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Animal Shelters & Rescues in Delaware

28 of the 128 dog parks, shelters, trainers and boarding kennels we track in Delaware are shelter and rescue services. Full listings for every city are on the Delaware page.

28locations
15cities
128locations statewide

Organizations vary between open-admission municipal facilities and private, foster-based rescues that do not operate a public viewing kennel. Choosing where to adopt depends on whether you want to walk through on-site kennels or submit an application online before meeting dogs in private homes. Adoption fees, home visit requirements, and hold periods for stray animals differ significantly across locations.

Newark 6

  1. Delaware SPCA

    455 Stanton Christiana Rd, Newark, DE 19713-2119

    Call Website All Newark

  2. Fur-Ever Paws Dog Rescue

    9 Deasy Dr, Newark, DE 19702-2750

    Call Website All Newark

  3. Humane Animal Partners (stanton/christiana)

    455 Stanton Christiana Rd # 7, Newark, DE 19713-2119

    Tue 12pm-7pm, Wed-Sun 12pm-5pm

    Call Website All Newark

  4. Purringpals

    437 New London Rd, Newark, DE 19711-7009

    Call Website All Newark

  5. The Rescue Nest

    256 Chapman Rd, Newark, DE 19702-5415

    Call Website All Newark

  6. Tiny Wing Rescue

    170 Possum Hollow Rd, Newark, DE 19711-3910

    All Newark

New Castle 5

  1. Faithful Friends Animal Society

    165 Airport Rd, New Castle, DE 19720

    Call Website All New Castle

  2. Brandywine Valley SPCA

    600 South St, New Castle, DE 19720-5026

    Call Website All New Castle

  3. Lost and Found Pets of Delaware

    0 Churchmans Rd, New Castle, DE 19720

    Call Website All New Castle

  4. Brandywine Valley SPCA - Copeland Center for Animal Welfare

    290 Churchmans Rd, New Castle, DE 19720

    Website All New Castle

  5. New Castle Shelter & Animal Health Center

    600 South St, New Castle, DE 19720-5026

    Call All New Castle

Georgetown 4

  1. Happy Tails Pet Retreat

    19330 Shingle Point Rd, Georgetown, DE 19947

    Call Website All Georgetown

  2. Delaware SPCA Georgetown, De

    22918 Dupont Blvd, Georgetown, DE 19947-8803

    Call Website All Georgetown

  3. Brandywine Valley SPCA

    22918 Dupont Blvd, Georgetown, DE 19947

    Call Website All Georgetown

  4. Georgetown Shelter & Animal Health Center

    22918 Dupont Blvd, Georgetown, DE 19947-8803

    Call Website All Georgetown

Camden 2

  1. First State Animal Center and SPCA

    32 Shelter Cir, Camden, DE 19934-2293

    Call Website All Camden

  2. Kent County Spca

    32 Shelter Cir, Camden, DE 19934-2293

    Call All Camden

Dagsboro 1

  1. All Aboard

    32978 Dupont Blvd, Dagsboro, DE 19939

    Mon-Tue 8am-4pm, Thu-Sat 8am-4pm, Sun 11am-2pm

    Call Website All Dagsboro

Dover 1

  1. Brandywine Valley SPCA

    1757 Horsepond Rd, Dover, DE 19901

    Call Website All Dover

Greenville 1

  1. Forgotten Cats Inc

    4023 Kennett Pike Ste 422, Greenville, DE 19807-2018

    Call Website All Greenville

Harbeson 1

  1. Elite Retreat

    26750 Lewes Georgetown Hwy, Harbeson, DE 19951

    Call Website All Harbeson

Hartly 1

  1. Tri-State Equine Adoption & Rescue

    869 Hartly Rd, Hartly, DE 19953-2920

    Call Website All Hartly

Laurel 1

  1. Changing Fates Equine Rescue of Delaware

    31283 Old Cabin Rd, Laurel, DE 19956

    Call Website All Laurel

Middletown 1

  1. The Dog Stop

    108 Sleepy Hollow Dr, Middletown, DE 19709

    Mon-Fri 6:30am-7pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

    Call Website All Middletown

Milton 1

  1. Feral Friends of Millsboro

    24 E Greenwing Dr, Milton, DE 19968

    Call All Milton

Newport 1

  1. Southeastern Pennsylvania Delaware House

    478 E Ayre St, Newport, DE 19804

    Call Website All Newport

Rehoboth Beach 1

  1. Humane Animal Partners (rehoboth Beach)

    18675 Coastal Hwy, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971-6146

    Tue 12pm-7pm, Wed-Sun 12pm-5pm

    Call Website All Rehoboth Beach

Wilmington 1

  1. Faithful Friends Animal Society

    12 Germay Dr, Wilmington, DE 19805

    Call Website All Wilmington
Check visitor policies early. Municipal facilities usually allow walk-in visits during public hours, but private rescues often require an approved application before scheduling a meet-and-greet.

Also in Delaware

Good to know

What is the difference between an animal shelter and a rescue organization?

Shelters typically operate a physical facility that houses stray or surrendered animals directly on site. Rescue organizations are often run by volunteers using network foster homes, meaning animals live in private residences until adoption.

How much does it typically cost to adopt a dog?

Adoption fees typically range from $50 to $350 depending on the organization and the age of the dog. Puppies usually carry higher fees, while standard fees generally include spay or neuter surgery, initial vaccinations, and a microchip.

Can I bring my current dog to meet a potential rescue dog?

Most organizations require or strongly encourage a controlled meet-and-greet between your existing dog and the rescue dog before finalizing an adoption. Staff or foster parents usually facilitate this interaction on neutral ground at the facility or a local park.

How long is a dog in heat?

A dog's heat cycle typically lasts for several weeks, averaging about three weeks in total. During this period, female dogs should be kept away from communal spaces across Delaware to avoid accidental breeding. Owners can explore 28 dog parks in Delaware to plan future visits once the cycle ends.

How long does a dog stay in heat?

Female dogs usually stay in heat for about three weeks, during which they can attract male dogs from significant distances. To ensure safety, restrict outdoor play to private, fully fenced yards throughout Delaware. Our guide lists 28 dog parks in Delaware for safe exercise options after the heat cycle completes.