LAFAYETTE, CA — A new rescue-dog sanctuary is now operating in downtown Lafayette, and it is open to the public every day.
Hugs for Harry Dog Rescue is listed at 3458 Mt. Diablo Blvd., with the entrance on Second Street. New signs photographed by Bay Area Telegraph on the building say “Adopt or Foster Today” and point visitors toward the Second Street entrance.
The rescue’s website confirms the Lafayette location and says it is open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with appointments available for earlier or later times.
The Basics
Hugs for Harry describes itself as a sanctuary for senior, special-needs, and at-risk dogs “who have nowhere else to go.” The organization says it provides a cage-free environment where dogs live in carefully matched playgroups, rather than a traditional kennel-style setup.
The rescue was founded in spring 2025 by Melonie Jackson and Alexandra Saunders, and is named in honor of Harry, a rescued pit bull whose story inspired the group’s work with vulnerable dogs.
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The Rescue Focuses On Dogs That Are Often Harder To Place
The group’s public materials emphasize senior, disabled, abandoned, abused, and overlooked dogs. Hugs for Harry says some dogs will be adopted into homes, while others may remain sanctuary dogs for the rest of their lives.
That focus makes the new Lafayette location a little different from a typical pet adoption stop. The rescue is not just looking to place young, easy-to-adopt dogs. Its stated niche is taking in dogs that may need extra time, medical care, patience, or a quieter home environment.
How Adoption Works
Hugs for Harry says prospective adopters should start by filling out an online adoption application. After that, the group schedules a meet-and-greet, and asks families to include the whole household — including existing dogs — when meeting a dog they are considering.
The listed adoption fees are $500 for puppies and $250 for adult dogs. The rescue says those fees help cover rescue operations, including surgeries, sterilization, vaccinations, heartworm testing, microchipping, and ongoing care.
There is one wrinkle for locals watching the site: the same address has also been part of Lafayette’s development pipeline. In March, the City of Lafayette said the City Council had approved, with conditions, a six-story mixed-use residential project at 3458 Mt. Diablo Blvd., with 31 residential units and ground-floor commercial space. The city said the existing one-story commercial building would be demolished as part of that project.
For now, though, Hugs for Harry is publicly listing the Lafayette address as its rescue location, and the new exterior signs make clear that the center is actively welcoming people who want to adopt, foster, or help.
