KARMA

Female | 12 years old | 63 pounds | Medium energy | Good with older, dog-savvy kids | Best as a solo dog | No exposure to cats, likely best in a cat-free home | From Hamilton | Fostered in Hamilton | Loves enrichment activities | Affectionate & energetic

Here comes a senior dog, sloooowly & weakly padding along… *record scratch* PSYCH not this senior. Nope, this senior is charging over here full-speed ahead (and watch out for that tail!) Meet KARMA! She’s 12 years old but jam-packed full of energy. This sweet brindle came to us from a shelter in Hamilton and has been settling in and growing her confidence in foster care. 

KARMA loves any & all activities. Walking, hiking, playing, training, enrichment activities…sign her up. She’s looking for an active family that loves going for adventures but also loves chilling. When KARMA gets adequate activity, she is happy to relax for a movie night with her peeps. With her trusted humans, KARMA is very affectionate and has a heart as big as her 14-inch ear span. Meeting new people she can be apprehensive — but with slow & calm intros she warms up quickly. 

As much as she loves going for walks, KARMA can be vocal on leash and her future home will want to continue working through this with her. She may have a harder time in a building where her chances of running into other dogs in hallways/elevators is higher — due to being vocal passing them. Depends on how she responds to ongoing support from her caregiver. We haven’t cat tested her yet. We think she’d thrive best in a home where she’s the only animal. This is how she’s been living in foster care and it seems to work for her.

KARMA does well with older, dog-savvy kids and would be happy in a home with more humans to give her attention and activity. She’s looking for a family that can devote time & attention to giving her mental stimulation and ALL the love & affection. 

Something we love about KARMA is how clumsy & silly she is. She’s a lovable goofball who’s fun to be around. Want to be around her all the time? Apply to adopt!

DAIZY

Female | 5.5 years old | 42 pounds | Medium-low energy | Good second dog | Hasn’t met kids or cats | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | Sweet & gentle | Shy & building up confidence

Meet scruff DAIZY. She’s sweet, gentle and oh so unique, just like the spelling of her name! She’s in search of a quiet, chill home outside the city where she can enjoy a consistent routine that involves a nice long walk. If you’re keen on adopting her and live in the city, she could do well with a second dog in the home that can help lead the way.

Making the move from a shelter in Mexico to city living in Toronto has been a big change for her and rightly so! Every once and a while, her foster catches a glimpse of the personality that’s just waiting to emerge as she gains confidence in a new environment. DAIZY has shown she’s keen on belly rubs! She can be a bit of a picky eater though, so don’t expect food to particularly motivate her.

Something that fills our hearts to the brim is when she shows trust in her humans, choosing to walk alongside you down a busy street of strangers. Loud noises and sudden movements can still catch her off guard though, so older dog-savvy kids would be best for her, if you have any, for now. When not out on a walk, DAIZY loves to catch up on her Zzz’s, which makes sense given her energy level. You’ll find that she’s content to chill out by herself at any given time, which has made crate training a breeze. Apply to adopt!

LION - APP IN PROCESS

Male | 4 years old | 45 pounds | Medium-low energy |  Hasn’t met cats, shows some prey drive | Not kid-tested | Has met some dogs | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | Gentle & affectionate | Independent

ROAR! OK, so we’re totally kidding, this LION doesn’t actually snarl, chuff, purr, OR roar for that matter. In fact, LION is best described as gentle, affectionate, and calm. Think: a little less terrifying and a little more tender. It’s a nice contrast to his formidable name, we think.

While this scruff is currently being fostered in Toronto, his prime habitat would be one in which he can enjoy a moderate level of activity throughout the day and receive lots of human attention. You’ll find that LION is happy to watch the world go by from the window and will eagerly accept belly scratches, but all of this is eclipsed by any and all chances to sunbathe on the patio. If you got the impression that LION is easy going, well you’d certainly be correct. He’ll make a great companion to a home with dog-savvy kids and potentially other dogs. (No, he doesn’t live in a pride!)

While curious, know that he’s still working on his confidence meeting other dogs. He’s a little shy with them, but with practice and proper introductions, he will do just fine. He fills his days with a couple of walks, time to train and focus on recall outside of the house with all those smells and sounds. His foster fam will have you know that LION is brilliant at walking on the leash, and enjoys his morning trips to the park. So. Ready to adopt? We’re excited for you!

SIMON

Male | 1.5 years old | 58 pounds | Medium energy | Coexisting well with other dogs | Hasn’t met cats, but can be cat-tested upon request | No exposure to children | Currently living in a shelter in Mexico | Looking for an adoption trial | Playful & affectionate

SIMON says, get ready to meet your new favourite cuddle buddy. SIMON says, prepare to play with the most-loving goofball. SIMON says, apply for an adoption trial! This sweet dog is currently living in a shelter in Mexico with our partner rescue, but he’s ready to fly over here anytime. You say when, (don’t forget to say "SIMON says" first though…) and his flight to Canada will be arranged.

Our team met SIMON on our trip to Mexico earlier this year. And, well, we fell in love. He’s the most affectionate dog — if you sit on the ground near him, he’ll be rushing over to climb onto your lap and cuddle you forevermore. Something about SIMON is he loves people. Like, a lot.

One thing you should know about SIMON is that he was injured as a puppy, causing his left hind leg to heal differently. This leg is shorter than the others and his paw looks a little different too! He still uses this leg for balance, and to scratch, etc. It also doesn’t cause him any pain.

SIMON is an energetic & playful young pup (not even 2 years old yet!). Though he leans more toward human companionship over being around other dogs, he still enjoys playing, goofing off & having fun with his canine pals at the shelter.

Though SIMON hasn’t met any cats yet, if you are interested in having him cat-tested, we can arrange for him to meet cats while in Mexico and they’ll report back on how he fares. He however hasn’t had any exposure to children yet, so we can’t speak to how he’d do in a home with kids around.

Interested in welcoming this special dog into your home? SIMON says apply for an adoption trial!

Please note, Simon has been living in a shelter for over a year, so adjustment to living in an urban context will require guidance & support. All the info above is how Simon exists in a spot he’s comfortable, but it will be up to his future family to make him feel comfortable in his new environment.

P.S. Scroll to see the conditions he was found in over a year ago. He’s had a journey so far and we can’t wait to complete his story with being adopted. If you’d like to contribute to sponsoring his next steps, join us in helping raise funds by visiting our 10 dogs in 10 days fundraiser.

POLO

Male | 3 years old | 26 pounds | Medium energy | Hasn’t met other dogs off-leash yet | No exposure to children, likely better with older kids | Never met cats, shows prey drive | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | Timid & playful

You know Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen… but have you met POLO? If Santa needed a new reindeer, he’d be a top candidate. Sure, he’s TECHNICALLY a dog, but he’s so light on his feet and prances around like he may or may not be flying. We’re not totally convinced. Someone send in a DNA-My-Reindeer test please.

POLO is living for all the human attention. He loves to cuddle and will physically place himself as close to his humans as possible in the hopes of receiving endless pets. He can be a little shy at first, but warms up quickly. After that, he’s all in and ready to show off his goofy side. And once he really warms up, he can become a bit of a shadow.

So far in foster care, POLO has only met dogs on-leash. He can be a little apprehensive of other dogs he passes on walks. Initially he seemed shy & nervous around other dogs, but more recently he will bark at them as they walk past. This is not to say he wouldn’t do well as a second dog. In fact, his timid personality could do well with another doggy companion showing him the ropes. But he has also been doing fine as a solo dog in foster care, so he could go either way.

POLO does well in his crate at bedtime and during the occasional workdays when his human goes into the office. Sometimes he’ll tuck himself in for a nap during the day when he notices his crate door is open. He is overall very chill indoors, though he’ll occasionally get adorable bursts of zoomies. As long as he gets a few quality walks a day, playtime & enrichment, he’s happy to hang out inside.

POLO is fearful of loud noises & sudden movements, so likely not best with younger (unpredictable) children. He could be OK with older, calmer kids though. He does also sometimes jump up on humans when he’s excited to see them. POLO hasn’t met cats yet, but shows prey drive with local squirrels.

Does POLO sound like the dog (or uh, reindeer) for you? Apply to adopt him at saveourscruff.org!

CANUTA

Female | 3.5 years old | 49 pounds | Medium-low energy | Calm meeting dogs | Has met kids | Hasn’t met cats | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | Chill, sweet & affectionate

She’s already wagging her tail for pats! Meet sweet CANUTA. Described as both chill and affectionate by her foster fam, CANUTA is an almost 4-year-old scruff looking for a home to call her own. Her relatively low energy level means she’s likely best suited for a quieter home that’s not always go-go-go and more interested in a moderate level of activity throughout the day.

We’re happy to share that she’s already picked up certain commands at light speed, like how to sit. She’s been progressing with crate training and no longer barks in her crate! As CANUTA is still settling in Toronto after a big move from Mexico, a few things like loud trucks and buses can make her nervous. Generally speaking, though, CANUTA is a relaxed dog who’s happy to work with her fosters, which is why you might really enjoy training sessions with her!

Her fosters have enjoyed seeing her learn new things, and they’ve shared that she’s happy to work for affection and that keeping kibble on hand for leash training works great. CANUTA continues to warm up to using her crate when asked, though she’ll happily go in on her own time. In terms of who she’s interacted with, she’s met kids, and would likely do well in a home with these young humans. When meeting dogs, CANUTA shows off her calm self, only showing mild interest when on leash. She’ll easily take direction from her humans in these scenarios. Interested in this low-key kinda gal? Apply to adopt CANUTA today!

CHISPA - APP IN PROCESS

Female | 3 years old | 32 pounds | Medium energy | Good solo dog, but might be fine as a second dog to a calm companion | No exposure to children, likely better with older kids, if any | Never met cats, shows prey drive | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | Affectionate, confident & a little cheeky

Here comes the confident & charismatic CHISPA! Imagine waking up and you’re in an all-women prison, or it’s a never-ending deja-vu of your birthday party and every day is exactly the same. Sounds tough, but if anyone could handle it other than Natasha Lyonne, it’s CHISPA. Much like the fluffy-haired, sarcastic celeb, this dog is brave and yes, sometimes a little cheeky. It’s part of her charm.

When we say CHISPA is brave, we mean it. When she first arrived in Canada, she was afraid of many things: stairs, the outdoors, the spooky dryer exhaust vent. Today she’s a confident dog who can handle any & all spooky new things!
CHISPA is a cuddle bug who lives for human affection. She is working on being less pushy for pets and not jumping up (she just gets so pumped to see them). That said, she's also independent and happy to go in her crate for downtime. She loves rules & responds well to redirection. CHISPA hasn’t met kids yet, but because of her jumping habit, she wouldn’t be best with small children.

CHISPA is not a fan of pushy, boisterous dogs and can be a bit standoffish to those types when she passes them on walks. She prefers laid-back dogs who keep their space. She’s been living as a solo dog in foster care. This has suited her well, but that’s not to say she couldn’t be a second dog. We just think a more laid-back pup who respects her space would be a better match than a playful dog. She hasn’t met cats yet apart from one she saw at a great distance (which she stopped to stare at in amazement but otherwise left alone), but she does show prey drive with squirrels.

CHISPA is a champ in her crate & could totally work with a 9-5er as long as her fam is committed to giving her adequate exercise & engagement outside of the workday. She’s adaptable and could do well in many environments. Is your home the home for her? Apply to adopt CHISPA!

LINO

Male | 10 months old | 43 pounds | Medium energy with puppy-energy bursts | Timid meeting dogs but warms up quickly | Good second dog to a chill companion | No exposure to children, likely fine with calm, dog-savvy kids | Never met cats, shows some prey drive | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | Gentle, shy & affectionate

Here comes LINO! This adorable pup has been adapting to life in Canada. He has a calm & gentle demeanor but that doesn’t mean he’s not up for a little fun. He loves zooming around as much as the next guy — he is still a puppy after all. 

LINO is currently enjoying a packed schedule with a few quality walks a day sprinkled into his agenda that’s otherwise filled with equal-parts naps & chomping on a chew toy. Getting used to his new life was a big adjustment! He’s been spending his time in foster care learning basic commands, how to walk on a leash & ask to go outside, and his biggest lesson so far: how to go up & down stairs! He was terrified at first but now isn’t even fazed by them. 10/10 brave boy.

With other dogs, LINO can be a little timid at first, but warms up quickly and will even start playing once he feels comfortable. We think he could do well as a second dog to a calm companion, but he could also do just fine as a solo dog. LINO hasn’t met kids or cats yet, so we can’t speak to how he’d do in either situation. Due to his calm & gentle personality, he’d likely be fine with dog-savvy kids. He has passed cats on the street and didn’t bat an eye, though he shows some prey drive with squirrels & birds.

One thing about LINO is he has a few fears. His biggest (even scarier than stairs) is being left alone and has been showing separation anxiety in foster care. Left in his crate he will occasionally bark or whine, which means he is likely not suited to a home that shares a wall with neighbours. His new home will want to continue working through his crate training. He is also spooked by loud noises, so likely would not thrive in noisy, downtown environments.

LINO is almost as smart as he is cute as a button. He’s already learning all the new tricks like a pro. Want a little LINO in your life? Apply to adopt him!

BELLA

Female | 39 pounds | ~1.5 years old | Medium energy | Previously lived with dogs | No cats please! | Limited exposure to kids | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | Gentle & affectionate

Look no further, because BELLA is here to steal your heart! This sweet husky mix scruff may have lower energy levels than expected for her breed, but we’re totally here for her sweet, loving nature.

BELLA is the epitome of chill, preferring cozy days at home. You can typically find her leaning in for extra pets or rolling over for a belly rub. Having recently moved from Mexico, her energy levels may pick up as she adjusts to city living in Toronto.

This little husky mix is seeking a patient and caring handler to help her feel secure in the bustling city of Toronto. With her uncertain footing on busy streets, sensitivity to loud noises, and unease in crowded areas, she's in need of a steady companion to provide reassurance and guidance. She appears to shed some of her nervous energy around the company of other dogs and with continued training has the potential to flourish into a fearless explorer of the great outdoors! For now, growing her confidence is something she's chipping away at daily.

We love to humble brag, and, inside the home, BELLA is a model scruff. She respects boundaries, understanding that the sofa and bed are off-limits. Crate training is progressing smoothly, and she has quickly grasped the concept of house training. She loves to show off her skills for treats and is working on leash training.

While BELLA has yet to show confidence playing outside, she's always up for a game indoors.

With your care and guidance, BELLA is sure to blossom into the perfect companion for cozy nights in and leisurely strolls through the neighborhood.

Adopt BELLA today! 🐾❤️

SANTANA - APP IN PROCESS

Female | 1.5 years old | 46 pounds | Medium energy | Hasn’t met kids or cats | Previously lived with dogs at a shelter | From Mexico | Fostered in Hamilton | Affectionate & playful | Enjoys car rides

Scruffy (not quite puppy) kisses incoming!!! If you haven’t already considered bringing home this absolute bundle of joy who goes by the name SANTANA, well, we don’t know what you’re doing. This real ray of sunshine is affectionate and rambunctious and loves to love her humans. She also loves it when they express their affinity for her in the form of pats and scratches. She will, quite literally, melt into the floor.

SANTANA is the kind of scruff companion who's happiest at her human’s side (or napping after a play session). It’s what helps her form such strong bonds, and we can’t wait to see her build that in a new home. You’ll catch a glimpse of this on walks where she’ll stick by your side making lots of eye contact. She’s a great learner, this one and responds particularly well when treats are on the line. Oh, and she’s doing really well with crating. What she’s still working on learning is manners! She’s nosy and curious and will typically try to get your attention if she doesn’t have it, which might end up with her chewing things she shouldn’t.

SANTANA has been busy growing in confidence as she spends her days in Hamilton, though she can still get a bit nervy when meeting new humans as well as being outside on a walk. This will take patience and guidance with her new fam by her side. Think you might be the right fit for her? Apply to adopt this bundle of joy today!

LOLITA

Female | 2.5 years old | ~17 pounds | Medium energy | Gets along well with kids | No cats please, shows prey drive | Excitable meeting dogs | From Mexico | Fostered in Mississauga | Active and playful

Having relatively swiftly adjusted to a Canadian lifestyle, LOLITA is one of our newest (and arguable sweetest!) adoptables. She’s been busy settling into foster care in her humans’ home in Mississauga, and we can’t wait for her to find her future adopters so that they too, can give her all the love, affection, and cuddles she craves! She likes to lead a pampered little life :) 

Outdoors, LOLITA is an active, playful dog who likes to explore, and she will do well with a fam that can match this vibe. A little fun and a little adventurous with the occasional zoomies. Green space would be cool for her, but whether it’s a backyard or a nearby park with trails doesn’t matter to her. She loves spending time in the sunshine. Inside, she’s happy to snooze, relaxing in her bed.

Generally boisterous meeting other scruffs, LOLITA continues to work on her reactivity, in particular with larger dogs. More often with smaller scruffs, she’ll show off her playful side. Such is the case when she meets other scruffs, since that’s pretty exciting stuff, and with training, will be able to learn how to approach in a calm manner. LOLITA is a quick learner and her foster fam has learned that consistency is key with her, especially since she’s not very food motivated.

LOLITA is currently working on commands including sit, and, of course, will require training going forward! She’s progressed really well with leash training, and we’re excited to see what she conquers next. Could she be the gal for you? Apply today!