Volunteer-led Westie rescue · New England
Every Westie Deserves Safety, Dignity and Home
We give senior, medically complex and difficult-to-place Westies the specialized care, time and compassion they need — until they are ready for home, or for as long as they need us.
Pictured: Abner, adopted through NAWR in 2016.
- All-Volunteer
- Foster-Based Care
- Long-Term & Hospice Support
Where would you like to start?
- I Want to AdoptOpen your heart and home to a Westie who needs you.Start with adoption
- I Can FosterProvide a temporary home and make a lifelong impact.Foster a dog
- I Need HelpWe are here with guidance and compassionate options.Get help now
- I Want to HelpGive time, skills or support to change a Westie’s life.Ways to help
Adoption status
No Dogs Are Currently Available
Maintained by our volunteers
Every Westie in our care is evaluated in a foster home before placement. This ensures they receive the right care and that we find the best possible match. Applications are always welcome, so we can move quickly when the right dog arrives.
How we help
Care for the Dogs Others Turn Away
Rescue & Surrender Support
We respond to surrenders and crisis situations with compassion.
Owner Support & Coaching
Helping families keep their Westies through guidance and resources.
Adoption & Placement
Thoughtful matching for lasting, loving and appropriate homes.
Foster Care
Foster families provide safety, structure and love at home.
Long-Term & Hospice Care
For Westies who need lifelong care, comfort and dignity.
Volunteer Training
We equip volunteers to make a meaningful difference.
The Sprite Program
The Dogs Others Turn Away
Through our Sprite Program we care for Westies with complex medical needs, behavioral challenges and senior dogs who need more time. We provide veterinary care, behavior support, long-term fostering and hospice care — always with patience and dignity.
Some of these dogs will never be adoptable. They live with one of our volunteers for the rest of their lives, and comfort and quality of life guide every decision we make for them.
All-Volunteer
100% run by dedicated volunteers.
Foster-Based
Dogs live in homes, not kennels.
Serving New England
Westies and families across the region.
Specialized Care
For seniors and complex medical needs.
Lives Changed, One Westie at a Time
Previously Rescued — These Dogs Are Not Available
Adopted 2014Angus
Gus has unique behavioral needs that his family handles expertly. He is very active and has even gone surfing.
Adopted 2017Bear
A gentle giant who loved the outdoors but arrived with a lot of anxiety. In foster care he blossomed.
Adopted 2018Cassie
A 13-year-old “little black dog” who found a forever home with several other senior dogs and a wonderful mom.
Lifetime CareElla Holly
Born with two holes in her heart. She lives permanently in our Sprite program, cared for by a volunteer.
A Temporary Home Can Change Everything
Foster families provide safety, comfort and understanding — the essential first steps toward a settled life. We have no kennels, so every dog we take in lives in a volunteer’s home while we learn what they need.
- We provide food, supplies and all veterinary care.
- You provide love, structure and a safe home.
- Hospice fostering and transport help are both needed.
- We support you throughout, and match every dog carefully.
Because each placement is matched to the household, applying does not guarantee that a dog will be placed with you.
Illustrative photograph — not a dog in our program.
Help Us Say Yes to the Difficult Cases
Your support helps provide veterinary treatment, medication, food, rehabilitation and long-term or hospice care.
North Atlantic Westie Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity, EIN 27-4442364. Donations are tax-deductible.
There’s a Place for You on the Rescue Team
Foster Volunteer
Open your home to a Westie who needs somewhere safe to land.
Hospice Foster
Give comfort and dignity to a dog in their final chapter.
Westie Taxi
Drive dogs to foster homes, vet appointments and adoption days.
Coordination & Support
Social media, fundraising and the behind-the-scenes work.
How Adoption Works
Learn
Understand our mission and the needs of Westies.
Apply
Submit an application so we can learn more.
Screening
A screening interview, then personal and veterinary references.
Home Visit
A local volunteer visits your home to ensure a good fit.
The Right Match
Our placement team matches thoughtfully. You hear from us in writing.
Helpful Resources
Is a Westie Right for Your Family?
Learn about the breed, its temperament, and what to expect before you apply.
Caring for a Senior Westie
Seniors are the dogs we most often take in. Five reasons they make rewarding companions.
Understanding Common Westie Health Needs
An overview of the conditions we see and the standard of care every dog receives.
Need Urgent Help With Your Dog?
If you are facing a crisis or need to surrender your Westie, we are here to help with compassionate options. We are unpaid volunteers, so please leave a message and wait for us to call back. If we have no foster home free, we will refer you on. Email northatlanticwr@gmail.com.