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Puppies and dogs in Atwater, California

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

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Adopt a dog in Atwater, California

These adorable dogs are available for adoption in Atwater, California. To learn more about each adoptable dog, click on the "i" icon for fast facts, or their photo or name for full details.
We'll also keep you updated on Darling's adoption status with email updates.
Bonded Pair
Photo of Darling

Darling

Terrier (Unknown Type, Medium) Feist

Female, 3 yrs
Merced, CA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Not good with dogs, Not good with cats, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Meet Darling a lovable, sweet Terrier/Feist mix dog. (We are not sure exactly what breed Darling is, she is very unique) Darling is about two years old (maybe younger) and has a lot of playful energy. She was abandoned in an orchard with her 6 puppies, but has adapted to her new life wonderfully. She is shy when meeting someone new but has a loving disposition when she warms up. She has a soft black coat with a white patch on her chest. When she isn’t playing, she loves to curl up next to you for attention. You won’t believe how amazing she is! Darling is up to date on vaccines, spay, dewormed, flea and parasite free, microchipped and ready for her loving forever home. Over time with our family Darling has become reactive and very protective when other unknown dogs are present. She is currently in a training course to help her become more comfortable when new dogs are present, but she would probably benefit from being either the only dog in a family or adopted with Tramp, her son. She is a very smart girl and has been learning commands during training well. Additionally, Darling is not a fan of cats even though she is living with quite a few, she doesn't bother any of them but she does watch them very closely. Darling is potty/crate trained, leash trained, and follows direct commands. As Tramp and Darling have now been together for almost a year, ideally, we would love to see them go to the same forever home. If you are interested in adopting Darling please complete the adoption application at: https://kittentalesrescue.org/adoption-application/ (Our primary focus is on kittens so the application is geared toward cat traits)
We'll also keep you updated on Tramp's adoption status with email updates.
Bonded Pair
Photo of Tramp

Tramp

German Shepherd Dog Terrier (Unknown Type, Medium)

Male, 2 yrs 2 mos
Merced, CA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Good with cats, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Meet Tramp a lovable, sweet German Shepard/Terrier mix dog. Tramp is an 11 month old male puppy with a lot of personality. He was abandoned in an orchard with his mom and 5 siblings. When we first found him he was malnourished resulting in constant seizures. He improved quickly and we have not experienced any additional medical issues with him during our care. He is very engaging and a bundle of puppy energy. He has a soft black/brown coat and chocolate eyes. When he isn’t playing, he loves to curl up in your lap for attention. You won’t believe how amazing he is! Tramp is vaccinated, neutered, dewormed, flea and parasite free, microchipped and ready for his loving forever home. Tramp is potty/crate trained, leash trained, follows direct commands, and is socialized with cats. He is undergoing a training program and has a great aptitude for learning positive skills. He has been frequenting the local dog park and is very social and friendly with the other dogs at the park. As Tramp and Darling have now been together for almost a year, ideally, we would love to see them go to the same forever home. If you are interested in adopting Tramp please complete the adoption application at: https://kittentalesrescue.org/adoption-application/ (Our primary focus is on kittens so the application is geared toward cat traits)
We'll also keep you updated on Ollie's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Ollie

Ollie

Border Collie

Male, Adult
Merced, CA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Good with cats, Needs experienced adopter, House-trained,
Story
Ollie is very good with children and other dogs. He is great for hunting or camping trips. He is strictly an outdoor dog and is resilient to weather conditions. He is submissive and listens to commands sit and lay down and will go into his kennel when commanded to. He is very loving.
We'll also keep you updated on Red's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Red

Red

Border Collie Retriever (Unknown Type)

Female, 1 yr 6 mos
Merced, CA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with dogs, Good with cats, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Red was first spotted on a trail camera by a Merced County rescuer while she was trying to secure another abandoned dog. Thin and shy at first, Red kept returning for food and slowly began to trust. After weeks of patience, she was finally safely secured and has been thriving in foster care since October 2025. Red is a beautiful Border Collie mix (likely with retriever) and an exceptional dog. She loves other dogs, is curious about birds and squirrels, and enjoys having her nose to the ground. Her foster says she’s one of the easiest dogs she’s ever integrated into her home. About Red: • ~1.5 years old (born October 2024) • Spayed, 64 lbs • Up to date on vaccines, microchipped, dewormed, and on flea prevention • Dog, cat, and livestock friendly • Leash trained, house trained, and great in the car • Shy with new people but deeply loyal once she bonds—she’s a true velcro dog Red would do best in a home with another similar-sized dog to play with. She’s a big, smart puppy who will thrive with structure, exercise, and continued socialization. Red is fostered in Merced, but can be shown in the bay area. If you’re interested in adopting, please apply at 1luckydogrescue.org or email Nancy at nancymoore016@gmail.com and tell us about the home you’d offer Red. 🐶💕
We'll also keep you updated on Chewy's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Chewy

Chewy

Bullmastiff American Pit Bull Terrier

Male, Young
Merced, CA
Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with dogs, Good with cats, Needs experienced adopter, House-trained, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Rescued after his dog parents were killed in a house fire. He was a month old at the time. He has simplly gotten too big for the house and tiny yard. He played with our Yorkie when he was small but now he is too big an unintentionally hurts him. I am a long haul trucker and gone months at a time. He needs a bigger yard and someone to love him and give him attention.
We'll also keep you updated on Lucky's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Lucky

Lucky

Dachshund Chihuahua

Male, 9 mos
Merced, CA
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with dogs, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Lucky truly lives up to his name. Rescued from an orchard in rural Merced in October 2025, Lucky was just 4–5 months old and surviving with little human contact. He spent his days following an older stray dog while searching for food and crossing a busy road to a nearby store. Thankfully, a compassionate foster stepped in and changed his story. Now about 9 months old and around 20 pounds, Lucky is learning what it means to be a loved family dog. He’s likely a Dachshund/Chihuahua mix (maybe a little terrier, too!). Lucky adores other dogs and finds comfort in their companionship, so his ideal home will have at least one friendly canine buddy. Lucky is sweet, gentle, and quiet—there isn’t an aggressive bone in his body. He walks nicely on a leash, rides calmly in the car, sleeps through the night in his crate, and is mostly housetrained. His favorite things include playing with his foster siblings, going for walks, snacks, and long naps after playtime. Lucky is ready for a patient, loving home that will give him time to continue building trust. After his rough start, he truly deserves a wonderful life. Lucky is currently being fostered in Livingston, Merced County, but can be shown in bay area. If you’re interested in adopting, please apply at 1luckydogrescue.org or email Nancy at nancymoore016@gmail.com and tell us about the home you’d offer Lucky. 🐶💕

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Puppies and dogs in nearby cities

Dog shelters and rescues in Atwater, California

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

Here are a few organizations closest to you:

Shelter

Merced County Animal Control

2150 Shuttle Drive, Atwater, CA 95301

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Last Hope Cat Kingdom

6660 Bailey Rd., Atwater, CA 95301

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

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Rescue

Gizmo's Pals

Winton, CA 95388

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

New Beginnings for Merced County Animals

Winton, CA 95388

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Shelter

Livingston Police Department Animal Control

Livingston, CA 95334

Pet Types: cats, dogs, rabbits, small animals

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Rescue

Lucky Dog Rescue (Patterson)

Merced, CA 95341

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

MercedTNR

Merced, CA 95340

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Wayward Souls Rescue

Tarzana, CA 95340

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

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Rescue

Shar Pei Nation Rescue - Merced, CA

Merced, CA 95340

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

Howlelujah Rescue

Merced, CA 95340

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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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!

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Looking for a specific breed?

Select from the options below to view adoptable puppies and dogs in Atwater, California and nearby cities.

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