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Little Dogs, Big Hearts.

Second Chances.

We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dachshund and dachshund mixes in need across Atlantic Canada with compassion, care and commitment.

Making tails wag again Making Tails Wag Again
Est. 2001 All-volunteer registered charity
Buddy and Badger, two ACDR dachshunds side by side in their harnesses, tongues out and grinning

Our Mission

Atlantic Canadian Dachshund Rescue is an all-volunteer registered charity dedicated to helping dachshunds and dachshund mixes in need. We provide veterinary care, training, support, and safe, loving foster homes while they await carefully matched forever families.

Rescue is our passion. Dachshunds are our purpose.

  • Est. 2001 Twenty-five years
    of second chances
  • Here for
    Families
    Support without judgment,
    every step of the way
  • 100% Volunteer Run
    with Heart
  • Atlantic
    Canada
    Across the region,
    stronger together
Frankie, a tan dachshund, sitting up proudly in his wheeled mobility cart on a sunny grassy hilltop

Compassionate Care · Our IVDD Warrior

Meet Frankie

Brave on wheels.

Frankie is our IVDD Warrior. Intervertebral disc disease took the use of his back legs, but never his spirit: he zooms through every day in his wheelchair with his whole heart out front.

Frankie is a Compassionate Care Foster, which means he stays in our care for the rest of his life. ACDR covers his veterinary care, his food, and everything he needs, for as long as he needs it. He is not waiting for a home. He is already home with us.

Waiting for Their Fur-ever Homes

Each one has a story. Each one deserves a home.

Meet All Our Dogs
Rocky, a black and tan dachshund mix, sitting on a wood floor and looking up at the camera

This is Rocky

A professional cuddler with a big heart who loves belly rubs and being close to his humans. Rocky is ready to meet his fur-ever family.

Read Rocky's story

Our newest rescues are settling in with their wonderful foster families and aren't quite ready to meet you yet. Follow along on Facebook to watch their journeys unfold.

Sometimes, loving them means asking for help.

We're Here for You, Without Judgment

Life can change in ways we never expected. If you find yourself struggling to care for your dachshund, please don't be afraid to reach out. Whether you need information, resources, guidance, or are considering surrendering your dachshund, you don't have to navigate it alone.

We will listen, we will understand, and we will help you explore the options available to you, always with the wellbeing of you and your dachshund at heart.

Asking for help isn't giving up. Sometimes, it's one of the most loving things you can do.

Ways to Help

However you show up, you change a dachshund's life.

Foster

Give a dachshund in transition a safe, loving home to decompress. Our foster families help dachshunds heal, socialize, and get ready for adoption.

Learn more about fostering

Volunteer

There are so many ways to make a difference, from helping at events to lending your skills behind the scenes, transporting dogs, and more. Every volunteer plays an important part in helping us save more dachshunds.

Learn more about volunteering

Adopt

Adopting means opening your heart and home to a dachshund or dachshund mix who needs a second chance. We take the time to get to know each dog and work with adopters to find the right match, because the goal isn't simply a home, but a loving, lifelong relationship.

Learn more about adopting

Our Community, Their Stories

Behind every happy ending is a network of fosters, adopters, and volunteers who refused to give up.

The ACDR Team

Adopted from ACDR? We'd love to share your story. Email us.

Read More Success Stories
A rescued dachshund napping belly-up in a cozy pink donut bed
A long-haired dachshund standing beneath a bush of bright pink blossoms
A dachshund sitting tall in a red bandana, bright and happy
Two ACDR dachshunds face to face on the couch at home

An ACDR Alumni, settled at home