Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, Inc.
Our Mission
Homeward Trails Animal Rescue is dedicated to securing permanent, loving homes for dogs and cats while implementing sustainable solutions to address the root causes of animal homelessness. We believe every homeless animal deserves a future filled with love and safety.
Our Story
Founded in 2002 after our founder witnessed the critical needs of an under-resourced shelter in West Virginia, Homeward Trails began as an accidental mission to save lives. Over the past two decades, we have evolved from a small effort into a robust organization that rescues thousands of animals annually from across the mid-Atlantic region and beyond.
How We Help
We operate through a compassionate blend of dedicated foster homes and our Manny Law Adoption Center in Fairfax, VA. By maintaining a manageable number of animals, we ensure every resident receives the individualized medical care, behavioral training, and socialization they need to thrive before meeting their forever family.
Connecting You with Your New Best Friend
Adoption is a joyful, lifelong commitment, and our team works closely with you to ensure a perfect match. We prioritize transparency, sharing all known history and personality traits of our animals to set both you and your new companion up for success from day one. We are here to support your journey long after you head home, providing resources and advice whenever you need it.
Join Us on the Trail
Ready to meet your new best friend? We invite you to browse our available dogs and cats online or visit our Adoption Center during our weekend hours to experience the magic of adoption firsthand. Whether you choose to adopt, foster, or volunteer, you are helping us turn second chances into lifelong happiness.
Trust Assessment
SilverRated Oct 12, 2026
NonprofitVerifiedPhysical FacilityOperating 20+ years
FinancesOnline Review Highlights
- Professional staff and volunteers
- Efficient adoption process
- Operational friction and communication ghosting
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How we assessRecent Videos
10/15 - There’s so much to say about this amazing girl! Luna was adopted as a puppy and then returned at 3 years old. She still has hope that her forever home is out there even though she been waiting a little while. Even though this girl needs a home without pets or kids please don’t overlook her. She is goofy, playful, food motivated, love to hike, and honestly the perfect companion for someone! We know her person is out there so please help us find them! If you are interested please apply on our website or email trailshomefarm@homewardtrails.org if you have any questions. #adoptdontshop #fosteringsaveslives #rescuedog #adoptable #trending
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10/14 - Miss Kimberly was found in rural North Carolina chained to a tree, skin and bones, while nursing her 6 precious puppies. Despite her heartbreaking circumstances, she came to us trusting, loving, and full of resilience! ❤️ This absolute sweetheart DESERVES to be in a Foster Home safe and happy until her forever family finds her! If you have room in your home for this perfect girl - email adoptioncenter@homewardtrails.org or come meet her at the Adoption Center - you will immediately fall in love with her kisses and cuddles 🥰 Click here to look at her Bio! https://www.homewardtrails.org/adoptadog/#sl_embed&page=shelterluv_wrap_1731982735%2Fembed%2Fanimal%2F214653964
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10/14 - Miss Kimberly was found in rural North Carolina chained to a tree, skin and bones, while nursing her 6 precious puppies. Despite her heartbreaking circumstances, she came to us trusting, loving, and full of resilience! ❤️ This absolute sweetheart DESERVES to be in a Foster Home safe and happy until her forever family finds her! If you have room in your home for this perfect girl - email adoptioncenter@homewardtrails.org or come meet her at the Adoption Center - you will immediately fall in love with her kisses and cuddles 🥰 Click here to look at her Bio! https://www.homewardtrails.org/adoptadog/#sl_embed&page=shelterluv_wrap_1731982735%2Fembed%2Fanimal%2F214653964
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10/13 - Miss Miami is ready to find her forever home! Miamis is good with kids over 8 who she has met at our kids camp! She is selective with her dog friends and does best with calm dogs who like to just co exist! She is an absolute lovebug and will make a wonderful addition to any family! If you are interested in Miami please apply on our website it if you have questions please email trailshomefarm@homewardtrails.org #adoptdontshop #fosteringsaveslives #dogsofinstagram #rescuedog #rescuedogsofinstagram
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10/12 - 19 ADOPTIONS. 19 HAPPY ENDINGS. ONE AMAZING WEEK! We’re celebrating 19 Homeward Trails dogs and cats who found their forever homes this week! That’s 19 fresh starts, 19 families with a little more love in their lives, and countless tail wags, happy purrs, and snuggles ahead! Every adoption is a reminder of why rescue matters. Behind each of these going-home photos is a journey made possible by dedicated fosters, volunteers, adopters, and supporters who believe every animal deserves a family of their own. To our amazing adopters, THANK YOU for opening your hearts and homes. And to our newest graduates, here’s to a lifetime of cozy beds, belly rubs, treats, and unconditional love! Enjoy some of this week’s happy going-home moments! 19 down, so many more lives to change. #HomewardTrails #AdoptDontShop #HappyTails #GoingHome
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10/12 - WE NEED YOUR HELP ASAP!!!!!!! Lilly is a three year old German shepherd who had puppies, went through ringworm, and now needs heartworm treatment. During this she needs to be kept calm during her injections. This is almost impossible to do at the shelter and her injections starts tomorrow! If you are able to foster or even want to adopt please let us know! If you have questions you can email trailshomefarm@homewardtrails.org #adoptdontshop #fosteringsaveslives #dogsofinstagram #rescuedog #adoptable
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10/11 - Delilah is looking for her forever home. This amazing girl is an 8 month old beagle/hound mix and is the sweetest pup! She can be nervous at first but very quickly comes over for love! She has done well with other dogs she has met and is almost done recovering from her spay! Please consider adding this amazing girl to your home. #adoptdontshop #fosteringsaveslives #dogsofinstagram #rescuedogsofinstagram #adoptable
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10/10 - Ready to add this amazing dynamic duo to your family? Jessy and Snoopy are the sweetest sisters and are looking for their forever home. Jessy like to put her head on your shoulder and soak up all the love and Snoopy loves to get her belly rubs. They are good with other dogs given a proper introduction. Snoopy loves to wrestle with her friends and Jessy likes to watch and be with her people. Please like and share so we can get this bonded pair their forever home! You can apply on our website or if you have questions you can email trailshomefarm@homewardtrails.org #adoptdontshop #fosteringsaveslives #dogsofinstagram #rescuedogsofinstagram #adoptable
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10/9 - Tammy is on the lookout for her forever home. This petite girl will bring all the joy to your home! She loves to cuddle, play in the water, go on hikes, and really just be with you! Tammy does well with kids! She would prefer to be the only pet in the home. She weighs about 30lbs, is small, and has medium energy! Tammy is an amazing dog and will make her new family incredibly happy! If you are interested to adding Tammy to your home please apply on our website or if you have questions you can email trailshomefarm@homewardtrails.org #adoptdontshop #fosteringsaveslives #dogsofinstagram #rescuedog #trending
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10/8 - Meet ADOPTABLE Patrick!!!! The sweetest boy with the squishiest face and absolute best personality!!! Patrick is such an amazing boy and loves his people. He would do best with a fenced in yard as he was be very scared the first little while in a new place. He prefers to be the only pet but does well with kids 12+! He loves toys, cuddles, and food! We are so excited to help this boy find his forever home! If you have questions please email trailshomefarm@homewardtrails.org or apply for Patrick on our website! #adoptdontshop #fosteringsaveslives #dogsofinstagram #rescuedog #rescuedogsofinstagram
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10/7 - Adoptable Athena!!! She is one of our long term residents and she is ready to find her forever home! #trending #adoptdontshop #fosteringsaveslives #dogsofinstagram #rescuedog
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10/5 - What a way to start October! More wonderful dogs and cats headed off to start their next chapters with their forever families this week. Every single going-home photo makes us happy, but this week feels extra special: our longest-stay girl, Magnolia, finally found her family. 🥹❤️ After waiting so patiently for her people, she landed exactly where she belongs, with a wonderful family ready to give her all the love she deserves. Sometimes it takes a little longer for the right family to come along, but Magnolia is the perfect reminder that the wait can be worth it. Here’s to Magnolia and all of this week’s newly adopted pups and kitties. Not a bad way to kick off a new month! 🐶🐱🏡❤️ #AdoptDontShop #RescueDogs #RescueCats #ForeverHome #HomewardTrails
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