10 Best Animal Rescue Organizations in Nashville

Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary is an animal rescue service in Mt. Juliet focused on senior dogs and dogs with medical needs. The sanctuary supports rescued dogs with medical care, special food and grooming, including when they are in foster homes. People can participate through fostering, volunteering and frequent events, with adoption-style matching focused on the fit between person and dog.

The Catio Cat Lounge gives visitors a place to spend time with approximately 80 adoptable cats and kittens, making it a fit for people who want an unusual, low-pressure animal encounter or are considering adoption. The space is described as spacious and clean, with quiet rooms for less-active senior cats and beverages available for purchase. Adoption is possible, and visit costs support cat welfare.

Exotic Avian Sanctuary of Tennessee, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit near Nashville dedicated to protecting captive parrots. EAST rescues parrots in abusive, neglected or unwanted situations, provides adoption services for suitable birds and gives unadoptable parrots lifetime sanctuary care. Its five-acre setting includes natural environments and outdoor aviaries, while education helps families understand the long-term responsibility of parrot companionship.

True Rescue is an animal rescue service in Mt. Juliet focused on helping cats find homes. The organization supports cat adoptions, including adult cats and long-term residents, and provides tours and guidance through the adoption process. It also responds to urgent rescue situations, including safely collecting a kitten from the roadside.

Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary is a wildlife refuge in Brentwood with wooded trails, creekside scenery, birds, squirrels, and resident owls. Visitors can choose walks such as the one-mile Sharp Creek Trail or the 1.2-mile South Ridge Trail, while educational activities include a moderate-paced Marshmallow hike. The sanctuary suits nature walks, wildlife viewing, and family-friendly outdoor learning, though its trails are rugged and hilly.

Nashville Humane Association is an animal protection organization supporting adoptions, fostering and animal care. Its documented foster support includes food, toys, pee pads and a crate, while adoption visitors can meet animals personally and receive pet-related coupons, making it a fit for people ready to foster or adopt.

Piccolo Farms Animal Sanctuary is a donor-funded nonprofit in Whites Creek that provides a loving forever home for unwanted, abused, or neglected livestock. The sanctuary also connects with the community through outreach, volunteering, Open Farm days, and private events, and partners with local shelters and rescues on fostering and adoption. It suits visitors and supporters who want direct contact with rescued farm animals or a hands-on way to help their care.

Waldens Puddle Inc Wildlife Center is a wildlife rescue service serving the greater Nashville area. The center accepts injured or orphaned wildlife through scheduled drop-offs and provides care intended to rehabilitate animals for release back into the wild. It suits people who find sick, injured or orphaned birds and mammals and need a responsive rehabilitation resource.

Humane Society of Sumner County is an animal shelter for people looking to adopt or support rescued animals. The shelter provides an adoption process described as straightforward and sensible, with staff who communicate openly, answer questions and help visitors consider suitable animals. Its approach also accommodates bonded pairs, which can matter to adopters seeking companions who should stay together.

Mt. Juliet Animal Care & Control is an animal control and shelter operation serving people interested in adopting rescued dogs and cats. Adoption experiences describe animals receiving care before going home, including age-appropriate vaccinations, veterinary examinations and neutering in one reported case. Adoption events at PetSmart provide an additional setting for meeting shelter animals.