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AKC Rescue Network: How to Find a Breed-Specific Dog Rescue
How to use the AKC Rescue Network to find a breed rescue group, how foster-based breed rescues work, what adoption may involve and questions to ask first.
If your heart is set on a particular breed, adopting from a breed rescue lets you give a dog a second chance while still choosing a breed you know suits your lifestyle. The American Kennel Club (AKC) maintains a directory called the AKC Rescue Network to help people find these groups.
Visit the AKC Rescue Network →
What the AKC Rescue Network is
The AKC Rescue Network is a list of rescue groups that focus on specific dog breeds. The network is connected to the AKC's national breed clubs, and the people involved are often breeders, owners and enthusiasts who know the breed well. The directory is organized alphabetically by breed, and each breed page lists one or more rescue contacts, often with the region they serve.
Many breed rescues are run by volunteers and place dogs from foster homes rather than a kennel building. A foster usually lives with a dog for a while, so they can tell you how the dog behaves at home, with visitors and around other animals.
How to use it step by step
- Choose your breed. Go to the network page and select the letter for the breed you are interested in.
- Find the rescue contacts. Look for the rescue groups listed for that breed and note which areas they cover.
- Visit the rescue's own website. Read about its adoption process, fees and the dogs it currently has available.
- Submit an application. Most breed rescues ask for an application, and many also check references or arrange a home visit, sometimes virtually.
- Get matched. Some rescues match adopters to dogs as they come in, so it can help to tell them the age, energy level and temperament you can handle.
What it costs and what to expect
Each rescue sets its own adoption fee and policies. Fees often help cover veterinary care the dog received while in rescue, such as vaccinations and spay or neuter surgery. Because breed rescues have a limited number of dogs and many applicants, you may need to wait for the right match. Some groups also ask you to sign an agreement to return the dog to them if you ever cannot keep it.
Tips before you apply
- Learn the breed honestly. Read about exercise needs, grooming, common health concerns and typical temperament, and consider whether they fit your daily life.
- Be open to mixes and older dogs. Many rescues have adult dogs and breed mixes who are already house-trained and settled.
- Ask the foster. Ask about house-training, crate habits, separation behavior and how the dog reacts to children and other pets.
- Confirm the group directly. The directory is a starting point; check each rescue's website and reputation before sharing personal information or paying a fee.
- Plan for travel. Some breed rescues cover large regions, so you may need to drive to meet a dog.
Breed rescue can take more patience than a walk-in shelter visit, but it is a strong option if a specific breed is the right fit for your home.
Visit the AKC Rescue Network →
Frequently asked questions
Does the AKC itself adopt out dogs?
No. The AKC Rescue Network is a directory. You apply with the individual breed rescue group, which sets its own process and fees.
Are dogs in breed rescues always purebred?
Not always. Many breed rescues also take dogs that are mixes of their breed, and adult and senior dogs are common.
Why do breed rescues ask for home visits?
Many are small, volunteer-run groups that want to make sure each dog goes to a safe and suitable home. Requirements vary by group.
Sources
Disclaimer: This guide is general information only and may not fit your situation or country. Rules, prices and requirements change, so check the details with the official source or a qualified professional before you act. Read our full disclaimer.