URSA - APP IN PROCESS

Female puppy | Born May 6 | Growing lots! | Puppy energy | Lives with a dog | Hasn’t met kids or cats | From Manitoba | Fostered in Winnipeg | Arrival date in Toronto - July 27th | Looking for an adopter!

Precious beyond words, we have the pleasure of introducing you to URSA, a puppy who is officially looking to find her furever home. 

URSA. What’s so stellar about her? First of all, she was named after a constellation. Imagine! Being named after an area of the celestial sphere! Also, we have been informed that URSA and her siblings are playful and affectionate cuddle monsters who mostly understand the concept of house training. Like, in theory, they understand. Basically, what we’re saying is that they’re the full puppy package, and you’re going to want to get in on all they have to offer.

URSA and her six siblings are travelling the vast cosmic distance (AKA Winnipeg to Toronto) via a flight on July 27th. Nebulous stuff, we know. What you should know is that you’ll need to be able to pick URSA up from the airport when she arrives. For reference, these pups will be 12 weeks old at the end of July, which is when you’d be welcoming URSA into your home.

All 7 pups are likely to grow into medium-sized dogs (think anywhere around 50-80 pounds) who, of course, will need basic training. URSA is small but mighty, holding her own during playtime with her siblings.

Think adopting URSA is written in the stars? Apply to find out!

*These puppies’ Mom is pictured in the last photo for reference!*

CHESTER - APP IN PROCESS

Male | 3 years old | ~9 pounds | Medium energy | Dog-reactive | Hasn’t met kids or cats | From Ontario | Fostered in Toronto | Snuggly, spunky & sweet

Shaking the shivers off and braving the big world — officially meet CHESTER! The SOS community rallied behind this little guy and he entered foster care with a whole lotta love on his side. Now it’s finally time to find him a safe permanent landing spot to call home. 🏡

In typical Terrier fashion, CHESTER’s tiny body is full of both personality and smarts. He loves his meal-times, and has benefitted from using a slow feeder, plus he totally rocks it at his puzzle games. Enrichment will most likely be key in keeping him busy and entertained as he continues to settle into his new routine.

On walks, CHESTER does feel he’s the king of the castle and shows his displeasure with every peasant, sorry person, he sees. He’ll sometimes bark at people in the elevator, and he’s especially good at spotting dogs (plus birds and definitely squirrels) from far away. Those sightings always earn more vocals, and occasionally even lunges. Keeping CHESTER distracted by sniffing away in the grass has been the most successful method so far, but learning his quirks and providing consistent training and support will hopefully help make walks more calm in the future.

Inside, CHESTER settles easily in his crate and is only ever spooked when you run the shower (apparently taking bathroom safety very seriously). He’s very slowly learning that people aren’t so scary and pats can be safe, but once you’ve fully earned his trust, expect the demand for belly rubs to increase as well. The sweetest thing about CHESTER? He greets every day with a bouncy, happy attitude, zooming around the room, and immediately looking to snuggle.

Think your home has the magic mix of love, safety and stability to give CHESTER his happily furever after? Apply to adopt!

CLAUDIO - APP IN PROCESS

Male | 1 year old | 32 pounds | Medium energy | Lives with a dog | Hasn’t met kids | Hasn’t met cats | From Mexico | Fostered in Aurora | Affectionate, curious & sweet | Loves to play

World, meet CLAUDIO. Affectionate with the people he trusts most, CLAUDIO is all puppy kisses and tail wags with them! He’s sweet and has a curious nature about him that has him picking up new commands, such as sit and down, easily.

Life for CLAUDIO lately looks like coexisting well with his foster family’s resident dog. He’d likely enjoy living with a playful pooch in the future, too! At just over a year old, CLAUDIO can get excitable, though his medium energy level is easy to manage with a combination of exercise, training, and play throughout the day. Like many pups, he’s motivated by treats, which make puzzle feeders and snuffle mats particularly enjoyable for him! Just thought you should know.

When meeting new people in his home, CLAUDIO’s nerves have him on alert, and he can be grumbly. It’s manageable with proper intros, though it’s something that will take more time and patience from his humans! Out and about, however, he’s much more at ease and happily takes busy environments with lots of people in stride. If you’re someone who can give him consistent and clear guidance that he can follow, that’s what’s going to set him up for success.

What does his ideal adoptive home look like? We’re envisioning a more relaxed environment where there aren’t tons of new people coming and going on the daily. We can also see him enjoying being a part of a family that enjoys spending time together, especially when it comes to play! He’s a fan of tug in particular. He’s yet to meet cats, and while he’s shown some interest in birds and squirrels, he carries on after redirection from his humans.

CLAUDIO’s foster family has implemented boundaries using indoor pet gates, which have worked well for them. They’d also happily share with you that he’s well house-trained and uses his crate with ease. It’s where he collects all of his toys, after all!

RUMI - APP IN PROCESS

Rumi | Female | Born April 15 | Shepherd/Husky mix | Expected adult weight: 50–70 lbs | Currently fostered in Winnipeg | Flying to Toronto mid/late July | Looking for an adopter

Meet Rumi, a beautiful tan and black Shepherd/Husky mix with a heart as big as her puppy paws. Sweet, curious, and always ready for her next adventure, Rumi is discovering the world one tail wag at a time. Whether she's exploring the backyard, playing with her sisters, or curling up for a well-earned nap, she's happiest when she's with her people.

Rumi is currently being fostered in Winnipeg and is expected to fly to Toronto in mid to late July. Her adopter will need to be available to pick her up from the airport once travel plans are confirmed.

Expected to grow into a 50–70 lb adult, Rumi will be an active, intelligent companion who'll thrive with positive training, regular exercise, and plenty of love. Like any young puppy, she's still learning all the basics and is looking for a family ready to help her become the amazing dog she's meant to be.

Named after one of the heroines from K-Pop Demon Hunters, Rumi is ready to become the star of someone's family. Could that be yours?

TESSA - APP IN PROCESS

Female | 3 years old | 40 pounds | Medium-low energy | Solo dog | Hasn’t met kid or cats, likely best with no cats | Great apartment dog | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | A great companion, building confidence & smart!

Meet TESSA, a very sweet, yet cautious momma scruff. Her past shelter experience has given her wisdom beyond her years and has also left her needing to build her confidence in new situations. TESSA has shown incredible growth in her short time in Toronto and has started blossoming into a girl who trusts her humans, responding well to strong leadership. She now easily goes up and down the stairs and leaves the house for walks.

TESSA has grown to love long walks and spending time outside, including assuming the belly-up position in the grass. Yes, she loves a belly rub! TESSA is a fan of affection, wanting to be next to her person all the time. With this in mind, she is learning boundaries and understanding that personal space does not involve jumping!

TESSA continues to adjust to life in Toronto, and loud noises and bright lights can still be a bit overwhelming for her. Know that the trust she has in her people is what informs her confidence. So give her some time, and you’ll see, just like her foster family has, how much she can progress! 

Inside the home, TESSA has shown some territorial behaviour when meeting new people and dogs. While she works on this, TESSA should be the only dog in the home. 

While TESSA doesn’t yet quite understand toys, she does love to collect shoes, socks, and hats in her bed! Her energy is currently low, but as she becomes more comfortable, she shows more energy. You’ll notice this when zoomies begin after dinner! These bursts of excitement are likely to turn into continued interest in both play and exercise. 

TESSA is sweet, smart and would make for a wonderful companion. Apply to adopt!