Sandy Paws Rescue is an exceptional organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs in need and finding them loving homes. Founded in 2018, this 100% volunteer-run nonprofit operates with a unique and compassionate approach, relying on foster homes instead of a shelter to care for their rescues. This ensures every dog experiences the comfort of a home environment while preparing for their forever family.The organization’s motto, “Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them,” perfectly reflects their mission. Sandy Paws Rescue is not just about saving animals—it’s about creating meaningful connections between people and dogs. They work tirelessly to match each dog with the right adopter, ensuring a successful and fulfilling adoption experience.Sandy Paws Rescue stands out for its dedication to transparency and education. From providing adopters with detailed resources to emphasizing the importance of heartworm prevention, they go the extra mile to ensure the well-being of every dog, even after adoption. Their team is highly responsive, professional, and supportive, making the adoption and fostering processes seamless.Their social media presence and website make it easy to find adoptable dogs, learn about fostering opportunities, and get involved. It’s clear that the organization’s volunteers and leadership are deeply passionate about their mission, always prioritizing the safety and happiness of the animals in their care.If you’re looking to adopt, foster, or support a rescue organization that truly makes a difference, Sandy Paws Rescue is an outstanding choice. Their dedication to saving lives and creating lasting bonds is inspiring, and their work changes lives—both for the dogs and the people who need them.
very poor experience with this rescue. we have rescued very hard case dogs and worked with some great organizations. when we stated in our app that we stopped heartworm for our elderly dog due to the meds causing more seizures, they attempted to grill us, made incoherent and misinformed conclusions..
we told them thanks but no thanks...these folks do not know what they r doing. they became rude and belligerent when we did not want to deal with them any longer. go elsewhere for a rescue.
Pray that your pup is a good fit because they put you through the ringer if it isn't! As if the heartache of having to surrender your dog isn't enough, there is the horrible way of treating people added into the mix. Beware of large fees, insulting communication and a lot of legalities thrown at you despite trying everything in your power to prevent this.Despite all of this, the foster Justin, is AMAZING!
I have had dogs for my entire life.
Filled in application, videoed my property in and out, produced the references as requested and didn’t hear from them for almost two weeks! Then went to their event, met a dog we liked-told them so….still no response.
Finally I called (text only phone??!!) and only heard back when I said I would continually try until I heard from them?!
Then they said they wouldn’t deal with me
Worst experience
Started the process mid March of 2021 and adopted our Flossy on April1st! Through the entire time everyone at Sandy Paws was friendly, thorough and flexible with placing our pet with us. We couldn't be happier and happier to report Flossy is living her best life with us in 2025! Sandy Paws is the only adoption agency I recommend!
Beware the over SEVENTY FAKE REVIEWS IN THE PAST MONTH WITH IMAGES OF DOGS!!!!! This company is trying to skew their reviews by creating fake accounts to post false information. We had a very traumatic and difficult time with this organization. Please do your research and look into other options if able.
We had the best experience adopting from Sandy Paws. Such an amazing group of dedicated people. We adopted both Harley & Remy a little over two years ago. They've brought us so much joy and amazing memories, that we couldn't imagine them not being in our lives. Thank you, Sandy Paws, for all you do!!!
I have nothing but respect for the Sandy Paws team and am grateful to have gotten my girl. I hear the complaints - it’s too complicated, why do I need to provide and do so much to just get the dog I want and give it a home (based on a picture and a brief bio), why do I need to commit to training if I’ve had a dog before?!! Because Sandy Paws, and other caring rescues, want to be as sure as possible that the pup behind that adorable picture will actually be placed in the best home for that particular dog. These are not all coddled, gently raised animals. Many come with trauma from their experiences before being rescued, needing owners willing to do the work necessary, or have the right lifestyle to accommodate their needs. Maybe the cutie you think looks perfect just has, or needs, a better match, but maybe stay in touch to find your match. I found mine and couldn’t love her more - it hasn’t always been easy working through some things, but if I didn’t have the patience to get through the adoption process how would I be expected to have the patience to work through various behavioral issues?
I have an amazing experience with Sandy Paws Rescue. They were thorough with making sure that I understood what I would need to be a successful pet owner and trusted to fund the best fit for the dog. My adoption coordinator was professional, friendly, and was super helpful through the whole process. The foster family was amazing as well - they were a loving, caring couple who really loved the dog and welcomed us into their home to meet her. It only took a little over a week from application to ownership. Since we adopted Winnie, we have been staying in touch with the foster family and coordinator to send pictures and provide updates. When our vet asked who we were adopting from and I told them Sandy Paws, they told us that they love them - they take great care to find the right fit for the animals. I couldn’t speak more highly of them and am so thankful to have Winnie in our lives!
I live in South Georgia. A pitbull puppy wandered into my yard. After I tried to find the owner, & then realized the life the puppy led, I kept him. (Owner knew where puppy was & never reached out.) So, Noodle became part of our family. He was just the sweetest, smartest baby. Well, I already had two large breed dogs. So, I got connected to Sandy Paws. The very abbreviated version is that Noodle now lives better than the majority of “hoomans” in South Georgia. I was devastated when he was leaving but his Mom could not love Noodle more. He is definitely “living the life!” He deserves it! And, my baby, Ginger, was my foster baby. She was a train wreck. She ended up staying with me & she is living her best life ever! I support Sandy Paws financially because I have seen the amazing work they do with these furbabies! The beautiful stories are limitless.
Sandy Paws Rescue saves animals AND their humans!
Without the help of the Sandy Paws MV Team, I would not have found my most special companion, Spooky :) Spooky brings SO much happiness & meaning to our family...we are forever grateful to Ashley & team for the hard-work, dedication, & thoughtfulness in all they do to run such a tremendously special organization, which truly has become the heart of Martha's Vineyard! Sandy Paws makes our island better with their sincere & noteworthy efforts ~THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!!! We love you & the island wouldn't be the same without you!
So grateful to Sandy Paws Rescue for my two little love bugs! They really put so much effort into matching the right families with the right dogs. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again.
I adopted my pup from Sandy Paws in 2023 and they took the time to match me with a dog that was perfect; by taking the extra time to do this and making sure the dog was going to the right home to meet their needs says a lot about how they are committed to the well-being of the animal. They vet humans thoroughly for this very reason to reduce having to rehome the animals later which can obviously be tough on an animal that is already being shifted around a lot during a time of uncertainty. The level of care for these animals while being fostered is top notch as well. I would adopt from Sandy Paws again in a heartbeat and highly recommend; these folks are doing it right with the animals being their top concern at all times.
I adopted Bailey, the sweetest, most gentle old soul from a fantastic foster Mom back a couple of years ago from Sandy Paws. Bailey came from Texas but I was able to pick up this senior locally. I can not say enough about this rescue group. This was my fourth senior rescue dog , first from Sandy Paws and yes their process of checking and making sure the dog is in the right home is for both the dog and the adopter’s benefit. Not every dog is a match but Bailey just melts my heart and from her constant tail wagging I think I melt hers.
Sandy Paws was an excellent rescue to work with. I appreciate that their requirements for adoption are strict and thorough as these pups have been through enough before rescue! Our little girl is a perfect match for our family.
Thank you Sandy Paws
I can’t say enough about what a great organization Sandy Paws is. They are exceptionally dedicated to doing right for the dogs. Their standards for both foster homes and adopting families illustrates this. My pup Stella is now three. I adopted her when she was about 12 weeks old. The attention and care she got while in her foster home was outstanding. She got lots of love. I know others that have adopted from Sandy Paws and they had similar experiences.
We adopted Pepper (now Pipsqueak) through Sandy Paws Rescue about 2 years ago and it was one of the best decisions of our lives! This is the second experience with Sandy Paws Rescue as our daughter also adopted her dog Spooky through them about a year prior to that. Our Pipsqueak has brought great joy to our family and we obviously love her dearly! What is most appreciated about Sandy Paws is that they genuinely CARE about placing the right dog with the right family. The adoption process is somewhat detailed and involved but that is only because they want to ensure that the pet is being placed with someone that not only "wants a pet", but someone that can adequately provide proper care for that specific animal. They take great steps in the interview process to be selective and consider what's really best for the pet. They are not just "moving" animals, but are rather interested in their well-being and in placing them in the most suitable environment. If you are committed to the process, are devoted and patient, you will learn to appreciate what a great job Sandy Paws Rescue does to create the best possible match. Thanks to them, our dog came to us healthy and ready to love and learn! We followed up with some dog training as promised and that made our Pipsqueak even better than imagined. Sandy Paws Rescue Inc. is devoted to quality placement of wonderful, deserving rescue pets.
Sandy Paws Rescue tirelessly saves the lives of countless animals. The employees and volunteers give their heart and soul to an often thankless job. A quality rescue organization will put in the effort to find the very best home so this pet is never homeless again. Sandy Paws does this and does it well.
I adopted my beautiful fur baby from Sandy Paws and I foster for them as well. Please consider fostering if you can. There are so many dogs and cats in need of forever homes and a foster home literally can save a life.
Sandy Paws is an absolutely amazing organization. They ensure that their animals go to loving and caring homes that can meet these animals individual needs. Thank you Sandy Paws for giving us Vader! (His name there was Mocha) He has 3 dog siblings and is a blood donor at the local emergency animal hospital❤️
We adopted Leo 3 months ago and he has brought nothing but joy to our lives. Sandy Paws was upfront about Leo (he's mouthy) it's something that were working with Leo on. They did a thorough application process as I am grateful for. It's lengthy but worth it.
Sandy Paws Rescue was easy and wonderful to work with. When I mistakenly list the incorrect name of the puppy I wanted to adopt, they quickly brought me back in to confirm the name I actually wanted. They were already aware I had made the error. 5 years later, my dog Koda Mae is the perfect addition to our home. ♥️ Thank you Ashley!
Benny was the missing piece of our family. We had no idea the impact he would make on our family. We looked at local agencies and then came across Sandy Paws
On FB. They completely a thorough background to ensure only the best match for the animals they rescue. We were not selected on our 1st pick, which at the time was sad, but that allowed us to meet the boy of our dreams! Benny was age 6 months and rescued from TX. He was too big for his own paws. His Sandy Paws foster parents kept him safe till he moved to Ma into his 2nd foster home and then we met him and the rest is history. Benny now age 4 is an happy, loving, goofy, great pyrenees maremma sheepdog. His love, protection and personality are one in a million. He and his 12 year old sister make the happiest pair. So thankful for the process that lead us to him.
Adopting from Sandy Paws was such a positive experience. Everyone I worked with was kind and efficient, and they all went the extra mile to make sure Louis’s transition was successful. Louis and I are so grateful for all of the volunteers at Sandy Paws! Thank you for all you do!
We adopted our sweet guy Lucky from Sandy Paws a couple of years ago. I submitted the application, including a video of our house and yard and vet information. We met with the foster family and brought our fur-baby Sully to meet with Lucky to be sure they would get along . Even after Lucky joined our family I would occasionally get a phone call or a text from Sandy Paws to see how he was fitting in. Sandy Paws was the best decision our family made and we will not hesitate to use them again
Sandy Paws brought me my best friend. My dog is so well behaved, loving, friendly, cuddly… I could go on. They made the adoption process so easy. My foster was incredible!! She sent me pictures and videos and was so sweet to even do a meet and greet in the rain on MV. I had my sweet Cannoli in 2 weeks between expressing interest, doing the meet and greet and signing paperwork. I’ll forever rescue through Sandy Paws. And my foster (Lynn) is the best!!! ❤️ My life is forever changed in the most beautiful way because I was able to rescue my little boy. I’m thankful every day for Sandy Paws! And Finley is thankful for her best friend! Adopt, don’t shop everyone! ☺️
I have adopted two incredible dogs from Sandy Paws. These pups have changed my life. I was able to talk with volunteers from Sandy paws at local events, was in touch with the foster parents which helped our first pup transition to her new home and I even received videos of one of our pups when this litter was found and being rescued. There is a social media site that connects us adopters and offers community and guidance, and even connected us to those who adopted my pups siblings. I’m so grateful for this rescue and for their commitment to animal wellbeing, connection, creating a caring and supportive adopters community.
Sandy Paws rescue is the best....Why? because they are very professional people with a common cause. They are very passionate to help animals find the right home. We adopted two beautiful dogs with great souls. Our family will always love the staff who made this happen...I would 100% get a dog from them as well as give an excellent review of our experience. Life is not worth living without a great pet..Their hard work and devotion is beyond the best..Thank You Sandy paws rescue for all you do.. God Bless you all.
We adopted our sweet Lilly girl from Sandy Paws Rescue just under two months ago, but it feels like we have been part of the Sandy Paws Family forever! Our adoption coordinator, Leanne was nothing short of amazing! She was attentive, knowledgeable and extremely kind. Once we were contacted, we were approved and signing adoption papers within 48 hours. Lilly fit right into our family, and snuggled right into our hearts, you could tell she came from a great foster family. We even were connected to her brother’s family through the Sandy Paws Adoption facebook page. I am forever thankful to Sandy Paws Rescue for a great experience and for choosing us to adopt our Lilly
We were so fortunate to adopt our fur baby Sawyer from Sandy Paws. Reputable animal adoption have extensive application processes so that the animals that have been previously abused don't go back into a similar situation. I continue to support Sandy Paws by going to adoption events they hold and bringing my adopted dog with me to their Alumni events to speak with other potential adopters regarding the process and so they can see how the adopted dogs turn out when put into loving homes. Thank you to Sandy Paws and all the foster families!
Recently my husband and I adopted Sophie fka Natasha. We applied immediately after reading her post and received a text from Becky, our adoption coordinator, within 24 hours. Becky was extremely friendly and helpful, walking us through the entire process! Sophie has been with us for just over two weeks and we are so in love! Thank you Sandy Paws!
We met our Charlie through Sandy Paws, and it was a terrific experience. Their screening process is very thorough because they want to make sure that the dogs go to a new home that’s a good fit. Communication was great and we got all the necessary paperwork- but mostly we got our wonderful goofball dog!
We got our adorable furbaby from Sandy Paws Rescue! The process with them was seamless. You can tell they truly love these animals and want what’s best for them! The second picture you can see how our pup was when we first got him! He’s been through our first apartment, home, wedding, and all big life events! We can’t imagine our life without him. All these pups need is a loving home to really see them shine!
My husband and I adopted our dog Farley almost a year and a half ago from Sandy Paws and from the start of the adoption process to us going to pick up Farley the adoption agent and foster were so amazing. I have and will continue to recommend them to anybody I know that is looking to adopt.
Love Sandy Paws Rescue and our sweet dog that we adopted through this group of dedicated animal lovers. I had to provide references and explain why we would be a good fit for our dog. Sandy Paws volunteers were thorough and helpful.
We adopted Wendy 2 years ago- she was 1 years old at the time. She has brought us nothing but live and happiness and I am so glad that Sandy Paws Rescue abides to a strict adoption policy to ensure all of their charges find loving and SAFE forever homes! Thank you Sandy Paws Rescue!
Sandy Paws helped us find our sweet girl Kali (fka: Canela) back in 2022 and it was the best experience by far and the best decision we ever made adopting her! The application, although lengthy (which is super understandable given they are looking to find the best match for all their dogs), was super easy and and made you think and plan ahead on what type of dog we wanted and to set expectations for their adopters. Once the application was filled out, the rest of the process was quick and easy! Kali’s foster, Justin, was the absolute sweetest and took us through the rest of the process. We still keep in contact to this day!
Kali (fka Canela) has been the perfect match for us, she’s constantly down for anything, training, hiking, cuddles, you know it! We’ve accomplished so much in the almost three years we’ve had her (including getting titled with our CGC and getting into dog sports!) and I’m so glad I have Kali in my life! Thank you Sandy Paws!
After losing my 2 beautiful dogs in 2021, I couldn't bring myself to get another dog. My neighbor and their new dog changed my mind. Their dog was wonderful and my neighbor couldn't say anything nicer about Sandy Paws. So my journey began in September 2024 with Sandy Paws. I submitted my application on September 7th and picked up my wonderful companion "Falcon" on September 20th. Does the application process take a lot of time? Yes. Is it all nerve wracking? Yes. But with some thought, I realized that this organization cares a great deal about placing dogs into the right home, and how can that be wrong for either me or my new dog? I attended one of their well-run functions on the Cape and saw several dogs that I fell in love with. I spent a lot of time talking to foster parents to learn about the dogs because it is important that the dog wants you as much as you want it. I spoke to Falcon's foster mom at the event as well as several times after that to learn the important things to know about Falcon. I knew what to expect, and what not to expect. My volunteer coordinator throughout this process was absolutely wonderful. Jen was with me 100% of the way. Even when I kept sending emails asking how it was going! She answered every single one of them, and we spoke on the phone many times. The adoption fee was very reasonable ($649.38). A money grab? No way! Sandy Paws requires that you read their FAQ's and other materials so that there is no misunderstanding on how this process works, and what the fees cover. There were no surprises. And when my vet's office and Sandy Paw's requirement for a first visit date were not in sync, Jen called my vet directly and worked it out, taking all the stress off my plate.
I have heard of stories about rescue adoption processes being horrendous and inflexible and was apprehensive when I started this process. Although the application takes time and effort, once approved the process goes so fast your head will spin. Jen was extremely helpful, informative and patient with me. I recommend Sandy Paws to anyone who asks, and to some that don't ask too! Please don't let a few unhappy people sway you away from this organization. They are professional and most importantly - their number 1 priority is the dog!
Oreo has been a wonderful addition to our family. Oreo came into our lives after we had tried to adopt a different dog. Although we didn't get the first dog, we received a call in August 2021 asking if we were still interested in adopting. Everything happens for a reason and we picked up Oreo the next week. We have never been happier. Thanks Sandy Paws!
I originally found Sandy Paws Rescue about 4 years ago when my boyfriend and I were looking to rescue a puppy. They had posted pictures of the sweetest looking litter and I submitted our application with the understanding that you might not always get your first selection of pups. Luckily, we were contacted a few days later by the foster mom of one of the girls in the litter and she thought we would be a great match! The adoption process was pretty simple and we met our girl about a week later. Sandy Paws was a great organization to work with and we love that they work hard to ensure their rescues are in a loving foster before they are adopted to their forever homes. I also appreciated that they actually looked into our references before adopting. They really care about the animals in their care and it’s nice to know they won’t just adopt out to anyone looking for a dog. Our Sandy Paws girl (Millie, FKA Flip Flop) is a sweetheart and everyone who meets her adores her. I’d recommend Sandy Paws to anyone looking to rescue and we will absolutely be using them again when we are ready to add to our pack!
We adopted our beloved Bookie from Sandy Paws in July. They were a pleasure to work with. Emily was our adoption coordinator and Bookie’s foster mom, she was amazing. Sandy Paws did their best to ensure we were a good match for Bookie as Huskies are active breeds and stubborn as all get out. They made sure our home was safe for him. They made sure we understood the responsibility and financial commitment. I would highly recommend Sandy Paws and we would definitely use them again.
I rescued Skye, a husky from Texas and I am eternally grateful to Sandy Paws for this gift in my life! The process was thorough to be sure she came to the right home. But it was with ease, great communication and fair cost. They were a great rescue organization to work with!
We are both adopters and foster parents for Sandy Paws. After adopting our wonderful dog, Scuppers, from Sandy Paws over 3 years ago we were so impressed with the care they took vetting potential adopters we wanted to be more involved. Since then we’ve fostered 5 dogs for them. Happy and proud they all found wonderful forever families. Yes, sometimes a family is not a good fit and their rules are strict. These rules are also carefully explained right up front.
As for the expense, the costs of transport, food, medicine, emergency vet care, are high. The money you pay for your dog doesn’t just save your dog, it lets us give another dog life saving surgery or feed and care for them until they are adopted.
After fostering and seeing what some of these dogs have been through we agree that it has to be 100% about what is best for the dog. It’s possible that sometimes that means a good potential family may not get a dog but that is better than a dog potentially going back into a situation where they won’t be safe, happy and well cared for. These dogs have been let down in the past and are still willing to trust and love again. They have no voice. It’s up to us to do what is best for them.
We had an amazing adoption experience two years ago when we picked up our sweet girl. She is the fifth dog we’ve adopted as a family and every organization we’ve worked with has had an extensive but necessary application process. I knew we would have to pick our dog up on Martha’s Vineyard and it was something we were willing to do to get her. The coordinators made everything very easy And were extremely pleasant in their interactions with our references. When we are in the position to adopt a second dog, Sandy Paws will remain at the top of our list. We could not be happier!
Tomorrow marks one month with our pretty princess Pearl. She's a sweet, goofy girl and we are so happy she joined our family. Her adoption process was so easy and super fast. Thank you Sandy Paws
Very happy with Sandy Paws, they are thorough with the application but once all the information is in we were quickly approved and now Owen has blessed our home!
My granddaughter and I went to meet "Goose" ( a 6 yo male Chihuahua) on June 18, 2024. He had been through a lot the previous day or 2...more than maybe than he had experienced throughout his life. I brought my 9 yo granddaughter with me, because, well...we know how picky Chihuahuas can be with their people! He was super shy with us initially ( I have owned 2 Chis in my life ), but I got a good feeling about him. On our 2 hour ride back to our house, he pretty quickly warmed up to us! We were thrilled. Fast forward 7 months....we ALL love this most awesome-ist little guy. He is hands down the sweetest, most loving, compliant pup I have ever had . He loves rides, walks, riding in the basket of my bike, walking and riding my horse with me...actually anything which allows him to be with his " people" We are thrilled!!
So...back story. I had been looking at many dogs on the SPR site for a while. Months actually. I saw a picture and write up of ( renamed!) Gizmo and there was just " something" about him. I contacted SPR via email and they put me in touch with Janet, our coordinator. She was so patient and caring and informative. Gizmo went to a couple of events, which because of work, etc., i was not able to attend. It was heart wrenching and frustrating for me to not be able to go and meet this precious little boy. Janet was amazing. She kept in touch very often and gave me updates. After a couple of ( thankfully) unsuccessfull meetings and pairings for Giz with prospective owners, I got a quick message from Janet saying he was available again/still and was i able to go meet him. SO, I grabbed my granddaughter and off we went and the rest is pure wonderfulness! Sandy Paws Rescue is awesome. My contacts were nothing but professional and kind, always with the well being and safety and happiness of the critters. Thank goodness. They require forms, references, videos, etc. But, to me...that's exactly the way it should be. Many of these poor animals have been through the wringer and this Rescue does their absolute best to insure the next people adopting have the best interest of these pets in mind. As it should be! My little guy is living his best life and making 5 people very, very happy. Much thanks and gratitude to Sandy Paws Rescue.
Jojo is my first rescue ever. I am so very thankful to all the volunteers at Sandy Paws. The whole process did take a little time but well worth the wait. If I could rescue another dog Sandy Paws would be my first choice. I love the way that Sandy Paws took their time to find the perfect fit for me. The compassion that this organization has for every rescue is a testament to what they stand for. I am forever grateful
We adopted our dog, Roy, through Sandy Paws and it was the best thing our family could have done. The adoption process was thorough and took some time. But that’s how we knew our pup was definitely the right fit for us.
We adopted Benji thru Sandy Paws and from the start they were so helpful in assisting to find the right dog as we also lived with my elderly Mom who was on a walker. Benji immediately was a fit for our family and we are forever thankful to all the efforts of Sandy Paws. They even came to our house to microchip him! We also love the alumni page to connect with others. Highly recommend working with this rescue!
After losing a dog in 2020, my boyfriend and I decided to adopt a dog in 2021. I had been following Sandy Paws for a while waiting to see the right dog. That is when I saw Boone's handsome face with those beautiful big brown eyes. My heart melted and I told my boyfriend, "he is the one" and "I want I want him." I went through Sandy Paw's application process, which I thought was great. It is wonderful to see that they care about their dogs and where their forever homes are going to be. I recommend going through Sandy Paws for your pet adoption. I did, and now I have the best furry best friend a girl could ever have. He is my shadow... my side kick. Love my Boone!!!
I adopted from this wonderful rescue 6 years ago!! My dog Lily has been the best addition to my home and I couldn't imagine life without her! The adoption process was easy and the volunteers are truly amazing! Thank you all for your help! Shortly after adopting from them I started volunteering for them myself. I've transported dozens of dogs and fostered 50 dogs for them. Truly an incredible experience and I couldn't be more thankfuk for the director trusting me for 5+ years to volunteer!
A little over a year ago we saw on Facebook that Sandy Paws rescue would be a hosting a meet and greet of their dogs at Off the Grid, a local outdoor restaurant. My husband and I decided to head down there and check out the doggies dressed in their adorable Halloween costumes and soak up all the snuggles we could get. When we arrived we were able to walk around and meet all the dogs and their foster parents. I MUST rave about this event. They provided a social atmosphere not just for their adoptable dogs but also for their potential adopters. My husband and I were able to meet each dog and sit and talk about them with their fosters, whether it was about their potential needs, their likes and dislikes. They also provided a no pressure atmosphere, which felt to us that they truly just wanted to find the right home for the right dog and wasn’t in a rush to just pass any dog off just to get them out their care. We ended up meeting a little girl at the time named Ouyki( now named Lady) and we fell in love. The best part was talking to the foster mom and learning about her little habits, daily routines since being fostered, how she was adjusting in that fosters home with other dogs and her work schedule. Again no pressure was felt. When we left there we were really able to sit down and talk about if we were ready for this new adventure. Of course we said yes and started the application. The application in itself was long but asked all the questions that we as potential adopters also needed to ask ourselves. We sent video our of home, our prior pet records as well as references. Each step we had to take in the application process reassured us as future new owners that we could provide a safe, loving, and reliable home for our lady girl. At one point we thought maybe Lady would have already been approved since we had heard several people had applied, but we knew if we did get chosen she would go to another perfect home because of the thorough adoption process. Over a year later we still feel so lucky that we met lady and were able to make her a part of our family. She is so loved and we are so thankful to Sandy Paws Rescue for all they have done for lady and other dogs. If we ever decide to add to our pack we will sure being reaching out to them!
I can’t even begin to explain how Lucky we feel to have worked with Sandy Paws. First and foremost our pup is perfect for our family. It feels strange that she hasn’t been with us forever. She has brought our family together in ways we will always treasure. The process to adopt her was thorough and painless. We were super impressed with the fosters and their care for Rosie before we got her. Sandy Paws is a dream and we tell everyone we know to reach out to them if they are looking for a pet! Thank you Sandy Paws for everything!
I have 2 rescues through Sandy Paws and both experiences were amazing and we are so grateful to have them in our lives. Advice, support and encouragement through Sandy Paws was amazing..
Incredible rescue with dedicated volunteers working tirelessly to get dogs into amazing homes. They are thorough in their adoption process which is amazing as it ensures that the dogs are adopted out to loving and caring homes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars for SURE!
We could not have been happier with our Sandy Paws adoption experience. Our sweet girl Millie came to their organization from a shelter in Texas and it was clear throughout the process how dedicated they are to finding the right homes for their dogs. Thank you for all that you do for dogs like her who are in a tough spot and looking for a forever home…
When we were looking for another family member of the four-legged variety, we went to Sandy Paws. Their paperwork is intensive but this helps them match dogs to the right adopters. We included a video of our house and yard, vet reports for our other dog showing she’s UTD on everything, and our approval process was painless. Which means that it was very easy for us to then find, meat, and adopt our dog. He has now been with the family for almost 3 years and we would recommend Sandy Paws to anybody else.
Sandy Paws rescue is an absolutely amazing organization. They screen their adopters very carefully in order to assure that their pups go to the best home to fit the needs of their rescues. We are honored to have worked with them and absolutely love our little guy and the life we are able to give him through Sandy Paws!
We have adopted two dogs from Sandy Paws Rescue and couldn't be happier with the process and our fur babies!
We filled out application online and were contacted by Sandy Paws to come visit our first pup at the fosters home. They check references and veterinary records to ensure pets will be cared for.
We love Sandy Paws and the amazing work they are doing to find pets excellent homes.
We adopted Peter (formerly Payton) two years ago from this organization. Communication/coordination was incredible from start to finish. I connected with his foster mom immediately and we worked together to see if Payton was a good match for our family. Meet and greets are incredibly important and we did many to ensure it was a great fit. I have worked with 3 rescues previously and enjoyed working with this one the best.
We absolutely love Sandy Paws. In 2022 we brought home our Bones and she completely changed our family for the better. Sandy Paws was thorough to make sure we were the perfect home for her, but then everything moved quickly- we met her and her amazing foster parents for a meet and greet with my resident dog, and then within a few days she was home with us. Now Bones and her sister are the best of friends and our home is filled with constant love. What we love even more is we’re now apart of the alumni adopters group where we get to continue to boast about our lovely girl with other families that Sandy Paws brought together. We adore them and truly can tell all the members of the SPR team put their all and love every dog they rescue. We’d recommend them a hundred times over.
Sandy paws helped us find our two girls barely formally Elaine and echo formally apricot into our home to complete our family! They made the adoption process very easy and smooth and we loved how thorough they were to make sure these girls went into an amazing home! We have been able to watch echo grow bigger than her “little” big sister and have watched their personalities grow. We highly recommend sandy paws to anyone who wants to open their home and hearts to find their best forever friend.
I had a good experience October 2023
Nothing bad to say
Sure they have to be careful
I do recommend them
B.W.M. Retired physician
I have donated to Sandy Paws rescue and attended their functions for a few years and when we decided to add to our family after the loss of our 16y/o lab, I knew EXACTLY where I was going to look for a new pup - The process was very well laid out on their site and went very smoothly once we decided on a pup - we couldn’t be any happier with our Frankie Lou ( formerly Brewster) or the Sandy Paws volunteers who make all the magic happen! ❤️
I have nothing but kind things to say about Sandy Paws! Last April (2024) my boyfriend, and I adopted our first fur baby! From finding Mallee on an Instagram post Thursday night, to submitting an application on Saturday, hearing back from Sandy Paws on Monday, visiting with Mallee on Thursday and picking her up that following Saturday. It took eight days to get my girl home. I was so surprised with the timely manner and how quick the process was. All the staff I communicated with such as Nadine and Megan were so caring and excited for us to adopt. The foster was such a nice ole lady and took such great care of Mallee. At first, I thought that the application was lengthy, but I came to understand why. Sandy Paws ensures that every dog is placed in the rightful home, and ensures that the dog will have the best quality of life!! I will be forever grateful for my experience with SandyPaws and I will definitely adopt again to get Mallee a sibling when the time is right!
Sandy Paws Rescue is amazing to work with. We adopted our dog Duke from them. They checked our references and interviewed us to ensure that he would be going to a good safe home. Communication was easy and all our questions were addressed quickly and professionally. When we're ready to adopt again Sandy Paws will be the first place we look for our new family member!
Cannot say enough about how amazing Sandy Paws Rescue Inc is. We adopted our beautiful doberman mix almost 2 years ago. She is the most perfect pup we could have ever imagined for! I submitted my application and the communication from there was simple. I'm so grateful that they take the application process seriously because these babies deserve the best life! They do an amazing job!! I'm so thankful for them!
We adopted Aladdin from Sandy Paws in 2023. It was an amazing experience. They are extremely thorough to ensure their rescued fur babies get matched with the right family. They also offer support after the adoption. I had a few follow up questions and his foster parents and SP responded quickly. These are volunteers who take this responsibility seriously and are there for any questions or support. I cannot say enough about how wonderful they are and changed our life for the better welcoming Aladdin into our family.
We adopted our pup this past August. Janet was our caseworker and was absolutely FABULOUS! The application process is long and thorough. BUT anyone who has had a pop before knows you need to fill out similar applications with any legit breeder as well. They have the best interest of the dogs at heart. Our little guy was delayed for two weeks due to not being medically cleared for travel. So our caseworker arranged us to have photos and videos of our pup being well cared for by his foster momma. I can’t recommend this organization enough. They helped us complete our family in ways we didn’t realize that we needed❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ thank you from Patches (previously known as Bean)
I attended a meet and greet event for Sandy Paws rescue at the Plymouth Winery in 2022. It was there that I laid eyes on a very spirited Jack Russell puppy! I completed the very thorough process that Sandy Paws rescue has established for adoptions, including reference checks, home evaluation, vet references and application. I really appreciated that they care so much about which homes their fosters go to. They really match the dog with the appropriate family. They host a number of great events and are always very responsive considering they are all volunteers. Sandy Paws is an amazing organization and everyone I have met affiliated with the group is so kind. Plum has been a wonderful addition to my family and I thank Sandy Paws for all their efforts rescuing these animals, whose fate would be unknown if not for their tireless efforts. Thank you SPR!
The day we brought our dog Buie home to join our family was literally one of the best days ever. He is so loved by all 7 of us and fits into whatever is going on seamlessly. Life without him is literally unimaginable. Sandy Paws rescue helped our family find the fur baby of our dreams. He was meant to be with us! Buie will be 6 years young this summer….life changing in all the healthiest ways.
I love this rescue so much, as we found our perfect dog through them. I would fly across an ocean to adopt from them again. One of the things that stood out the most to me is that they really care about their dogs, so their process for adoption is strict. They do their homework to make sure each dog is going to the right home. If they feel it isn’t the right fit, they will not approve. It’s something to admire because most places are just trying to get dogs any home.
We had an amazing experience with Sandy Paws Rescue! Everyone was amazing to work with! We submitted our application on a Thursday night and heard back from someone the next morning! Thank you Sandy Paws for leading us to our boy! We are forever grateful! ❤️
This volunteer run organization really vets applicants thoroughly and for good reason — their dogs have been through so much and deserve the best home moving forward! I have been so happy with my experience with them. There are many unknowns in the rescue world, but having people like them who do this every day and truly have the dogs’ interest at heart is so amazing. I will recommend Sandy paws over and over again!
What an amazing nonprofit made up of volunteers. They are so thorough with match making and really care about these animals. So glad I got the best dog ever from them. I recommend them to everyone. Many of my friends have also adopted from them. This is the real deal for human/dog match making. ❤️
I adopted my Bella back in 2020, and she has been such a blessing in our life. Sandy Paws was very responsive, set up a time to meet promptly, and even helped us get set up with a vet. Ashley is very kind and understanding, and prioritizes the needs of each animal in their care, making sure that the adoptive family is the right fit before bringing the pet home.
I was able to adopt my dog thru SandyPaws. Had a great experience. They did a very thorough check on me (which I expected and appreciated). Had a great experience with them. We thank you for our fur baby!!
We adopted the love of our lives through Sandy Paws a year ago. We had never adopted a pet before and we’re really nervous about the process. Our volunteer liaison was so responsive and helpful. The foster parents welcomed us into their home to meet the dog and make sure our family was the best match. We couldn’t have had a better experience with an organization. Thank you so much Sandy Paws we are so grateful.
We adopted from SPR 2 years ago and had a problem free experience and received a wonderful dog! I am sad to see negative comments! I found the organization to be helpful and supportive.
We were approved to adopt, agreed to pick up a dog from out of state sight unseen, and had a plan to have her quarantined and vetted. The day payment was due, we received a text asking for our scheduled vet visit. This set in motion what ultimately resulted in us cancelling our contract, and adopting elsewhere. This rescue charges outrageous adoption fees which include absolutely nothing but the dog, the contract requires you agree to an astronomical amount of unrealistic and unreasonable requests, and then the director herself is an absolute disgusting human being. The way she speaks to others is not only vile and offensive but down right unprofessional, especially as a director of a rescue. We dodged a bullet, and would absolutely not recommend supporting this rescue.
SandyPaws 01/18/2025
This review contains multiple inaccuracies and misrepresentations. The adoption fee for Nala was $625, not $1,000 as claimed. This fee covers transport, veterinary care, vaccinations, sterilization, and other necessary costs to prepare dogs for adoption. All of this information is clearly outlined in the FAQ page, which all applicants are required to review before applying. It became clear during the process that the fee was unaffordable due to personal circumstances, which is understandable. However, instead of communicating this earlier, you have chosen to misrepresent the situation and harass the rescue. Our fees and policies are in place to ensure dogs are placed in homes fully prepared for the responsibility of adoption. The review is unfair and inaccurate, and it is requested that it be removed to reflect the truth.
Sad to see the 1 star ratings from those that were clearly denied by this organization to adopt. We had a wonderful experience with SPR and have a great pup that we can’t imagine being without thanks to their team of fosters and volunteers. It’s a very simple process. Take care of your previous pets, provide them with proper vetting and be a good owner. It’s not that hard!
We applied for a puppy that has been shared countless times on their Facebook account. Because we didn't have receipts for heartworm medication. Even though we took top care of our last dog while we had her. We then voiced our concerns on their posts and they blocked my wife. Unacceptable behavior. Also if they really wanted to place these dogs they wouldn't disqualify for such a miniscule reason
SandyPaws 01/18/2025
Thank you for sharing your feedback. To clarify, Sandy Paws Rescue has clear adoption policies that prioritize the well-being of our dogs, which includes verifying consistent preventative care, such as heartworm prevention, for past and current pets. This is not a “minuscule” requirement, as heartworm is a preventable yet serious condition that directly impacts the health and safety of the dogs we place. Unfortunately, when these requirements are not met, we cannot proceed with the adoption. These policies are in place to ensure that every adopter is fully prepared to provide the highest standard of care for their new dog. Regarding the social media comment, blocking is only used when posts become disruptive or hostile to our mission. We encourage open communication, but we also need to maintain a supportive and respectful environment for our team and volunteers. We wish you the best in finding a dog that fits your family’s needs and circumstances. Our priority remains ensuring that
Unfortunately am very unhappy with my experience working with this non-profit. Unsupportive, inflexible, and not welcoming. I highly recommend seeking other non-profits if you would like to work with a business that is empathetic, honest, communicative and wants the best for their fosters. :( thumbs down
Beware, this is not a reputable shelter. It is run by unethical, unprofessional people. During a foster process with a dog that had been abused, neglected and moved about they refused to allow the dog to stay and be adopted. They banged on the doors late at night. Used profane language. Removed the dog after threatening legal action, to move her 2 more times. They do not care about what is best for the dog. They want to take application money, over and over on a “popular” dog. It is a terrible establishment. The vetting process is weak, they had no information gave me a dog from an isolation facility no one from here met us, or explained their process, I sent a video of my home, filled out an application online had a dog very quickly, the dog came with kennel cough, infected my dog. They were aloof, ego and money driven. It is a shame when people can just throw power about ignoring the very thing thats meant to be done find a high quality home for a pup.
They take your application fee and then you don't hear back. This is a total ripoff. I've spoken with several other rescue dog owners on Cape Cod with the same experience. I know you want to do good things but I highly recommend donating and applying to another, more reputable non-profit.
SandyPaws 12/23/2023
Sandy Paws Rescue does not have an application fee when applying to adopt. This review does not apply to our organization. Try again “Irieman”