An animal shelter is a facility that houses homeless, lost or abandoned animals; primarily a large variety of dogs and cats. The animal is kept at the shelter until it is either reclaimed by an owner, adopted to a new owner or placed with another organization. In the past, they were more commonly referred to as "dog pounds", a term which had its origins in the pounds of agricultural communities, where stray cattle would be penned up until claimed by their owners.
A rescue group or rescue organization is dedicated to pet adoption. These groups take unwanted, abandoned, abused, or stray pets and attempt to find suitable new homes for them. Many rescue groups are created by and run by volunteers, who take the animals into their homes and care for them—including training, playing, handling medical issues, and solving behavior problems—until a suitable permanent home can be found.
Rescue groups exist for most types of pet—for example, rabbit rescue or bird rescue, but are most common for dogs and cats.
Arkansas Animal Rescue Foundation
Central Arkansas Rescue Effort
Columbia County Animal Protection Society
Fairfield Bay Animal Protection League
Humane Society of Clark County
Humane Society of Eastern Arkansas
Humane Society of Faulkner County
Humane Society of Independence County
Humane Society of Marion County
Humane Society of Northeast Arkansas
Humane Society of Pulaski County
Humane Society of Saline County
Maumelle Friends of the Animals
Paragould Animal Welfare Society PAWS
Riddle's Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary
Sebastian County Humane Society