If you are planning to welcome a Pug from a pug rescue, you will love this guide. Today I’ll discuss:
- is it wise to adopt a Pug from pug rescues
- the ins and outs of pug rescues
- how to choose the right Pug rescue organization
- a full list of Pug rescues in the US
- and more
Let’s dive in.
Adopting From a Pug Rescue: The Benefits
Whilst ending up in rescue is no dog’s dream-come-true, thanks to people like you many pugs will get lucky and find a fantastic new home as a result.
So, let’s talk about the benefits. Here are six reasons rescue could be the best choice you ever made.
1. Save a Life
Thousands of dogs are placed in rescues every year after being found homeless or surrendered by owners who can no longer look after them. Sadly there are just too many dogs and not enough homes for them all.
By adopting a pug from a rescue, you could be saving their life. Not all rescues can afford to care for their animals permanently. As a result, some will get euthanized when the rescue reaches full capacity.
By rescuing a pug instead of buying a puppy, there’s a good chance you’ll be saving their life, whilst making room for another pup in need.
2. Avoid Pug Mills
By rescuing a pug you’ll be sure to bypass puppy mills. Pugs that come out of puppy mills are more likely than other dogs to have hidden health problems. This is because these dogs have been bred on mass in unsuitable conditions.
In contrast, rescue dogs are looked over by veterinarians and receive all necessary treatments. By bypassing puppy mills you’ll arrive home with a healthier pooch without supporting an unethical, abusive industry,
3. Get a Fully Screened Pug
By choosing rescue, you’re guaranteed to be going home with a fully-screened pooch. Rescue centres thoroughly screen their dogs. Professional, licensed veterinarians will administer shorts, vaccinations, and all necessary health checks.
Rescue dogs are more often than not sterilized, and undergo behavioral assessments so that they can be matched with a suitable new living arrangement.
4. Pick Your Pug
By visiting a pug-specific rescue center, you’ll be met with pugs of all types. You’ll be able to choose a pug with the exact features, and temperament that you’re looking for.
5. Know the Pug’s Personality
By choosing rescue, you’ll know more about your dog before taking them home. Pups are screened and assessed so that rescue workers can inform potential adopters about their dog’s personalities, behaviors, and needs.
6. Save Money
Last but not least, you’ll also save money by choosing rescue. Purebred puppies can set you back thousands. Rescuing a pug typically costs a couple of hundred dollars. You’ll be doing good whilst saving your pennies.
Possible Drawbacks Of Adopting From Pug Rescues
Even though rescuing Pug is, undoubtedly, a wonderful thing, there are inevitable drawbacks that come with the process.
Getting any dog is a big responsibility, but rescue requires even more diligence and sensitivity. Some rescuing pugs will require extra time and care.
You must consider whether you can meet the needs of a rescue dog before offering them your home. Some, though not all, will have experienced trauma and it might take them time to adjust to their new surroundings and new family, as a result.
Other possible drawbacks to consider when adopting a pug from dog rescues include:
1. Waiting periods
You might need to practice patience. Rescue centers often have a waiting period. You might not be able to bring your new pet home as soon as you might like.
2. Strict requirements
Rescue homes do checks. People are often surprised when they can’t just pick a pup and take it home. After all, you’re doing them a favor. Right?
In reality, these checks are super important. Rescues ask for personal references, application forms, home visits, and sometimes even interviews. But this isn’t purely for the sake of being as inconvenient as humanly possible.
Rescues don’t want to see their pooches surrendered or abandoned for a second, or third, time. These checks are designed to make sure their dogs are going to a good home, set up to care for a pug long-term.
3. Special needs/ trauma
Some pugs that end up in rescue centers do so because they have special needs that were too much for their previous owners to manage. Others might have experienced trauma and developed emotional dependencies as a result.
You’ll want to make sure you can meet the needs of your chosen pooch before committing to the adoption process.
4. No guarantees
When you adopt a pug, their temperament might change in the new environment. They’ve likely been moved around a lot and just gotten used to life in the rescue facility. You’ll have to be patient with your pug and let them settle in gradually.
It’s also very unlikely that you’ll be bringing home a pedigree, competition-ready pooch. If this is what you’re aiming for, a rescue is probably not the best choice.
Pug Rescues: How To Know The Good From The Bad
Once you’ve decided on adopting a rescue, you’ll want to find a good Pug rescue organization. Not all establishments are made equal so it’s a good idea to shop around before making a decision.
If you’re not sure where to look or where to go, don’t worry. By following these steps, you’ll be sure to find a good Pug rescue near you.
1. Search the web
A simple web search is a great first port of call. For example, you can use these search queries:
- pug rescue near me
- pug rescue (your area)
Once you hit on some results, it’s important to dig a little deeper. Check out each website and carry out some quality control checks.
If all are looking good, you might want to pay the center a first visit. Look around and suss out the conditions. Do the dogs look healthy and well cared for? Are the staff or volunteers professional? Do they ask you the appropriate questions?
2. Check out social media
Go beyond the search engines. These days social media is where it’s at. Facebook groups and specialist pages can be extremely useful when it comes to finding rescues and rescue centers.
- Search “pug rescue” on Facebook and engage with other users to find out more.
- You could also try searching on Instagram with relevant hashtags. Start with #pugrescue and go from there.
One of the best things about using social media is the ability to reach out to other dog owners. By being vocal and asking lots of questions, you’ll be able to get recommendations, reviews, and warnings based on the experiences of other pug adopters.
3. Ask a Vet
However you end up locating a rescue, it’s always a good idea to check in with a local veterinarian. They will know exactly what to look for in a rescue establishment and advise you of any red flags to watch out for.
Dog breeders and rescue centers also need the services of veterinarians. And that’s good news for you, as your local vet is likely to have established relationships with local adoption centers. Ask them for their recommendations and contact information.
4. Talk to local breeders
Not all pugs that need rehoming end up in rescue centers. When a breeder sells a puppy, they usually ask the new owners to sign a contract before taking the pup away. This contract will stipulate that the breeder has the first claim should they need to give up for adoption.
Inevitably, this does sometimes happen and, as a result, breeders will sometimes have pups that need rehoming. Get in contact with some local breeders. Even if they don’t have any puppies available at the moment, they’ll likely know someone that does.
5. Consider a long-distance rescue
With popular breeds like pugs, it can be hard to find a rescue immediately in your local area. Pug rescues get rehomed incredibly quickly, so you’ll have to keep your eye on the ball or get creative with your search methods.
Increasingly, prospective pug adoptees are choosing long-distance adoptions. This method can be a little bit pricey, but if you’re sure it’s a pug you’re after, and you’re prepared to travel long distances, this might be your best chance.
Adopting a Pug: List of Pug Rescues By State in The US
I’ve compiled a list of some go-to, rescue shelters in the US to get you started adopting a new four-legged friend.
Pug Rescues in Alabama (AL)
- Alabama Pug Rescue
- Location: Westover, Alabama
- Email: pugsrescued@aol.com
- Phone: 35185-0279
Pug Rescues in Alaska (AK)
- Polar Pug Rescue & Friends
- Location: Alaska
- Adoption Fee: $150-$300
- Email: polarpugandfriends@gmail.com or polarpugrescue@ak.net
Pug Rescues in Arizona (AZ)
- Arizona Pug Adoption and Rescue Network
- Location: Arizona
- Email:info@aparn.org
- Phone: (480) 964-3126
Pug Rescues in Arkansas (AR)
- DFW Pugs
- Location: Avondale, PA 19311
- Email: info@dvpr.org
- Phone: (610) 268-5574
Pug Rescues in California (CA)
- Pug Nation Rescue of Los Angeles
- Location: Gardena, CA 90248 PO Box 484, Gardena, CA 90248
- Adoption Fee: $50- $500
- Email: Contact form
- Phone: 310-327-7871
Pug Rescues in Colorado (CO)
- Colorado Pug Rescue
- Location: 59150 E. 74th Drive Strasburg, CO 80136
- Adoption Fee: $100-$400
- Email: cpr@copugrescue.org
- Phone: (303)-659-9689
Pug Rescues in Connecticut (CT)
- Pug Rescue of New England (PRoNE)
- Location: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Connecticut, with special consideration given to neighboring states.
- Adoption Fee: $150-$500
- Email: socialmedia@pugrescueofnewengland.org
- Phone: +1 781-819-2530
Pug Rescues in Delaware (DE)
- Delaware Valley Pug Rescue
- Location: Avondale, PA 19311
- Email: info@dvpr.org
- Phone: (610) 268-5574
Pug Rescues in Florida (FL)
- Central Florida Pug Rescue
- Location: Lake Mary, FL 32795
- Email: 407.756.4998
- Phone: cfppugs@yahoo.com
Pug Rescues in Georgia (GA)
- Puglanta Dog Rescue
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Email: info@puglanta.com
Pug Rescues in Hawaii (HI)
- Paws of Hawaii
- Location: O’ahu
- Email: pawsofhawaii@yahoo.com
- Phone:(808)757-9220
Pug Rescues in Idaho (ID)
- Pug Pals (Greater Boise Pug Rescue and Placement)
- Location: Boise, ID 83719
- Adoption Fee: $150-400
- Email: suzann.pugpals@gmail.com
- Phone:208-571-9482
Pug Rescues in Illinois (IL)
- Northern Illinois Pug Rescue
- Location: Geneva, IL 60134
- Adoption Fee: $250-350
- Email: nipra@northernillinoispugrescue.org
Pug Rescues in Indiana (IN)
- Kentuckiana Pug Rescue
- Location: Indianapolis
- Adoption Fee: $225-325
- Email: WEBMASTER@KENTUCKIANAPUGS.COM
- Phone:1-877-784-7988
Pug Rescues in Iowa (IA)
- Midwest Pug Rescue
- Location: Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska & Minnesota
- Email: loveforpugs@aol.com
Pug Rescues in Kansas (KS)
- Midwest Pug Rescue
- Location: Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska & Minnesota
- Email: loveforpugs@aol.com
Pug Rescues in Kentucky (KY)
- Bluegrass Pug Rescue
- Location: Louisville, Kentucky 40259
- Adoption Fee: $159- 424 inc. Tax plus a $25 application processing fee
- Email: bprsecretary@gmail.com
Pug Rescues in Louisiana (LA)
- DFW Pugs
- Location: Avondale, PA 19311
- Email: info@dvpr.org
- Phone: (610) 268-5574
Pug Rescues in Maine (ME)
- Pug Rescue of New England (PRoNE)
- Location: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Connecticut, with special consideration given to neighboring states.
- Adoption Fee: $150-500
- Email: socialmedia@pugrescueofnewengland.org
- Phone: +1 781-819-2530
Pug Rescues in Maryland (MD)
- Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue
- Email: surrender@midatlanticpugrescue.org
- Phone:+1 704-452-7841
Pug Rescues in Massachusetts (MA)
- Pug Rescue of New England (PRoNE)
- Location: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Connecticut, with special consideration given to neighboring states.
- Adoption Fee: $150-500
- Email: socialmedia@pugrescueofnewengland.org
- Phone: +1 781-819-2530
Pug Rescues in Michigan (MI)
- Michigan Pug Rescue
- Location: Farmington, MI 48335
- Adoption Fee: $150-450
- Email: pugluv@michiganpugrescue.com
- Phone:(248) 473-8389
Pug Rescues in Minnesota (MIN)
- Midwest Pug Rescue Minnesota
- Location: Minnesota
- Email: mnmprinfo@gmail.com
Pug Rescues in Missouri (MO)
- Midwest Pug Rescue
- Location: Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska & Minnesota
- Adoption Fee: Varies
- Email: loveforpugs@aol.com
Pug Rescues in Montana (MT)
- Pug Pals (Greater Boise Pug Rescue and Placement)
- Location: Boise, ID 83719
- Adoption Fee: $150-400
- Email: suzann.pugpals@gmail.com
- Phone:208-571-9482
Pug Rescues in Nebraska (NE)
- Pug Partners of Nebraska
- Location: Fort Calhoun, NE 68023
- Adoption Fee: $150-500
- Email: contact form
- Phone:1-888-509-1940
Pug Rescues in Nevada (NV)
- Southern Nevada Pug Rescue
- Location: Nevada
- Adoption Fee: Varies
- Email: info@rescuepugs.com
- Phone:+1 702-883-0740
Pug Rescues in New Hampshire (NH)
- Green Mountain Pug Rescue
- Location: 283 Town Line Rd, Mendon VT 05701
- Adoption Fee: $150-450
- Email: Helen.Bryan@gmpr.org (Adoption Coordinator)
- Phone: (802) 279-8858
Pug Rescues in New Jersey (NJ)
- SNORT Rescue
- Location: Hoboken NJ 07030
- Adoption Fee: varies
- Email:snortrescue@gmail.com
Pug Rescues in New Mexico (NM)
- Lap Dog Rescue of New Mexico
- Location: New Mexico
- Adoption Fee: Varies
- Email: contact form
- Phone: (505) 934-2202
Pug Rescues in New York (NY)
- Buffalo Pug & Small Breed Rescue
- Location: New York
- Adoption Fee: approx $150-300
- Email (strongly preferred): vanessa@buffalopugs.org
Pug Rescues in North Carolina (NC)
- Pawsitively Pugs Rescue (North Carolina Pug Rescue)
- Location: North Carolina
- Adoption Fee: Varies
- Email: pawsitivelypugsrescue@gmail.com
Pug Rescues in North Dakota (ND)
- For Luv of Dog Rescue
- Location: Fargo, ND
- Adoption Fee: Varies
- Email: contact form
Pug Rescues in Ohio (O.)
- Ohio Pug Rescue
- Location: Ohio
- Adoption Fee: Based on the age of pug
- Email: rescue_coordinator@ohiopugrescue.com
Pug Rescues in Oklahoma (OKLA)
- Homeward Bound Pug Rescue
- Location: Oklahoma City
- Adoption Fee: $200-500
- Email: homewardboundpugs@cox.net
- Phone:405-706-1492
Pug Rescues in Oregon (OR)
- Pacific Pug Rescue
- Location: Beaverton, OR 97005
- Adoption Fee: $150-550
- Email: adoptions@pacificpugrescue.org
- Phone: 503.704.3587
Pug Rescues in Pennsylvania (PA)
- Guardian Angel Pug Rescue
- Location:259 Derbytown Rd Latrobe, PA, US 15650
- Adoption Fee: Varies
- Email: pugrsq@aol.com
Pug Rescues in Rhode Island (RI)
- Pug Rescue of New England (PRoNE)
- Location: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Connecticut, with special consideration given to neighboring states.
- Adoption Fee: $150-500
- Email: socialmedia@pugrescueofnewengland.org
- Phone: +1 781-819-2530
Pug Rescues in South Carolina (SC)
- Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue
- Email: surrender@midatlanticpugrescue.org
- Phone:+1 704-452-7841
Pug Rescues in South Dakota (SD)
- Black Hills Pug Rescue
- Location: Rapid City, SD 57709
- Adoption Fee: Varies
- Email: bhpugrescue@yahoo.com
Pug Rescues in Tennessee (TN)
- MidSouth Pug Rescue
- Location: CORDOVA, TN 38088 US
- Adoption Fee: approx $300
- Email: info@midsouthpugs.org
- Phone: (901) 209-9784
Pug Rescues in Texas (TX)
- El Paso Pug Rescue
- Location: P.O. Box 27258, El Paso, TX 79926
- Adoption Fee: Approx $200
- Email: info@elpasopugrescue.com
Pug Rescues in Utah (UT)
- Pug Pals (Greater Boise Pug Rescue and Placement)
- Location: Boise, ID 83719
- Adoption Fee: $150-400
- Email: suzann.pugpals@gmail.com
- Phone:208-571-9482
Pug Rescues in Vermont (VT)
- Green Mountain Pug Rescue
- Location: 283 Town Line Rd, Mendon VT 05701
- Adoption Fee: $150-450
- Email: Helen.Bryan@gmpr.org (Adoption Coordinator)
- Phone: (802) 279-8858
Pug Rescues in Virginia (VA)
- Pugs U Gotta Save (P.U.G.S)
- Location: Virginia
- Adoption Fee: $250-400
- Email: pugsaved@pugsugottasave.org
- Phone: 804-491-9784
Pug Rescues in Washington (WA)
- Seattle Pug Rescue
- Location: Washington
- Adoption Fee: $50-525
- Email:rescue@seattlepugs.com
- Phone:+1 253-655-7847
Pug Rescues in West Virginia (WV)
- Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue
- Location: Maryland, West Virginia, & eastern Tennessee
- Adoption Fee: Varies
- Email: surrender@midatlanticpugrescue.org
- Phone: +1 704-452-7841
Pug Rescues in Wisconsin (WI)
- Pug Hugs, Inc.
- Location: Wisconsin
- Adoption Fee: $250-400
- Email: PUGHUGSRESCUE@GMAIL.COM
Pug Rescues in Wyoming (WY)
- Wyoming Pug Rescue
- Location: Wyoming
- Email: wyomingpugrescue@wyoming.com
- Phone: 307-206-4229
- Develop a pug-breeder radar
Pugs Adoption: More Questions About Pugs Rescues
1. What’s the process to adopt Pugs from dog rescues?
Normally, the adoption process goes a little something like this.
- Adoptee visits the shelter
- Initial consultation with the adoption agency
- Visit the pugs up for adoption (there may be other dog breeds as well)
- Fill out an application form
- Agree to be interviewed
- Let the shelter visit your home
- Sign a contract and pay the fee (possible contracts include neuter, vaccination, fencing, medical, and returns policies)
- Welcome your new friend home
It’s always smart to ask the right questions. When you get to the shelter, try to clarify the following factors with a member of staff.
- Adoption fees
- Shots and vaccinations
- Health guarantees
- Veterinary checks
2. Will you find any pug puppies from the dog rescues today?
Rescue centers never know what’s going to come through the door from one day to the next. That means anything is possible. Sometimes pug puppies will be put up for adoption. But pug rescues are very popular. They get snapped up pretty quick.
If you’re set on a pug rescue specifically, apply at numerous adoption centers early. This way you’ll already be approved for adoption when your dream pup comes along. But remember every pug whatever age has the potential to be a fun and loving addition to your family.
3. Are there any Pug shelters nearby?
You can try our recommended methods in this guide to search for a good Pug shelter nearby.
If you are in Los Angeles, the Pug Nation Rescue is a registered 501c3 non-profit Pug rescue organization that specializes in the care and rehoming of pugs and pug mixes.
Pug Rescue: Last Words
You’re ready to rescue!
You know all there is to know about finding your perfect pug rescue. If you still think that adoption is the route for you, hooray. With so many pugs out there in need of homes, your decision is sure to improve the life of a very special pooch.
Be mindful along the way. Find a reputable shelter or breeder and ask lots of questions. But most importantly, give your new friend the love and attention they deserve.
Check out this amazing pug rescue story: