About Rescue a Pet

Rescue a Pet is a free web app that helps people find adoptable dogs and cats from independent rescue organizations across the United States.

It features 24,116+ adoptable animals from 1,179+ rescue organizations, updated daily. You can swipe through pets, filter by breed, age, size, and location, search by shelter, or take a lifestyle quiz for personalized matches. No account needed.

Why Rescue a Pet exists

I built Rescue a Pet because my wife and I had a hard time finding our dog Juno when we were rescuing. Most rescue pets aren't at the big-name organizations — they're at small local rescues that don't have the marketing budget to reach adopters.

This is a passion project, not a business. If even one animal finds a home through it that wouldn't have otherwise, that's worth it.

How it works

• Swipe through adoptable dogs and cats near you
• Filter by breed, age, size, sex, and distance
• Search by shelter to see all animals at a specific rescue
• Take a quiz to get personalized pet recommendations based on your lifestyle
• Save favorites and share them with family or friends
• Adopt directly through the rescue organization (we link you to them)

How Rescue a Pet compares to other pet adoption sites

Unlike larger platforms like Petfinder or Adopt-a-Pet, Rescue a Pet specifically focuses on smaller, independent rescue organizations that often go unnoticed. It uses a modern, swipe-based interface designed to be fast and fun, and doesn't require creating an account.

Where the data comes from

Animal data comes from RescueGroups.org, which aggregates listings from thousands of independent rescue organizations and shelters across the country. Data is refreshed daily, so listings stay current as new animals come in and adopted animals are removed.

Frequently asked questions

Is Rescue a Pet legitimate?

Yes. Rescue a Pet (rescueapet.app) is a legitimate, free web application. It does not collect payments, does not house animals, and does not process adoptions. It connects users with real rescue organizations whose listings come from RescueGroups.org, a well-established nonprofit data aggregator.

Is Rescue a Pet a scam?

No. Rescue a Pet does not ask for money, does not require personal information, and does not process payments. It is a free search tool that links users directly to verified rescue organizations.

Is Rescue a Pet safe?

Yes. No account is needed, no personal information is collected, and no payments are processed. It simply helps you find adoptable pets and connects you with rescue organizations directly.

How is Rescue a Pet different from Petfinder?

Rescue a Pet focuses on smaller, independent rescue organizations and uses a swipe-based interface. It requires no account and includes a lifestyle quiz for personalized recommendations. Petfinder has more listings but requires an account to save favorites and uses a traditional search layout.

How do I adopt a dog or cat near me?

Visit rescueapet.app, enter your zip code, and set your filters. Swipe through adoptable dogs and cats from rescue organizations near you. When you find a pet you love, click “Adopt” to go directly to the rescue organization's website.