Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Not good with cats,
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Bella Grace's world changed when her owner had to move and couldn't take her along. Now, she’s searching for a new best friend, someone who understands her gentle heart and gives her the warmth and security she longs for.
This sweet girl is naturally shy but full of love. Bella Grace bravely approaches people, inching closer with curiosity, and always hoping for kindness in return. She allows handling but remains timid, needing patience as she builds confidence.
Her previous owner shared that Bella Grace’s perfect home would be one where she can cuddle with her humans, surrounded by soft blankets and stuffed animals—her favorite comforts. With a gentle touch, a little reassurance, and lots of love, she’ll blossom into the affectionate companion she’s meant to be.
Eligible for rescue, foster, and adoption. Meet Bella Grace at ACCT Philly any day of the week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., or email foster@acctphilly.org to express interest in fostering
VIDEOS
Bella Grace gives kisses: https://youtube.com/shorts/na6Ado0J1gc?si=5jsgEFnnWN5ovaNY
Bella Grace is so gentle: https://youtube.com/shorts/l1xeDtJi76c?si=epJpOEG9OIOkIoPL
Bella Grace knows sit: https://youtube.com/shorts/eQRudq1KEJQ?si=T_SHeRpK0mL81AhI
Bella Grace's day trip!: https://youtube.com/shorts/2R93-7emeUU?feature=share
Behavior notes:
02/18/2025 short term foster notes: Bella Grace is super sweet! Loves attention and affection! She slept through the night, not a peep out of her. She walked so nicely on the leash when we went for a walk. At one point we passed a yard with a reactive dog barking at her and she took notice, but just kept walking nicely.
02/17/2025 volunteer notes: Approaching the kennel she was barking at me, easy to leash up and remove and we walked outside, She was immediately sniffing everything. She met Supreme and had her ears back, tail initially high and wagging then it was middle-to-low, soft eyes, some lick lips, did a few semi play bows and darted back and forth a little. After the initial meeting she wanted to interact with me more, both showing affiliate behavior and also clearly asking to move along from the dog meet. Back inside she was very affectionate towards me, getting on my lap and giving tons of kisses with ears back, soft eyes and overall soft and loose body language. The other handler tried to get her attention when I walked away but she pulled back towards me. She was easy to return to her kennel.
02/15/2025 Day Trip notes: Bella Grace is the sweetest! Thank you for the opportunity to take her out on a day trip today. Bella is the perfect companion, she walks so well and sees the world through her nose. Bella loves treats and people, she walked past other dogs and people with ease and loves loves loves pets. She’s an amazing friendly girl who will make her future family so happy!
02/15/2025 staff notes: Bella Grace did well on her day trip, but was stressed coming back to the shelter. She thrashed (not very intensely) a few times in the lobby as her day trip fosters left. She was panting the whole way back to her kennel, and continued panting once she got back in. She gave me no issues while walking or returning but is clearly stressed and would benefit from getting out of the shelter environment as soon as possible!02/14/2025 staff notes: When I past by TTA, I saw another volunteer was attempting to get timid Kuma out of her kennel. I stopped in to help strategize and brought up the idea of using another dog to lure her out of the kennel. Bella Grace was Kuma's neighbor in TTA so she was the luckily friend!
When I approached BG's kennel, she was near the front, quietly awaiting my arrival. BG did dodge the leash a bit but I was able to secure her pretty quickly. BG was a great candidate for the job we had for her. She was patient walking back and forth to help lure Kuma out. It did not take long for Kuma to step out and follow us outside.
Once outside, we decided to do some laps around the parking lot with both girls. BG walks pretty well on leash and does not seem reactive to other dogs. Both girls mostly just walked around acknowledging each other every once in a while. BG did solicit attention from me a couple of times, jumping up to say hello.
We did a fence met with Kuma and BG. BG initially seemed unsure. She had a high tail, stiff body and her ears were back. Kuma was play bowing and vocal. After a minute or so, BG started to play bow, wag her tail and bounce around. Due to Kuma's timidness, we decided to not conduct a full dog meet at that time.
Once Kuma left, I took BG over to the play yard. BG knows sit and takes treats gently. She seems like a mellow girl who's still a bit timid at the shelter. Once BG had some time in the sunshine, she returned to her kennel with no issues!
02/12/2025 staff notes:
KENNEL PRESENTATION:
Bella Grace was up on the door when the handler approached with wide eyes and low wags. She got down when the door opened with a neutral body and raised hackles. She allowed ears to snout and was a bit hesitant.
LEASH SKILLS:
Pulls minimally
HANDLING :
In the room, Bella Grace roamed around sniffing curiously with a tucked tail and wide scared eyes. She was a bit nervous when approaching the handlers but was trying to be brave and going up to everyone.. She was tolerant of all handling but remained timid and continued to sniff around and avoid the handlers if she could.
PLAY:
No interest
TOYS:
No interest
ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details.
If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/
Confirmed placement is considered a confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent.
All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open-intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly’s Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313