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Puppies and dogs in Toronto, Ontario

Looking for a puppy or dog in Toronto, Ontario? Adopt a Pet can help you find a new best friend near you.

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Adopt a dog in Toronto, Ontario

These adorable dogs are available for adoption in Toronto, Ontario. To learn more about each adoptable dog, click on the "i" icon for fast facts, or their photo or name for full details.
We'll also keep you updated on Zach's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Zach

Zach

Poodle (Miniature)

Male, Adult
Toronto, ON
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with dogs, Good with cats, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered,
Story
A very sweet little Miniature Poodle named Zach recently joined our rescue. He is 5 years old and weighs around 12 lbs. He lived in a puppy mill all his life and has some challenges to overcome, but is making progress. Zach was very frightened when he arrived at his foster home. He shook for 3 days and slept alone in the living room at night. Three days later he moved to a bed on the floor in the bedroom. Now he sleeps on the bed with his foster parents and their dogs. Zach is comfortable climbing stairs and likes to spend time outside in the backyard rolling in the grass. He feels safe in his home and yard. He is, however, frightened to leave his safe space and when he went for his first walk on a leash he froze and had to be carried home. He is quiet travelling in the car and is fine with a seatbelt or crate. Zach has a very good appetite and eats 2 meals a day. Benny Bully are his favourite treats. He eats Royal Canin Adult canned food. We add a little chopped chicken and rice. He also eats Performatrin Ultra Kibble. These can be purchased from Pet Valu. Currently there are 3 small dogs in Zach’s foster home. He will sometimes join in when the other dogs bark, but for the most part is quiet. He has not been destructive when left alone. He is friendly with people and other dogs.   When Zach was released from the puppy mill he was severley matted and clipped down very short. It will take a couple of months for his coat to grow back in. Zack is not yet totally housebroken. He will do his business outside in the yard. If he can’t get outside in time he will poo on a puppy pad, but will lift his leg on furniture for a pee (we use a belly band for him so no urine gets on our furniture). He will need a training. Zach would probably do best in a very quiet environment with no children. Preferably he should go into a home with a retiree or someone who works from home and could be with him most of the time. A house with a yard and another dog would be a bonus. He is making great progress and with a little time and patience he will do very well. November 5, 2024, 10:56 am
We'll also keep you updated on Coco's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Coco

Coco

Corgi Jindo

Female, Senior
Toronto, ON
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Not good with dogs, Not good with cats, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Name: Coco Breed: Korean street dog (Guessed to be Jindu/Corgi) Weight: 27 pounds Gender: Female Spayed/neutered: Spayed Age: approx 8.5 years old Obtained From: Leader of the Pack Dog Rescue in 2018.  Korean street dog. Reason for Intake: Coco is afraid of the 18 month old child in the home and is growling and snarling at them. Up to Date with Vetting: Yes Good with dogs: She has lived with an older Golden retriever and a young, male, Lab.  She was fine with them and is better with calm dogs who don't get into her face and space. Good with cats: She lives with cats, however, the cats live on a different level of the home and they really don't interact.  She has had skirmishes with the cats and been found with fur in her mouth.   Good with kids: Not comfortable with toddlers or young children.  She has lived with children 10 years and older and been fine with them as long as they went slow with her and respected her boundaries. Good with strangers: Nervous with new people.  If a stranger comes to the door she will bark and her hackles will go up.  She is curious and will approach them most of the time but she doesn't enjoy being touched by strangers.  She is OK with them moving around in the home but will avoid them and go and lay out of the way.  More uncomfortable with men and people wearing hats. Resource guarding issues: She does not guard anything from the people in the home.  She has guarded her food bowl, treats, and toys from the dogs in the home. Ever bitten a human: No Ever bitten a dog: No Fears: Strangers, being handled, toddlers, car rides, busy streets.  Described as fearful in general. Housetrained: Yes Crate trained: They have not crated her.  She did travel here from Korea in a crate. Good in the car: She is anxious in the car.  She is terrified of car washes. Bark when left alone: No.  They are currently working from home but in the past she has been left alone while they worked full-time outside the home. Destructive: No Energy Level: Medium Leash skills: She walks well on leash but is reactive to other dogs on walks and will bark/growl/lunge at them.  She is afraid to walk on busy streets. Okay with physical handling/manipulations: In general she is uncomfortable with being handled.  They can bathe her but she does not enjoy it.  She is OK with them brushing her back but has snapped at them when they have tried to brush her longer fur.  She is professionally groomed but the groomer is careful and goes slow with her.  She has seen a mobile vet at home and a vet at a clinic.  She is fearful but they have been able to give her care. Known commands: sit, down, speak Food on now: Bold by Nature raw patties.  Chicken, beef, turkey, pork or duck. Behavioural issues: Fearful in general.  Afraid of the 18 month old child in the home and is growling/snarling at them.  Uncomfortable being handled and needs someone who is careful and goes slow.  Reactive to dogs while on leash and afraid to walk on busier streets.  Anxious in the car. Medical issues: None November 7, 2024, 8:53 am
We'll also keep you updated on Lydia's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Lydia

Lydia

Hound (Unknown Type)

Female, Adult
Toronto, ON
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Not good with dogs, Not good with cats, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Breed: Hound mix Weight: ~19 kg Gender: FS Spayed/neutered: Spayed Age: ~9 yrs Reason for Intake: Stray Up to Date with Vetting: DA2PP/Rabies/Bord vax, MC, spayed, dewormed, geri profile. Good with dogs: Overall no.  She will ignore when outside if sufficient space is available but inside she will growl and doesn't want other dogs in her space. Good with cats: No - chases Good with kids: Older kids, yes.  Younger children, unknown  Good with strangers: Yes Resource guarding issues: No Ever bitten a human: No Ever bitten a dog: No Fears: Unknown Housetrained: Yes Crate trained: Yes Good in the car: Yes Bark when left alone: No, she is quiet Destructive: No Energy Level: Medium Leash skills: Pulls initially, then settles Okay with physical handling/manipulations: no issues at all Known commands: Sit, stay Food on now: Science diet wet + dry Behavioural issues: Has prey drive but is easily called off. Doesn’t like dogs in her personal space, can be reactive on leash. Health: She had a malignant growth removed and is looking for a palliative home with no other animals. She’s currently not on any pain management. Lydia is a socialite. She loves to cuddle. Will bring you toys (and even her empty bowl) to entice you to play with her. She’s so loved by our dog walkers. She was fantastic in her foster home – aside from not getting along with the other animal November 7, 2024, 8:53 am
We'll also keep you updated on Gigi's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Gigi

Gigi

Poodle (Miniature)

Female, Senior
Toronto, ON
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with dogs, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Sweet little Gigi, a Poodle X  was picked up as a stray and not claimed.  She is approximately 12 years young, 15 pounds, playful, sweet, and is looking for a family to call her own. She has been fully vetted and has recently been spayed, had a hernia repair and several teeth removed.  She is up to date on her shots, and is microchipped.   Gigi's favourite thing to do is be with her person.  She loves to cuddle and will sit by your side looking for belly rubs and ear scratches.  If you stop petting her she will tap your hand with her nose to remind you to pet her.  She loves to sleep with you and will get right under the covers and curl up beside you.   Gigi eats twice a day and will be your best pal if you offer her some treats during as well. She gets wet food because she has  so few teeth,  but she does enjoy a bit of kibble  in a separate bowl.        She goes to the door to be let out and his well housetrained.  Gigi knows the commands sit, stay and off. On walks or going for a ride in the car, Gigi will often try to chat with people or other dogs that she sees.  Saying thank you will often get her to quiet down.  She will also bark to alert if she hears someone outside but quickly settles.  Gigi loves everyone and is quick to approach people for affection. She is currently in a foster home with 2 other small dogs and gets along well with them.   The best placement for Gigi would be with people who are home most of the time and have a fenced yard where she can go out several times a day.November 23, 2024, 8:49 am
We'll also keep you updated on Jessie and Junie's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Jessie and Junie

Jessie and Junie

Pomeranian

Female, Adult
Toronto, ON
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with dogs, Good with cats, Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Jessie (brown and white) and Junie (black and merle) are two strongly bonded female Pomeranians who came into rescue from a shelter after being picked up as strays. They will need to be adopted together.  With no history, it is estimated that Jessie is 8-years-old, and Junie is the younger of the two, but an adult dog.  Both are spayed and they each weigh about 11 lbs. These are sweet-tempered dogs who are more frightened than anything else. They are hand shy and flee sudden hand movements, but have no aggression at all that we have experienced. They are good with the foster mom's dog.  They are curious but shy with strangers and have made progress in that area while in foster care.  Housetraining is a work in progress and both dogs will require continued support with this. Junie is curious and likes to explore, but will run like the wind at any sudden sound or movement. She is playful and puppy-like with Jessie. Junie will follow Jessie’s lead – if Jessie is allowing someone to pet her, Junie will very slowly come out to be petted, too. Sometimes she stands and enjoys the petting, and at other times she flattens herself against a wall and looks away while being petted. She is dependent on Jessie and will panic when Jessie is picked up, and when separated from Jessie in any way. Junie also gets frantic if you try to pick her up and tries to get away, so time and patience is required. Jessie is friendly, but wary. Once settled, she started "welcome barking" and wagging her tail when seeing her foster mom. She is still hand shy, but increasingly less so and enjoys being petted. She runs to greet visitors and will usually permit petting, although she also retreats quickly. She still startles easily, but recovers quicker than she used to. Jessie is protective of Junie, but not aggressively so. If you try to pet Junie, Jessie will sometimes insert herself in between. Jessie can be picked up and held, but she is still not overly uncomfortable with it, and remains stiff.  She appears to be relieved when put back down, at which point she will come right back for pets. They have been kept in a limited space when alone and are not crate trained. They gnawed on the baseboards a bit, but didn’t pursue it when the baseboards were covered. They have chewed blankets and towels, pulled stuffing out of dog beds and toys, and shredded disposable pee pads.  Junie seeks out shoes and both of them will chew shoes if given an opportunity.  Toys and appropriate chewables are offered in place of these, but they will need continued support learning what they can and can't chew. Neither dog is used to being walked. Jessie will stand frozen when harnessed and leashed, so learning to walk will be a work in progress and time, patience, and a gentle approach are required. Jessie is good in a carrier going to the vet’s, and is easily handled by the vet for an examination and nail trim. Junie is harder to pick up and examine, as she gets frantic, yipping and scratching, but both dogs permit handling of their heads and it is easy to examine their teeth. They also respond well to a routine. At bed time, they play a bit together, and then are quiet and sleep through the night without issue. Jessie and Junie would probably do best in a quiet home without children. They need an experienced guardian who has time to spend with them and understands their unique needs. They are significant flight risks and need a securely-fenced outside space to roam around in. These two girls have so much potential if given the chance to shine in their new home!December 31, 2024, 8:48 am
We'll also keep you updated on Holly's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Holly

Holly

Shih Tzu

Female, Adult
Toronto, ON
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with dogs, Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Holly is a 7 year old, 14 pound Shih tzu puppy mill survivor that likely spent most of her life living in a barn and having puppies.   She came into our rescue early December and is very slow warming up to her foster mom and her surroundings. She is not able to do stairs or walk on leash.  She is still nervous,  but is very slowly making progress.  She will need support with her house training.   She has a very sweet demeanor and would do well with another dog in the home. She came into the rescue with another shih tzu and they seem to lean on each other for support Holly was recently spayed and had 7 teeth removed.  This will not be a problem with her eating but should have a bit of soft food added to her kibble.   Holly will definitely need a secured back yard as she does not walk on a leash just yet.   It may take Holly a while to feel safe and secure.  If you feel that you can provide Holly with kind, loving stable home please fill out an application for our review.  December 13, 2024, 7:46 am

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Dog shelters and rescues in Toronto, Ontario

There are animal shelters and rescues that focus specifically on finding great homes for dogs in Toronto, Ontario. Browse these rescues and shelters below.

Here are a few organizations closest to you:

Rescue

Etobicoke Veterinary Hospital

1972 Kipling Ave, Toronto, ON M9W 4J5

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Speaking of Dogs Rescue

Toronto, ON M9W 3L8

Pet Types: dogs

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Save Some Souls Toronto

Toronto, ON M9W 3W6

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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PVCA Toronto Ontario

Etobicoke, ON M9A 5C6

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Welcome Paws rescue - Toronto Transport

Toronto, ON M6N 1V3

Pet Types: dogs

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DIBS Rescue - Markham

Markham, ON M9V 4M9

Pet Types: dogs

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DIBS Rescue - Etobicoke

Etobicoke, ON M9V 4M9

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

Doggos Dog Rescue

4140 Dundas St West, Etobicoke, ON M8X 1X3

Pet Types: dogs

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Shelter

City of Toronto Animal Services North Region

1300 Sheppard Avenue West, Toronto, ON M3K 2A6

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

4 Legged Love

Please Email Us!, Toronto/GTA, ON M6P 1W7

Pet Types: dogs

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