CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO/Gray News) – Too many dogs have spent years in shelters, and a home they can call their own is at the top of their Christmas list.
A pair of precious pups living in a shelter in Ohio have been there almost all their lives, patiently waiting for a family to one day adopt them.
If you’d like to open your heart to the joy of adoption, here are six more dogs looking for homes for the holidays:
If you’d like to open your heart to the joy of adoption, six dogs are still looking for homes for the holidays.(WOIO)
Click on the dog’s name for more information.
Nitro
Nitro has spent nearly 2,300 days in the shelters, which is most of his seven years of life.
He is a very energetic boy who loves swimming, hiking and going on adventures.
If you are an active family who enjoys exercising, adopt Nitro at The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project in Warren.
“I have been in the shelter for six years and could really use a hero. I don’t understand why no one wants to adopt me,” the shelter said on behalf of Nitro. “I’m such a good boy.”
Adopt Nitro: Northeast Ohio dog spends nearly all of five years of his life in a shelter (Source: The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project)(The healthy hearts and paws project)
Emerald
Emerald waited five years for a safe and loving home of her own after being rescued from a “disgusting” apartment, the shelter describes.
The shelter said this 8-year-old girl needs some time to warm up to new people.
But once she gets to know you, she’s a “people pleaser who loves to play, get belly rubs, and work hard for treats!”
So if you are a family that is patient and don’t have small children, adopt her from the Project for healthy hearts and paws shelter.
Adopt Emerald: Dog waits 5 years in Northeast Ohio shelter(Project for healthy hearts and paws)
Athens
January 3, 2025 marks Athena’s 1,000 days at the Wayne County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center. That’s more than half her life in the shelter.
“We really cannot understand why such a sweet girl like Athena has been here for so long,” the shelter said.
The shelter says Athena “just wants all the love and attention you want to share with her. There is nothing she would like more than to lie next to her and enjoy all the pets. She will repay you with the sweetest kisses.”
If you have no other animals or young children in the house and want to be her person, she is at the shelter in Wooster.
Adopt Athena: Dog waits 830 days to be adopted from Wayne County shelter(Wayne County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center)
Heller
This Richland County dog has lived outside, in a shelter or in a prison his entire life, and he’s waiting for you to give him the home he’s wanted to call his own for almost three years.
Heller came to the Richland County Dog Warden as a stray in May 2022, but he is not staying at the shelter.
He was transferred to Mansfield Correctional Institution (ManCI) in May 2023 for the ManCI Prison Program training.
This incredibly cute, well-behaved boy, about 3 years old, was described as playful and energetic, knows how to sit and shake, and loves being outside!
If you are a catless family and want to free Heller, adopt him through the director.
Adopt Heller: Richland County dog waits 600 days to find ‘fur-ever’ home(Richland County Dog Warden)
Bishop
This Richland County dog has also spent most of his life as a stray, in a shelter or in a prison and has been waiting for a family to rescue him for 2.5 years.
Bishop ended up in the Richland County Dog Warden as a stray in July 2022.
Like Heller, he was transferred to Mansfield Correctional Institution (ManCI) in April 2023 for ManCI Prison Program training.
Bishop’s favorite trick is to roll on the floor for treats, and he loves a warm bath.
“For the right people, they are the best dogs ever!” said the dog guard. “Bishop and Heller are best as the only dog in the house, but they both have great personalities.”
Adopt Bishop: Richland County dog waits 19 months to find ‘fur-ever’ home(Richland County Dog Warden)
Marnie
Marnie was born on March 1, 2022 and brought to the Euclid Animal Shelter in September 2022, where she has been since.
That means she spent just six months of her life outside of a shelter.
“Waiting two years for a family is a long time,” the shelter said on behalf of Marnie. “It was lonely seeing my friends leave for their forever homes, while I stayed behind. Please, if you have room in your heart and home, consider giving me a chance…’
She loves to run, play, chase toys, cuddle and show off her best dance moves.
If you are a family with no small children, but a fenced backyard where she can stretch her legs and explore, you would be making Marnie’s dream come true.
Adopt Marnie: Dog waits 2 years to be adopted from Euclid shelter(Euclidean Pet Friends)
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