Second Start Rescue

Animal rescue in Great Falls, Virginia

Get in touch with this rescue

Address

PO Box 285, Great Falls, VA 22066

Contact

Phone

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Create an alert, and we will notify you every time a new pet comes in who meets your criteria.

Adoptable Pets at Second Start Rescue

Photo of Lola

Lola

German Shepherd Dog

Female, 4 yrs 9 mos

Great Falls, VA

Color
N/A
Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with dogs
Story
Photo of Dutchess

Dutchess

Doberman Pinscher/Pointer

Female, 2 yrs

Great Falls, VA

Color
N/A
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with dogs
Story
Photo of Nutmeg

Nutmeg

Shepherd (Unknown Type)

Female, 4 mos

Great Falls, VA

Color
N/A
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
No Details Provided
Story
Photo of Caps

Caps

Shepherd (Unknown Type)

Female, 4 mos

Great Falls, VA

Color
N/A
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
No Details Provided
Story
Photo of Dolly Pawton

Dolly Pawton

Shepherd (Unknown Type)

Female, 2 yrs 1 mo

Great Falls, VA

Color
N/A
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
No Details Provided
Story
Photo of Spice

Spice

Shepherd (Unknown Type)

Female, 4 mos

Great Falls, VA

Color
N/A
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
No Details Provided
Story
Photo of Clove

Clove

Shepherd (Unknown Type)

Female, 4 mos

Great Falls, VA

Color
N/A
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
No Details Provided
Story
Photo of Cavatappi

Cavatappi

Husky/Mixed Breed (Medium)

Female, 4 mos

Great Falls, VA

Color
N/A
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
No Details Provided
Story
Photo of Laguna

Laguna

Great Pyrenees

Female, 3 yrs 3 mos

Great Falls, VA

Color
N/A
Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
No Details Provided
Story
1 - 9 of 28 pets available

Rescue FAQs

Since 2017, our dedicated team of volunteers has rescued thousands of dogs, focusing on giving second chances to the injured, abandoned, and overlooked. Building on years of experience under a different organization, Second Start Rescue is a new start that strengthens our commitment to saving lives and expanding our impact. ​ Second Start Rescue was co-founded by Jennifer Aufdenberg and a team of animal advocates and supporters who share a passion for animal welfare. As a co-founder of Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue (SSR), Jennifer and a dedicated group of individuals helped rescue over 3,500 dogs, primarily shepherds, from high-kill shelters and difficult circumstances. This work in SSR laid the foundation for a community of supporters and volunteers dedicated to giving dogs a second chance at life. ​ Our mission centers on rescuing and rehabilitating dogs from the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of Texas, an area with one of the highest rates of animal abandonment in the country. While shepherds are our primary focus, we extend our care to any dog in critical need, prioritizing those who face the greatest challenges. ​ With Second Start Rescue, we’re doubling down on our efforts to address the root causes of animal homelessness. Our goals include implementing spay and neuter programs, offering community outreach and education, and providing compassionate care to every animal we rescue. Together, we aim to create lasting change for dogs, their communities, and the people who love them.
SSR pulls dogs from Texas and transports them to the Mid-Atlantic region.
  • 1. Submit Application
  • 2. Interview
  • 3. Home Check
  • 4. Approve Application
  • 5. Meet the Pet
  • 6. Sign Adoption Contract
  • 7. Take the Pet Home

Additional adoption info

Adoption Fees:
Under 1 year: $450
1–4 years: $400
5–7 years: $300
7+ years: $250

Pets at shelters and rescues near Second Start Rescue

NBRAN Virginia

Reston, VA 20194

Virginia German Shepherd Rescue

PO Box 126, Sterling, VA 20167

new badge
Photo of Puff

Puff

Maine Coon

Male, Young

Herndon, VA

Color
N/A
Size
(when grown) -
Details
Good with cats
House-trained
Story
Photo of Scout

Scout

Australian Cattle Dog

Male, Adult

Herndon, VA

Color
N/A
Size
(when grown) -
Details
Not good with kids
Not good with dogs
Not good with cats
House-trained
Story
Photo of Boo Boo- loves dogs

Boo Boo- loves dogs

Jack Russell Terrier/Labrador Retriever

Female, Young

Herndon, VA

Color
N/A
Size
(when grown) -
Details
Good with kids
Good with dogs
Good with cats
House-trained
Story

Animal Charities in Great Falls, VA

HeARTs Speak

HeARTs Speak develops resources that help shelter animals to be seen and find homes, ultimately transforming public perceptions of pet adoption, shelters, and animals in need. Each year our work helps nearly 1 million pets in your community and beyond.

Learn more

Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs

There is a tremendous need for new methods of sterilization that are faster, easier, more accessible, and less expensive than surgery. ACC&D works tirelessly to bring together key stakeholders to advance this field.

Learn more

Animal Legal Defense Fund

Every day, Animal Legal Defense Fund works to enact tougher animal cruelty laws, provide care and legal assistance for animal victims of cruelty, offer rewards to bring abusers to justice, and provide free legal assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement to put abusers behind bars.

Learn more

Shelters and rescues in other locations