adoption Archives

Senior Dog Finds ‘New Friend’ After Being Left at a Cat Shelter

It’s sad but true that older dogs are often left behind when their owners move to places that don’t allow pets. This isn’t fair to the dogs, who deserve better. This is the story of Honey, a 15-year-old dog left at a place meant for cats, not dogs. Her owners didn’t try to find her a new home; instead, they abandoned her at Tabby Tails Cat Rescue in Ohio. Kay Banks, who works there, saw Honey wandering outside. Initially, Kay … Read more

They Found Him Walking On The Sidewalk But He ‘Wasn’t A Dog At All’

In Mesa, Arizona, a place where you might see rattlesnakes, wild pigs, and mountain lions, a very unexpected creature was found wandering down a sidewalk—a crayfish. “I didn’t even think they lived here honestly,” said Davies, the resident who stumbled upon this unusual sight during a walk with her dog. This surprising discovery happened near Mesa Drive and Broadway Road. The sight of the crayfish, a creature usually found in water, walking on dry land was so unusual that Davies … Read more

This Sweet Pit Bull is Looking for a New Home After Being Left At The Shelter

Every dog deserves a second chance, but not every dog gets one. In the bustling corridors of an animal shelter in Prince George’s County, a dog named Drake faced the harsh realities of his uncertain future. His previous owner had to let him go, possibly because it was too expensive to keep him. Despite his friendly face and strong body, being a pit bull meant Drake was not allowed to be adopted in his own county. This is the beginning … Read more

UPDATE: Longest Shelter Resident Returned After Single Day With Adopters

When a dog gets adopted, they have lots of reasons to feel stressed and confused. They’ll likely need a few days, weeks, or even months to feel like they truly belong in their new home. But not every family has that kind of patience. And sadly, no one has been willing to be patient with the longest shelter resident at the Waco Animal Shelter. Rusty has been in shelters for over 419 days now. Every time he gets a happily … Read more

Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Say Goodbye To Rescued Police K9

Many police K9s train for their roles since birth, but not Champ. Champ the German Shepherd, Pit Bull, and Boxer mix broke barriers when he started his role. As a rescue dog, he proved that any dog can change the world if given a chance. And he likely opened doors for many other rescue pups after him. But after a long, fulfilling career full of excitement, Champ decided it was time to say goodbye. This brave dog passed away amid … Read more

Los Angeles Becomes The Country’s Largest No-Kill City!

The Best Friends Animal Society has been working long and hard to achieve no-kill status across the United States. So far, Delaware is the only state that’s considered completely no-kill. But city by city, dog lovers are helping decrease the euthanasia rates. Hopefully, we’ll soon reach no-kill status across the entire country! Now, Los Angeles is finally considered a “no-kill” city. This makes it the largest no-kill city in the country! We still have a long way to go to … Read more

Florida Couple Runs Busy Dog Rescue Right Out Of Their Home

Most dog rescues rely on dozens of foster homes to function. But anyone who has fostered a canine knows that having an extra dog around can be a lot of work. Imagine if you had to care for about 70 adoptable dogs at once! A Florida couple runs a dog rescue right out of their own home. They could have anywhere from 20 to 75 dogs in their house at once, and they make it look effortless. Since they started … Read more

8-Year-Old Boy Rides His Bike To Save Dogs From The China Meat Trade

When most 8-year-olds go for a bike ride, they just do it for fun. But Rhys Stevens is doing it to make a difference in this world. Rhys will keep biking long distances to help raise money and awareness for the victims of the dog meat trade in China. And so far, he’s raised more than enough money to make an impact. Specifically, Rhys gathered enough money to bring a rescue Husky away from the meat trade and toward a … Read more

UPDATE: Pup Thrown Off Balcony Is Training To Become A Veteran’s Service Dog

A few months ago, a one-year-old German Shepherd survived a nasty fall. Her human tossed her off a second-floor balcony, right in front of police officers. Volusia County Animal Services took the pup into custody and nicknamed her “Miracle.” That drop could’ve killed her, but she landed on her feet and sustained minimal injuries. After life in foster care, Miracle is now preparing for her happily ever after. Humans rushed to save her life that day, so now it’s time … Read more

15-Year-Old “Southern Gentleman” Needs Some Luck On His Side

Swampy the bully mix is all dressed up for Saint Patrick’s Day, but with nowhere to go. At 15-years-old, finding a forever home is hard. Poor Swampy already lost two loving families through no fault of his own, and now he’s down on his luck. But maybe the luck of the Irish will finally be on his side. The St. Tammany Parish Animal Shelter in Louisiana is working hard to find a forever home for Swampy. They describe him as … Read more

UPDATE: Ethan The Formerly Malnourished Dog Gets Adoption Celebration

In late January 2021, a family found a large dog named Ethan alone in a parking lot. He was severely malnourished, weighing less than half of what he should. The pup was so ill and motionless that vets didn’t even know if he was alive at first. But after weeks of consistent care and love, Ethan gained weight and sprang to life. He became a social media star along the way, with many dog lovers cheering him on. Now, Ethan … Read more

Before And After: 17 Beautiful Rescue Dogs’ Transformations

Living in an animal shelter can really take a toll on a dog. Strolling down the aisles of crates and kennels, the stress comes across on their sad little faces. It’s why dogs are so great at showing us how thankful they are when we save them. These before-and-after shots beautifully illustrate the transformations rescue dogs undergo when they’re brought home forever. If these beyond heartwarming photos don’t convince you to #AdoptDontShop, I can’t imagine what will: 1. From Cellmates … Read more

UPDATE: Shelter Director And Overlooked Pit Bull Trade Places For A Day

A Pit Bull named Max has spent over 440 days at the Susquehanna SPCA in New York. He’s the longest current resident, and staff find it unfair that such a sweet dog keeps getting overlooked. So, the shelter devised a plan to draw more attention to the charming pup. Shelter director Stacie Haynes chose to swap places with the 5-year-old Pit Bull for a day. She knows that staying at a shelter for too long can take a toll on … Read more

Wobbly Rescue Pup Will Hop His Way Into Your Heart

If you’ve never seen Morty the special needs Chihuahua before, your heart is about to melt. This tiny, one-eyed rescue pup has been through a lot in his life. But nothing will ever slow him down! And now, Morty has taken the internet by storm after sharing his adorable walk. He loves to strut his stuff like no one is watching. Some dogs might be frustrated with a wobbly walk and only one eye, but Morty embraces it! He wants … Read more

Before Getting A Dog Part II: Supplies To Buy & Preps To Make

You’re getting a dog, and we are so excited for you! Your new family member is almost ready to come home, but before those four furry paws can step foot in the house, you’ll need to have everything prepared for the canine whirlwind that’s about to upend your life in the best way possible. In this second installment of our two-part guide to getting ready for a dog, we’ll cover the supplies you’ll need before bringing the new baby home. … Read more

Before Getting A Dog Part I: What To Think About

Getting a dog is one of the most exciting adventures in life, so congratulations on the decision to grow your family by four furry paws! We love dogs and want to help you give your pooch the best life ever! There’s so much to think about before getting a dog, but don’t worry. This two-part guide is designed to help you on your journey to bringing a dog home. We aim to answer any questions you might have about adopting … Read more

Paralyzed Dog Is Searching For A Family To “Ski” With And Love Forever

Courage the rescue dog doesn’t let anything hold her back. She might not look like the average dog, but she acts as if nothing is wrong. Courage’s back legs are paralyzed, but she’s still able to run around and play like before. It’s all thanks to her special wheelchair and loving foster mom. But Courage’s wheelchair is so much more than just a set of wheels. It also has ski attachments, which allow her to sprint through the snow. Like … Read more

Abused Senior Finally Finds Her Forever Home After 10 Years In A Shelter

In 2011, a man named Ernie Moss witnessed a horrifying scene. While walking his dogs, he came across an object shaking in a ditch. When he got closer, he realized it was a Pit Bull in critical condition. She seemed to have been beaten. Her mouth was bound with electrical tape and her legs were tied together. Moss struggled to free the pup as he told his wife to call for help. Capital Area Humane Society (CAHS) rushed to save … Read more

Stray Dog Who Lost Leg In A Trap Is Flooded With Adoption Applications

Veterinarians first thought that 1-year-old Vision, the stray dog, couldn’t be saved. Animal control found him emaciated and missing part of his back leg in Michigan. But despite everything, he was overly friendly and affectionate. He hid his pain well, so rescue staff agreed that he deserved a fighting chance. With the help of hopeful vets, Vision was rushed to emergency care, where he had his leg fully amputated. It was a lot for a young dog to process, but … Read more

UPDATE: Puppy Celebrates Every Day In Honor Of Brother He Never Met

At the end of 2019, photographer Brendan Wiltse and his partner Shelly said goodbye to their beloved rescue dog, Khyber. Khyber was diagnosed with cancer, given only a few days to live. Yet, instead of wallowing in sorrow, the couple chose to look at the bright side. They lived every remaining day to the fullest and documented Khyber’s “bonus days” on Facebook. Khyber got 87 bonus days with his family, and each one was special. Now, a new rescue dog … Read more

Derrick Nnadi Inspires ZIWI Pet Food To Cover Kansas City Adoption Fees

Chiefs player Derrick Nnadi is known for his kind donations to animal welfare. Leading up to the 2020 Super Bowl, he promised to pay an adoption fee of a hard-to-adopt dog for every game the Chiefs won. Once they reached the 2020 Super Bowl, he set an even higher goal. If the Chiefs won that Super Bowl, he would pay for every dog’s adoption fee at KC Pet Project. He followed through, paying for 100 pet adoption fees. While the … Read more

Shelter Dogs Write Pleading Valentines: Won’t You Be Mine?

Shelters and rescues around the world have to flex their marketing skills when it comes to finding homes for all of the animals in need. UK adoption site DogsBlog.com is similar to Pet Finder here in the United States. Just in time for February 14th, they’re featuring a select group of mixed breeds who have had a ruff time finding a perfect match. The site hopes that the dogs’ Valentine’s Day letters will tug on the right heartstrings and get … Read more

Shelter Has Happy Send-Off Celebration For Dog Adopted After 500 Days

Long-term shelter residents are the dogs most adopters are not ready for. They may have fear symptoms or just be slow to trust, which many don’t have the patience or skills to handle. Either way, these dogs don’t deserve to live their lives inside an animal shelter. A (then) 4-year-old brown and white Pit mix named Bonita was admitted to the Niagara SPCA the summer of 2018. A year and several months later, no one had come to bring her … Read more

Can Human Psychology Help Shelter Dogs Find The Right Homes?

Potential adopters tend to enter animal shelters with some idea of their perfect pup. However, according to psychologists at Indiana University Bloomington, their final decision is often based on only a few specific traits. The discrepancy between what a person says they want and what they actually choose is referred to as the stated–revealed preference gap. It is the basis for Dr. Samantha Cohen’s research on the adoption process. The Problem Currently, 13% of adopted dogs end up back at … Read more

Dog Is Stolen From Shelter Moments Before Being Adopted

Brad, a 5-pound Yorkie, was stolen right out of his kennel at PAWS Atlanta while his hopeful future mom was signing his adoption paperwork. He had only been at the shelter for a week and had already had several people inquire about him. Kay Kenimer had seen Brad’s picture online and had her heart set on adopting him. She’d just lost her 14-year-old Maltese earlier this month and was ready for a new companion. As she was paying the fee and … Read more

Shelter Channels Harry Potter To Sort Dogs By Personality Rather Than Breed

New adopters often find themselves bringing home the cutest or friendliest shelter pup they meet, rather than one that may be perfect for their lifestyle. In order to prevent certain pets from being overlooked due to their breed, age, size or demeanor, the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando has taken a page from the Harry Potter novels. Their “Pawgwarts” sorting system labels dogs by the toys they pick and how they behave in play groups, rather than their superficial traits. “It … Read more

This Quiz Tells You Exactly What Type Of Shelter Dog You Should Adopt (And Matches You)

Here at iHeartDogs, we think there’s a dog out there for anyone who wants a companion. Maybe you’re a homebody who loves to hunker down. Maybe you’re more of an outdoor type who’s in search of an exercise buddy. Perhaps you’re somewhere in between. Whether you’re looking for a pooch that’s large, small, fluffy, short-haired, active, lazy, whatever, there’s a dog in a shelter who’d be perfect for you – you just have to find him or her. Sometimes, pinpointing a … Read more

Unlikely Bonded Pair Who Refuse To Be Separated Find Their Forever Home Together

Bonnie, a 7-year-old Lab mix, and Clyde, a 1-year-old Chihuahua/Terrier mix, were found wandering the streets of Phoenix, Arizona together and were brought to the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) shelter. The staff quickly realized how bonded the two dogs were and stipulated that they must be adopted together. Pictures like the one above of Clyde sitting on Bonnie quickly spread across the internet, bringing fame to the pair. Luckily, the Hayes family, which includes 3 daughters, saw the pictures and … Read more

Rescuers Swoop In To Save Shelter Dog As He’s Being Euthanized

A big-eared pooch named Tiny reached the conclusion of his harrowing rescue story just one week after he narrowly avoided euthanasia at a Philadelphia shelter. A couple read his incredible story and were reminded of their previous dog who was also rescued just before being put to sleep. They fell in love with Tiny’s goofy face, and together the three of them have embarked on their new lives together. It’s a heartwarming happy ending that almost never happened. Tiny found … Read more

Ninja Warrior Battles To Save Homeless & Exploited Dogs

You may recognize Andrew “Roo” Yori as one of the super-human competitive athletes from Season 8 of American Ninja Warrior, where he made it all the way to the National Finals in Vegas! He became known as the “K9 Ninja,” using his television presence to raise public awareness of the plight of homeless dogs. As he prepares to compete once again in ANW Season 9, Yori continues to promote his message of canine rescue and adoption. It all began … Read more

Child’s Act Of Kindness Inspires Others To Pay It Forward For Shelter Dogs

Most 4-year-olds look forward to spending their birthday and Christmas money on toys. Jaxton Betschart decided to use his to help 2 shelter dogs find loving homes. Elyse Betschart is Jaxton’s mom. Last weekend she brought him to the Charleston Animal Society (CAS) shelter where Jax chose 2 Pit Bull-type dogs to sponsor, paying their adoption fees with his own savings. The little boy was first drawn to a white and black pup named Penelope. He especially liked the black … Read more

34,570,384 Meals Donated

260,172 Toys Donated

85,685 Blankets Donated

330,448 Rescue Miles Donated

$75,399 Funded For D.V. Survivors

$1,531,139 Funded For Service Dogs