TOKI

Female | 3 months old | 35 pounds & growing! | Medium energy | Good second dog | Has fun meeting kids | Hasn’t met cats | From Manitoba | Fostered in Etobicoke | Sweet, sassy & smart

If you’re looking for a pup with some seriously cool vibes, TOKI is your gal. Described by her foster fam as the “easiest puppy ever,” TOKI is house-trained and has a good understanding of boundaries. The only boundary she might try to push is when she’s using her crate. Right now, she’s getting comfortable having her meals there to learn that it’s her very own safe place. She sleeps through the night in her crate, usually with one break in the middle.

While she can be timid at first, TOKI enjoys meeting kids at her level and will often roll over to ask for a belly rub. We think she’d be great living as part of a family with kids. As much as she loves people, she loves dogs even more and has loved every one she’s met! Her days typically involve a nice mix of training, playing, and resting, and she looks for guidance from the dogs she lives with.

Now, it’s important to keep in mind TOKI is also her foster fam’s 7th (!!!) foster dog, so they have gained lots of experience. That said, TOKI really has progressed so much in such a short period of time, which is what makes her seem like such an easy addition to the family. Some other things we think you should know about her include her love for sleep, but of course, she still has the occasional puppy zoomies. Exploring on her own is also fun for her, and she uses that time in the backyard to gain some additional independence. 

Think this sweet and smart gal could be a good fit for you? Apply to adopt!

GORDIE

Male | 5.5 years old | 70 pounds (and working on losing some!) | Medium energy | Does well with kids of all ages | Playful with dogs | Lives with a cat | From Tennessee | Fostered in Guelph | Playful, sweet & goofy | Looking for an active family

Meet GORDIE! Five-and-a-half years old, and this scruff is searching for furever. Interested? He’s a smarty-pants and really shines when his people create structure for him throughout the day. With a medium energy level, he needs a good amount of exercise daily, and his love for adventure is sure to keep you busy!

Throughout any given day, GORDIE can often be found getting some physical activity in. He’s a BIG fan of his walks and also loves a good trail hike. Training and working are fun for him, and, after all that activity, he’s down for a crate nap. Oh, and don’t forget time to gnaw on a chew toy, play scent games and chase a ball! He’s big on those, too. All in all, if you’re home more often than not and more on the active side, well, you might just be the one(s) for him!

This scruff is likely to do best living in a detached home (e.g., one that doesn’t share walls with a neighbour). Why is this? He’s still learning and tends to be vocal when he hears an unfamiliar sound. Something he has nailed is crating. Making use of his crate is no biggie for GORDIE, and while he prefers hanging out with his people, he’s fine to use his crate when needed. 

Great with other dogs, you’ll find that GORDIE is neutral at first and then becomes more playful and curious. We do think that sharing his space and living with another balanced and playful dog in the home would be fun for him. GORDIE currently lives with a cat and shows both interest and nervousness; he will ignore any cats in the home. Quickly learning to overcome his nerves, we think he could learn to live with a cat (and even enjoy this!) in a new home.

So. Ready to adopt? Apply today!

VIDHIRA

Female | 1.5 years old | 33 pounds | High energy | Needs proper intros to dogs, best as a solo dog in the home | Limited interactions with kids | Hasn’t met cats | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | Affectionate | Goofball

Playful and affectionate, you could say VIDHIRA is a bit of a goofball. Sure, she can be a little shy here and there, but for the most part, she’s a confident gal who’s got a lot of love (and energy!) to share.

So, like we said, VIDHIRA’s got a high energy level. Do you happen to enjoy running? If so, you may have just found the greatest running buddy. If that’s not your thing, don’t worry. This gal loves a good game of fetch and will happily take part in food puzzles to exercise that brain of hers. Is she food-motivated? Definitely.

VIDHIRA needs slow and steady introductions to other dogs. While previously living with another dog, she displayed some resource guarding. This tells us that VIDHIRA would do best as a solo dog in her adoptive home. Now, while she hasn’t yet met cats, we do know that she is highly curious about small animals, so just make sure to monitor any interactions with them.

As you may have determined, VIDHIRA will do well in an active home. She also may do well living with older, dog-savvy kids. As of right now, she’s only met children at the park, so getting used to having more kids interact with her is the next best step. Otherwise, her typical schedule at the moment involves 3 walks per day and at least 2 separate play sessions. If we’re talking training levels, this gal is now comfortable using her crate (huge win!) and continues to work on leash walking.

Interested in VIDHIRA? Apply to adopt!

PRIETA

Female | 7.5 years old | 46 pounds | Medium-low energy | No cats, please! | Limited exposure to dogs & kids | Fostered in Toronto | From Mexico | Building confidence | Gentle & affectionate

Sweet as can be, we’d love to formally introduce you to PRIETA. In her foster’s exact words, “She is one of my favourite foster dogs so far. She is SO sweet.” If that’s the kind of gal you’re looking to bring into your life, then we think you’ve found the one!

PRIETA is busy building up confidence, in particular when faced with new situations. To support this, her foster will intentionally set out large items in the yard (think: golf clubs, camp chairs, etc.). Wary at first, PRIETA quickly becomes comfortable walking up to these items for a quick sniff. What does she do next? Continue with her zoomies and rolling, of course!

This scruff will shine in a calm, quiet environment. We can picture a forever home that looks similar to a spot in the suburbs… and with a backyard! Why? Her nervousness means she’s not yet comfortable going for leashed walks in the neighbourhood. Having a space like a yard where it’s private and controlled will help her gain confidence and build trust with a new family. PRIETA is looking for a home that has experience with nervous dogs. If you’re ready and willing to work with a balanced trainer, that is what will help her grow.

PRIETA is only a moderately active gal. Some zoomies, scent work, and maybe a puzzle here and there are all she needs to be her happiest self right now. Oh, and she’s a big fan of chasing after a tennis ball… just don’t expect her to bring it back yet! What can we say… she’s not quite mastered the art of fetch. What has she mastered? Sleeping through the night in her crate. You won’t hear a peep.

Having met people inside and outside, she tends to be more nervous than not in these situations. What helps is getting on her level, allowing her to sniff you hello, and taking these interactions slowly, at her pace. She’s likely ok with dog-savvy kids and, while she has yet to meet them directly in her foster’s care, shows curiosity towards dogs.

Ready to bring this confidence-building, affectionate scruff into your life? Apply to adopt.

ADAL

Male | 1 year old | 42 pounds | Medium energy | Good second dog | Hasn’t met cats | Limited interactions with kids | From Mexico | Fostered in Markham | Fun & playful | Building up confidence

Meet ADAL! Fun and playful when feeling his most confident self, ADAL is in search of a home to call his own. In just a matter of days, ADAL has quickly grown more comfortable in his foster’s home. Confidence is something they’re working on building up together, and it takes time. 

Working through a few little fears, ADAL is a scruff who currently relies on his humans to feel like his safest self. He’s naturally curious about all that he sees, so we know that with his adoptive family continuing to advocate for him, he’ll grow into a confident scruff. For instance, he was initially nervous about leaving his crate, and now enjoys exploring the house AND is happy to go up and down stairs. Oh, and want to know a fun fact about him? This scruff does well at settling and will sleep just about anywhere!

Being curious, ADAL wants to meet new people. Setting him up for success is easily done if you let people know he prefers not to be patted right off the bat. Similarly, ADAL can get a bit nervous in situations where kids run up to him. To ensure a positive interaction, facilitating intros, where dog-savvy kids are advised to approach slowly, is best.

ADAL currently lives with a dog and would likely make a great companion to another confident dog already living in your home. He coexists well with other scruffs! His foster family has also found that introducing ADAL to new dog pals while out on pack walks or in the neighbourhood makes him feel most comfortable. 

So. Keen to adopt this curious, fun, and currently-building-confidence scruff? Apply today!

MASCARITA

Male | 7 years old | 35 pounds | Medium energy | Lives with a dog | Hasn’t met kids | Shows prey drive - would do best in a home without cats | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | Loving & sweet | Big snuggle fan

Meet our newest adoptable, MASCARITA! Arguably the perfect combination of playful and chill, this scruff is looking for a moderately active family who maybe enjoys the occasional hike but also makes time for play and, most importantly, relaxation!

MASCARITA’s daily activities involve two walks. One of these is more structured, while the other is more open-ended, with time to stop and sniff all the smells. You’ll notice him zig-zagging at first, which is him expressing his excitement to be out and about, and while continued leash training will assist with this, he typically progresses with a nice loose leash walk after a few minutes. He’s easily redirected and, being as food-motivated as he is, we think he’d be a good fit for a first-time dog owner.

Having grown in confidence since being in his foster’s care, we expect he’ll continue to flourish in his furever home. This could look like him taking some time to warm up and show affection and becoming more playful (and snuggly!) once comfortable. When he’s his happiest self, he often rolls around on his back and will give out a few kisses to his humans.

Both neutral and friendly when it comes to interacting with other dogs, MASCARITA is fine living with another dog in the home. TBH, they mostly coexist (translation: they ignore each other!), but every once in a while engage in playful activity. Having previously enjoyed living and playing with a dog in Mexico, we think that once MASCARITA gets comfy, he’d be happy to live in a home as a second dog. Oh, and one other thing! MASCARITA is well crate trained, you’re not likely to hear him make much (or any!) noise.

MASCARITA has shown some prey drive, so we recommend slow introductions with cats if he’s to meet any. What else? His foster wants you to know that this scruff settles well in new spaces, easily chillaxes on car rides, and loves a yummy treat for a job well done.

So, what are you waiting for? Apply to adopt!

This dog is sponsored by PetSmart! This means their adoption process includes a visit to PetSmart’s Mississauga Lakeshore location to finalize the adoption. Adopters will receive an exclusive PetSmart adoption kit with $300 worth of coupons and special offers! Plus, adopting through PetSmart Charities helps support rewards and grants that benefit pets in need.

TOOTSIE ROLL

Female | 5 months old | 34 pounds & growing! | Puppy energy | Has met children & dogs | No cats, please! Shows prey drive | From Manitoba | Fostered in Toronto | Smart, friendly & playful

Just as beloved as your favourite chocolatey treat, meet TOOTSIE ROLL. Smart, curious, and confident, TOOTSIE ROLL over here could very well be a triple threat.

A big fan of being close to her humans, this scruff is the opposite of a nervous nelly when interacting with new people. In fact, she’s curious and friendly (and would do fine living with kids), showing off just how much of a social butterfly she might become as she continues to come out of her shell. Out on walks, TOOTSIE ROLL is neutral when passing other dogs in dogs. She’s friendly, though keeping her attention is easily done, being as food and toy-motivated as she is.

If we could share one thing with you, it would be that TOOTSIE ROLL isn’t a couch potato type of dog. Heck no! She’d thrive in an active household where long walks, runs, and maybe even a hike are the norm. At just 5 months old, she’s got puppy energy that shows up in bursts, though we think her energy level will remain high as she grows.

TOOTSIE ROLL is looking for an adoptive home that has prior dog experience or has done their research (on puppies and huskies!) and is committed to her training. It’s equally as important for her to have structure in her life to teach her when it’s time to relax. She’s busy mastering basic obedience skills and will happily sit for a treat! TOOTSIE ROLL is house-trained, sleeps through the night, and is working on crate training. What could we humble-brag about? Her leash walking skills, which she’s doing particularly well with, even on busy streets.

Apply to adopt!

This dog is sponsored by PetSmart! This means their adoption process includes a visit to PetSmart’s Mississauga Lakeshore location to finalize the adoption. Adopters will receive an exclusive PetSmart adoption kit with $300 worth of coupons and special offers! Plus, adopting through PetSmart Charities helps support rewards and grants that benefit pets in need.

KAJETA

Female | 5 years old | 38 pounds | Medium energy | Does well living with 2 kids | No cats please, strong prey drive | Needs slow intros to dogs | From Mexico | Fostered in Mississauga | Intelligent & affectionate with her humans | Gentle, patient & well behaved

KAJETA. A girl who loves her walks, routine, and her people (once introduced, she gets comfortable and they gain her trust!). This is an easygoing gal who will make a great family dog in a home that can provide the physical and mental stimulation she needs. No matter your daily routine, she’s sure to adjust quickly and find her stride as part of a new family, and that’s something we can’t wait to see!

From Mexico, KAJETA currently lives with her foster family, including 2 older kids. Living with kids has been enjoyable for her; she’s loving and gentle towards her humans and is comfortable in their presence. She’s likely to get along just as well with those who are younger. Belly rubs are a must! She enjoys the presence of her trusted humans and will be the happiest door greeter when you get home.

Apart from walks, some of her favourite things include playing with her toys and spending time in her foster family’s backyard, where she gets occasional zoomies. Inside the home, she’s quite chill and enjoys curling up to relax while you’re otherwise occupied. She understands boundaries.

This intelligent, well-behaved scruff is, of course, still working on training, though we’d like to humble-brag about how well crate-trained she is! KAJETA uses that space when she wants some alone time during the day and even puts herself to bed there at night. Know that if she’s had a busy day with lots of human interaction, she’ll need some time to decompress after. Ever the patient scruff, she’ll also respectfully wait for her food at mealtimes. Her manners in this area are next level!

KAJETA has a strong prey drive towards squirrels, which can involve being vocal and trying to chase. Regaining her attention is key! Practice and patience will go a long way. KAJETA enjoys making new friends and is happy to meet dogs her size and smaller. Meeting larger dogs outside on walks isn't really her thing, though slow introductions will help her warm up to them in time.
Apply to adopt!

This dog is sponsored by PetSmart! This means their adoption process includes a visit to PetSmart’s Mississauga Lakeshore location to finalize the adoption. Adopters will receive an exclusive PetSmart adoption kit with $300 worth of coupons and special offers! Plus, adopting through PetSmart Charities helps support rewards and grants that benefit pets in need.

VANNA

Female | 3.5 years old | 42 pounds | Medium energy | Lives with dogs | Good with dog-savvy cats | Best with older kids (10+) | From Mexico | Fostered in Sharon, ON | Loves affection | Looking for an adopter

Meet VANNA! She enjoys walks or hikes, solving enrichment puzzles, playing tug and playing with a flirt pole (Google it! So fun), and of course, chill time hanging with her people. VANNA has spent time building skills, and she’s now a master with leashed walks, crate-trained, and while initially nervous, has built some great social skills.

VANNA currently lives in a rural setting, but could be fine in a different set-up. She likes exploring time, but inside she’s quiet and chill. With proper exercise, she can be left alone during a workday if needed.

Her previous foster says, “She’s been an angel, honestly. She’s so dang sweet. And she’s so funny, her facial expressions never cease to make me laugh.” Oh, and her current foster told us she’d say the same! VANNA is a scruff that’s full of personality!

As mentioned, VANNA and her handler have been working diligently on social skills. She did well being introduced to her foster family’s dogs, and while she can be nervous meeting new people, she also shows curiosity towards them. While she hasn’t met kids in her current foster home, she has in a previous home and would do best in a home with adults or with kids over the age of 10. It’s her spunky nature (and some playful mouthing) that brings us to this conclusion.

She also has a prey drive outdoors, though has interacted with a few dog-savvy cats and did really well! VANNA does need support with guidance in new settings and with new people/animals, so something to think about as you’d need to commit to ongoing guidance. 

If you're looking for a loyal, sweet, and intelligent companion, VANNA is ready to meet you! Apply to adopt today.