Rehoming Resources
We understand that sometimes people end up in a position where they are no longer able to provide what is best for a dog.
As a rescue, we usually prioritize medical-needs huskies and shelter dogs first before intaking owner surrenders – which we rarely have space to accommodate. We recommend the following to help re-home a husky on your own.
Where to Post
Facebook Groups
- Husky Lovers of Arizona (with admin approval)
- Huskies and malamutes in need of rescue or care
- Arizona Rescue
- StraydarAZ: Lost, Found and Adoptions
- Arizona Animals (Rehoming/Adoptions)
Other Social Media:
Get out there!
- If you are able to, we recommend purchasing an adopt-me harness or bandana and taking your pup out to meet husky-friendly potential adopters:
- Dog Parks
- Hiking
- Parks
- Pet-friendly festivals
Posting Tips
- Focus on the positive
Sell your dog in a positive light! Instead of saying “too much energy,” try saying “will make a great exercise companion.” Most huskies just act out because they are bored and untrained – be honest about whether or not your husky has received enough exercise and attention before acting out and realize if their needs were met, they would make a great dog! - Good photos
Great photos make SUCH a difference in adoption interest. The best photos usually are taken outdoors during the day in a shaded spot, and by using either a squeak-toy or treats, try to get your dog to look at you – eye contact in photos is so helpful in getting someone online to connect with your pet. - Ask questions
Don’t be afraid to ask a potential adopter all of the right questions – if they are a good fit, they will be more than happy to tell you all about themselves and why a husky is right for them. Getting your dog into a perfect permanent home right away keeps them from ending up in a shelter and developing more behavioral issues to cope. - Go to the vet
Letting potential adopters knows that they are adopting a healthy dog who is spayed/neutered and up-to-date on vaccines will really help them have confidence in adopting your pet.
Other Rescues
First and foremost, the majority of these rescues are in the same position that we are – overwhelmed with intake requests daily. We have a serious pet overpopulation problem in Arizona, and rescues must take in dogs with medical needs and in danger of death in the shelter before a dog that someone can’t keep because they are moving or pregnant – basic life changes like these are NOT RESCUE SITUATIONS. Please be mindful of this when you choose to reach out to a rescue, and if at all possible use the options above to honor your commitment to the pet you adopted.
Although we are the most active breed-specific husky rescue in the Phoenix area, the following rescues do take in and work with huskies and northern breeds frequently:
- Paws 4 a Cause AZ
- Mountain Girl Rescue (Northern AZ)
- Tucson’s Cause for Canines
- Follow Your Heart Animal Rescue
Only Puppies:
No-Kill Shelters
- AZ Humane Society
Humane Society will help in the instance of medical needs, neglect or abandonment and does not euthanize for space. - Arizona Animal Welfare League – AAWL/SPCA
Arizona’s oldest & largest No-Kill Shelter - Friends for Life Animal Rescue
A limited-intake no-kill facility in Gilbert, AZ
Maricopa County Shelters
We know you don’t want to take your dog to the shelter because they euthanize dogs for space – this is exactly why we can’t take your dog. We are pretty much always full because we must pull dogs that would have otherwise been killed to make room for your dog – we have to go in order of how much time they have left.
Just because you don’t feel good about surrendering your dog to the shelter, does not mean that your situation qualifies as rescue. If all of the above fail, your dog is still your responsibility, and if you absolutely cannot keep your dog until you can find a new home yourself, the county shelter would be the place to go to surrender your pet – it is better than abandoning or dumping them at least!
We don’t like recommending this, and as the problem grows the euthanasia rate has increased as well, however rescues do monitor the shelter lists non-stop and try to pull any adoptable dog that we can as a priority. Our organization monitors the kill list and almost always pulls huskies when they make it to this point. Because we are so busy pulling the dogs who would otherwise be killed, we don’t have resources to help people who are moving or who no longer have time for their dog, or are frustrated when they realize how much work it is to keep a husky. YES, it is absolutely a lot of work to find the very best home for your pet, but when you adopted them, you made this commitment. If you cannot honor this, the shelter is where you should look next – they legally have to make room to take your pet.
West Valley Shelter
2500 S. 27th Avenue
(27th Avenue, south of Durango)
Phoenix, AZ 85009
602-506-7387
East Valley Shelter
2630 W. Rio Salado Parkway
(Loop 101 / Rio Salado Parkway)
Mesa, AZ 85201
602-506-7387