The life expectancy for a shelter animal is 72 hours, and the number of dogs put down in shelters each day is 5,500. Those numbers are according to An Act of Dog, a nonprofit started by Mark Barone, an artist who hand painted 5,500 photos of dogs to help put the number into perspective. Proceeds from the prints (anactofdog.org) help fund the lifesaving work of various rescue groups and no-kill animal shelters. For 10 local rescues, where you can pick up a furever companion of your own, read on. 

1. Fat Kitty City is operated by the Agee Memorial Wildlife Fund, Inc. and holds adoptions of their fully rehabilitated kitties at pet stores in Folsom and Cameron Park. 

2. All About Equine Animal Rescue in El Dorado Hills has seen more than 95 neglected or abandoned horses come through their barn doors since opening in 2009.

3. Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode is located in Diamond Springs and provides opportunities to adopt one of their 2,000-plus rescued dogs and cats each year.

4. El Dorado County Animal Services in Diamond Springs offers found pets (including dogs, cats, rabbits and more) for adoption. 

5. Central California Labrador Retriever Rescue cares for rescued labs and holds adoption events all over the Central Valley, including Folsom’s East Bidwell PetSmart on the first and third Sundays of the month. 

6. NorCal Cocker Rescue, based in Cameron Park, was established in 2013 and works with public animal shelters to place at-risk cocker spaniels and spaniel mixes in loving homes across Northern California. 

7. Foothill Dog Rescue in Shingle Springs is an all-volunteer organization set to re-home dogs rescued from shelters and from owners who can no longer care for them. 

8. El Dorado Humane Society cares for and encourages the adoption of rescued cats in Diamond Springs and surrounding areas. 

9. SaveALife DOG Rescue cares for and encourages the adoption of rescued dogs in Rancho Cordova and surrounding areas. 916-715-7431

10. Sacramento SPCA is one of the largest animal shelters in the region and offers rescued cats, dogs, chickens, birds, rabbits and more for adoption. 

— Adrianna Valencia