Dogs, too!

Consider Adoption—Purebred or Mutt?

There are many dogs waiting for homes in shelters all across the country—and an estimated one in four is a purebred!

MEOW Canine Division serves as breed rescue for Chinese Shar Pei for all of Washington, Oregon & Idaho. We also rescue Great Danes, hairless breeds and all other dogs as space permits.

Contact Us


Location – Dogs are in foster homes and not at the shelter.

E-mail MEOW Canine (dogs@meowcatrescue.org)

Mailing Address

MEOW Canine Division
Mercer Island Eastside Orphans and Waifs
PO Box 144
Mercer Island, WA  98040-0144

Adoption Application Inquiry (k9wrinkles@aol.com)

MEOW Canine Division Facebook Page

Adoption Guidelines at MEOW Canine

Before requesting an adoption application, please read our Canine Division adoption guidelines below.

  • Foster Homes: All dogs are in foster homes – NOT AT THE SHELTER. While they are in their foster homes we work with the dogs  so we can learn about their nature. They will be placed into adoptive homes that fit their needs. To learn about a specific dog, please carefully read the information posted. – PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE MEOW Cat Rescue Shelter number.
  • Application Process: The first step is to fill out an adoption application. To request an adoption application please email k9wrinkles@aol.com. Once you have filled it out, it will be reviewed by an adoption counselor. Once you have passed this step in the process, you may make an appointment with the foster parent to meet the dog and have a home visit.
  • Indoor vs. Outdoor: MEOW Canine places dogs and puppies in INDOOR ONLY homes.  We take seriously our commitment to ensure that the animal is never in harm’s way.  Dogs are social animals and need attention and social activity.
  • Home Visits: Before an adoption, a representative of MEOW Canine will visit your home to help with logistics and share advice on how to have the best relationship with your new dog.
  • Ready for Adoption:
    • Vaccinations given
    • Worm and flea treatment given
    • Spayed or neutered
    • Microchipped
    • Veterinary exam completed
    • Medical and/or behavioral issues, if any, have been addressed.
    • Includes coupon for free exam by your own King County veterinarian.
  • Lifetime Commitment: It works both ways. We trust you to make a lifetime commitment to your new pet, but we have also made a promise to safeguard each and every MEOW Canine rescue dog. If at any time, one of our dogs cannot remain in their adoptive home, we will gladly accept them back.
  • Adoption Fees: Adoption fees help defray the cost of care for the animals and may vary based on the individual animal.

Available Dogs

At MEOW We Celebrate Seniors All Year Long

The Benefits of Adopting a Senior Pet

“Think of a pet that is already trained and doesn’t chew or scratch everything in sight — a pet who will love you unconditionally,” said Kim Saunders, Petfinder.com’s Vice President of Shelter Outreach and Public Relations. “That’s what you get when you adopt a senior pet.”

Some people worry that a senior pet comes with problems, but according to Hazel Blumberg-McKee of Tallahassee, FL, there are no disadvantages. “In most cases they’ve had a home and they want one again.” She adopted eight-and-a-half-year old Sadie, and has never regretted it. “An older animal is easier to deal with. And Sadie is still playful. She plays fetch and gallops all over the place.”

At MEOW, we often have several loving, healthy senior pets, looking for that one special home to cherish them for the rest of their life, and they don’t ask for much: just a warm place to sleep, good meals and plenty of love.

How Can You Help the Dogs?

Volunteers are the lifeblood of non-profit organizations.

  • Spend a few hours each week or month helping to make life better for dogs and puppies in need of a forever home.
  • Foster Homes provide temporary care. Foster dogs need love and attention, handling and a safe environment that will allow for initial meetings followed by integration into the household. Necessary medical care is paid for by MEOW Canine Division. Items supplied by fosters are fully tax deductible.
  • Transporters provide safe passage for dogs from local shelters and from shelters in high risk rural areas of WA, OR & ID, as well as getting dogs to vet appointments and making supply pickups. Cost of fuel and mileage is tax deductible. Fuel cost may be reimbursable by prior arrangement.
  • Events to support MEOW Canines are very important.  Volunteers are needed to set up and tear down, to speak with the public and to handle dogs.
  • Donations are tax deductible.  You may mail your contribution to MEOW Canine Division, PO Box 144, Mercer Island, WA  98040-0144 or go to our donate page by clicking the button below.
Donate to Canine Division

Be sure to choose “Canine Division” in the “Use this donation for:” section of the donation form.

Rescue by the Numbers

In 2021, 2.6 million homeless, abused and abandoned cats and dogs were being put to death in shelters across the United States.  Today that number has been reduced to 920,000, which is great.  But, there is still so far to go.

Approximately 2 million dogs are adopted from shelters each year.

There are approximately 83 million owned dogs in the United States. 44% of U.S. households own at least one dog and 40% of owned dogs were adopted from an animal shelter.

Source: World Animal Foundation (October 2023)