We got our Westie Sami from a fantastic breeder who took extra care to keep us up to date with everything that we wanted to know, but our options for finding a Westie at our home in Portugal were quite limited.
There aren’t many Westie-specific organizations there, but we know how important it is to support rescue organizations.
In the US, for example, there are lots of Westies that need to find homes, and rescue organizations help to do just that.
Westie rescue Houston organizations, for example, do a great job of connecting potential owners with dogs in the area.
If you’re in this region and looking to rehome a Westie in need, start with these organizations.
Westie Rescue Houston Organizations
1. Westie and Scottie Rescue Houston
This organization is a nonprofit dedicated to finding permanent homes for Westies as well as their sibling breeds (Scotties, Cairns, and other small terrier mixes).
While their name suggests that they only work in Houston, this group actually works around Greater Houston and Southern Louisiana, so they can provide help to a large area.
This group has been working since 2001, and they estimate that they help around 170 dogs a year.
As you can imagine, in their 19 years of work, that’s a lot of dogs!
In addition to rehoming services, the group also works to assist with teaching and training, as well as providing some medical services that are very important for these breeds.
2. Lone Star Westie Rescue
This Texas-based Westie rescue site is dedicated to finding homes for Westies that need to find a safe, happy place to be loved!
Much of their website functions like an info booklet for dogs that need to find homes, so it is a great site to use when you want to browse different dogs that are in need of a happy home.
LSWR, Lone Star Westie Rescue, wants to help Westies of all ages and health conditions in the great state of Texas.
They also provide necessary medical, training, and rehabilitation services to the dogs so that they can be rescued more successfully.
Westies in LSWR’s system were either relinquished by owners, turned in as strays, or passed along from other shelter or rescue organizations.
This nonprofit organization works hard to find properly vetted and safe homes for every Westie.
National Westie Rescue Groups
If you aren’t able to find what you are looking for when browsing the Texas westie rescue groups, don’t worry!
There are a number of national rescue groups that may be able to provide the type of support that you are looking for.
1. National West Highland Terrier Rescue
The National West Highland Terrier Rescue is a program run by the West Highland White Terrier Club of America.
This organization has been around since 1999, and the rescue program works to ensure that any Westies that need help are able to get that help.
In particular, the rescue group connects with local clubs to assist any dogs in need.
By reaching out to local organizations in each area, they are more able to help these dogs.
In addition to providing assistance and rescue funds as needed, they ensure that staff and volunteers have everything that they need to safely and successfully rescue Westie dogs.
Finally, this group also works in their main club and through the rescue program to make sure that they promote safe and healthy Westie ownership.
In this way, fewer Westie dogs need to be rehomed each year.
2. Westie Rescue USA
Westie Rescue USA is one of the most robust and well-known national Westie rescue organizations in the US.
In their time, they have rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed more than 1,100 dogs.
They’ve been working for more than 26 years, and they expect to be working for many more years, as well.
This organization uses an impressive 99% of the money donated to them to cover vet bills for Westies that need help.
They have a fantastic tool on their website that allows you to check for more information and contact emails for organizations in each state.
If you want to check out what Westie rescues are in neighboring states to where you are located in Texas, this can be a great way to do just that.
Final Thoughts: Go Get Your Westie!
When I look at Sami, I don’t want to think about his distant cousins being left without a permanent home or in bad conditions.
There are just so many Westies out there that need a little bit more love in their life that I wish I could take more of them in.
Now is as good a time as any to go and get your very own Westie.
With the help of Westie rescue Houston organizations, you can become a great Westie parent as you rehome some of the most wonderful, loving creatures in the world.
What are you waiting for?
