Looking for things to do in the San Jose area with your new canine companion? You’ll both find a friendly crowd at Hellyer Dog Park on a Saturday morning. The spacious fenced park is a great choice for Fido to play off-leash. Another fully fenced park in San Jose is Butcher Dog Park. It features all dog-owner favorites, such as shade trees, Astroturf, benches, mulch areas, and a separate small dog area. Take a day trip to Almaden Quicksilver County Park where you’ll see remnants of California’s 19th Century mining era while hiking the trails. An abundance of trails, 34 miles of them to be exact, await you and Fido in south San Jose. The park encompasses more than 4,000 acres along the Capitancillos Ridge. Be sure to visit in spring when the wildflowers are spectacular. If you want to do some shopping for locally grown fruits and veggies, head over to the Downtown Farmers’ Market on Fridays, May through November. You can grab a bite to eat at a local food vendor, find baked goods, and shop for local produce.

Bring home a bundle of fresh flowers to brighten up your home. There’s something for everyone at the market on a warm, sunny day. San Jose Dog Rescues & Shelters Below you'll find many San Jose focused rescue organizations. The first month is the most important to bond with a new dog. Learn what to expect. Adopt a Shelter Pet » Adopt a Dog Looking to adopt a dog or puppy?North Shore Animal League America is the world’s largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization with hundreds of dogs and puppies available for adoption every week. We always have a wide variety of animals looking for new loving homes, including pure-breed and mixed-breed dogs and puppies ranging in all ages, shapes and sizes. Just some of the breeds that come through our doors include: Beagles, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Golden Retrievers, King Charles Cavalier Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, Pomeranians, Poodles, Pugs, Yorkshire Terriers, and many more. Search through our adoptable dogs and puppies at our Port Washington, NY shelter or the available animals in your area by using our PUPPYFETCH® search tool.

Or, come visit our shelter and meet your new best friend today. Click here for directions to our Port Washington, NY, shelter. Below is just a sample of some of the amazing dogs currently available at our Port Washington shelter... What are some of the benefits of adopting a dog? Some of the benefits of adopting a dog include: companionship, entertainment, life-lessons, a better quality of life and mental and physical health improvements. How can adopting a dog improve my health? Studies have shown that owning and loving a dog can decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels and reduce depression, anxiety and loneliness. It is also believed that the close bond between a human and animal companion offers significant social, physiological and psychological benefits. How can adopting a dog improve my quality of life? Owning a dog appeals to and is beneficial to people of all ages. Children learn responsibility, value for life, socialization and have higher self-esteem while adults and seniors enjoy the companionship and the feelings of self-worth and purpose that taking care of an animal instills.