Adopt

Puppies and dogs in Massachusetts

Looking for a puppy or dog in Massachusetts? Adopt a Pet can help you find a new best friend near you.

A pair of dogs

Adopt a dog in Massachusetts

These adorable dogs are available for adoption in Massachusetts. To learn more about each adoptable dog, click on the "i" icon for fast facts, or their photo or name for full details.
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Photo of Ava

Ava

Beagle/Mixed Breed (Medium)

Female, 9 yrs
Springfield, MA
Size
(when grown) -
Details
-
Story
-
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No photo available for PUDDLE

PUDDLE

American Pit Bull Terrier

Female, 2 yrs
Boston, MA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
-
Story
-
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No photo available for MALLARD

MALLARD

Labrador Retriever

Male, 1 yr
Salem, MA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
-
Story
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Photo of Candy

Candy

American Pit Bull Terrier/Labrador Retriever

Female, Adult
Brookline, MA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with dogs, Not good with cats, Needs experienced adopter, House-trained,
Story
Candy is the belle of the ball (be prepared for everyone to stop and compliment her!) and the reigning queen of snuggles (her favorite pastime). She loves to nap, and will do so on the couch when left alone. Candy loves to play with her toys and will go on her own to her toy box to see what treasure she wants to play with that day! She loves to go on sniff walks along trails and comes alive in nature. She respects her fellow critters out in nature (squirrels, birds, etc) and doesn’t pay them any mind. Candy is housebroken and will go to the door to let you know she wants to go outside.She gets amazing report cards from her doggy daycare that she goes to twice a week!From the moment she meets you she will not want to leave your side. She makes the perfect loyal companion!Candy will benefit from a child-free home with a yard and preferably in a low-traffic area. She is spayed and up to date on vaccines
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Photo of Beth 3 months

Beth 3 months

Labrador Retriever

Female, Young
Sterling, MA
Size
(when grown) -
Details
-
Story
Supporters and Recurring Giving Donors will be put on our VIP Application List ​ Adoption Costs and other important information. Adoption fees and what is included in your adoption fee: https://www.sterlingshelter.org/pet-finder/animal-rescue-fee/   ​ Current Hours and VIP Donor (Effective 07/30/2024) Tuesday through Friday are open hours 11am to 5pm. Saturday open hours 10am to 4pm. We are closed on Sunday and Monday. All surrenders are still by prior approval and appointment only. Even if you are only coming in to look during our open hours, you can still fill out our application prior to visiting. This will save time if you do decide to adopt. Preference on adopting a pet is given to our Shelter Supporters and VIP Donors   .  When animals arrive at the shelter, VIP donors will be emailed and given the first option to set up an appointment to view an animal of their choice. Click on the link above for full details. Due to limited staff, we may not be able to answer the phones. All information is available on this website, or can be answered by email to  staff@sterlingshelter.org  . Please be patient, we are doing the best we can to handle the volume. If you don't See any pets on our PETS for ADOPTION PAGE - it simply means that all of the animals were adopted.  We have several areas in/around the shelter to view and interact with the pet/s that you are potentially going to adopt. This includes outdoor, fully fenced yards. We encourage you to bring currently owned dogs so you can introduce them to any dogs that you are interested in adopting. Planning YOUR Visit to Adopt: please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes prior to your appointment time,  please make sure you have any/all necessary paperwork required for adoption  and help us stick to our schedule/s - so others do NOT have to wait. You should plan  * For cats/kittens plan for 30 to 45 minutes. * For dogs/puppies plan for 45 to 60 minutes.   If you have another dog/s at home - make sure to   bring him/her - we have plenty of space/areas to do a meet and greet with a new dog and your dog/s. If you need to cancel your appointment - please email us ASAP at  staff@sterlingshelter.org Adoption Costs and other important information. Supporters and Recurring Giving Donors will be put on our VIP Application List ​ July 21, 2026, 3:08 pm
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Photo of Carter 3 months

Carter 3 months

Labrador Retriever

Male, Young
Sterling, MA
Size
(when grown) -
Details
-
Story
Supporters and Recurring Giving Donors will be put on our VIP Application List ​ Adoption Costs and other important information. Adoption fees and what is included in your adoption fee: https://www.sterlingshelter.org/pet-finder/animal-rescue-fee/   ​ Current Hours and VIP Donor (Effective 07/30/2024) Tuesday through Friday are open hours 11am to 5pm. Saturday open hours 10am to 4pm. We are closed on Sunday and Monday. All surrenders are still by prior approval and appointment only. Even if you are only coming in to look during our open hours, you can still fill out our application prior to visiting. This will save time if you do decide to adopt. Preference on adopting a pet is given to our Shelter Supporters and VIP Donors   .  When animals arrive at the shelter, VIP donors will be emailed and given the first option to set up an appointment to view an animal of their choice. Click on the link above for full details. Due to limited staff, we may not be able to answer the phones. All information is available on this website, or can be answered by email to  staff@sterlingshelter.org  . Please be patient, we are doing the best we can to handle the volume. If you don't See any pets on our PETS for ADOPTION PAGE - it simply means that all of the animals were adopted.  We have several areas in/around the shelter to view and interact with the pet/s that you are potentially going to adopt. This includes outdoor, fully fenced yards. We encourage you to bring currently owned dogs so you can introduce them to any dogs that you are interested in adopting. Planning YOUR Visit to Adopt: please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes prior to your appointment time,  please make sure you have any/all necessary paperwork required for adoption  and help us stick to our schedule/s - so others do NOT have to wait. You should plan  * For cats/kittens plan for 30 to 45 minutes. * For dogs/puppies plan for 45 to 60 minutes.   If you have another dog/s at home - make sure to   bring him/her - we have plenty of space/areas to do a meet and greet with a new dog and your dog/s. If you need to cancel your appointment - please email us ASAP at  staff@sterlingshelter.org Adoption Costs and other important information. Supporters and Recurring Giving Donors will be put on our VIP Application List ​ July 21, 2026, 3:08 pm

Search for a puppy or dog

Use the search tool below to browse adoptable puppies and adult dogs in Massachusetts.

Puppies and dogs in Massachusetts cities

Shelters & rescues in Massachusetts

There are animal shelters and rescues that focus specifically on finding great homes for dogs in Massachusetts. Browse these rescues and shelters below.

Here are a few organizations closest to you:

Rescue

Rainbow Rescues Inc

Westhampton, MA 01027

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

White River Animal Rescue - MA

Westfield, MA 01085

Pet Types: dogs

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Shelter

Westfield Animal Control and Shelter

178 Apremont Way, Westfield, MA 01085

Pet Types: cats, birds, dogs, rabbits, reptiles, small animals

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Rescue

ASRI / Positive Options

P.O. Box 1815, Westfield, MA 01085

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Shelter

Rover Starts Over Dog Adoptions

P.O. Box 113, Granby, MA 01033

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

Mutt Rescue

102 Grove Street, Chicopee, MA 01020

Pet Types: dogs

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Shelter

FACES Inc.--Dog Adoption

P.O. Box 704, W. Springfield, MA 01090

Pet Types: dogs

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Shelter

Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center

627 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA 01104

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Joyful Pets Rescue

Private Foster Homes, Amherst, MA 01002

Pet Types: cats, dogs, rabbits, small animals

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Shelter

Ludlow Animal Control

612 Chapin Street, Ludlow, MA 01056

Pet Types: cats, dogs, farm animals, rabbits, reptiles, small animals

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Looking for a specific shelter or rescue?

For a comprehensive list of all shelters and rescues, try our search page. We have more than 17,000 organizations in our database with furry pals waiting for a new home!

Image of dog

Looking for a specific breed?

Select from the options below to view adoptable puppies and dogs in Massachusetts

Popular dog breeds

Affenpinscher Afghan Hound Airedale Terrier Akbash Akita Alaskan Klee Kai Alaskan Malamute American Bulldog American Cocker Spaniel American Eskimo Dog American Hairless Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier American Staffordshire Terrier Anatolian Shepherd Aussiedoodle Australian Cattle Dog Australian Kelpie Australian Shepherd Australian Terrier Basenji Basset Hound Beagle Bearded Collie Beauceron Bedlington Terrier Belgian Laekenois Belgian Malinois Belgian Shepherd Belgian Tervuren Bernedoodle Bernese Mountain Dog Bichon Frise Black Mouth Cur Black and Tan Coonhound Bloodhound Blue Lacy/Texas Lacy Bluetick Coonhound Bolognese Border Collie Border Terrier Borzoi Boston Terrier Bouvier des Flandres Boxer Boykin Spaniel Briard Brittany Brussels Griffon Bull Terrier Bullmastiff Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Cane Corso Cardigan Welsh Corgi Carolina Dog Catahoula Leopard Dog Caucasian Shepherd Dog Cavachon Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cavapoo Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chihuahua Chinese Crested Chinook Chiweenie Chow Chow Clumber Spaniel Cockapoo Cocker Spaniel Collie Coonhound Corgi Coton de Tulear Curly-Coated Retriever Dachshund Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Doberman Pinscher Dogo Argentino Dogue de Bordeaux Dutch Shepherd English (Redtick) Coonhound English Bulldog English Cocker Spaniel English Setter English Shepherd English Springer Spaniel English Toy Spaniel Entlebucher Feist Field Spaniel Fila Brasileiro Finnish Lapphund Finnish Spitz Flat-Coated Retriever Fox Terrier (Smooth) Fox Terrier (Toy) Fox Terrier (Wirehaired) Foxhound French Bulldog German Pinscher German Shepherd Dog German Shorthaired Pointer German Spitz German Wirehaired Pointer Glen of Imaal Terrier Goberian Golden Retriever Goldendoodle Gordon Setter Great Dane Great Pyrenees Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Greyhound Halden Hound (Haldenstrover) Harrier Havanese Horgi Hovawart Husky Ibizan Hound Icelandic Sheepdog Irish Setter Irish Terrier Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound Italian Greyhound Italian Spinone Jack Russell Terrier Japanese Chin Jindo Kai Dog Karelian Bear Dog Keeshond Kerry Blue Terrier Kishu Komondor Kuvasz Kyi Leo Labradoodle Labrador Retriever Lakeland Terrier Lancashire Heeler Leonberger Lhasa Apso Löwchen Maltese Maltipoo Manchester Terrier Maremma Sheepdog Mastiff Miniature Bull Terrier Miniature Dachshund Miniature Pinscher Morkie Mountain Cur Munsterlander Mutt Neapolitan Mastiff Newfoundland Norfolk Terrier Norwegian Buhund Norwegian Elkhound Norwegian Lundehund Norwich Terrier Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever Old English Sheepdog Olde English Bulldogge Otterhound Papillon Parson Russell Terrier Patterdale Terrier (Fell Terrier) Pekingese Pembroke Welsh Corgi Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Pharaoh Hound Pitsky Plott Hound Podengo Portugueso Pointer Polish Lowland Sheepdog Pomeranian Pomsky Poodle (Miniature) Poodle (Standard) Poodle (Toy or Tea Cup) Portuguese Water Dog Presa Canario Pug Puggle Puli Pumi Rat Terrier Redbone Coonhound Rhodesian Ridgeback Rottweiler Saluki Samoyed Schiller Hound Schipperke Schnauzer (Giant) Schnauzer (Miniature) Schnauzer (Standard) Schnoodle Scottie, Scottish Terrier Scottish Deerhound Sealyham Terrier Shar Pei Sheepadoodle Sheltie, Shetland Sheepdog Sheppit Shepsky Shiba Inu Shih Poo Shih Tzu Silky Terrier Skye Terrier Sloughi St. Bernard Staffordshire Bull Terrier Sussex Spaniel Swedish Vallhund Texas Heeler Thai Ridgeback Tibetan Mastiff Tibetan Spaniel Tibetan Terrier Tosa Inu Treeing Walker Coonhound Vizsla Weimaraner Welsh Springer Spaniel Welsh Terrier Westie, West Highland White Terrier Wheaten Terrier Whippet Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Xoloitzcuintle/Mexican Hairless Yorkie Poo Yorkie, Yorkshire Terrier