Adoptable Dogs
Connect With Us on Facebook
There’s more than one way to be part of Second Start Rescue! Join our Facebook communities to meet our dogs, celebrate adoptions, connect with fellow adopters and volunteers, and follow the journeys of the dogs whose lives we’re changing together.
Whether you’re looking to adopt, have already welcomed one of our dogs into your family, want to volunteer, or simply want to support our mission, there’s a place for you here.
SSR Adopters | Second Start Rescue & Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue
Have you adopted one of our dogs? We’d love to see how they’re doing! This group is for families who have adopted from Second Start Rescue or Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue, as well as the foster families who helped prepare these dogs for their next chapter.
Share photos, updates, milestones, and stories from life after rescue. Connect with other adopters and fosters, celebrate happy endings, and let us see the incredible lives our dogs are living because of you.
Second Start Rescue Community
Follow our rescue journey and be part of something bigger. Our community group is where we share updates about the dogs we’ve saved, celebrate adoptions, highlight our foster families, and share the work happening behind the scenes at Second Start Rescue.
You’ll find stories of resilience, urgent needs, wishlist requests, opportunities to help dogs in need, and conversations with people who share your passion for animal welfare. It’s also a place to exchange ideas, ask questions, learn about responsible pet ownership, and support one another.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter or just discovering our mission, we welcome you to join us as we continue working to give underdogs the second start they deserve.
Join the Second Start Rescue Community
Adoptable Dogs of Second Start Rescue
Your next best friend might be waiting for you. Meet the dogs currently looking for their forever homes! Our adoptable dogs group features individual bios, personalities, compatibility information, and updates to help connect each dog with the right family.
Second Start Rescue primarily saves dogs from South Texas, where stray and abandoned animals face overwhelming challenges. Through the dedication of our fosters, volunteers, transport drivers, and supporters, we work to connect these dogs with loving homes across the country.
Not looking to adopt right now? Sharing our dogs’ posts can make an incredible difference by helping them reach someone who may be looking for exactly the dog we’re trying to save.
Ready to welcome a dog into your family? Visit our website to learn more about adopting or fostering with Second Start Rescue.
SSR Volunteers | Second Start Rescue
Be part of the team making second chances possible. This group is dedicated to our Second Start Rescue volunteers. It’s a central place to stay informed, access important files and resources, receive updates, ask questions, and share ideas with the people working together to help our dogs.
From fostering and transport to networking, fundraising, and other essential tasks, every volunteer plays a valuable role in our mission. We’re grateful for the time, compassion, and commitment our volunteers bring to this work.
Thank you for being part of the SSR team and helping us make a difference, one dog at a time.
Every dog deserves a chance at a better life, and every person who joins our community helps make that possible. Thank you for being part of Second Start Rescue!
EVERY DOG DESERVES
A SECOND START.
Every dog deserves the chance to find safety, love, and a place to call home. Together, we can make that second chance possible.
*Use a computer for best results
Adopting from Second Start Rescue
Thank you for choosing to adopt! At Second Start Rescue, our mission is to ensure every dog has the best chance at a long, happy, and healthy life. We adopt to families across the United States and would consider Canada for the right home.
Adoption Fees
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Under 1 year: $450
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1–4 years: $400
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5–7 years: $300
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7+ years: $250
Your adoption fee helps cover veterinary care, spay/neuter (for dogs over six months), vaccinations (including rabies), and transportation costs, ensuring every dog is ready for their forever home. Thank you for supporting rescue!
Looking to Foster? Complete the foster application here.
Adoption Requirements
To support our mission of providing the best possible start for each dog, we have a few key requirements for adopters to follow. These guidelines protect your new family member, your existing pets, and your community.
Spaying or Neutering
By law, all dogs adopted from us must be spayed or neutered unless a valid exemption is provided by a licensed veterinarian (e.g., health concerns or age). Additionally, adopters’ own pets must also be spayed or neutered unless a valid exemption is provided.
In specific cases where there is no risk of unplanned litters, exceptions may be granted for intact pets already in the adopter’s household:
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If you have an intact male dog, you may only adopt a male dog or a spayed female from us.
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If you have an intact female dog, you may only adopt a female dog or a neutered male from us.
This policy ensures compliance with legal requirements, promotes the health and safety of all pets, and prevents unintentional breeding.
Vaccinations
Our dogs are vaccinated with core vaccines to minimize exposure risks in a rescue setting, including rabies. We also require that your own pets are current on their vaccinations, particularly DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza). Rabies vaccination is mandatory in accordance with state and local laws.
While all adopted dogs receive initial core vaccines, we encourage adopters to work with their veterinarians to develop long-term vaccination plans that balance immunity with overall health.
Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Prevention
Texas dogs face significant risks from heartworm disease, which is why we require adopters to commit to a minimum of two years of heartworm prevention following adoption. This timeline ensures comprehensive protection, as the heartworm cycle takes time to yield accurate test results and detect any exposure.
Heartworm testing is also an essential part of your dog's health care:
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Puppies under six months: Test at six months and again at one year of age.
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Adult dogs: Annual testing is required.
Your pets should also be regularly tested for tick-borne illnesses, particularly if monthly preventatives are not used. While conventional preventatives are highly effective, we support exploring holistic approaches to parasite prevention and encourage adopters to choose what works best for their pets' needs.
Learn more about our approach to treating Heartworm Disease here.
Holistic and Homeopathic Care
At Second Start Rescue, we believe in an individualized approach to each dog's well-being. We are integrating holistic and homeopathic care practices, working alongside energy healers and holistic veterinarians to address the specific needs of every dog.
Our goal is to extend longevity and improve quality of life by reducing unnecessary exposure to drugs, toxins, and environmental stressors. While all dogs receive core vaccines and essential preventative care to protect their health, we are actively exploring natural remedies for long-term protection, including heartworm prevention tailored to the challenges Texas dogs face.
By combining traditional veterinary care with holistic practices, we strive to provide every dog with the care they need to thrive while empowering adopters with knowledge about options that align with their values and their dog's unique needs.
Why These Requirements Matter
Our adoption policies prioritize prevention to ensure the health and safety of every dog in our care. By adhering to these guidelines, you’re giving your new pet the best start in their new home while fostering a safe environment for all pets they may encounter.