Dogs for Adoption in Salem, VA: 7 Dogs Looking for a Home
By Dogs of the Day · Updated

37 dogs and puppies are waiting for homes at 3 rescues and shelters within 50 miles of Salem. Here are the 7 nearest, each with photos, their story and how to reach the rescue looking after them.
Of the dogs up for adoption within 50 miles of Salem, 6 young dogs, 29 adults and 2 seniors. The breeds you'll see most are Pit Bull Terrier, Hound and Treeing Walker Coonhound, along with plenty of one-of-a-kind mixes.
Not in Salem? Find dogs near your zip code.
1. Mango Grace
Senior · Female · Boxer / Pit Bull Terrier / Mixed (short coat) · 29 mi from Salem



Meet Mango Grace!
This girl does not her let age stop her! She has lots of spunk and is 11 years young! Mango Grace is playful and even sits for treats. She loves to play fetch, but there is no guarantee that she will bring the ball back lol. She is crate trained, mostly housebroken, smart, and highly entertaining.
She is approximately 45 pounds, spayed, vaccinated, heartworm negative, and microchipped. She is probably not a good fit for small dogs and no cats. Mango Grace does get along with other dogs, but as always, we require a meet and greet. Please, please adopt this girl and watch her have fun, fun fun til her owner takes her tennis ball away.
Read more about Mango Grace
Please note, Mango Grace is not a shelter pet, she is in foster care. This is a courtesy post.
For more information please email fobcasfriends@gmail.com.. To be preapproved to adopt, please fill out an application in the link provided https://friendsofbedfordcountyanimalshelter.rescuegroups.org/forms/form?formid=4144
- Good with dogs
- No cats
- House-trained
2. Lacey
Adult · Female · Boxer / Mixed (short coat) · 29 mi from Salem





☀️Lacey is a Super Star☀️
Lacey is one of those very special souls that lights up a room and brings joy just by being in her presence.
Lacey is cuddly, snuggly, and oh so sweet! She is a 5 year old boxer mix, housebroken, crate trained, about 45 pounds, spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped.
She is good with other dogs, as always we do require a meet and greet with other dogs in the home.
When taken into the cat room at the animal shelter, Lacey was intimidated by the hissing kitties and backed away. We feel that is a good indicator that she may be able to live harmoniously live with cats.
Read more about Lacey
Don’t miss out on this awesome little ray of sunshine!☀️☀️☀️☀️
*Lacey is in foster care NOT at the Bedford County Animal Shelter
For more information please email fobcasfriends@gmail.com.. To be preapproved to adopt, please fill out an application in the link provided https://friendsofbedfordcountyanimalshelter.rescuegroups.org/forms/form?formid=4144
To view all available shelter pets please click on this link https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/va/bedford/bedford-county-animal-shelter-va482/
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- House-trained
3. Joy
Senior · Female · Shar Pei / Labrador Retriever / Mixed (short coat) · 29 mi from Salem




Meet Joy! This mellow and beautiful senior lab/ Sharpei mix. She is about 11 years old, spayed, vaccinated, housebroken, crate-trained,and heartworm negative. Joy gets along with most dogs she has met, but as always, we require a meet and greet with other canines in the home. She is not a candidate for a home with cats. She is incredibly sweet and loves to give kisses. She walks beautifully on a leash. She has been in foster care for a very long time searching for a forever home.
*Joy is NOT at the Bedford County Animal Shelter. If you are interested in Joy, please email fobcasfriends@gmail.com.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- No cats
- House-trained
4. Diablo
Young · Male · Hound / Australian Shepherd / Mixed (short coat) · 29 mi from Salem


They call it puppy LOVE!
please note that Diablo is not at the animal shelter and is not a sponsored adoption. He is in foster care with our Rescue group.
Diablo is a 3 month old, neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, mixed breed puppy, adoptable through Friends of Bedford County Animal Shelter. He has a huge personality and has loved everyone he’s met. We’ve learned he loves toys - tennis balls, stuffed animals, tug of war, squeaky toys. He isn’t picky, he just loves to play. He’s working on potty training but seems to be a quick learner. He is dog friendly and has a ton of puppy energy.
Read more about Diablo
For more information please email Friends of Bedford County Animal Shelter at fobcasfriends@gmail.com.. To be preapproved to adopt, please fill out an application in the link provided https://friendsofbedfordcountyanimalshelter.rescuegroups.org/forms/form?formid=4144
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- House-trained
5. Buddy
Adult (3 years) · Male · Chihuahua / Terrier / Mixed (short coat) · 40 mi from Salem







Buddy is such a fun little dude searching for his best friend. He’s silly and playful but also loves some good scratches and a snuggle in a blanket, lap included is even better! He is still learning a lot about the world and how to be the best boy he can, but he is so quick and eager to learn. He loves to be outside and his personality comes out quickly if there’s sunshine and grass involved. Buddy also does really well inside and enjoys crate time. His adoption fee is $250.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
6. Leo
Young (1 year) · Male · Poodle (unknown type) / Schnauzer / Mixed (long coat) · 40 mi from Salem



Leo is a small 1yr old Poodle/Schnauzer mix whose absolute favorite thing in the world is being with his humans! He forms deep, loving bonds incredibly quickly, so if you are looking for a loyal companion to shower you with affection, Leo is your boy!
Read more about Leo
Leo is a social butterfly who
absolutely loves other dogs and cats
. He is fantastic with everyone he meets, making him a wonderful addition to a multi-pet home. Because he is so people-oriented, Leo does experience some separation anxiety. He is looking for a patient, understanding owner who can work with him on building his confidence and showing him that the world is a safe place, even when his humans step away for a moment.
Here is what Leo needs to thrive in his forever home:
A fenced yard:
Leo has much better bathroom manners when he can explore a secure yard on his own terms. He needs a yard to do his business and burn off his energy, so he would not do well in an apartment setting or a home that relies solely on leash walks.
Grooming upkeep:
As a Poodle-Schnauzer mix, Leo’s beautiful coat requires regular professional grooming to keep him looking and feeling his best.
Routine and patience:
Leo is fully crate-trained, which helps give him a safe space of his own. While he is not 100% house-trained yet, keeping him on a routine with access to his yard will help him master it in no time.
Leo is healthy, neutered, microchipped, and completely up to date on all of his vaccines. He is just waiting for the right family to give him the love, patience, and companionship he truly deserves.
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
7. Pasta
Young (7 months) · Male · Hound / Shepherd / Mixed (short coat) · 40 mi from Salem










Pasta is a sweet, curious young dog with a big heart and boundless puppy energy. He mixes the friendly, scent-driven nature of a hound with the smart, loyal drive of a shepherd — so he’s playful, eager to learn, and loves exploring with his nose. Pasta is affectionate and attentive to his people and enjoys cuddles after playtime. He was placed in a loving family as a young puppy but he is very insistent on play and attention with other dogs, and their other dog was less than receptive to his in-your-face play style. They gave him a fantastic foundation with training and general manners. He does not jump, walks nicely on a leash with minimal corrections.
Read more about Pasta
Personality & Skills:
Very social and enjoys meeting new people
Playful and active — needs regular exercise and mental stimulation
Food-motivated and quick to learn basic commands
Crate and House Trained
Loves toys, sniffing adventures, and short hikes/walks
Good fit for:
Active individuals or families who can provide daily exercise and training
Homes open to continued socialization and training classes
Families with older children over 10
Would do well with a confident dog playmate
Health & Care:
Up-to-date on age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming
Microchipped and neutered, does not mark
Will benefit from ongoing positive-reinforcement training and socialization
Adoption Fee: $250
Adoption info: If you’re ready to give Pasta a loving, active home and help him grow into a well-trained companion, the first step is filling out an application
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- House-trained
Rescues and shelters near Salem
The rescues with the most dogs listed within 50 miles of Salem.
- Alleghany Humane SocietyLow Moor, VA · 30 dogs · 33 mi from Salem
- Friends Of Bedford County Animal ShelterBedford, VA · 4 dogs · 29 mi from Salem
How to adopt from Friends Of Bedford County Animal Shelter
Bedford County Animal Shelter adoption process is a contract and a $60.00 adoption fee. With the adoption fee you receive an adoption packet including a $60.00 voucher to be used toward necessary vetting.
- Central Virginia Regional RescueForest, VA · 3 dogs · 40 mi from Salem
How to adopt from Central Virginia Regional Rescue
We have an extensive application process where veterinary references are checked (we require all current and past animals have been altered and that the client shows a history of good vet care) and we has a number of questions targeted at encouraging the adopting family to really consider if they are ready financially and emotionally to support an animal life long. We also try to match the right animal with the right home with consideration to the adopters previous animal experience, energy level, and general personality. After reviewing and approving and applicant (on paper), we meet with them and all members of their house hold including other resident dogs. We offer one week trials to ensure this decision is in the best interest of both human and animal. If all parties are confident upon meeting, then we have a contract which also states that if any anytime they are unable to keep the animal, that they will return in to our organization. Adoption fees vary from $100-275 based on age, size, and breed, with $175 as an average.
Adopting a dog in Salem
Most rescues ask you to fill in an application, meet the dog, and pay an adoption fee that usually covers spaying or neutering, vaccinations and a microchip. Many are foster-based, so you'll often meet your dog in a volunteer's home rather than a shelter.
Senior dogs are often the calmest companions and the slowest to find homes. If you'd like a settled, affectionate dog, ask the rescues about their older residents.
Questions about adopting a dog in Salem
How many dogs are up for adoption in Salem?
As of November 4, 2026, 37 dogs and puppies are listed for adoption within 50 miles of Salem, Virginia, by 3 rescues and shelters. The list is updated every day.
Where can I adopt a dog in Salem?
The rescues with the most dogs near Salem right now are Alleghany Humane Society (Low Moor, VA), Friends Of Bedford County Animal Shelter (Bedford, VA) and Central Virginia Regional Rescue (Forest, VA). Each dog above has the rescue's phone number and website.
Are there puppies for adoption in Salem?
Not right now. Rescues within 50 miles of Salem have no puppies listed today, but new dogs arrive every day, so check back soon.
How do I adopt a dog in Salem?
Pick a dog and contact the rescue or shelter looking after them. Most ask you to fill in an application, meet the dog, and pay an adoption fee that usually covers spaying or neutering, vaccinations and a microchip.
Listings are updated daily. Rescues are responsible for their own listings; a dog may have been adopted since this page was updated.