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Puppies and dogs in Elsmere, Delaware

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

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Adopt a dog in Elsmere, Delaware

These adorable dogs are available for adoption in Elsmere, Delaware. To learn more about each adoptable dog, click on the "i" icon for fast facts, or their photo or name for full details.
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Photo of Rocky

Rocky

Labrador Retriever Shepherd (Unknown Type)

Male, 6 yrs 2 mos
Wilmington, DE
Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
ABOUT ROCKY Grab the tissues...this boy is sure to melt your heart! Rocky came to HAP from a high-intake shelter partner in Alabama as a neglect case. When Rocky arrived, he was covered in mange and flea dermatitis, so bad that he was full of scabs and had hardly any fur left. He was also so emaciated, to the point his excess skin rolls blended with his ribs. Despite being in such poor condition, he was determined to live life to the fullest! In Alabama, he was placed in a loving foster home to help him heal. He learned what it felt like to be truly loved for the first time. As he began to put on weight, he began to feel energized and his personality blossomed! He is affectionate and playful with his human pals. Rocky loves playing with other dogs and has been a rockstar in doggy playgroups. He gets along well with everyone, though he has a hard time keeping up with hyper puppies after a while. Although Rocky's hair may never fully grow back, he doesn't notice he's any different from any of the other dogs! He is so goofy and loves his stuffed animals! You can usually find him holding his favorite extra large yellow duck stuffed toy, which he sleeps with and carries everywhere. He never tears his toys, rather he treats them like his prized possessions! Rocky is a special boy who loves love. Understandably, he has his reservations with new people but warms up quickly when he realizes he is safe! He has such a kind heart for what the world has thrown him. Would you give him a chance? Rocky has participated in our Doggy Day Out program too! Here's what some volunteers had to say about him: "First doggy day out today! I took out rocky. He is an old man but is young at heart. He loved meeting everyone he came across on our long walk through campus, and put his head on peoples laps during class. The professor even let us out 10 minutes early so everyone could meet him! He was a bundle of joy. He was a little skittish around cars and loud noises but overall a very good boy :) made sure to keep him hydrated with lots of water today throughout the heat." "Rocky is the best. He is such a love :heart: just wants to give and receive love. He's my best buddy. He's a ladies man! I just love him so much. He's gets excited when he first gets attention and will show you his stuffed animals. They are his best friends and he carries them around and protects them. If he likes you he will push them into you to share with you. At least he always did with me. Then calms down and is medium energy. Walk well on a leash and keeps his kennel very clean!" If you are interested in Rocky, you are welcome to submit an adoption questionnaire! Our adoption process is first-come, best-match basis. We are not able to hold animals. If you are interested in a specific dog but it ends up not being the best fit upon meeting, our adoption counselors will work with you to help find a match! All household members, including children and other dogs, must come for the meeting to ensure it is a good fit. If a match is made, we encourage same-day adoptions! Our adoption fees include the animal's spay/neuter, microchip, age-appropriate vaccinations and preventatives, fecal testing, heartworm testing, and a small bag of food to get you started.
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Photo of Maeve

Maeve

Terrier (Unknown Type, Medium)

Female, 1 yr 2 mos
Wilmington, DE
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
ABOUT MAEVE Looking for an active puppy? Meet Maeve! She is a 1-year-old terrier mix that loves life! Maeve came to HAP from a high-intake shelter in Louisiana when they no longer had space for her. Despite being a young lady in the shelter, Maeve adjusted to the shelter quickly. She can be energetic when she first exits her kennel, but once she's outside she settles down. Maeve spent nearly 2 weeks in foster with a local trainer, so we could get more information on her in a home environment! After only a few days in foster, Maeve to be more relaxed than the shelter. She absolutely LOVES to play and will happily take any toy you give her. After some exercise, training, or playtime, she is ready to curl up next to you for some cuddles! Maeve is treat and toy motivated, making her a fast learner and eager to please. She already knows basic commands and walks well with a harness. Maeve has done well being left alone overnight and for a few hours during the day. She can be a little anxious of a crate, but loves having a bed in her room to snooze on! Maeve enjoyed playing with other dogs in foster too! Though she would need a home without cats. If you are interested in adopting this dog, please submit an adoption questionnaire! Our adoption process is on a first-come, best-match basis and we are not able to hold animals. If you are interested in this specific dog but it ends up not being the best fit upon meeting, our adoption counselors will work with you to help find a match! All household members, including children and other dogs, must come along for the meeting to make sure it's a good fit. If a match is made, we encourage same-day adoptions! Our adoption fees include the animals' spay/neuter, microchip, age-appropriate vaccinations and preventatives, fecal testing, heartworm testing, and a small bag of food to get you started.
Photo of Olive (fka Zoe)

Olive (fka Zoe)

Flat-Coated Retriever

Female, 1 yr 4 mos
Wilmington, DE
Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
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Photo of Chapo

Chapo

Labrador Retriever

Male, 1 yr 10 mos
Wilmington, DE
Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
ABOUT CHAPO Chapo is about 1.5 years old and so full of life! Chapo came to HAP when his owners sadly abandoned him. He has been overlooked at the shelter for his energy, as this pup loves having a task to do! Chapo is a Labrador Retriever and he could not be more accurate to the breed, he LOVES to retrieve! He has impressed our staff and volunteers with his fetch skills, bringing the ball right back and dropping it at your feet every time. After some playtime, he is sure to melt into you for some love! Chapo is well-socialized with people, being gentle and respectful when making new friends. While he may do some tippy-tap jumps, he is careful not to jump up onto you. Chapo also already knows basic commands, such as ‘drop-it’, ‘sit’, ‘paw’, ‘stay’, and ‘come’. He is food and toy motivated to learn, making the possibilities endless! Chapo hasn’t had proper introductions with dogs yet, though he is indifferent to most passing by when he’s outside. Chapo has also enjoyed days out of the shelter with our volunteers through our Doggy Day Out program. Here's what his friends have to say about him: "I am in disbelief that Chapo is still at the shelter, what a great boy! Chapo was nervous about getting in the car but allowed us to pick him up and once in he settles and lays right down. After being told how much he loves fetch we took advantage of an empty dog park where he enjoyed running around for 75 minutes chasing the ball and bringing it back every time! We then went for a walk at Bellevue where he enjoyed walking and sniffing. He is so smart knows sit, stay, paw and walks great on leash. We hit Dunkin and got him an egg and cheese bagel with a pup cup and it was a hit with him! Within 5 minutes he was passed out snoring in the back of the car! Whoever ends up with this sweet boy doesn’t know how lucky they are!" If you are interested in adopting this dog, please submit an adoption questionnaire! Our adoption process is on a first-come, best-match basis and we are not able to hold animals. If you are interested in this specific dog but it ends up not being the best fit upon meeting, our adoption counselors will work with you to help find a match! All household members, including children and other dogs, must come along for the meeting to make sure it's a good fit. If a match is made, we encourage same-day adoptions! Our adoption fees include the animals' spay/neuter, microchip, age-appropriate vaccinations and preventatives, fecal testing, heartworm testing, and a small bag of food to get you started.
Photo of Delilah

Delilah

Collie Terrier (Unknown Type, Medium)

Female, 7 yrs 4 mos
Wilmington, DE
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
ABOUT DELILAH Looking for a silly collie? Meet Delilah! She is a 7-year-old Border Collie mix who loves to play. Delilah came to HAP when her owners son developed an allergy to her. After spending her whole life in a home, Delilah was a little nervous at first to be in the shelter. She can be shy around new people, likely from losing her family. However, with patience and treats, she is quick to warm up and trust! Once you have gained her trust she wants to spend all of her time with you whether its cuddling, playing, or begging for treats. She also loves any and all toys, especially bones and stuffies. When she's not playing with our staff, she is likely curled up on her bed in an adorable sweater for a nap. Delilah is already house-trained, walks well on a leash, and knows basic commands. She has previously lived with children and does well with most dogs. If you are interested in adopting this dog, please submit an adoption questionnaire! Our adoption process is on a first-come, best-match basis and we are not able to hold animals. If you are interested in this specific dog but it ends up not being the best fit upon meeting, our adoption counselors will work with you to help find a match! All household members, including children and other dogs, must come along for the meeting to make sure it's a good fit. If a match is made, we encourage same-day adoptions! Our adoption fees include the animals' spay/neuter, microchip, age-appropriate vaccinations and preventatives, fecal testing, heartworm testing, and a small bag of food to get you started.
Photo of Mr. Bones

Mr. Bones

American Bulldog

Male, 11 mos
Wilmington, DE
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
ABOUT MR. BONES This handsome, loving boy had quite the rough beginning. Mr.Bones was found tied to our fence, emaciated and struggling to stand. Upon bringing him inside, our team noticed several large and life-threatening lacerations. Our veterinary team leaped into action to provide surgery he needed to save his front limb and prevent infection in his other wounds. Despite his size, this skinny guy had more strength than we ever imagined! Mr. Bones handled surgery like a champ and even gave our team kisses afterwards, as if he was happy to be helped. Despite all he endured in his past, Mr. Bones doesn't hold that against anyone, he loves making new friends, and is the happiest guy around. We estimate him to be around 10 months old. He has regained some much needed weight and is just over 80 pounds! Now that he's feeling better, he has become quite the active and playful guy. When he's not zooming around our fenced fields, you can usually find him nose deep in an enrichment toy to keep his mind busy! He is working on basic puppy manners, such as mouthing and jumping. Mr. Bones is very food motivated to learn and already knows some commands. He isn't always aware of his big boy size and strength, so older kids or adults who can understand he means well would be best. He can be selective with other pups and would do best in a home with no cats! To help monitor him during recovery, Bones went into a loving foster home, here's what they had to say about him: "Mr. Bones is acclimating to a foster home setting wonderfully! We have been working on redirection training (treat scatters "go find it, "get your toy, "leave it, etc) while using "Yes! or "Good! as his reward with a treat. He learned "Sit and "Down extremely fast. Definitely exhibits more balanced behavior when on an enrichment plan throughout the day (Kong, slow feeder, snuffle mat, 1:1 yard time). We love having him here and know he will make a family very happy!" If you are interested in adopting this dog, please submit an adoption questionnaire! Our adoption process is on a first-come, best-match basis and we are not able to hold animals. If you are interested in this specific dog but it ends up not being the best fit upon meeting, our adoption counselors will work with you to help find a match! All household members, including children and other dogs, must come along for the meeting to make sure it's a good fit. If a match is made, we encourage same-day adoptions! Our adoption fees include the animals' spay/neuter, microchip, age-appropriate vaccinations and preventatives, fecal testing, heartworm testing, and a small bag of food to get you started.

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Dog shelters and rescues in Elsmere, Delaware

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

Here are a few organizations closest to you:

Rescue

American Eskimo Rescue of Delaware

Wilmington, DE 19804

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

Response-a-Bull Rescue

Wilmington, DE 19808

Pet Types: dogs

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Shelter

Humane Animal Partners - Wilmington

701 A Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Senior Dog Haven & Hospice, Inc.

P.O. Box 1441, Wilmington, DE 19899

Pet Types: dogs

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Shelter

Keeshond Rescue NorthEast

47 Notre Dame Ave., New Castle, DE 19720

Pet Types: dogs

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Shelter

Faithful Friends Animal Society

165 Airport Road, New Castle, DE 19720

Pet Types: cats, birds, dogs, farm animals, rabbits, reptiles, small animals

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Rescue

A Buddy For Life Inc.

New Castle, DE 19720

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

LnF Dog Rescue

New Castle, DE 19720

Pet Types: dogs

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Shelter

Brandywine Valley SPCA - New Castle

290 Churchmans Rd, New Castle, DE 19720

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Delaware Puppy Rescue

Hockessin, DE 19707

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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For a comprehensive list of all shelters and rescues, try our search page. We have more than 17,000 organizations in our database with furry pals waiting for a new home!

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