Grateful Dogs Rescue is the oldest all-breed rescue group in San Francisco. Since 1990 our mission has been to save the lives of local dogs, primarily at San Francisco Animal Care and Control, that are at risk of euthanasia.
The Grateful Dogs Rescue adoption procedure is designed to find a good match between the dog and adopter. Our goal is a happy human and happy dog in a “forever home.” The adoption procedure includes the following steps: The completion of an application; An interview with one of our volunteers; A get acquainted meeting with the dog and all family members, including other pets; A home visit; May include confirmation that the landlord, homeowner’s association, and/or city/county ordinances allow the dog to live in the residence. Adoptions are local, confined to San Francisco Bay Area. If you see a dog on our website or meet one at an adoption fair that you are interested in getting to know, please complete our online adoption application. One of our volunteers will get back to you as soon as possible. If you prefer, you may call or email us, but this can delay the adoption process. Grateful Dogs Rescue incurs substantial veterinary and other expenses in rescuing and rehoming our dogs. Our average cost is about $800 per dog rescued, but can be as high as several thousand dollars for certain dogs that require orthopedic or other surgery or specialized care. In order to recoup some of these costs, we request a tax-deductible donation for the adoption of each dog.