Adoption · Connecticut
CT Pet Rescues
Thinking about adopting? Here are animal shelters and rescues near Cheshire and across Connecticut, each checked on its own website.
Quick answer
Looking for pet rescues in CT near Cheshire? Start with your town’s animal control, then nearby nonprofits like The Animal Haven in North Haven, the Meriden Humane Society, Friends of Feral Cheshire Cats and Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter. Statewide, the Connecticut Humane Society has adoption centers in Newington, Waterford and Wilton.
If you’re thinking about adding a pet to your family, I always suggest starting with a shelter or rescue, and we have lots of good ones around here. I sorted them by how close they are to Cheshire, and we checked every one on its own website or its town’s official page in October 2026.
Things change fast in rescue. Adoptable animals, hours and application rules change often, so check each group’s site before you visit. Many rescues are run by volunteers out of foster homes and work by appointment.
Shelters run by our towns
Town animal control near Cheshire
Town animal control officers care for lost and homeless pets (here’s what to do if you find a lost pet), and many of those dogs and cats are later ready for adoption.
Cheshire Animal Control
The town’s animal control facility (what many people still call the dog pound) takes in stray dogs and can house up to 18 dogs, and civilian volunteers help care for and place them with adoptive families. The town’s page explains how to apply to adopt a dog.
Wallingford Animal Control
Wallingford’s animal control runs the town’s shelter and lists adoptions on its website.
North Haven Animal Control
The town’s animal control and shelter. According to the Town of Hamden, Hamden currently leases space at North Haven’s animal shelter while it plans a shelter of its own.
Meriden Animal Control
A division of the Meriden police. The city notes it isn’t a 24-hour facility.
Robin I. Kroogman New Haven Animal Shelter
Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter is the volunteer group that supports the city shelter and lists adoptable animals on its site.
Nonprofits
Rescues close to home
Friends of Feral Cheshire Cats
A Cheshire nonprofit that helps community cats, with cats and kittens up for adoption and a foster program.
The Animal Haven
A no-kill shelter for homeless, abandoned and surrendered cats and dogs.
Meriden Humane Society
A nonprofit, no-kill shelter and rescue founded in 1893. Visits are by appointment.
Saving Paws
Its mission is to help homeless and neglected animals in Meriden and across Connecticut. Adoptable pets and adoption policies are on its site.
Southington Animal Rescue
Finds homes for adoptable companion animals and runs a trap-neuter-release effort for feral cats. Its site lists adoptions, volunteering and pet sponsorship.
A little farther
More Connecticut rescues
Connecticut Humane Society
Connecticut’s statewide humane society, with adoptable pets at its three locations.
Poodle Rescue Connecticut
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit that rescues and rehomes poodles.
Foster and Forever Pet Rescue
Founded in 2011, with adoptable cats listed on its site and foster and volunteer applications.
Spotty Dog Rescue
Lists adoptable pets and volunteer and foster opportunities. An application comes first.
Best Friends for Life Animal Rescue
A 501(c)(3) founded in 2002 that rescues and rehomes dogs at risk of euthanasia.
Rescue Dog Village Guardian
A small Connecticut 501(c)(3) all-breed dog rescue. Adopters fill out an application and agree to a vet reference check, phone interview and home visit.
Sunshine Golden Retriever Rescue
Since 2005, its volunteers have rescued Golden Retrievers, Golden mixes and “Golden-hearted” dogs.
Underhound Railroad
Formed in 2009 to rescue dogs from Connecticut shelters. Today it’s a foster-based group with rescue communities in several states, including Connecticut.
Tips
Before you adopt
- Read the application first. Many rescues ask for a vet reference, a home visit or a landlord’s OK, so it helps to have those ready.
- Think about your routine. A young, high-energy dog needs a different day than a senior cat. Our posts on questions to ask when you adopt and adopting vs. buying a dog can help.
- Give them time. New pets need a while to settle in. Be patient for the first few weeks.
- Plan for care when you’re busy or away. Our dog walks, cat sitting and pet sitting visits help new pets keep a steady routine.
Want to help but not ready to adopt? See our list of volunteer opportunities at Connecticut animal shelters.
Just brought home a new pet?
We’d love to meet them. Sarah’s Pet Sitting offers pet sitting visits, dog walking and overnight pet sitting. See our Services & Pricing. You’ll meet with a member of our team before your first service.
Serving Cheshire, Southington, Wallingford, Hamden, North Haven, Meriden and New Haven.
or call or text 203-439-0456
Sources (checked Oct. 24, 2026): Town of Cheshire: Animal Control; Wallingford Animal Control; Town of North Haven: Animal Control; Town of Hamden: Hamden Animal Shelter; City of Meriden: Animal Control; Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter; Connecticut Humane Society. Each rescue listing links to that group’s own website. Know a Connecticut nonprofit rescue we should add? Tell us through our contact page. Sarah’s Pet Sitting isn’t affiliated with the organizations listed here.
I work with 3 of those rescue groups and those people work very hard to find homes for the critters….May God keep them safe and help them on there journey..this is truly God’s work and I can’t say enough great things about all the people who volunteer there…there countless time, love and money out of there own pocket makes this all possible…consider making a smalll donation so they can continue this wonderful work..Annie…woof and meow