More Than a Shelter.
A Community Built Around Animals.
Scituate Animal Shelter is more than an animal shelter—we're a community resource dedicated to improving the lives of pets and the people who love them across the South Shore of Massachusetts.
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Each year, hundreds of dogs, cats, birds and a variety of small animals find loving homes through our adoption programs, but our work reaches far beyond adoption. Animals are provided veterinary care, nutrition, exercise and housing to restore health and prepare them for new loving homes. Our impact extends far beyond pet adoption. We provide community services including a pet pantry, low-cost vaccine clinics and financial assistance that helps families keep the pets they love.
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Thanks to the generosity of our donors, volunteers, fosters, and adopters, we're building a stronger, more compassionate community where every pet is valued, every family has support when they need it, and every animal has the opportunity to thrive.
Our Shelter
Located at 780 Chief Justice Cushing Highway in Scituate, MA, our shelter is open by appointment and home to dogs, cats, and small animals at various stages of their journey to a forever home.
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Each year, our shelter finds permanent homes for an average of 500+ animals and reunites dozens of lost pets with their owners. Our pets come from every corner of the state. Some arrive as strays, some are surrendered by owners facing hardship, and some are transferred from overcrowded shelters. No matter where they come from, they stay with us as long as they need.
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Our facility includes dedicated spaces for dog care, cat housing, small animal care, veterinary treatment, and adoption meet-and-greet rooms, all designed to reduce stress and support the physical and emotional wellbeing of our animals.
Our Stance On Euthanasia
At the Scituate Animal Shelter, our goal is to give every animal the opportunity for a safe, healthy, and loving future.
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We do not euthanize for population control or because of length of stay. We make every effort to support animals with medical or behavioral needs through treatment, training, foster care, specialized rescue partners, and alternative placement options.
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In rare cases, when an animal is suffering from a severe medical condition or presents a serious safety risk that cannot be responsibly managed, humane euthanasia may be the most compassionate option.
These decisions are never made lightly. Euthanasia is always a last resort, approached with compassion, dignity, and the best interest of each animal in mind.
Our Mission
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The Scituate Animal Shelter exists to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals in need and to serve as a lifelong resource for the people who love them.
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We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (State Shelter License No. 219). We accept animals from Scituate and throughout the region, and we never euthanize for length of stay or lack of space. Every animal that comes through our doors receives the care, time, and attention they need to find the right home.
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Our work is driven by a simple belief: animals and people are better together. That's why we don't just focus on adoption, we invest in our community through education, outreach, and support programs that help keep pets in loving homes and out of shelters in the first place.
Our History
The Scituate Animal Shelter has been serving the South Shore since 1989. What began as a small, local operation has grown into one of the region's most respected animal welfare organizations, one with a dedicated staff, a trained volunteer corps, an in-house
veterinarian, and community programs that touch thousands of lives every year.
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In 2009, we opened our current facility after a successful capital campaign, a milestone that reflected the deep commitment of our community to the animals in our care.
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We are proud to have earned the trust of the Scituate community and beyond. We hold official designations from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and maintain the highest standards of animal care and organizational transparency.