Looking to Adopt, Volunteer, or Support Local Animal Shelters in Dauphin County, PA?
You’re in the right place. Whether you're ready to open your home to a new best friend or just want to support local shelters doing life-saving work, this guide connects you with the top animal rescue leagues and foster networks in Dauphin County.
1. Humane Society of Harrisburg Area (HSHA)
📍 7790 Grayson Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17111
🌐 humanesocietyhbg.org
📞 (717) 564-3320
✅ Open-admission shelter
✅ Cat & dog adoption, education, and outreach
✅ Public vet clinic, rehoming & lost pet support
Social Media: Facebook
The Humane Society of Harrisburg Area is a trusted resource for pet adoption, low-cost vet services, and community education. As a full-service shelter, they offer everything from lost pet reunification to end-of-life services—all with compassion at the core. Whether you’re adopting, fostering, or attending a fundraiser, HSHA makes it easy to get involved and make a difference.
2. Castaway Critters
📍 PO Box 1421, Harrisburg, PA
🌐 castawaycritters.org
📞 (717) 831-5010 | 📧 info@castawaycritters.org
✅ Cat & dog rescue
✅ Foster-based, no-kill model
✅ TNR, hospice, and special needs care
Social Media: Facebook
Castaway Critters is a no-kill rescue focused on giving every animal—especially those with medical or behavioral challenges—a second chance. Their foster-based network and wide array of services (including hospice fostering, TNR, and senior care) make them one of the most respected and impactful rescues in the region.
3. HART – Harrisburg Animal Rescue Team
📍 Harrisburg, PA
🌐 hart-harrisburganimalrescueteam.org
📞 (717) 425-8682 | 📧 hartrescue10@gmail.com
✅ Emergency response & cruelty rescue
✅ TNR and cat colony care
✅ Pet placement & rehab
Social Media: Facebook
HART is on the front lines of animal rescue in Harrisburg. Known for their rapid response to neglect and cruelty cases, this team specializes in urgent field rescue, TNR, and rehab for hard-to-place cats and dogs. HART is a powerful voice for vulnerable animals and a go-to resource when no one else steps up.
4. Speranza Animal Rescue
📍 Mechanicsburg, PA
🌐 speranzarescue.org
📞 (717) 609-6020
✅ Dog rescue & sanctuary
✅ Specializes in abuse, neglect, and critical cases
✅ Long-term care for unadoptable pets
Social Media: Facebook
Speranza Animal Rescue is a sanctuary and rescue that takes on the toughest cases—abused, neglected, and overlooked dogs. Many animals at Speranza require long-term or lifetime care, and the team is committed to seeing them through with love, dignity, and safety. It’s more than a rescue—it’s a promise.
5. Worthy Tails Animal Rescue
📍MECHANICSBURG, PA 17055
🌐 worthytails.rescuegroups.org
📞 (717) 215-9452 | 📧 jessie.wilson@comcast.net
✅ Dog & cat rescue
✅ Foster-to-adopt model
✅ All-volunteer
Social Media: Facebook
Worthy Tails is a foster-based rescue that places both dogs and cats into safe, loving homes throughout Central PA. Their volunteer-run team provides personalized care, vetting, and behavioral support to ensure every adoption is a lasting match. They rely on a dedicated foster network to save lives one tail at a time.
6. The Best Little Cat House in PA
📍Address: PO Box 6346 Harrisburg, PA 17112 U.S.A
🌐 thebestlittlecathouseinpa.com
📞 (717) 469-2540
✅ Cage-free cat sanctuary
✅ FIV+, FeLV+, senior, and hospice cats
✅ Long-term care & end-of-life comfort
This unique rescue is truly a cat haven. Specializing in FIV+, FeLV+, senior, and unadoptable cats, The Best Little Cat House is a cage-free sanctuary providing lifetime care and medical support to cats who would otherwise have nowhere to go. They’re proof that love and comfort matter at every stage of life..
7. Helen O. Krause Animal Foundation
📍 PO Box 311, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
🌐 helenkrause.org
📞 (717) 697-3377
✅ Cat & dog rescue
✅ Private, non-profit shelter
✅ Adoption, spay/neuter, and education
Founded in 1990, the Helen O. Krause Foundation offers safe shelter and healing for homeless pets across Central PA. Their privately-run, no-kill shelter provides full veterinary care, socialization, and adoption placement for dogs and cats of all ages. They also run local education campaigns to promote responsible pet ownership.
8. Better Days Animal League
📍 Central PA & beyond
🌐 betterdaysanimalleague.org
📞 (717) 217-9819
✅ All-species animal rescue
✅ Foster care, adoption, transport
✅ Youth volunteer opportunities
Social Media: Facebook
Better Days Animal League is a multi-species rescue that believes every animal deserves hope, no matter their past. With a network of foster homes, transport volunteers, and community partners, they’ve helped thousands of animals find a better life. Their mission extends to education and youth engagement, creating the next generation of animal advocates.
💖 How You Can Help Stray Cats in Dauphin County, PA
🐈 Adopt — Every animal deserves a forever home.
🧼 Foster — Provide temporary love and shelter.
💸 Donate — Even $5 feeds a pet for days.
📣 Share — Promote adoptable pets on social media.
🤝 Partner — Local businesses can support via sponsorships or donations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quick Links to ARL’s in Dauphin County, PA
🐾 Why Support Local Animal Rescue Leagues (ARLs)
Supporting local rescues helps reduce animal overpopulation, keeps pets out of kill shelters, and builds a stronger, more compassionate community.
Every time you adopt or support an ARL, you're not just helping one animal—you’re creating a ripple effect that saves lives.
💬 Know a rescue we missed?
Nominate them to be added to our guide! Email us at meow@straycatcollective.com or send us a DM @strayzcatcollective