Business Details
28 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Dog Rescue & Adoption in Fresno
Animal Rescue of Fresno (ARF) was founded in 1998 by Fresno, CA community members to address the crisis of homeless dogs facing euthanasia. Starting from a small facility on Belmont Ave, we relocated to our current 4545 E Dakota Ave location in 2005, expanding our capacity to rescue and rehome dogs annually. As a volunteer-managed 501(c)3 nonprofit, we operate by appointment only, prioritizing careful adoption processes to ensure lifelong matches between dogs and families.Our work relies entirely on community support through donations, merchandise sales, and volunteer contributions. We maintain transparency in operations, accepting no government funding while upholding strict ethical standards for animal care and placement. With over 25 years of dedicated service, our team combines extensive experience in animal welfare with a commitment to reducing pet homelessness through education, outreach, and community partnerships.
Services
Dog Adoption
Volunteer Programs
Donation Acceptance
Merchandise Sales
Pet Relinquishment
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- We implement a rigorous adoption process to ensure lifelong pet-home matches
- Our volunteer team has over 25 years of combined animal rescue experience
- We maintain complete transparency with no hidden fees or undisclosed policies
- Our facility houses and cares for over 50 dogs needing special attention
- We offer community education programs to prevent pet homelessness
Associations and certifications
- 501(c)3 organization
Services
Dog Adoption
Our adoption program carefully matches rescued dogs with permanent homes. We evaluate applications to ensure each dog's needs align with the adopter's lifestyle. The process includes application review, home visits, and post-adoption follow-ups to guarantee successful placements.
Volunteer Programs
We offer multiple volunteer opportunities including facility maintenance, dog socialization, and event support. Volunteers receive training to assist with daily operations and special programs. Our volunteer-driven model ensures efficient use of community resources for maximum animal impact.
Donation Acceptance
We accept monetary donations and essential supplies to sustain our rescue operations. Contributions directly support veterinary care, food, and facility maintenance. Donors receive tax receipts for all contributions to our 501(c)3 organization.
Merchandise Sales
Our merchandise program sells branded items with proceeds directly funding animal care. Products include apparel, accessories, and pet supplies. Sales help sustain operations while raising community awareness about pet adoption.
Pet Relinquishment
We provide a responsible surrender process for pet owners facing difficult circumstances. The program includes intake evaluations, temperament testing, and medical assessments. Our goal ensures surrendered dogs receive proper care while finding new permanent homes.
Questions
How do I adopt a dog from ARF?
Start by completing our online adoption application. We'll review it and schedule an appointment to meet available dogs. Final approvals require home visits and reference checks.
What donation options are available?
We accept monetary donations, supplies from our wish list, and merchandise purchases. All contributions directly support our rescue operations and animal care programs.
Can I surrender my dog to ARF?
We accept dog surrenders through our formal process. Complete our relinquishment form and schedule an appointment. We assess each case to ensure proper care for incoming animals.
What areas does ARF serve?
We primarily serve Fresno, CA and surrounding Central California communities. Our adoption network extends throughout the San Joaquin Valley region.
Is ARF a no-kill shelter?
Yes, we maintain a no-kill policy. We provide lifelong care for all dogs in our program until they find permanent adoptive homes through our placement process.
Reviews (4)
Connie Doria
Feb 24, 2022
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Omg I was so excited & they were so helpful friendly, kind, sweet, I don't have words to say of how great I felt being there, they treat you with love and kindness, everyone should go get a pet adopted there, thank you for your kindness and giving me the pet I wanted.
Ronald P.
Jan 09, 2022
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Avoid this shelter. My 11 year old was trying to help by donating items that they requested on their website. We went by the shelter and they are only open by appointment. Understandable, but we were only trying to hand off dog food, dog toys, and other supplies. Multiple employees vehicles were there so my 11 year old rang their Ring doorbell. An extremely grumpy woman told my daughter "We're closed!" over the remote doorbell.
No apologies, no attempt at being nice to a child. My daughter explained that we had donations to drop off and the woman just barked "We're closed!" again and stopped talking to my child. So all of our donations are going to other shelters. My recommendation is for everyone to do the same.
No apologies, no attempt at being nice to a child. My daughter explained that we had donations to drop off and the woman just barked "We're closed!" again and stopped talking to my child. So all of our donations are going to other shelters. My recommendation is for everyone to do the same.
Viola Schott
Nov 27, 2021
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I know it's essential for the caregivers who take care of pets to have love and do what is best for each and every animal to ensure potential owners are right for adoption or finding pets and getting the pet back to there families. I see this in the animal rescue of Fresno.
Felicity Esquibel
Oct 13, 2021
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I love the people here, they really do care for dogs so much & they go out of thier way to ensure a good life for the doggos. A shelter is meant to get dogs in & out & make sure they find good loving homes. But with ARF they do so much more. As a non-kill shelter I'm honored to be a part of them.
