🐾 Celebrating National Dog Day: Animal Shelters & Rescues of NW Arkansas & Fort Smith Area

The Local Vibe
Aug 26
3 min read

Every year on August 26, we celebrate National Dog Day. A day to honor our beloved canine companions and shine a light on dogs still waiting for their forever homes. Right here in Northwest Arkansas and Fort Smith, several shelters and rescues are working tirelessly to give dogs a second chance at life.

If you’re looking to adopt, foster, volunteer, or donate, these local organizations are making a big impact in our community.

Celebrating National Dog Day

🏡 Northwest Arkansas Animal Shelters & Rescues

🐾Rogers Humane Society

(Humane Society for Animals, Inc. – Rogers)

Serving Benton County since 1963, the Humane Society for Animals, Inc. in Rogers has cared for more than 90,000 animals over the years. The shelter typically houses around 85 dogs and 20 cats at a time, with an impressive adoption record of placing 750+ pets in homes annually. Services: Adoption, fostering, spay/neuter programs, and humane education.

Location: 407 E. Nursery Rd., Rogers, AR
📞 479-636-3703
Rogers Humane Society Website

🐾Best Friends Pet Resource Center (Bentonville)

As part of the nationally recognized Best Friends Animal Society, this Bentonville hub offers more than just adoptions. They provide pet owner support, foster networks, and community education programs. Their modern, pet-friendly facility also hosts community events centered around animal welfare.

Location: 1312 Melissa Dr, Bentonville, AR 72712
📞 (479) 974-1363
Best Friends' Website

🐾Springdale Animal Services (Springdale)

This city-run shelter takes in strays, rescues abandoned pets, and works with the community to promote responsible pet ownership. Volunteers are always needed to help walk dogs, clean kennels, and assist with adoption events.

Location: 1549 E. Don Tyson Parkway Springdale, AR 72764
📞 479-750-8166
Springdale Animal Services Website

🐾Humane Society of the Ozarks (Fayetteville)

Founded in 1944, the Humane Society of the Ozarks has been a cornerstone of animal welfare in NWA for decades. They rely on foster homes, adoption events, and community partnerships to help dogs find loving families. Their outreach also includes spay/neuter programs to reduce overpopulation.

Location: 1020 S One Mile Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72704
📞 (479) 444-7387
Humane Society of the Ozarks

🐾Washington County Animal Shelter (Fayetteville)

Lester C Howick Animal Shelter, One of the busiest shelters in the region, Washington County Animal Shelter provides essential services to stray and surrendered dogs. They maintain a strong focus on adoption, foster opportunities, and connecting with local rescue groups.

Location: 801 W Clydesdale Dr, Fayetteville, AR 72701
📞 (479) 695-3450
Washington County Animal Shelter

🐾Friends of Prairie Grove Pound (Prairie Grove)

This grassroots volunteer group helps rescue dogs from the Prairie Grove city pound. They network with other shelters, transport dogs to safe rescues, and share adoptable dogs online to help them find forever homes quickly.

Friends of Prairie Grove Pound

🐾Big Paws of Ozarks

Focused on rescuing large-breed dogs, Big Paws of the Ozarks is a foster-based nonprofit that pulls at-risk dogs from overcrowded shelters and gives them a second chance at life. They provide medical care, training, and rehabilitation before placing dogs in forever homes. Their work also includes educating the public about responsible pet ownership and the joys of adopting big dogs.

Location: 121 W Township Ave Suite 4 Fayetteville, AR, 72703
📞 (479) 316-6045
Big Paws of Ozarks

🏡 Fort Smith Animal Shelters & Rescues

Fort Smith Animal Haven (Fort Smith)

A beloved community shelter, Animal Haven rescues homeless pets, provides safe housing, and works hard to match adoptable dogs with caring families. They also rely on volunteers and donors to keep their operations running strong.

Location: 9501 Black Bear Trail, Fort Smith, AR 72916
📞 (479) 551‑2221
Fort Smith Animal Haven

Kitties & Kanines Shelter (Fort Smith)

Though the name highlights both cats and dogs, this nonprofit is devoted to saving all companion animals in the River Valley. They operate through adoptions, fostering, and community outreach, and often partner with rescues across the region to find the right homes.

Location: 4300 Phoenix Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72903
📞 (479) 434‑4740
Kitties & Kanines Shelter

Humane Society of the River Valley (Russellville)

Serving the broader River Valley, this shelter rescues, houses, and rehabilitates stray animals. Their programs include spay/neuter, adoption events, and humane education to encourage responsible pet ownership.