Looking to Adopt, Volunteer, or Support Local Animal Shelters in Lancaster County, PA?

You’re in the right place. Whether you’re ready to meet your future furry best friend or just want to give back, this guide connects you with the top Animal Rescue Leagues (ARLs) and nonprofits in Lancaster County.

Pennsylvania SPCA – Lancaster Center

📍 848 S Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603
🌐 www.pspca.org/lancaster
📞 (717) 917-6979
✅ Open-admission shelter
✅ Adoptions, humane law enforcement, low-cost vet services
✅ Volunteer, foster, and community education programs

Social Media: Facebook
The Pennsylvania SPCA – Lancaster Center is a powerful example of how compassion, community, and commitment come together to save lives. As a vital branch of the statewide PSPCA network, the Lancaster Center offers a full range of services for both animals in crisis and the people who care about them.
Operating as an open-admission shelter, they never turn away an animal in need. Whether it’s stray intakes, owner surrenders, or cruelty case rescues, their doors are always open—and their team is always ready. From the moment an animal arrives, they receive expert care, emotional support, and a real shot at a new life.
PSPCA Lancaster stands out for its dual mission of adoption and protection. In addition to rehoming cats, dogs, and other pets, they are deeply involved in humane law enforcement throughout the region, investigating neglect and cruelty cases and working with authorities to seek justice for animals who can’t speak for themselves.

2. Humane Pennsylvania – Lancaster Campus

📍 2195 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602
🌐 www.humanepa.org
📞 (717) 393-6551
✅ Pet adoption, public vet care, wellness clinics
✅ Pet food pantry and affordable spay/neuter
✅ Humane PA Thrift Shop

Social Media: Instagram | Facebook

As a proud part of the Humane Pennsylvania network, the Lancaster Campus offers a holistic approach to animal welfare that goes far beyond traditional shelter services. Their facility not only provides loving homes through pet adoption, but also supports preventative care, low-cost vet services, and wellness education for pet owners throughout the community.

With a pet pantry program, spay/neuter assistance, and walk-in vaccine clinics, Humane PA ensures that pets can stay where they belong—healthy and home. Their on-site thrift shop also helps fund their lifesaving programs while giving locals another way to support the cause. Humane PA Lancaster is a true hub for accessible, compassionate care.

3. Pet Pantry of Lancaster County

📍 26 Millersville Rd, Lancaster, PA 17603
🌐 www.petpantrylc.org
📞 (717) 983-8878
✅ Rescue, rehoming, and pet wellness
✅ Food pantry and spay/neuter support
✅ Foster-based adoption network

The Pet Pantry of Lancaster County exists to “meet the need”—whether that’s saving an abandoned animal, offering affordable veterinary care, or helping pet owners feed the animals they love. Their all-in-one rescue operation includes foster-based adoptions, a pet food pantry, and critical wellness programs for cats and dogs in crisis.

This rescue stands out for its community-first mission: serving animals and the people who care for them with dignity, empathy, and actionable support. For anyone looking to adopt, donate, or make a real difference locally, Pet Pantry is a trusted, heart-driven resource.

4. Kitty Colony Inc.

📍 PO Box 243, Holtwood, PA 17532
🌐 www.kittycolony.com
✅ Cat-only rescue
✅ Cage-free, foster-based model
✅ TNR and community cat support

Kitty Colony Inc. is a dedicated, feline-only rescue serving Holtwood and surrounding Lancaster County areas. Their mission is centered on compassion and quality of life—from the moment a stray or surrendered cat enters their care to the day they’re placed in a forever home.

This volunteer-run organization operates without a public shelter. Instead, they utilize a trusted network of foster homes to provide individualized attention in cage-free environments, allowing every cat to decompress and thrive in a home setting. Kitty Colony is especially active in TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) efforts, working to humanely reduce the stray cat population while supporting colony caretakers and educating the community.

Whether rescuing injured ferals, socializing shy cats, or advocating for spay/neuter awareness, Kitty Colony proves that grassroots, community-powered rescues can have a massive impact—one paw at a time.

5. Eliannie Animal Rescue

📍 Foster-Based, Lancaster County
🌐 www.eliannieanimalrescue.com
✅ Cat & dog rescue
✅ Foster-to-adopt program
✅ Volunteer and transport support

Social Media: Facebook

Eliannie Animal Rescue may be small in size, but their heart and impact are enormous. Based in Lancaster County, this foster-based rescue saves at-risk cats and dogs, many of whom come from high-volume or under-resourced shelters where their futures are uncertain.

Eliannie operates with a foster-to-adopt model, ensuring animals receive the love, care, and behavioral support they need before transitioning into permanent homes. Their team prioritizes quality over quantity, focusing on each animal’s unique needs and placing them in well-matched, prepared homes for long-term success.

Beyond rescue and adoption, Eliannie supports a growing network of volunteers and transporters who help move animals from danger to safety. Their approach is deeply personal, relationship-driven, and rooted in the belief that every animal matters. For those looking to adopt, foster, or help behind the scenes, Eliannie offers a meaningful way to be part of the rescue mission.