Dog Rescue and Adoption

A small black and tan Chihuahua being held gently by a person with multiple rings on their fingers. The dog has large ears and dark shiny eyes, and the background is blurred.

Update: Adopted!

Meet Willow - A Tiny Survivor Ready to Find Her Forever Home

10-year-old Willow was found abandoned along with several other dogs on a remote dirt road in Santa Cruz County. She arrived in rough shape, suffering from multiple painful medical issues including a nasal fistula, serious dental problems, and irritated skin.

In December 2024, Willow joined CAPE’s Foster Care Program, and her transformation since then has been nothing short of remarkable. This resilient little lady faced every treatment with bravery, and while she does have a heart murmur, all her other conditions have been successfully treated. Today, Willow is thriving, happy, healthy, and full of life!

Now, Willow is ready to find her forever home. This pint-sized sweetheart loves being cuddled and charms everyone she meets with her bright spirit. Her foster mom describes her as a “little character” who is equal parts sass and sweetness. She shows affection with lots of kisses, adores being cradled in your arms, loves to burrow in the blankets for cozy naps, and never misses a chance to soak up some sun.

Willow knows what she wants and isn’t shy about expressing it. She gets along great with other dogs, and she would do best in a child-free home.

Could you be the one to give Willow the loving home she’s been waiting for?
 
Reach out at info@capeanimals.org or fill out an adoption application below!

A small black and tan Chihuahua being held by a person with manicured nails and rings, indoors with blurred flowers and furniture in the background.
Close-up of a small black and tan Chihuahua being held by a person, with a plant with purple and pink flowers in the background.

Since its founding in 1992, CAPE has worked closely with animal shelters and rescue groups to take in animals who have the lowest chances of finding forever homes. CAPE has helped thousands of animals, particularly those who are older or have special needs, by providing them with what they need most: time, love, and essential veterinary care. Learn more about CAPE’s foster and adoption programs below!

Ready to adopt your new best friend?

A woman with brown hair and sunglasses smiling and holding a small dog in an indoor space with checkered black and white floor, a blue door, and plants.

Muttopia

A brown and white dog with large, upright ears, sitting on a purple blanket. The dog is looking directly at the camera with a curious expression.

Muttopia was made possible through the generous bequest of Lisa Landey, a lifelong advocate for dogs and a true champion of compassion. Her heartfelt donation inspired CAPE to partner with Compassion Without Borders to purchase the facility, creating a shared haven where both organizations can rescue, rehabilitate, and give new hope to countless dogs in need.

We are deeply grateful for Lisa’s unwavering compassion for all living beings. Her legacy lives on in the countless animals saved and the lives transformed through CAPE, CWOB, and Muttopia.

In 2017, CAPE, in partnership with Compassion Without Borders, founded Muttopia in Santa Rosa, California. Muttopia offers a temporary refuge for homeless dogs saved from under-resourced communities in the US and Mexico, as well as overcrowded shelters in California. Here, dogs receive the time, veterinary care, and love they need to heal and thrive before being placed up for adoption.

A dog with a white and brown coat walking on a grassy and pine needle-covered ground outdoors

Assisted Living program

CAPE's Assisted Living Program provides lifetime foster care for dogs who have little or no chance of being adopted, focusing on seniors and those with special needs. Many of these animals are overlooked in shelters due to chronic health conditions or temperament challenges.

Small dog with one eye closed, lying on a soft surface next to a red blanket.
Two women and two dogs interact in a grassy outdoor setting, with one woman sitting on the ground and the other standing, both smiling and touching the dogs.

The success of this program is a testament to the compassion and dedication of our incredible foster volunteer team, for whom we are deeply grateful.

If you are interested in becoming a foster volunteer for an animal with special needs, please fill out the Foster Application below. ​

Through this program, CAPE has saved the lives of countless dogs by placing them in permanent, loving homes with dedicated foster volunteers. Volunteers make a lifelong commitment to care for these animals, with CAPE covering all their medical and care costs.

A small dog with a patchwork coat sitting on the ground, looking out through a square hole in a wooden wall, with two dog bowls in the foreground.

Meet the Assisted Living Dogs!