We save dogs like the puppy you see here, who (along with his sibling) was thrown in a trashcan with a rubber band wrapped around his snout. He will likely bear the scars of that abuse for the rest of his life.
Luckily, we were able to give this puppy a happy ending and a loving home, thanks to the help of people like you.
Click the above button to donate any amount or text TAILS to 53555.
Desert Tails is a more than 7000-square-foot, no-kill shelter in Scottsdale, Arizona – but we also partner with rescues in neighboring areas and states to help facilitate transport and care from high-kill zones to no-kill partner rescues.
Due to limited capacity and resources, we unfortunately cannot accept owner surrenders.
We save dogs of:
all breeds
all sizes
all temperaments
Many of the dogs rescued have been abandoned and left to die and/or are at high risk of euthanasia, including pregnant mamas, newborn pups, and dogs that have never been shown love before.
We’re here to change that and help these often overlooked dogs find their forever homes.
Desert Tails is a registered 501(c)(3) charity. EIN 83-1089653.
The (Monetary) Costs of Running a Dog Rescue
Rescuing is expensiveimportant.
(To see the benefits of running a rescue, which can’t be measured in dollars and cents, check out some of our rescue stories below.)
There are six puppies in an average litter, and mama needs care, too!
These costs do NOT include:
Rent
Utilities
Transport
Carriers
Cleaning Supplies
Etc.
Want to help?
Donate immediate via one of the methods below. Or visit our donations page for more options.
Select the tabs to see each picture or video of some of our dog rescues. We’ve interspersed cute, happy pics as palate cleansers in between the videos, some of which may contain sensitive or disturbing content.
As upsetting as many of their stories are, this is the reality of rescue. Sometimes we see the results of humanity at their worst – abandoned pregnant moms, abused and neglected dogs left to die.
But we also get to see how resilient dogs are, how they learn to trust and to give and accept love.
Heart-Nosed Puppy
Shania & Pups (video)
The Power of Love (video)
Adama and Richard
Pamela & Pups (video)
Tulsa (video)
Puppy Love
Roo & Pups (video)
June Bug & Fam (videos)
Let’s start off with this cutie. One of many sweet pups from litters that we’ve rescued.
Sweet heart-nosed puppy that we rescued
Just some of the love we give all our dogs.
Adama showing love to Richard (aka Chili Jr, because he looks like like his mom)
Two sweet puppies we rescued!
Puppy love! Two of our rescue pups share a sweet moment.
Shania was found in a storm drain with her babies. When we met her, she was so scared and shut down. But we gave her lots of love, and she and her pups had a happy ending!
This poor guy was on a chain for most of his life. Check out the transformative power of love.
Another pregnant mama dog who was dumped and abandoned. She was found in a cave with her babies. We took them in.
Tulsa had an incredibly sad life. But we took her in and cared for her.
Roo’s newborn puppies were thrown in a dumpster. They were rescued by a good Samaritan and taken in by us.
This family of dogs was found outside a warehouse, struggling to survive – especially little June Bug, who was born a tripod and was extremely tiny. She weighed 5 oz when her siblings were already 5 lbs.
June Bug was a fighter. Unfortunately, love and medical care aren’t always enough.
Staff is very unprofessional and racist. Felt discriminated when I came in to adopt a while ago and was given no assistance when I would ask for information or help on adopting. I would not recommend going here. I feel bad for the dogs because they’re poorly cared and treated for. SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN.
Back in 2020 I found the cutest little grey pitbull that was exactly what I was looking for in life on desert tails Instagram page. I immediately went to go see him in perosn and fell in love with his mama as well. Fast forward a few months and I adopted both mama and her son Tyson. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am in life. They have been the biggest life in my life and I couldn’t thank desert tails enough for bringing these amazing dogs into my life.For years I said I want to help out and volunteer because they changed my life and I want to be apart of this amazing team. So I started volunteering…and not only do I get to meet some amazing wonderful dogs who come in but i get to work next to some of the mode amazing, selfless, crazy dog moms (as crazy as I am) who share one very important thing in common, to give thousands of dogs a second chance at life. They have saved dogs from terrible situations, dumped in dumpsters, tied to their dead siblings, on the E list for being pregnant and more. Each dog is loved as our own and we do everything we can to make sure these dogs have the best life they deserve. Working here has shown me there are so many terrible human beings in the world but these dogs still love just as hard because all they want is love.I can’t thank desert tails enough for being such an amazing hard working group of women and such an amazing role model for me. I love you desert tails 🤍
Adopted the LOML from Desert Tails! Gus was born to be our dog! He has been the BEST addition to our family! All the lovely humans at Desert Tails go above and beyond when it comes to adoption and dogs in general! If youre looking to adopt (and honestly after that election… YOU NEED A DOG) Desert Tails is THE place! Pictured is Gus with his sister/bestfriend Kiwi
A wonderful "no kill" local shelter, caring for all fur babies waiting to be rescued. Happy Tails ending for us: We are so blessed to have found our new rescue girl Java home where she belongs! Meeting Rachel from DTS who showed us pics/video of the furbabies available @ Desert Tails Shelter rescued from Texas border area- I just fell in "puppy love" seeing Java! Her quirky personality, bouncy and adventurous personality and fluffy wuffy tail we had to meet/greet her. We visited the clean/active/busy facility greeting with barks, tail wags and wiggle butts. - her energy/bouncy and cute smiles just fit her new name like lots of coffee- aka Java Girl. Meeting her sister Angel (current dog) both dogs sniffed/discussed and our hearts were SOLD! We knew the family fit was perfect! We have her current shot/vet records and health reports to share with our local vet. 2 months later our girl is living the life of love/fun and family. Java and Angel get along so well, and she makes friends with all she meets. We would definitely rescue again from DTS. They are organized, clean, community, and caring for their animal care and cautious about potential family placement. YES! rescue/adopt- don't shop! Thank you Adama and Rachel for doing what you do for community! Java says "hello" Thank you!
I’ve been working with Desert Tails for a few years now. They are a wonderful rescue who has helped us in times of need. Couldn’t recommend them enough!
Thank you will never be enough! I adopted Dixie from Desert Tails last year and it has single-handedly been the best decision of my life. Desert Tails was incredibly accommodating and easy to work with, even for me when I flew in last minute from Omaha, NE to get her. Their records were meticulous and the transition was seamless. I forever owe them for bringing the biggest blessing to my life.
Desert Tails is a great shelter. I’ve visited a few times and the dogs always seem well taken care of and the facility is very clean. Would recommend them if you are looking for a great shelter.
My husband and I lost our 15 year old rescue fur baby in February, and waited until the time when our hearts healed to find someone new that we could give a new home.On a whim we found Desert Tails and immediately were met with a wonderful team, who very clearly love what they do. All of the animals we saw are healthy, very clearly taken care of and loved, and the amount of space that each dog has is really nice to see as compared to some smaller shelters that have tiny pens.Our boy Ash met us and immediately demanded belly rubs, run time and kisses....and the very next day we went back to rescue him.
The best animal adoption experience possible. I was looking for a young adult dog and found a my beautiful pup. Everyone there couldn’t have been more kind and helpful. Their hours are limited, but they’re happy to find time to meet. They refused to take any money until I knew my dog would be a permanent family member. The fees were shockingly low. In my opinion, a bad review of Desert is someone who has never rescued an animal. These people aren’t breeders or pet store owners , they’re folks who volunteer their time because they love dogs.
I went to a roller skating fundraiser for the shelter and it was a blast. The pups got attention from the skaters and the tickets price raised $$. There were several vendors and a selfie photo area.
I adopted my pitbull mix from desert tails when he was 8 weeks old and I could not be more happy! Everything was included in the adoption fee (all puppy shots, neuter/spay and micro chip) which made everything easy. The ladies who run this place are amazing!
