Second Chance Animal Sanctuary and Rescue, Owen Sound, Owen Sound, ON (2026)

10/14/2026

Milo / M / 2Y / 35 lbs / Australian Shepherd / Fostered in Owen Sound

Milo is an energetic, affectionate sweetheart and an ultimate snuggle bug who loves nothing more than being close to his people. Walks, fetch (he could play ALL day!), learning new tricks, splashing around in the water, and cuddling up at the end of the day are some of his favourite things.

Milo’s life changed unexpectedly through no fault of his own, and he’s now looking for a family who will give him the time, patience, and love he deserves. He’s a sensitive boy who is continuing to build his confidence, and he’s making progress every day.

A few things to know about Milo:
- Fully potty trained and crate trained — he settles well after exercise
- An absolute angel in the car
- Loves the water and will happily spend time playing and exploring
- Smart, food- and toy-motivated, and eager to learn
- Has lots of energy and needs plenty of physical and mental exercise
- Strong herding instincts and can react to quick movements from people or objects
- Good with dog-savvy kids
- Affectionate, playful, and an exceptional snuggler
- Best suited to an experienced, active family who understands working breeds

As a true Australian Shepherd, he can be is particularly sensitive to quick movements from people and objects, which can bring out those herding instincts. This is something his forever family will need to continue working on with patience and consistency. He can also be unsure of other dogs’ intentions, although non-reactive on walks, he would likely be happiest as the only dog in the home (also no cats), where he can soak up all the love and attention for himself or be with a very patient companion. He would do best in a house with a yard.

Milo isn’t a “no work required” dog, but he is a “give me a chance and I’ll give you everything” kind of dog. He has so much love to give and will thrive with someone who understands the unique needs of an Aussie and is ready to continue helping him become the confident, happy boy he’s meant to be.

If you are interested in adopting Milo, please complete an adoption application on our website.

https://www.secondchanceanimalsanctuary.ca/adoption-application

10/14/2026

Coco / M / 3Y / 13lbs / Terrier mix / Fostered in Toronto

Coco has the most expressive face you'll ever see. Human expressions, funniest faces, and a habit of rolling onto his back when he sleeps or wants a pet.

Coco is a sweet, sleepy guy with low-to-medium energy, and he spends most of his day napping. He isn't the cuddliest dog, but he loves attention and wants to be close to you. He'll follow you around to see where you are, show affection by leaning or touching you on the couch, and greet you with playful energy when you get home. He's shy with new people at first. He'll hide and stare, then relax enough to nap again. He has really blossomed in foster care, and he's a work in progress who's very easy to love.

His favourite things include food, treats, and mealtime (his top three!), plus long sniffy walks in quiet places. He's happiest with 1-2 hours of walking a day, though he doesn't need much exercise to be a great sleeper.

What he's working on:
- Potty training: He poops outside but is still learning to p*e outdoors and is currently wearing belly bands inside.
- Alone time: He's started barking at the door when left alone, so he'll need a gentle routine to help him relax.
- Leash manners: Pretty good overall, but he gets fixated and pulls around other dogs on leash. He doesn't bark.
- Crate time: He's fine in a crate and happily eats in there, but doesn't settle yet.

Coco is neutral and calm with the resident dog in his foster home and is good with cats. He's not a fan of big, loud crowds or spooky noises. He would be fine with kids 12+. He will require a dental cleaning (with a few extractions) in the next year.

His ideal home: A family or couple who are home most of the time, with patience and a sense of humour. Someone who'll celebrate his progress, build his confidence, and give him the time and routine he needs to thrive.

If you have room for a goofy, sweet, snoozy sidekick, Coco is ready to meet you! 💛

Please complete an adoption application on our website.

https://www.secondchanceanimalsanctuary.ca/adoption-application

10/13/2026

🐾 FOSTER HOME NEEDED FOR LUCKY 🐾

Lucky is a 10-year-old, 90 lb German Shepherd who is looking for a foster home during a really difficult time. He was adopted five years ago, but sadly his dad recently passed away, and now Lucky needs a soft place to land while we find his next family.

About Lucky:
💛 Friendly, playful, and very smart
💛 Loves a good game of fetch
💛 House trained and crate trained
💛 Good with other dogs, ideally those closer to his size
💛 No cats, please

What Lucky needs:
🏡 A securely fenced yard
💪 A strong, confident handler. Lucky is very strong on leash, especially when he spots a squirrel or raccoon!

Lucky has a lot of love left to give, and a foster home would give him stability and comfort while he waits for his forever family.

Interested in fostering Lucky? Please complete a foster application. Fosters located in the Grey Bruce area are preferred.

https://www.secondchanceanimalsanctuary.ca/foster-application

Please share to help us find Lucky the perfect foster!

10/10/2026

🐾 Holiday Hound Snaps is now booking! 🎄

Get festive photos of your pet while supporting Second Chance Animal Sanctuary and Rescue!

📅 Sunday November 15th
15-minute sessions starting at 10:00am with the last session at 2:15pm (not scheduling between 12:00 and 12:30).

📍 Location: Candra Schank Photography studio, 1190 Second Ave East, Owen Sound

To book:

Email [email protected] with your preferred time, your name, and your pet's name

Once confirmed, e-transfer $35 for one pet ($10 for each additional pet) to [email protected]. Put "Holiday Hound Snaps" and your time in the comment.

⚠️ All proceeds go to the rescue, so no refunds. If you can't make it, feel free to send a friend in your place!

💰 Donations of product or cash are welcome, and bring cash for items we'll have for sale!

Please share with your friends and family! 💛

10/08/2026

Today we said goodbye to Eddie. He was with us for 8 years, and our house feels empty tonight.

Many of you have been following along since the beginning with Eddie.

Eddie came into our lives the day he was hit by a car right in front of me. His owners didn't want to continue care, so we took over and rushed him to OVC for spinal stabilization surgery. He recovered beautifully, and although he was paralyzed, he went on to live a completely full life.

And what a life it was. Eddie was one of a kind: affectionate, loud, and a total attention-seeker who never apologized for it. He loved lying out in the sun or the snow, going for walks in his cart (with skis on it in the winter), visiting the residents at retirement homes and kids at schools, where he soaked up every bit of love anyone would give him. He even joined us on a road trip to Florida.

Along the way, Eddie taught a lot of people that special needs pets are no different from any other pet, and nowhere near as hard to care for as many assume. His story reached people through our local newspaper, CTV News, and the documentary Rescuing Rex.

Eddie paved the way for so many other special needs dogs to find a home with us, and his legacy will live on.

10/05/2026

🤍 A Very Special Girl Looking for a Very Special Family

We're going to be very picky when it comes to Sadie's forever home. She needs a family who meets every one of her requirements, with no exceptions.

Sadie / F / 7Y / 12lbs / Pomeranian mix / Fostered in Owen Sound

Sadie arrived in our care deeply frightened and completely shut down. Even our vet clinic had never seen a dog so withdrawn. We know nothing about her past, but we can imagine it wasn't kind. She was found as a stray and placed on a 10-day quarantine hold after biting the person who found her. When the shelter was unable to adopt her out, they reached out to us, and we decided to take a chance on her.

Sadie began her journey in an x-pen, then slowly expanded to the living room and eventually the whole house. She still loves her safe little corner, but she's making small strides. When no one is home, or when only her foster mom is in another room, she'll venture out to explore. She remains very fearful of men and will stay in her bed when her foster dad is home. Going outside to do her business is getting easier for her, though she still has the occasional indoor accident, usually on a p*e pad but sometimes on a dog bed.

Sadie adores the company of other dogs and has begun playing with her foster siblings. She's even shown a little curiosity about chew toys! She won't take treats from a hand, but she will happily eat them once you set them down and walk away.

What You Should Know
- She tolerates pets but doesn't seek out attention, and if acknowledged she may retreat to her bed.
- She may growl at men and try to bite if picked up or moved.
- She does not walk on a leash. Her fear was so overwhelming during one attempt that she injured her mouth.

Sadie's Must-Haves
- A quiet, adults-only home
- A securely fenced backyard
- Close proximity to Owen Sound, as multiple visits will be needed before she heads home
- Adopters with plenty of experience with very nervous, shut-down dogs
- A family who will never push her beyond her comfort zone and is content to simply share space with her, with no expectation of a cuddly or interactive dog
- Another resident dog, which would be a big help to her

Sadie has the potential to be a wonderful companion, but we can't say whether this is who she'll be forever or whether she'll keep blossoming. Her family must be at peace with either outcome.

If you are interested in adopting Sadie, please complete an adoption application on our website.

https://www.secondchanceanimalsanctuary.ca/adoption-application

10/03/2026

Quick update on our girl! Earlier this week Sadie had her spay, and it turned into a bigger day than we expected. Once she was sedated, the vet was able to get a proper look in her mouth and found some pretty yucky teeth. She ended up getting a full dental cleaning, a few extractions, and a nasal fistula repaired while she was under.

The good news: she's feeling great and recovering really well. Honestly, I think her mouth feels so much better now!

She's still absolutely loving the backyard. As for trusting us, that's a work in progress. Some days she'll let me approach and pet her, and other times she bolts. That's okay. We're going at her pace and celebrating every little win, like when I'm standing in the kitchen and she wanders into the room with me. 💛

Thank you all for the love and support for this sweet girl. More updates soon!

10/02/2026

If you're looking for a 10/10 cuddler, he's your guy! Gregory is hands-down one of the most affectionate pups around, and he's ready to be your new best snuggle buddy. 🥰

Yes, he's sporting a fresh (and very necessary) haircut after a rough go with matting, but trust us, it's his personality that shines! ✨

Ready to give Gregory his forever home?
Read his adoption bio at the link below 👇
https://www.secondchanceanimalsanctuary.ca/adoptables/gregory

10/02/2026

Eclipse / F / 3Y / 20lbs / Shiba Inu mix / Fostered in Owen Sound

Eclipse is a cuddly, playful, VERY smart girl who looks and acts like a little fox. She'll toss a toy herself and pounce on it again and again, and she'll happily zoom in circles around the backyard. Her favourite toys are the cat toys, and she loves bush walks and playing with her foster sister.

Eclipse is working on generalized anxiety and fear. Once she's settled at home, she's perfect. New people and new places are scary for her, and she can get overstimulated easily. She takes a WHILE to trust you, but once she does, it's the most wonderful love you can receive. She is currently receiving daily fluoxetine and trazodone to help with her anxiety.

🐾 Energy: High. She does 1-2 walks a day (30-45 min) plus lots of playtime, and would love to be someone's running partner!
🐾 Crate trained and housetrained
🐾 Does well on leash and is great on walks
🐾 Fine alone in her crate for 8-9 hours, with no separation anxiety
🐾 Good with dogs and cats, but can be a lot at first. She's still learning to read cues and doesn't always respect personal space.
🐾 Car rides: She panics if she doesn't know where she's going, but she's much calmer heading home, and she's improving all the time!

What she's working on:
💛 Confidence in new situations and around new people. At home, she hides at first when someone new visits, but will come out to investigate. If you ignore her, she's much more willing to say hi.
💛 Recall. She is a flight risk in new spaces, so secure fencing and careful management are a must.
💛 Resource guarding. She guarded a high-value bone once, was easily corrected, and hasn't done it since.

Her ideal home: A quiet home with 1-2 main people and no kids. A tolerant, playful dog to match her energy would be a bonus, but she'd also do well as an only dog. Her person will be patient, committed to building her confidence, and experienced with flight-risk dogs.

If you are interested in adopting Eclipse, please complete an adoption application on our website.

https://www.secondchanceanimalsanctuary.ca/adoption-application

10/02/2026

Update: Adopted!

Gary / M / 1Y / 11lbs / Maltese mix / Fostered in Toronto

If you're looking for a calm, cuddly companion who wants nothing more than to be glued to your side, Gary might be the one for you. This sweet old soul has striking eyes, a gentle nature, and a whole lot of love to give.

Gary's favourite things include snuggling (the closer, the better), strolls on the beach, and meeting new people. If there's a lap available, he'll happily climb right up. Don't expect games of fetch, though. Toys, stuffies, balls and tug ropes just aren't his thing, and he's perfectly content simply being next to his human.

Gary is quiet, calm, and non-destructive. He's friendly with everyone he meets, polite with other dogs (he'll have a good sniff but doesn't really engage), and great with cats and other small animals, showing no interest in chasing. He'd do well with older, calm kids. He's a creature of routine and is wary of change, so a predictable household is ideal. And a fun fact: he climbs furniture like a billy goat and has some serious jumping ability!

Low to medium energy. He's just as happy with a walk around the block as an hour-long stroll. He gets 5 to 6 walks a day, since he only p*es while out on a walk (not in the backyard). Gary has had just one minor accident since coming into care and doesn't use p*e pads. He's very good on a leash, doesn't pull, and shows no reactivity, though he does stop frequently to mark and read the "p*e-mail." He's excellent in the car and will happily sit quietly and doze off.

Gary has separation anxiety and can become panicked (and yes, he can howl!) when left alone. His foster family has been gradually building up his alone time, and he's currently managing up to an hour in a gated kitchen. He's not crate trained and is quite suspicious of the crate, but they're working on introducing it as a safe space. He's also practicing recall and basic commands like "sit."

Gary's ideal home is someone who is home most of the time, with a quiet house and a steady routine. Because of his separation anxiety, he would do best in a house versus a condo/apartment. A true velcro dog, he needs an adopter who doesn't mind a shadow and who is happy to share the bed with him! He would not be the right fit for a home with young, playful children or for someone seeking an active, energetic dog.

If you are interested in adopting Gary, please complete an adoption application on our website.

https://www.secondchanceanimalsanctuary.ca/adoption-application

Second Chance Animal Sanctuary and Rescue

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