My name is Sophia!

To apply or learn more, go to: https://www.heartsforpawsrescue.com/219873/2024/9/11/sophia


Sophia is a sweet, spirited and playful young dog who endured a long-road to be with us here today. Sophia was originally found as a puppy with her littermates near Fairfield California last January. Sophia and her litter were brought to a local shelter and adopted out to individual families at 2-3 months of age.

Unfortunately, Sophia was returned over summer at the age of 9 months, due to no fault of her own as her family’s circumstances had simply changed.

Back at the shelter, Sophia began to experience what is called “kennel stress”; used to being in a home environment, the noise and isolation inside her kennel for 23.5-24 hours a day was taking it’s toil on her emotionally. Sophia still caught our eye with her playful nature, and smarts.

Now, Sophia is decompressing in a foster home in SF, but her journey to forever is just beginning. She deserves the stability of a committed adopter for the rest of her life through all of life’s ups and downs.

Here is more info on Sophia and what we have learned about her during her time in foster care:

Loves to go “bye bye” and will jump right into the car; wonderful passenger and we can see her being a fantastic adventure buddy for future road trips, hikes, camping, etc

Sophia has a great base of basics and is ready to impress you with sit, shake, and eager to learn more! She is SUPER smart and has amazing potential for someone who would like to do agility training.

Good leash walking

Sleeps through the night

We know in Sophia’s first home she was raised with a child and a cat, but have not seen her personally around cats.

Sophia’s favorite play time activity is the “flirt pole” which makes exercising her even in a smaller space doable

Likes other dogs; Sophia participated in playgroups at the shelter; she has a puppy-like play style and loves to “herd” and chase her dog friends. She may be a little rough/ rambunctious in her play style for all dogs so we would definitely recommend a dog- to - dog meeting with current resident pets. Doggy play dates with dog friends would be a great activity for Sophia but she is not a dog park candidate. She has been around senior dogs who needed space, and she has taken cues from them as well. Her intros can be a bit rushed and excitable, but she is working on her neutrality on walks. She would do fine as a solo pet in the home as well.

Sophia does alert bark at noises but is already learning how to “check in” with her person when the noises occur

Sophia can be a little rough and mouthy meeting new people but is actively working with a trainer to learn how to greet people in a more appropriate manner

We would recommend a home adults only as she has broken skin in an overly excited manner when meeting a new person early on. She has been doing much better learning to be gentle and not jump up to greet.

A flexible work schedule, quiet neighborhood with a backyard would be amazing, but not all are required. Sophia may do well in a home with other pets, but we would advise animals meeting first and adopters to have plans for slow and proper integration into the home.

The ideal home for Sophia will be ready for all things young dog; active adopters that can provide her with daily play/physical activity and mental stimulation would be best. Homes familiar with herding tendencies, and comfortable with large high energy dogs

$250 adoption donation includes spayed, rabies, dhpp, bordatella, flea tick treated, fecal tested/dewormed, and microchipped


Sophia is currently in foster in San Francisco, CA.

Interested in adopting?
1. Please complete our online form at heartsforpawsrescue.com/adoption-application
2. We will respond in 1-3 days for a call!
3. If it sounds like a potential match for you and the dog of interest, we will promptly set up a meet and greet at the foster home

Please note we are a foster-based rescue meaning our dogs are in individual foster homes throughout sac and the bay. For this reason we may only be able to schedule meets for one dog at a time (or litter). The average timeline between app submission and a meet and greet is 3-5 days. Please only submit an application for a specific dog if you are ready to adopt that animal within a week's time.

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Email coordinators@heartsforpawsrescue.com or info@heartsforpawsrescue.com