Every Dog’s Chance

Dogs for Adoption in California

7,053 adoptable dogs listed by shelters and rescues in California. Showing 2,041–2,070 of 7,053 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.

218 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.

7,053 dogs in California — page 69 of 236

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Photo of Canela, adoptable Labrador Retriever in San Diego, California

Canela

Labrador Retriever • Female • Small • Young

Meet Canela! DOB: December 2025Weight: 16lbsDisposition: Shy, Sweet, PlayfulMeet Canela, a sweet and gentle pup who is looking for a loving place to c…

The Barking Lot • San Diego, CA

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Photo of Dixie, adoptable Pit Bull Terrier in Sacramento, California

Dixie

Pit Bull Terrier • Female • Medium • 1 year

This pretty girl has participated in shelter playgroups and may enjoy a compatible canine friend in her new home. Looking for a buddy for your dog? Br…

Sacramento County Animal Care and Regulation • Sacramento, CA

View profileContact shelter
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Photo of Coba, adoptable Tibetan Terrier in San Diego, California

Coba

Tibetan Terrier • Male • Small • Young

Meet Coba! DOB: November 2025Weight: 12lbsDisposition: Quiet, Trusting, CuriousMeet Coba, an impossibly sweet 12-pound pup whose world-class snuggle g…

The Barking Lot • San Diego, CA

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Photo of Frida, adoptable Australian Terrier in San Diego, California

Frida

Australian Terrier • Female • Small • Young

Meet Frida! DOB: November 2025Weight: 12lbsDisposition: Sweet, Quiet, GentleWith her delightfully scruffy wire-haired coat, oversized expressive ears,…

The Barking Lot • San Diego, CA

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Photo of Janet Leigh, adoptable Pit Bull Terrier in Sacramento, California

Janet Leigh

Pit Bull Terrier • Female • Large • 4 years

Janet has participated in shelter playgroups and may enjoy a compatible canine friend in her new home. Looking for a buddy for your dog? Bring him/her…

Sacramento County Animal Care and Regulation • Sacramento, CA

View profileContact shelter
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Photo of Rubues Hagrid, adoptable German Shepherd Dog in Sacramento, California

Rubues Hagrid

German Shepherd Dog • Male • Large • 6 years

A sweet boy. He enjoys playing fetch and receiving affection. He arrived at the shelter with some hair loss but is receiving medicated baths and looki…

Sacramento County Animal Care and Regulation • Sacramento, CA

View profileContact shelter
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Photo of Theodore, adoptable Pit Bull Terrier in Sacramento, California

Theodore

Pit Bull Terrier • Male • Small • 0 years

Meet Theodore—better known as Theo, because this much FUN needs a nickname! Theo is a 6-month-old Pittie puppy with energy to spare and a personality …

Sacramento County Animal Care and Regulation • Sacramento, CA

View profileContact shelter
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Photo of Gilbert, adoptable German Shepherd Dog in Sacramento, California

Gilbert

German Shepherd Dog • Male • Medium • 1 year

The Good Boy in TrainingMeet Gilbert—a goofy young guy with a heart full of potential and just enough puppy enthusiasm to keep life interesting! Gilbe…

Sacramento County Animal Care and Regulation • Sacramento, CA

View profileContact shelter
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Photo of Sugar, adoptable Chihuahua in San Francisco, California

Sugar

Chihuahua • Female • Small • 3 years

Sugar is simply adorable. She has lots of Chihuahua attitude and likes to bark at dogs on walks, but just to make sure they know she is coming and the…

Grateful Dogs Rescue • San Francisco, CA

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Photo of Marilynn, adoptable Labrador Retriever in San Diego, California

Marilynn

Labrador Retriever • Female • Large • 1 year

Foster or Forever Home Wanted: Meet Marilynn! Marilynn came into our rescue incredibly pregnant after finding herself at risk for a spay-abort at the …

Labradors and Friends Dog Rescue Group • San Diego, CA

View profileView Adoption Page ↗ (opens in a new tab)
At Risk
Photo of Leafy, adoptable Labrador Retriever in San Diego, California

Leafy

Labrador Retriever • Female • Small • 1 year

Meet Leafy! Leafy is an adorable one-year-old girl weighing about 30 pounds who came to us after finding herself on the euthanasia list at the Hesperi…

Labradors and Friends Dog Rescue Group • San Diego, CA

View profileView Adoption Page ↗ (opens in a new tab)
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Photo of Kirby, adoptable American Pit Bull Terrier in Redlands, California

Kirby

American Pit Bull Terrier • Male • Large • 1 year

Kirby is a 14 month old young gentleman who is simply an all around incredible pup. He is polite, obedient and super smart. This good boy really loves…

Code Red K9 Crew • Redlands, CA

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Photo of Austin (Puppy), adoptable Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler in Lindsay, California

Austin (Puppy)

Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler • Male • Small • 0 years

Due to the high demand for puppies we anticipate multiple applications for each pup. Our volunteers will review each submitted application, then conta…

Central Valley Rescue Railroad • Lindsay, CA

View profileView Adoption Page ↗ (opens in a new tab)
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Photo of Abilene (Puppy), adoptable Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler in Lindsay, California

Abilene (Puppy)

Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler • Female • Small • 0 years

Due to the high demand for puppies we anticipate multiple applications for each pup. Our volunteers will review each submitted application, then conta…

Central Valley Rescue Railroad • Lindsay, CA

View profileView Adoption Page ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Browse by breed in California

Pit Bull Terrier1363German Shepherd1106Labrador Retriever485Siberian Husky367Chihuahua344Australian Cattle Dog243Terrier236Belgian Shepherd Malinois190Mixed Breed173Shepherd169Staffordshire Terrier155Husky150

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.

Dogs available in other states

Texas4367Georgia2116Florida1884North Carolina1117Arizona1021Illinois768New York722Maryland660Missouri658New Jersey645Pennsylvania592Virginia554

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.