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Are you considering getting a new pet from animal shelters in New Hampshire? What an exciting time! Most of us have a treasured memory of the day we brought a new furry family member home.
And thank you for choosing adoption! Rescuing a pet through an animal shelter is the way to go. There are so many pets who need homes in New Hampshire and throughout the world.
There are plenty of places to adopt a cat or dog in New Hampshire. Let’s take a look at the state’s shelters and what they have to offer.
This post was last updated in May 2023.
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Why Rescue a Pet from Animal Shelters in New Hampshire?
Choosing your next best friend is a big step, and a lot of thought should go into your decision. As you set out on your pet ownership journey there’s one big question to answer — buy or adopt?
We at New Hampshire Way have pets we’ve adopted through shelters, and they are the light of our lives. Adoption is definitely the way to go, and here’s why.
First off, adopting a pet saves a life. Sadly, there are far more animals in need of a home than people willing to adopt them, both in New Hampshire and around the world. Adopting an animal frees up a space in a shelter for them to take on a new animal.
Secondly, you’ll save money. Typically when you adopt an animal the cost of spaying or neutering, initial vaccinations, and sometimes even microchipping can be included in the adoption price. (Contact each of the shelters for online applications and details on what they offer.)
Additionally, you could save on housebreaking and training expenses if you adopt a slightly older pet. (Not to mention keeping your rug and sofa clean!) Many homeless animals arrived in shelters because they were rehomed by humans bored with them, not because of behavioral issues. You can easily find a pet already trained, housebroken, and comfortable with children and other animals.
Finally, rescuing an animal is something you can feel proud of. We’ve all seen the heart-wrenching footage of puppy mills and abused animals, and heard about animals being euthanized due to lack of space and resources in shelters.
When you adopt a pet, not only do you have a new furry friend to love, you can be proud that you are saving a life, encouraging the humane treatment of animals, making shelter employees’ lives easier, and contributing positively to your community.
We’re lucky to have an amazing network of animal shelters all across New Hampshire, each doing their part to rescue homeless animals and find amazing forever homes for them! We’ve compiled a directory of these phenomenal New Hampshire animal shelters, humane societies, rescues, and adoption centers, organized by region.
Adopting a pet in the state of New Hampshire is easy, convenient, and SO rewarding. Contact one of our local shelters today to learn more!
Animal Shelters in the Merrimack Valley, NH
New Hampshire Humane Society in Bedford
545 State Rte 101, Bedford, NH 03110
Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter in Manchester
490 Dunbarton Rd, Manchester, NH 03102
http://www.manchesteranimalshelter.org/
Salem Animal Rescue League in Salem
4 SARL Dr, Salem, NH 03079
Animal Rescue League of NH
545 State Route 101, Bedford NH 03110
Humane Society for Greater Nashua in Nashua
24 Ferry Rd, Nashua, NH 03064
Pope Memorial SPCA in Concord
94 Silk Farm Rd, Concord, NH 03301
http://www.popememorialspca.org/
Greater Derry Humane Society in Derry
11 Beaver Lake Rd, Derry, NH 03038
http://www.derryhumanesociety.com/
Sato Heart Rescue in Milford
765 N River Rd, Milford, NH 03055
https://www.satoheartrescue.org/contact-us
Happy Tails Pet Rescue in Hudson
14 Pine Rd, Hudson, NH 03051
http://happytailspetrescue.org/
Hearts and Tails Animal Alliance in Weare
35 Daniels Rd, Weare, NH 03281
http://www.heartsandtails.org/
Doberman Rescue Unlimited in Sandown
52 Tenney Rd, Sandown, NH 03873
Mary’s Dogs Rescue & Adoption in Northwood
984 1st New Hampshire Turnpike, Northwood, NH 03261
Darbster Doggy in Chichester
109 Dover Rd, Chichester, NH 03258
Live & Let Farm in Chichester
20 Paradice Ln, Chichester, NH 03258
http://www.liveandletlivefarm.org/
Animal Shelters in the Seacoast Region, NH
New Hampshire SPCA in Stratham
104 Portsmouth Ave, Stratham, NH 03885
Cat Tales Rescue in Seabrook
920 Lafayette Rd #201, Seabrook, NH 03874
Pope Memorial Humane Society – Cocheco Valley in Dover
221 County Farm Rd, Dover, NH 03820
http://www.popememorialcvhs.org/
FuRRR Feline Rescue in Rochester
73 Pickering Rd Suite B99, Rochester, NH 03839
Animal Shelters in the Lakes Region, NH
New Hampshire Humane Society in Laconia
1305 Meredith Center Rd, Laconia, NH 03246
Franklin Animal Shelter in Franklin
19 Rescue Rd, Franklin, NH 03235
http://www.franklinanimalshelter.com/
Lakes Region Humane Society in Ossipee
11 Old Rte 28, Ossipee, NH 03864
Animal Shelters in the White Mountains, NH
Second Chance Animal Rescue in Littleton
1517 Meadow St, Littleton, NH 03561
http://www.secondchancear.org/
Above the Notch Humane Society in Sugar Hill
298 NH-18, Sugar Hill, NH 03586
Conway Area Humane Society in Conway
223 E Main St, Conway, NH 03818
New Digs for Dog Rescue in Haverhill
538 French Pond Rd, North Haverhill, NH 03774
https://www.newdigsfordogsrescue.org/
Animal Shelters in the Monadnock Region, NH
Monadnock Humane Society in Swanzey
101 W Swanzey Rd, Swanzey, NH 03446
http://www.monadnockhumanesociety.org/
Monadnock Kitty Rescue and Adoption in Jaffrey
11 Plantation Dr, Jaffrey, NH 03452
Animal Shelters in Dartmouth-Sunapee, NH
Upper Valley Humane Society in Enfield
300 Old Rte 10, Enfield, NH 03748
Dreams Come True Shelter in Plainfield
945 Willow Brook Rd, Plainfield, NH 03781
https://www.dreamscometruerescue.com/
Lost My Way Animal Shelter in Claremont
21 Hartford St, Claremont, NH 03743
https://www.facebook.com/LostMyWayAnimalShelter
Sullivan County Humane Society in Claremont
14 Tremont St, Claremont, NH 03743
http://www.sullivancountyhumanesociety.org/
River Valley Animal Protection League in Charlestown
60 Cummings Ave, Charlestown, NH 03603
https://rivervalleyapl.wordpress.com/
Can’t Adopt But Still Want to Help? Here’s How!
Of course, adopting a pet isn’t the right decision for everyone — nor is it a decision to take lightly. After all, you’re signing up to care for them for the rest of their lives. Dogs live for an average of 10 to 13 years, while cats often reach their late teens.
If you can’t commit but still want to help the homeless pets in your community, there are several options.
First, you can take action if you see an animal in need of medical care and have the funds to help. One of the most important ways to help prevent more pets from ending up on the streets or abused is to make sure all cats and dogs are spayed and neutered as soon as possible. See if your local animal shelter has a TNR (trap neuter release) program or neuter clinics where you can sponsor an animal or two.
Second, most animal rescues in New Hampshire are nonprofit organizations that rely on donations. You can become a monthly donor of a specific amount or ask the shelter what they need (often pet food and litter) and go shopping, if that suits you better. Many shelters have Amazon wishlists for equipment they need.
And finally, most rescue organizations are looking for wonderful volunteers to give the rescued animals the attention they deserve. This is important work, getting animals comfortable with human contact so they are ready to love potential adopters and, eventually, their new family.
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