Adopting a pet from a local rescue group is a wonderful option if you're considering adding a furry friend to your family. Nashville and its surrounding areas offer a variety of local pet adoption agencies and no-kill shelters that provide loving homes for animals in need. In this guide, we'll highlight some of the top pet adoption agencies and vetted rescues in and around Nashville, helping you find the perfect companion while supporting a great cause.
1. Nashville Humane Association: The Nashville Humane Association is an established organization dedicated to finding forever homes for animals in Middle Tennessee. They offer a wide range of adoptable dogs, cats, and small animals. With their comprehensive adoption process and knowledgeable staff, the Nashville Humane Association ensures that each pet finds a caring family that suits the needs of all involved. nashvillehumane.org
2. Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control: Metro Animal Care and Control is the municipal agency responsible for animal-related services in Nashville. Their adoption program provides a chance for residents to give homeless animals a second chance. From dogs and cats to rabbits and birds, Metro Animal Care and Control has a diverse selection of pets waiting for loving homes. macc.nashville.gov
3. Agape Animal Rescue: Agape Animal Rescue is a non-profit organization that specializes in rescuing dogs of all breeds and sizes. They focus on providing medical care, rehabilitation, and training to ensure successful adoptions. Agape Animal Rescue takes pride in matching dogs with suitable families, making the adoption process a positive experience for both the pet and the adopter. agaperescue.org
4. Love at First Sight!: Love at First Sight! is a puppy and kitten adoption center located right in the heart of Music City. Founded in 1995 by two Nashville veterinarians who were tired of seeing so many stray and abandoned pets in the middle Tennessee area and chose to act on this issue. Love at First Sight! opened with the intention to spread awareness of this issue regarding pet overpopulation and both doctors used their platform to educate pet owners of the importance of spaying and neutering. All adoptable puppies and kittens are carefully examined across the street at VCA Murphy Road Animal Hospital prior to being accepted for adoption. Once they are accepted, they are vaccinated with all the necessary vaccines, treated for internal/ external parasites, bathed with medicated shampoos, fed, and loved until their forever owner arrives! Since 1995, they have adopted over 8,500 pets to loving homes and families in Nashville while emphasizing the importance of responsible pet ownership. lafspetadoption.com
5. Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue: Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue is a 501c3 charitable organization that is run primarily by volunteers. Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue ensures that every animal they rescue is given the most thorough and compassionate care possible. They try to cover the cost of all medical care and training when possible. Along with adoption opportunities, they are also always looking for help fostering pets and volunteering with the shelter. proverbs1210rescue.org
6. Williamson County Animal Center: WCAC is a public, open-intake shelter that serves the citizens of Williamson County. We are a county government, tax-funded agency that annually receives approximately 4,000 domestic animals and has a 97% live release rate. We have the ability to house up to 160 cats and 90 dogs as well as numerous "other" animals in our 35,000 sq. ft. facility, including holding pens for livestock. Our state-of-the-art building, programs and services are designed to offer the animals we care for and our community members the best experience a shelter can provide. adoptwcac.org
7. Saving Stevie: Saving Stevie is a Nashville-based nonprofit, aiming to help kitties through education, TNR (trap, neuter, return), and adopting spayed/neutered animals into loving homes. savingstevie.com
8. Nashville Cat Rescue: Founded in 2005, Nashville Cat Rescue has found homes for more than 11,000 cats. Their mission is to rescue cats and kittens from Middle Tennessee area streets, high-kill shelters, and neglectful or abusive homes. The goal is to find a loving forever home for every cat and kitten they take in. nashvillecatrescue.org
9. Bonaparte's Retreat: Founded by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Emmylou Harris, Bonaparte's Retreat works to save dogs most in need at Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control and municipal shelters in surrounding counties. As a small foster-based, 501(c)3 non-profit dog rescue organization, Bonaparte's Retreat focuses on the neglected and forgotten — senior dogs, large dogs, or dogs in need of imminent medical care or surgery. bonapartesretreat.org
10. Wags & Walks: Originally founded in Los Angeles, Wag & Walks now has a Nashville chapter that focuses on the same compassionate care and rescue resources. They try to pair each animal in their care with the perfect forever home. wagsandwalks.org/nashville