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Puppies and dogs in Charleston, Illinois

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

A pair of dogs

Adopt a dog in Charleston, Illinois

These adorable dogs are available for adoption in Charleston, Illinois. To learn more about each adoptable dog, click on the "i" icon for fast facts, or their photo or name for full details.
Photo of Hunter

Hunter

American Pit Bull Terrier

Male, Adult
Charleston, IL
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Good with cats, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
He is literally the best dog we have ever had, he loves attention and yearns for it. He is energetic and wants love. So good with our children, loves other dogs, and doesn’t acknowledge cats in a good way. They don’t bother him at all. He doesn’t bark at our cat or mess with her at all. He just needs love and attention. We have a very busy schedule and cannot give him the attention and love that he deserves. He is in a kennel the majority of the time I work 12 hours a day and my fiancé is in nursing school.
Special Needs
Photo of Ginger

Ginger

Australian Cattle Dog

Female, Adult
Mattoon, IL
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Not good with kids, Not good with cats, Needs special attention, Needs experienced adopter, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Ginger is a 5 year old red heeler female. She really needs someone that is knowledgeable of this breed. She is potty trained, very smart and if she knows you she is very good with you. She does not like little kids, she does not like strangers, she has anxiety, a ton of energy and unfortunately tries to be the boss and has bit. These are not big bites. And has not broken the skin. She barks and sounds much more scary than she really is and thats why I say someone who knows this breed and knows shes not meaning to be vicious. Shes a little more than we can handle. She would be great out in the country. Unfortunately we cannot keep her. Its also hard to take her to the vet which is why she is a little behind in shots. We have to rehome her due to her behavior issues and our lack of knowledge on how to properly train her. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated. I do not want to take her to the pound as I know with her behavior she would be at risk of being put to sleep.
Photo of Mac

Mac

Golden Retriever Poodle (Standard)

Male, Adult
Mattoon, IL
Size
(when grown) -
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Good with cats, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
You can fill out an adoption application online on our official website.Courtesy Listing, These Dogs are not with Genesis. Please contact the owner directly   Molly is a sweet and loving F1 female (spayed) Goldendoddle. 10 years old.  Mac is an 8 year old F1 male (neutered) Goldendoddle. Mac is energetic, but is loving and a caring dog and calms down immediately.  Both dogs have been together their entire lives. They run on a farm, but they are indoor dogs. They both have had monthly grooming since birth, monthly heartworm prevention.. Rabies, vaccinations up-to-date, due again 12-22-26. They are both healthy, not aggressive, cat friendly, no biting. They do not run off and have been yard dogs their entire lives.  Super great dogs.    Contact Julianna at 217-500-9028 for more information on how to add them to your family.    Courtesy Listing, These Dogs are not with Genesis. Please contact the owner directly   Visit this organization's web site to see any additional information available about this pet.July 12, 2026, 5:41 pm
Photo of Missy

Missy

Border Collie

Female, Adult
Mattoon, IL
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Not good with cats, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
You can fill out an adoption application online on our official website.Missy is new to our program, and already winning the hearts of so many! This darling girl is so very well behaved, nicely trained, and simply craves to please her people. Children are her favorite, and all the fun that comes with them! She is the perfect house dog, although doesn't truly love a crate, she's happy to wait on the couch for you. Typical to her breed, she would love a job to do alongside you, or round up the kitties for you if not. More updates to come as we get to know this beautiful girl. Apply today on our main website @ genesisanimalrescue.org  Visit this organization's web site to see any additional information available about this pet.July 12, 2026, 5:41 pm
Photo of Molly

Molly

Golden Retriever Poodle (Standard)

Female, Senior
Mattoon, IL
Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Good with cats, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
You can fill out an adoption application online on our official website.Courtesy Listing, These Dogs are not with Genesis. Please contact the owner directly   Molly is a sweet and loving F1 female (spayed) Goldendoddle. 10 years old.  Mac is an 8 year old F1 male (neutered) Goldendoddle. Mac is energetic, but is loving and a caring dog and calms down immediately.  Both dogs have been together their entire lives. They run on a farm, but they are indoor dogs. They both have had monthly grooming since birth, monthly heartworm prevention.. Rabies, vaccinations up-to-date, due again 12-22-26. They are both healthy, not aggressive, cat friendly, no biting. They do not run off and have been yard dogs their entire lives.  Super great dogs.    Contact Julianna at 217-500-9028 for more information on how to add them to your family.    Courtesy Listing, These Dogs are not with Genesis. Please contact the owner directly   Visit this organization's web site to see any additional information available about this pet.July 12, 2026, 5:41 pm
Photo of Lilly

Lilly

Mutt

Female, Adult
Greenup, IL
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with cats, House-trained, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Lilly is 4 years old and is a mix of all things loving and crazy. She loves cuddles, enjoys being outside, and is one of the sweetest dogs I've met. She hasn't bit anyone, loves to lick and she likes to jump on people when she's excited. She has been around kids and has had experience being around other animals like cats and dogs. She does get territorial when it comes to being around other animals at first but then shes good. She does the occasional barking but not too crazy with it. I'm looking for someone who will love her as much as me and maybe even more. She needs someone who has the time and space for her run, play, and be crazy

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Use the search tool below to browse adoptable puppies and adult dogs in Charleston, Illinois.

Puppies and dogs in nearby cities

Dog shelters and rescues in Charleston, Illinois

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

Here are a few organizations closest to you:

Shelter

Douglas County Animal Control

1007 E South Central, PO Box 192, Tuscola, IL 61953

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

The Animal House71207

701 E Buckner, Tuscola, IL 61953

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

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Rescue

Genesis Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Charity Inc

PO Box 1985, Mattoon, IL 61938

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

A Ferals Hope & Friends

Mattoon, IL 61938

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Shelter

Coles County Animal Shelter

6818 North County Road 1120 East., Charleston, IL 61938

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

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Rescue

Rescue ME Clifford

435 W. Court. St, Paris, IL 61944

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

Doberman & Rottweiler Rescue, Inc.

21336 E. Terre Haute Rd, Paris, IL 61944

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Shelter

Edgar County Animal Shelter

1025 North High Street, po box 381, Paris, IL 61944

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

Paul Warner Rescue

Paris, IL 61944

Pet Types: 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 Charleston, Illinois 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