German Shepherd Dog • Male • Large • 3 years

Storm is a gorgeous sable German Shepherd and a very affectionate 3-year-old who is already making a wonderful impression on our kennel team and volun…

Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue • San Diego, CA

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Photo of River, adoptable German Shepherd Dog in San Diego, California

River

German Shepherd Dog • Male • Large • 3 years

River is a beautiful 3-year-old black and tan German Shepherd who recently rejoined our rescue. He previously lived in a home with three other dogs—bo…

Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue • San Diego, CA

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Photo of Julie, adoptable German Shepherd Dog in San Diego, California

Julie

German Shepherd Dog • Female • Large • Young

Julie is a sweet a black and tan German Shepherd who’s is a recent addition to our pack at the Ranch. While at the shelter, she also did well when a d…

Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue • San Diego, CA

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Photo of Hudson, adoptable German Shepherd Dog in San Diego, California

Hudson

German Shepherd Dog • Male • Large • 3 years

Hudson is a gorgeous black and tan German Shepherd. He is a very affectionate 2–3-year-old who’s already making a great impression with our kennel tea…

Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue • San Diego, CA

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Photo of Gru, adoptable German Shepherd Dog in Woodland Hills, California

Gru

German Shepherd Dog • Male • Large • 2 years

Meet GRU ❤️ A true miracle boy Just minutes away from losing his life, GRU sat quietly in a kennel at Contra Costa Animal Services, not knowing his ti…

Melita's Dream Animal Rescue • Woodland Hills, CA

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Photo of Olive, adoptable Retriever in Newport Beach, California

Olive

Retriever • Female • Medium • Young

Meet Olive, she was rescued from wrongly being dumped in the middle of nowhere left to try and survive with one of her puppies. She is a hidden gem wh…

Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA

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Photo of Thornton, adoptable Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler in Newport Beach, California

Thornton

Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler • Male • Large • 3 years

Thornton is new to the rescue. He is currently in a foster home with two other dogs (females) and he is doing great. He is extremely sweet & loving. H…

Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA

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Photo of Spritz, adoptable Terrier in Newport Beach, California

Spritz

Terrier • Female • Small • Baby

Meet Spritz! Spritz is a spunky little roughly 20-pound terrier/beagle mix with the perfect blend of playful energy and snuggly sweetness. Rescued wit…

Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA

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Photo of Paloma, adoptable Terrier in Newport Beach, California

Paloma

Terrier • Female • Medium • Baby

Meet Paloma! Paloma is an adorable roughly 20-pound terrier/beagle mix with the sweetest little face and an even sweeter personality. She was rescued …

Mutts in Need • Newport Beach, CA

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Photo of Dorothy, adoptable Pit Bull Terrier in Thousand Palms, California

Dorothy

Pit Bull Terrier • Female • Large • 2 years

Riverside County Animal Control - Coachella Shelter • Thousand Palms, CA

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Photo of Spring, adoptable Pit Bull Terrier in Thousand Palms, California

Spring

Pit Bull Terrier • Female • Large • 1 year

Riverside County Animal Control - Coachella Shelter • Thousand Palms, CA

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Photo of Gibson, adoptable German Shepherd Dog in Long Beach, California

Gibson

German Shepherd Dog • Male • Medium • 1 year

INFO: This pet is currently being fostered but is available for adoption! Please email petadopt@longbeach.gov for more information.

Long Beach Animal Care Services • Long Beach, CA

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Photo of Nancy, adoptable Terrier in San Diego, California

Nancy

Terrier • Female • Small • Baby

This little crew looks like they were painted by different brushes but stitched together by the same heart. Some are bouncy comedians who chase toys l…

Recate Fenix aka Rescue Fenix • San Diego, CA

Low-cost spay, neuter and vet care in California

Programs that help California adopters keep a dog healthy on a budget. Each page was checked on 2026-09-10; confirm current hours and eligibility with the organization.

Adopting a dog in California — FAQ

How do I adopt a dog in California?

Open any dog's profile to see which shelter or rescue is caring for them in California, then follow the adoption link or contact details to apply directly with that organization. Every Dog's Chance gathers listings in one place so they're easier to find — the adoption itself happens through the local shelter or rescue.

Are the dog listings in California up to date?

Listings are refreshed regularly from participating shelters and rescues. Because dogs are adopted and new ones are added constantly, availability can change between updates — always confirm a specific dog is still available with the shelter or rescue before making plans.

How much does it cost to adopt a dog in California?

Adoption fees vary by shelter and rescue. Many organizations include spay/neuter, vaccinations, and a health exam in their fee. Open any dog's profile and contact the organization directly for their current fee and what it covers.

Can I adopt a dog from another city in California?

Yes. Most shelters and rescues in California welcome adopters from anywhere in the state, and some can arrange transport for the right match. Open a dog's profile to see the organization's contact details and ask them how their process works.

Can I foster a dog in California instead of adopting?

Many shelters and rescues in California offer foster programs, sometimes with a foster-to-adopt path. Fostering gets a dog out of a kennel and into a calm home while they wait for their forever family. Ask the organization on any dog's profile whether fostering is available.

Are the dogs in California good with children or other pets?

It depends on the individual dog more than anything else. Each dog's profile and the shelter or rescue caring for them can tell you about their history with kids, cats, and other dogs. Many organizations offer meet-and-greets to make sure the match is right for everyone.