WENDELL

Male | 3 months old | 11 pounds & growing! | Puppy energy | Hasn’t met kids, cats, or dogs | Fostered in Toronto | A real sweetie pie

His name might mean “wanderer,” but the only place this pup wants to wander is on a route home to you! This is WENDELL. A typical puppy, WENDELL likes to move and groove to channel that fun puppy energy of his. On a typical day, you can find him either out for a walk, playing fetch, or entertaining himself with his toys. While he can be rambunctious inside, he’s also just a pup who wants to hang out with you and will happily accept all cuddles and pats he can.

As you might have guessed, WENDELL is a friendly scruff. He enjoys making new human friends and, with time, is becoming more comfortable meeting males after showing some nervousness at first. He prefers meeting new people one at a time versus meeting multiple people all at once. Slow and steady! You already know he’s as sweet as can be. That said, keep in mind he continues to learn and can nip, so meeting older kids for now would be best.

Yet to interact with dogs, WENDELL shows an initial curiosity towards them when catching sight of them while out for a walk. Out on these walks, you’d best believe he’s been busy getting used to all the city sounds that Toronto has to offer! What else is he busy getting used to? House training, of course, and learning that not all things are made for chewing. Keep an eye out! As with all pups, patience is a must, which will absolutely come in handy while furthering his training.

Apply to adopt!

POPPY

Female | 6 years old | 38 pounds | Medium energy | Limited exposure to cats | Hasn’t met kids | Dog selective | Sweet and affectionate with trusted humans | Best in an adult-only home | From Dominican Republic | Fostered in Bracebridge

🎵 GUESS WHO’S BACK? BACK AGAIN. POPPY’S BACK, TELL A FRIEND! 🎵

POPPY is a 6-year-old sight hound mix with the most soulful eyes and a heart full of love. Originally rescued from the Dominican Republic, POPPY has been living in Canada since 2019 and has made great strides on her journey from scared stray to sweet companion.

Indoors, POPPY is the picture of comfort and calm. She loves napping in sunny spots, giving excited greetings when you come home, and charming her humans into endless belly rubs and butt scratches. She’s quiet, well-mannered, and happiest when she’s close to her people.

Outside, POPPY is learning to feel safe. She can be anxious and alert to unfamiliar sounds or movements, but she’s an incredible leash-walker, sticking close to your side and following your lead with gentle guidance. On trail walks with a long line, POPPY comes alive—these outings give her a sense of freedom AND confidence. One of her favorite outdoor activities? Digging! POPPY loves to dig, so a family that can give her opportunities to indulge this natural behavior would be a big bonus.

In addition to her sweet personality, POPPY is incredibly agile and athletic. With the right guidance, she has the potential to be an amazing agility partner. Her intelligence and athleticism could really shine in structured, engaging activities like agility training or scent work.

POPPY thrives with calm structure and strong, confident leadership. She needs someone who understands that building trust takes time, patience and hard work. With dogs, POPPY can be selective; while she’s had dog friends in the past, slow, thoughtful introductions and ongoing supervision are essential. With familiar dog pals, POPPY enjoys playful interactions—but her play style can be quite vocal and pushy, which might be misinterpreted to the untrained eye. A knowledgeable handler will be able to recognize her intent and set clear boundaries when needed. She is also accustomed to using training tools in situations where she could become reactive, helping her and her human feel secure and supported.

POPPY is a quiet, loving companion who will thrive in a calm, adult-only home where she feels safe. If you’re someone who appreciates a deep connection and has the patience to help a gentle dog blossom, POPPY just might be your perfect match!

LOBA

Female | 4.5 years old | 41 pounds | Low energy | Has met dogs | Hasn’t met cats or kids | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | Loves the outdoors | A sweet, independent gal

Lo and behold, we have a new adoptable! Everyone, meet LOBA. Perhaps best described as easygoing, it’s LOBA’s calm demeanor that makes her a comforting presence at home. We’re happy to share that this laid-back nature of hers is also what makes her a good companion to other dogs. So, for those who already have a scruff of their own and are looking to add one more to the mix, well, you’re in the right place! Keep in mind she can be more hesitant around larger dogs, but warms up to them with time.

LOBA manages her social battery by making time for both receiving attention from her people and time to show off her independent self. Since she’s been in her foster’s care, she’s opened up significantly and now enjoys spending more and more time outside of her crate. Meeting new people inside and outside is a frequent occurrence, and this gal gives each and every one of them a sniff and tail wag hello. She’s polite like that! One thing to note is that if she’s to interact with kids, dog-savvy kids would be best to ensure that they have an understanding of when LOBA may like to have some alone time. Learning and reading her body language is key!

Comfortable in her own spaces, such as her crate and her foster’s home, LOBA can sometimes be hesitant to leave her safety bubble. She’s building up that confidence of hers at a pace that works for her, and with each new experience, you’ll be able to watch her grow. When she is out and about exploring on walks, you’ll quickly notice her love for not only being outside but also her love for smelling ALL the things. Inside, her preferred activities include lounging and napping. You’ll be pleased to know that she is in fact house trained as well!

All in all, LOBA here is likely one of the chillest dogs you could meet. She’s the type of scruff who would thrive in a quiet, calm environment, and if that’s something you’re able to offer her, we’d love for you to apply for adoption!

PUPPIES

4 female & 2 male | Born January 15, 2025 | Puppy energy | Have all met kids, dogs & cats | From Northern Manitoba | Fostered in Winnipeg | Likely arriving to Toronto mid-May | All looking for adopters

*Adoptions Pending for CeCe and Gus*

Six cute puppies, sitting in a tree, P-L-A-Y-I-N-G. We kid :) These sweet-as-can-be pups aren’t sitting in a tree, but they are being their regular rascal selves, sitting, or likely rather playing, in their current Winnipeg foster homes.

TRIXIE (female), OSCAR (male), LULU (female), CECE (female), GUS (male), and PEACHES (female) are all looking for adopters to bring them directly into their care, likely mid-May. Post-arrival, each adopter will have a trial period with their pup. They’ll be a little over 16 weeks old when they arrive. So. Excited for all the puppy energy?! Same, cross my heart! 

These pups are likely to grow into large dogs. They might look small now, but that won’t last long! We recommend looking up northern breeds for more insights; these pups in particular are likely a mix of shepherd, lab, and husky. What else can you do to prepare? Get a head start by looking into potential obedience classes. We double-dog dare you!

Each of these pups has had good exposure to kids, dogs, and cats and is working on crate and house training in particular. What will be new to them is practicing walking on a leash and experiencing all the new sights, sounds, and smells that moving into a different environment offers.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe… If you are open to any puppy, please state that in your application. 

P.S. You snooze, you lose! Send in your application today. 

NAIROBI

Female | 3.5 years old | 37 pounds | Low-medium energy | Hasn’t met kids or cats | Positive interactions with dogs | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | Goofy and gaining confidence | Affectionate

Meet NAIROBI. A low-key yet social gal pal who enjoys spending time with her humans and dogs alike. Sure, she’s a little on the hesitant side at first, but she’s new here, and who can blame her?! Giving her time and space to warm up, as well as advocating for her, will help her gain confidence in you as her handler and herself as she learns to embrace new friends.

With her calm approach to life, NAIROBI only occasionally gets the zoomies. More often than not, she likes to fill her days with time to lounge by the window and time to receive affection. Belly rubs, please! Of course, NAIROBI is pleased to attend a few walks throughout the day, typically a long walk and a couple of shorter walks to stretch her legs and get her activity in.

As her foster knows, access to quieter areas nearby is key if NAIROBI is to be living downtown. She’s working on developing her confidence in the city and is slowly but surely getting comfortable in everyday scenarios like using the elevator and passing other dogs and people. Also, this gal does like her space, so living as a solo dog could work well for her. Otherwise, having another dog with a similar energy level in the home could help her feel more confident in her surroundings.

Think you’re the one for NAIROBI? Apply to adopt.

VANNA

Female | 2.5 years old | 33 lbs | Medium energy | Can be selective with dogs | No cats please | Best with 16+ | From Mexico | Fostered in Sharon, ON | Looking for an adopter

Meet VANNA! This sweet, sensitive girl is currently living with a trainer, and making great progress in building confidence. She thrives with structure, routine, and clear guidance, and she’s looking for an experienced adopter to continue working with her.

VANNA is smart and eager to learn. She enjoys structured leash walks, hand-feeding, obedience training, and decompression time. She also loves fetch, hiking, and hanging out with her humans! She is crate-trained and fine being left alone for a workday with proper exercise.

While neutral around most dogs, Vanna can be reactive toward excitable or pushy dogs. A calm, confident dog may help her open up, but she should avoid on-leash greetings with unfamiliar dogs. She has a strong prey drive and is not suited for a home with cats.

VANNA is still nervous with new people and has territorial tendencies in the home. She needs slow introductions and an adopter willing to advocate for her and follow her training plan. Due to this, she would do best in an adult-only home (16+).

VANNA will be in training until early March, and will need an adopter after that time. Her trainer is open to informal meet & greets, complete with valuable tips on what works for VANNA. She needs a patient and committed person to help her continue building confidence and trust. If you're looking for a loyal, intelligent companion and are willing to continue her training, VANNA is ready to meet you!

DUKE

Male | ~3 Years Old | 58 Pounds | Medium Energy | Coexists well with other dogs | No cats, please! | Did well meeting dog-savvy kids | From Mexico | Living in Erin, Ontario | Affectionate and loves to be with his people

Everyone, meet DUKE. DUKE, meet everyone. At just about 3 years old, DUKE is an affectionate mixed-breed pooch who loves to love his people. You guessed it - he’s up for the task of being an excellent companion if you’re up to the task of learning all there is to learn about him. This includes learning how he communicates with his body language and is something his current trainer would be happy to help coach you on!

In a way, DUKE is a simple scruff. He loves playing with his ball and participating in a round of fetch. He also likes to sleep and eat. Lol. In other ways, he’s more complex and would do well in a home that is looking forward to implementing instruction from his trainers.

As DUKE is currently being fostered by his trainer, he gets to spend afternoons hiking with a pack of dogs. It’s pretty fun for him! With a medium energy level, DUKE requires an hour of exercise a day, think: a nice long walk and time to play outside. It doesn’t have to be a hike!

In this environment, DUKE has been able to progress with his interactions among other dogs. Of course, his new fam will need to continue advocating for him on a daily basis! As we mention the importance of advocating for him, we should also say that DUKE has a high prey drive and will do best, and needs to go to a home with no cats. Can he live with children though? He sure can! Supervision is, of course, necessary but provided he trusts his leader(s), he will do well interacting with respectful kiddos. DUKE could also live with a 9-5er provided he gets a bathroom break midday. Something to consider!

Otherwise, we can share that time to practice the command place and even having some crate time is important to ensure he’s comfortable in his own space. That said, when inside the home he does like to hang out with his people - so leave time for both!

Anyway, we can’t wait for you to meet him. DUKE is available for informal meetups with his trainer at Paws and Sniff. If you’re interested but not quite ready to put in the application, send us an email stating you’d like to set up a meet and greet and give us some insights into why you’re thinking you’re a good fit for him! Please email adoption@saveourscruff.org to set this up. Please note, DUKE’s current location is Erin, Ontario.

Apply to adopt DUKE today!

DUKE will be attending our next adoption event at Petsmart’s Mississauga Lakeshore location (507 Lakeshore Rd E.) on Saturday, March 29th from 10am - 1pm (he will be there from 11:30am - 1pm). Come meet him and his trainer and see if he might be the right fit for you! Please note that we will not be processing adoption applications for him until after the event.

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.

CAPUCHINA

Female | 6 years old | 39 lbs | Medium energy | Dog reactive | Not cat-tested, shows prey drive | Likely good with kids | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto

Looking for a scruff with personality? CAPUCHINA is here to steal your heart! This 6-year-old fluffball is a certified pro at striking zen yoga moves, collecting belly rubs, and making her humans feel like the center of the universe. She absolutely loves people of all ages, and is always excited to make new human friends—expect lots of tail wags and happy greetings!

CAPUCHINA is a dream inside the home—fully house-trained, respectful of your space, and a big fan of her crate (it’s her cozy little retreat!). She’s not overly vocal and thrives on routine, enjoying a calm, structured home where she can relax and just be her sweet self. She’s got energy when it’s time for fun, but also loves a good nap—balance is key, after all!

Now, for real talk— CAPUCHINA has strong opinions about other dogs. And by strong, we mean she prefers they stay far, far away. She absolutely loves her walks, but when she sees another dog, she reacts with full enthusiasm (aka lunging and barking). She needs an adopter committed to working on her reactivity with structure, patience, clear guidance and consistency.

If you’re dog-savvy and ready to help CAPUCHINA be the best version of herself, she will reward you with endless love, hilarious quirks, and unwavering devotion. She’s looking for a home where she can be the queen of the castle (aka no other pets) and soak up all the attention she deserves.

Ready to welcome this perfect home companion into your life? Apply now— CAPUCHINA can’t wait to meet you!

MAPLE

Female | 2 years old | 35lbs | Medium Energy | Can be shy with other dogs | Dog-savvy cats may work | Best in an adult-only home or with older, dog-savvy kids | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | Curious & sweet

With a name like MAPLE, she was meant to find her home in Canada—and just like the syrup, she’s as sweet as can be! Initially shy, she has blossomed into a curious and observant pup whose adventurous nature makes every walk exciting.

She’s still adjusting to city life and thrives with patience, positive exposure, and a structured routine. For example, two hours of walking a day is currently setting her up for success! Crate-trained and doing well in an apartment setting, MAPLE takes time to warm up to new people and can be a bit suspicious at first. Slow introductions and clear boundaries help her feel safe, and once she trusts you, she’s incredibly loyal and affectionate.

MAPLE has shown some controlling tendencies, staying very aware of movement around her space. However, with structure and training, she’s learning that she doesn’t need to be in charge. She would do best with an experienced adopter who can recognize her cues or someone committed to working with a trainer.

While selective with other animals, MAPLE may do well with a confident, dog-savvy cat or a well-matched canine companion. She hasn’t met children, but she’d be best suited to an adult-only home or one with older, respectful kids who understand her boundaries.

Her big, soulful eyes will melt your heart. With continued guidance and a loving, structured home, MAPLE will thrive. Ready for some sweet adventures? Apply to adopt MAPLE today!