Available Dogs - Northeast
NY, CT, RI, ME, NH, VT
Please visit our adoption page to read about applying for a New Spirit dog.
The link to the application is at the bottom of that page.
Many times, a dog on this page will already be adopted by the time we process your application. If a dog you were looking at no longer appears on this page, please check our "Happy Endings" page
to see if they've been adopted.
Don't wait until you see the dog of your dreams to put in an application!
Coming Attractions:
The dogs in Coming Attractions are not yet available but if you see one that interests you, please submit an application now to allow time for processing.
Hold: 
These dogs in the New Spirit program are currently undergoing medical treatment or behavioral assessment. No applications are being accepted on them at this time. Please check back for updates.
These dogs in the New Spirit program are currently undergoing medical treatment or behavioral assessment. No applications are being accepted on them at this time. Please check back for updates.
Please check back for updates.
Ben
Ben is a 45 pound neutered male red merle and is nearly five years old. Due to his extreme sensitivity to sounds and movements, he is a very high flight risk who requires a solid ,secure, and locked fenced yard. Ben also finds great security in having a grounded and confident Aussie sibling to draw comfort from both at home and on leashed walks. He can not be let off leash due to his fears and unpredictability.
Ben coexists well with cats and other grounded, friendly dogs. He is high energy and very fast-moving. Ben enjoys being near his person but is wary of others. He has no major health concerns but did have very runny eyes upon intake; they have cleared up completely after several months of indoor living and a good diet. He is now housebroken and reliable. Ben has had a history of fear-nipping. He must be carefully monitored and managed. Although most of his nipping history has been directed toward males, he has nipped one woman.
We have not exposed Ben to children due to his reactivity and their unpredictable quick movement and oftentimes shrill voices. When we are on neighborhood leash walks, we avoid any potential hazards by changing direction or sides of the street. He does play with a tennis ball now but will not compete with another dog to gain the ball. Ben walks on a Sporn harness and does well once he gets out the door and has settled into the adventure. He walks well with his foster brother or sister dog, bumping shoulders and checking in constantly.
Ben does not counter surf. He has a low to medium prey drive. He has good recall in our fenced yard and in the house unless he is spooked. His terror of unexpected sounds and motions makes him very dangerous to himself. He will BOLT from whatever he perceives as dangerous. He will not hear you call him when stressed.
He is currently on heart-worm preventive meds.
Ben must have a very patient, Aussie-savvy home with a dog pal that he can gain comfort and confidence from and who will provide him the dog companionship he enjoys. Ben will be "on hold" until mid to late January while we work further to try to de-escalate his reactiveness.
Ben is fostered in New Hampshire.
Apply here for him. NS2915
Please check back for updates.
Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan is a recently neutered 2-year-old male Aussie mini. He is a tri-color (dark brown, tan, and white), with some red highlights on his dark brown fur. He currently weighs 24 pounds, but is expected to gain more weight as he adjusts to his foster home. Cosmopolitan is extremely friendly and social. He loves being around people and craves attention. He has a delightful Aussie grin when he is excited.
Cosmopolitan seems to do well with other dogs. He is interested but not very playful at this time. He has been exposed to cats and does not seem interested in them. He seems to have high energy ~ he doesn't stop moving unless someone is rubbing him (which he absolutely loves). He is medium to high on the Velcro scale so far. He also really likes laps. He is not yet housebroken ~ we are working on learning where it is appropriate to go to the bathroom. He is good with all adults, and teenage children. He hasn't been exposed yet to younger children but the guess is that he would do well with them too, depending on his herding instincts. He is not yet playing with toys or playing fetch, but since he is still adjusting to his foster home it may be too soon to know what he likes. He is doing well on a leash, can pull some but is learning. He is learning to sit and come to his name as well. He seems to be a very fast learner!
When he first came to his foster home, Cosmopolitan would try to counter surf but he seems to have learned quickly that is not an appropriate behavior. However, I would not leave him loose in the house without monitoring. He is in yard with a fence and seems ok with that (hasn't tried to escape), but again he is not been left alone in the yard yet.
Cosmopolitan is fostered in Syracuse, NY
Apply here for him. NS3177
She is not overly playful yet, but we see sparks of the happy dog she could be when she carries her beloved stuffed lamb toy, occasionally tossing and pouncing on it. She thinks snow is the best thing ever! She is an avid counter surfer, but her manners otherwise are good. She's learning to walk on a leash and does not pull, she just wants to stay close.
She takes a little while to warm up to strangers, particularly men, and she is easily intimidated. With some training, gentle socialization and positive experiences, she will gain confidence and feel better about her world. She has not been exposed to small children, but we think she would do best in a quiet, calm home.
Pita Pocket is fostered in Rochester, NY
Apply here for her. NS3191
Pita Pocket
Pita Pocket is settling in at her foster home. This very pretty, petite 5 year old blue merle spayed female is ultra-sweet and loves to snuggle. She is eager to give kisses and be cuddled. Medium to high on the velcro scale. She has spent most of her life outside and is acclimating to being an indoor dog.
Housebreaking is going well, but you do have to make sure you pick up on her "please take me out" cues. Her crate is the safe place where she feels most comfortable and where she will retreat when she feels overwhelmed, so her forever home should be sure to have a crate for her. She is fairly respectful of the resident cats, but curious and interested in them. She and the resident dog are working on their relationship.
At 36 pounds, she is thin and her coat is short, but with good food, she will fill out and develop a beautiful Aussie coat.
