The Best Rescues & Shelters in San Jose, CA

Last updated: April 29, 2026

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San Jose has a dedicated rescue and shelter community committed to helping animals find safe and loving homes throughout Silicon Valley. Local shelters, humane societies, and nonprofit rescue organizations work together to provide shelter, medical care, and rehabilitation for pets in need. Many groups also run foster programs, host adoption events, and support spay and neuter initiatives that help reduce pet homelessness while encouraging responsible pet ownership across the San Jose area. After reviewing feedback from Google, Yelp, and Facebook, we’ve highlighted the San Jose rescues and shelters that consistently receive praise for their compassion, responsiveness, and commitment to animal welfare. These organizations stand out for their rescue efforts, thoughtful adoption processes, and dedication to helping pets transition into stable homes with caring families throughout the San Jose community.

Muttville

750 Florida Street San Francisco, CA 94110, San Francisco, CA

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PetCoverage.ai Rating

4.6

Based on 3178 reviews

Review Sources

Google

4.8(571)

Facebook

4.6(2432)

Yelp

4.7(175)

Species Treated

Dogs

Why choose this provider?

Muttville Senior Dog Rescue is a well-known nonprofit organization serving the San Jose and greater Bay Area community, dedicated to rescuing and rehoming senior dogs who are often overlooked in traditional adoption settings. The organization...

NORCAL Golden Retriever Rescue

405 El Camino Real, Suite 420, Menlo Park, CA 94025-5240, Menlo Park, CA

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PetCoverage.ai Rating

3.4

Based on 18 reviews

Review Sources

Yelp

3.4(18)

Species Treated

Dogs

Why choose this provider?

NORCAL Golden Retriever Rescue serves the San Jose and Northern California community as a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming Golden Retrievers and Golden Retriever mixes in need. The organization focuses on...

Town Cats

7511 Gourmet Alley, Gilroy, CA 95020, Gilroy, CA

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PetCoverage.ai Rating

4.2

Based on 138 reviews

Review Sources

Google

4.6(48)

Facebook

4.8(22)

Yelp

3.8(68)

Species Treated

Cats

Why choose this provider?

Town Cats serves the San Jose community as a nonprofit rescue organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of homeless cats and kittens. Focused on feline rescue and adoption, the organization works to provide abandoned, stray, and...

Nine Lives Foundation

3106 Rolison Road Redwood City, CA 94063, Redwood City, CA

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PetCoverage.ai Rating

4.8

Based on 1009 reviews

Review Sources

Google

4.7(213)

Facebook

4.8(735)

Yelp

4.6(61)

Associations / Certs

Best Friends Animal Society

Hours Today

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Species Treated

Cats

Why choose this provider?

Nine Lives Foundation serves the San Jose and greater Bay Area community as a dedicated nonprofit rescue focused on saving and caring for homeless cats and kittens. With a mission centered on reducing feline overpopulation and improving the lives of...

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA

1450 Rollins Rd, Burlingame, CA 94010, Burlingame, CA

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PetCoverage.ai Rating

4.4

Based on 897 reviews

Review Sources

Google

4.7(596)

Yelp

3.7(301)

Species Treated

DogsCats

Why choose this provider?

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA serves the San Jose and greater Bay Area community as a leading nonprofit animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals in need. With a long-standing commitment to...

Mini Cat Town

2200 Eastridge Loop STE 1076, San Jose, CA 95122, San Jose, CA

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PetCoverage.ai Rating

4.3

Based on 513 reviews

Review Sources

Google

4.4(376)

Yelp

4.2(137)

Species Treated

Cats

Why choose this provider?

Mini Cat Town serves the San Jose community as a unique nonprofit cat rescue and adoption organization dedicated to saving kittens and helping them find loving homes. Focused primarily on the rescue and socialization of young cats, the organization...

Santa Cruz SPCA

2601 Chanticleer Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95065, Santa Cruz, CA

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PetCoverage.ai Rating

4.3

Based on 282 reviews

Review Sources

Google

4.6(193)

Yelp

3.8(89)

Species Treated

DogsCats

Why choose this provider?

Santa Cruz SPCA serves the San Jose and greater Santa Cruz County community as a nonprofit animal rescue and shelter dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of homeless pets. The organization focuses on rescuing dogs and cats in need,...

Our Pack, Inc.

1177 Branham Lane #235, San Jose, CA 95118, San Jose, CA

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PetCoverage.ai Rating

4.7

Based on 706 reviews

Review Sources

Facebook

4.7(687)

Yelp

4.4(19)

Species Treated

DogsCatsOthers

Why choose this provider?

Our Pack, Inc. serves the San Jose and greater Bay Area community as a nonprofit rescue organization dedicated to helping dogs—especially those with special behavioral or training needs—find stable and loving homes. The organization focuses on...

Rocket Dog Rescue

3561 Foothill Blvd. Oakland, CA 94601, Oakland, CA

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PetCoverage.ai Rating

4.6

Based on 1229 reviews

Review Sources

Google

4.6(245)

Facebook

4.8(781)

Yelp

3.8(203)

Species Treated

Dogs

Why choose this provider?

Rocket Dog Rescue serves the San Jose and greater Bay Area community as a dedicated nonprofit organization focused on rescuing dogs from overcrowded shelters and giving them a second chance at life. The organization works to identify dogs at risk of...

Humane Society Silicon Valley

901 Ames Avenue, Milpitas CA 95035, Milpitas, CA

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PetCoverage.ai Rating

4.6

Based on 3371 reviews

Review Sources

Google

4.7(1723)

Facebook

4.8(1035)

Yelp

4.0(613)

Species Treated

DogsCats

Why choose this provider?

Humane Society Silicon Valley in San Jose, California, is a well-established nonprofit animal shelter dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming pets in need. Serving the greater Silicon Valley community, the organization focuses on...

Nike Animal Rescue Foundation

1702 Meridian Ave L116 San Jose, Ca 95125, San Jose, CA

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PetCoverage.ai Rating

4.5

Based on 32 reviews

Review Sources

Google

5.0(1)

Facebook

4.7(12)

Yelp

4.3(19)

Species Treated

CatsDogs

Why choose this provider?

Nike Animal Rescue Foundation serves the San Jose and broader Northern California community as a nonprofit rescue organization dedicated to helping homeless and abandoned dogs find safe, permanent homes. The organization focuses on rescuing dogs...

Pets In Need

871 5th Avenue Redwood City, CA 94063, Redwood City, CA

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PetCoverage.ai Rating

4.6

Based on 505 reviews

Review Sources

Google

4.8(261)

Facebook

4.5(63)

Yelp

4.4(181)

Associations / Certs

Best Friends Animal Society

Hours Today

Closed

Species Treated

DogsCats

Why choose this provider?

Pets In Need serves the San Jose and greater Silicon Valley community as a nonprofit rescue and shelter organization dedicated to helping homeless dogs and cats find safe, loving homes. With a mission centered on compassionate care and responsible...

Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority

3370 Thomas Road Santa Clara, CA 95054, Santa Clara, CA

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PetCoverage.ai Rating

4.4

Based on 684 reviews

Review Sources

Google

4.3(355)

Facebook

4.9(206)

Yelp

4.1(123)

Species Treated

DogsCatsOthers

Why choose this provider?

Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority (SVACA) serves the San Jose and greater Silicon Valley region as a public animal services organization dedicated to protecting and caring for animals in the community. The shelter provides a safe place for...

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter

1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, CA 95062, Santa Cruz, CA

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PetCoverage.ai Rating

4.3

Based on 1007 reviews

Review Sources

Google

4.5(608)

Facebook

4.4(277)

Yelp

2.8(122)

Species Treated

DogsCatsOthers

Why choose this provider?

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter serves the broader San Jose and Santa Cruz region as a public animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing, sheltering, and rehoming animals in need. The shelter provides compassionate care for dogs, cats, and...

Whis-Purr Rescue Inc.

346 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94062, Redwood City, CA

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PetCoverage.ai Rating

4.2

Based on 70 reviews

Review Sources

Google

4.2(25)

Facebook

4.4(12)

Yelp

4.2(33)

Hours Today

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Species Treated

Cats

Why choose this provider?

Whis-Purr Rescue Inc. serves the San Jose and greater Bay Area community as a nonprofit cat rescue organization dedicated to saving abandoned, stray, and at-risk cats and kittens. The organization focuses on providing compassionate care and safe...