Should I Adopt From a Breed Rescue?

If you’re hoping to bring home a purebred dog or cat, adoption is a wonderful alternative to buying from a breeder. But where can you find a purebred dog or cat? Lots of them are available for adoption through animal shelters and private rescue groups, but if you have your heart set on a certain breed, a breed rescue group is a great way to find your new best friend.

TL;DR: Breed rescues will have dogs and cats who match your preferences and offer knowledgeable support from breed experts. They might even offer ongoing mentorship throughout your pet’s life to ensure a successful adoption experience.

What is a breed-specific rescue?

A breed-specific rescue is a rescue group or nonprofit that specializes in rescuing and adopting out specific breeds or types of dogs and cats. For instance, a Maine Coon breed rescue has purebred Maine Coons and Maine Coon mixes, and a Husky breed rescue adopts out purebred and mixed Siberian Huskies. So, rather than taking in any dog in need, these groups focus on a small portion of pets needing homes.

Almost every breed of dog and cat has a breed rescue dedicated to them, and many rescues specialize in certain breed groups. You’ll find small dog rescues, herding breed rescues, Doodle rescues, and more. To find specific rescues for your preferred breed, you can start by searching rescues near you on Adopt a Pet.

Although you can sometimes find puppies and kittens through breed rescues, adult dogs and cats are more common. Adopting an adult pet is great because their size and personality are already set, which makes it easier to find a great match for you and your family.

Adopting a pet from a breed rescue vs. a shelter

When you visit an animal shelter, you’ll meet different dogs and cats of all ages, sizes, and breeds. An animal shelter helps you meet many different pets at once, but you might only find one or two pets of the specific breed you’re hoping to adopt. 

In contrast, breed rescues don’t usually have facilities where you can visit all the pets available for adoption. Instead, they operate through foster homes with adoptable pets living with families or individuals, who help socialize these animals, while getting a good sense of their personalities, as they await their forever homes. Breed rescues might have fewer total animals compared to animal shelters, but they will typically all be your preferred breed or mixes of that breed — and they are adept at matching specific pets to your needs and lifestyle (see below).

Many breed rescues list their available pets on adoption websites, such as Adopt a Pet.

Things to know about adopting a pet from a breed rescue

In terms of experience, adopting a pet from a breed rescue is a little different than going to an animal shelter. Here are some things to keep in mind when adopting from a breed rescue.

It might take more time

Unlike adopting from an animal shelter, where you might be able to find a pet and bring them home the same day if you meet the adoption requirements, adopting from a breed rescue generally takes more time: several days or even weeks. The adoptable dogs and cats are living with foster families, who have been nurturing them, so you’ll have to set up time in advance to meet the pet, and that’s after you’ve applied and been approved to meet the pet you’re interested in. 

The vetting process might be more rigorous

Most private animal rescues, including breed-specific rescues, are serious about finding safe and appropriate forever homes for the animals in their care. Be prepared to fill out an extensive application, and know that many rescues ask for references and want to make home visits to confirm the suitability and security of your house and yard. Know that all this vetting comes from a good place. The rescue is not trying to be judgmental or picky, but just wants to ensure that pets are placed in homes where they will stay.

Adoption might cost more money

Breed rescues do not receive any government funding. They feed, house, and provide veterinary care for the pets in their care through volunteers, donations, and the adoption fees they charge. For this reason, the adoption fee might be more than if you were adopting from your local shelter. 

You’ll likely know more about the pet

It can be hard to know the true personality and background of pets living in cages and kennels in a chaotic animal shelter. The dogs and cats in breed rescues usually live with foster families who see the dog in a home environment and can provide lots of details about their training —  including if they are housetrained, if they are good with kids or other pets, and what their personality is like. 

What to expect when adopting from a breed rescue

Many breed rescues post their available pets on sites such as Adopt a Pet, so this is a great way to find purebred pets and breed-specific groups in your area. Once you find a pet you’re interested in, you can reach out to the breed rescue to start the inquiry and adoption process. Here are some things to expect when adopting through a breed rescue versus a shelter.

• Application: Many breed rescues ask you to complete an application to adopt before providing information about an individual pet or setting up a meet and greet. This is to ensure that potential adopters meet the rescue group’s criteria, and that the match looks good on paper before you meet the pet. 

• References: Don’t be surprised if the breed rescue asks for references. These could be from your veterinarian, a neighbor, a family member, or even a rescue group you adopted from in the past. References are an easy way for a rescue group to confirm that you’re a responsible pet parent. 

• Home visits: Home visits are also common. Rescue volunteers want to make sure you have enough space for the pet you’re hoping to adopt. If you rent, some groups ask for written confirmation from your landlord that the pet is allowed under your lease.

If you know you want to adopt a purebred dog (or a mix of a specific breed), adopting a dog versus buying one from a breeder is a great way to provide a homeless pet a loving, forever home. Purebred cats are also available for adoption from breed-specific cat rescues. Start your journey by creating a search on Adopt a Pet, which lets you filter pets by breed, age, size, color, location, and many other criteria. 

Commonly asked questions

How do I find a breed-specific rescue?

To find a breed-specific rescue, Google “breed name” + “rescue” + “near me.” You can also find multiple breed rescues by using a pet adoption website like Adopt a Pet, which lists purebred dogs and cats posted by breed-specific rescue groups, as well as general dog breed rescues and animal shelters. 

What is the 3-3-3 rule for dog adoption?

The 3-3-3 rule for dog adoption is a concept to help adopters understand what a newly adopted dog might experience during their first three days, three weeks, and three months as they adjust to their new homes, as their personality comes out. Pets from breed-specific rescues living in foster homes might adjust more quickly. 

References

“Adopt a Pet | Maricopa County, AZ.” www.maricopa.gov, www.maricopa.gov/214/Adopt-a-Pet.

“Buying a Pet.” Sa.gov, 2025, www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/ACS/Caring/Resources/Buying. 

“Community Care College.” Community Care College, 3 Apr. 2023, communitycarecollege.edu/veterinary-assistant/pet-adoption.