Rehabilitation

Because Speranza Animal Rescue is a no-kill rescue, meaning that we never euthanize an animal due to lack of space, we have several dogs that are not currently adoptable but are in rehabilitation. Dogs can be in rehab for medical or behavioral issues and each case requires a different approach and plan. The following dogs are currently in rehab at Speranza:


 
 

Gretchen



Gretchen was found as a stray in a local state park. She was spotted for about a week before she was able to be secured. Then she made her way to Speranza.

Only a few people handle Gretchen as she can be reactive to dogs, farm animals, and people. Gretchen looks forward to her daily walks and play time with “her people”!

 

 

Rockette

Rescue date: mid-January 2022 from Harrisburg, PA

We were told someone witnessed Rockette being dumped. She was acting out and wouldn’t let anyone near her all day. We do not know who dumped her, but she was microchipped. We contacted the owner, and they informed us she got loose, and they would be picking her up…but that never happened.

Rockette has what we call “stranger danger”. She is very sweet with her handlers, but she doesn’t like being approached by people she does not know. She is also picky who she allows to handle her. We are working on getting her more socialized and feeling more comfortable. We are hopeful that Rockette will be available for adoption in time. For now, she enjoys playtime in the play yard, toys, and snuggles from her friends.

 
 

 

Diego

 
 

Rescue date: October 2, 2015

Diego was found alone and shaking on a porch in Harrisburg. He loves other dogs and gets to play with his dog friends every day. Diego does well on walks and can be handled by most of the volunteers who understand and respect his boundaries.

 

 

Barry 

This blue-eyed heartbreaker was brought us as a stray by our favorite dog warden - Barry.  Barry has trust issues and can be a tad moody however once he loves you, he loves you hard! Barry is a very social dog when it comes to other dogs and loves to play with other dogs through the fences at Speranza. He is always smiling and making the volunteers laugh. Barry is not graceful, but he is very lovable! 

 
 
 

 

Gordon

Rescue date: 2017

Gordon was found wandering around after his owner tried to sell him on Facebook. Gordon was not too excited to see strangers trying secure him. Eventually he allowed Janine to leash him and bring him back to the rescue.

Gordon has opened up enough to trust a limited group of volunteers to handle him. He is protective of his handlers and reactive to those he does not know. Gordon’s favorite things are chicken nuggets and sneaking extra treats on his way out the door for his walks!

 

 

Charming

Rescue date: May 2020

Janine was shown a post about a dog who needed help. Two people were killed inside the home and the dog was left abandoned outside for almost two weeks. Concerned neighbors were trying to get him help before he made his way to us.

Charming is a tough one. We want him to be able to be adopted, but he is terrible with meeting new people. He’s very nervous and protective of the person who has him. We’ve tried a few meets, and they did not go well.

Charming has come to love life with us. He literally melts into his people. We are hoping that over time, he will learn to trust others, and we can introduce him to people safely. Until then, we will snuggle him and love him and give him all the stuffies he wants.

 

 

Craig

AKA Craig the Creeper
Rescue date: February 2019

Craig was running loose with two other pups, and one of the pups bit someone. They did not know which pup it was, but Craig was the only one they could catch, so he was placed on a 10-day quarantine. He was very nervous and stressed and not doing well; ultimately he was set to be euthanized. We felt he deserved a chance and proper time to decompress.

After getting to know Craig, we quickly realized it was most likely him that bite the officer but out of fear. He’s a very anxious boy, and he can be very reactive in some situations.

Craig has been doing amazing with us, and he’s allowing a lot more people to handle him now. Craig will always be his quirky self, but we love him for it.

 

 

Mikey

Rescue date: November 2, 2017

Mikey was living on a chain with no shelter in Harrisburg. With the help of the police, Mikey made his way to Speranza. We have learned Mikey’s boundaries and feel it is best that he

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Hudson

Hudson is a handsome 5-year-old Pit Mix was lived in a junk yard for 2 years in New York.  He wasn't getting much socialization and started showing some resource guarding behaviors.  He is now at the farm and doing very well.  We are working through his resource guarding and leash manners.  He is a very cute and playful boy, but he is stronger than he knows and plays rough.