welcome to SAVE A FRIEND dog rescue
  • Home
  • About us
    • Our team
  • Our story
  • Dogs for adoption
  • Happy tails
  • How to help
  • Store
  • ADOPTION TIPS

Happy Tails

These are some of over 200 Colombian dogs that have made their way into Canadian hearts and homes over the last few years. These photos are some of the highlights of their happy new lives in Canada! We do our best to update this page regularly with happy tails, but please visit our Facebook and Instagram for more news of our newest adopted Colombian-Canadian canines!

Petey wandered into a pet store in Soacha, this clever little guy rescued himself when the kind proprietor saw that we was covered in fleas, suffering from a skin infection and the onset of of mange; she could not turn him away.


Petey was taken in by one of our volunteers,and lived with her in foster care for a few months, while he recovered and was neutered and vaccinated and his skin healed up.

This happy and friendly little dude lucked out with a flight volunteer in March of 2020, just before COVID shut down flights from Bogota to Toronto!

Peter spent a bit of time in foster care before finding a wonderful forever family here. He works from home a lot of the time, but also accompanies his mom to her office, where he works as Office Dog in her law firm. It's a demanding position, but this small and mighty little guy loves it! Petey was adopted in June of 2020.

Cyrus and Danica were rescued from the street in Soacha. We're not sure of their backstory, but they were found abandoned, dirty, emaciated and scrounging for food by one of our volunteers in March of 2017. It was clear from the start that this diminutive duo was a bonded pair, and so they went to live in the farm with Dra. Martha until a forever family could be found. It's especially difficult for small dogs like this to survive on the street and they both needed to be sterilized as well, because while they are adorable, the last thing we need is more puppies!


C&D settled in with Dra. Martha and it didn't take too long for them to find an amazing family in Canada that wanted to adopt both of them, their bags were packed for a flight to T.O.in the early fall of 2017! And then, the unthinkable happened, ONE DAY before the flight in September, Cyrus was kicked by a horse on the farm and one of his back legs was shattered.

We decided that Danica would fly without her brother and she arrived in October of 2017 and settled in. Cyrus remained in Colombia and had surgery to repair the leg. He arrived here in the spring of 2018 and we discovered that he needed an additional, complex orthopedic surgery to fully repair his leg. This wee guy took it like a champ!

FINALLY, after surgery in Toronto in the early summer of 2018, this darling duo was reunited and now make their home in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Cyrus had further physio and hydro-therapy to gain mobility one he was home -- and C&D are now living the dream! It was a LONG road for these 2 pups, but it was more than worth it!

Luna was rescued from the street in Soacha -- she had been tossed out by a family that didn't want her any more. It also appeared she'd had pups and was perhaps used by a backyard breeder. It's a dangerous life on the street, and for small dogs like Luna, they are also at risk of being attacked by larger dogs who are equally desperate to survive


She was picked up by one of our Colombian volunteers and moved in with her rescuer. She proved to be a lovely and happy little pup, despite her ordeal. In September of 2019, She made her way to Canada with 2 very kind flight volunteers who also happen to be adopters and fosters with our rescue. She even had a stop-over in Cancun for the day, saw a few sights, she proved to be an excellent little traveller and companion on the flight!

It didn't take this lovely little lady too long to find a wonderful mom and cool condo digs! Luna was adopted in October of 2019.

Ofelia was part of a litter of pups rescued from an abandoned shed when they were just about 4 weeks old. They were quite ill and spent the first part of their lives in a vet clinic. Sadly, not all of the pups survived, but Ofelia made it and has proven to be a tough but tender little girl!


Ofelia had been living in a foster home with her rescuer in Medellin, Colombia, who flew her to Bogota and then this tiny jet setter made the final leg of her journey and settled nicely into foster care in Toronto in a home with one of our other Colombian-Canadian canines, Vito (you can read his story below, here on our Happy Tails page ).

Ofelia found a very loving family not all that far from her foster home, with another rescued canine sibling and a cat rescue sib too -- as well as a couple of human sisters. She was adopted in March of 2019 and is doing so well!

Chloe's a wee wisp of a girl that found herself homeless and out on the street in an economically vulnerable area of south Bogotá and taken into foster care by one of our rescue volunteers in Colombia.


She made her way to Canada, where we discovered she needed surgery on BOTH knees to repair patellar luxation. This tiny but tough terrier made it through surgery and post-op physio like a champ! It was amazing to see her bounce back and inspirational too.

Once she had fully recovered, Chloe had a wonderful forever family waiting, they'd laready fallen in love with her. Chloe now has 2 other rescue pups as siblings, Elphie and Rudy and a paw-some life with her parents too. Plus, they gave her the best nickname: the little Lorax! The little Lorax was adopted in August of 2018.

Max waited YEARS for a family after being rescued from the street when he was hit by a car, but he found an amazing happy ending!


After recovering from his injuries and being shuttled back and forth between foster homes and boarding facilities for over 3 years, Max got his shot at the big time when he participated in a "trash-the- dress" photo shoot that was sponsored by a very kind couple in Bogotá. He's such a loving and expressive dog and the pics really captured Max's kind spirit.


We shared the photos on social media and they caught the eye of a Canadian who was travelling to Colombia in the spring of 2018. And she decided she HAD to meet Max while she was there, so we set it all up.

It was a case of love at first sight for these 2 and after so many years of waiting because no one wanted him in Colombia, it was nothing short of a miracle for our big boy!

In June of 2018, Max made his way to Vancouver, where he now has the life every dog dreams of (and more than a few people too!). We're all especially grateful for this happy tail, so long in the making.

Lola was found on the street in a small town by one of our rescue vets, she had been living as a stray there. She had just been hit by a car and was in shock. Dra. Martha picked her up and took her to her clinic. Luckily for little Lola, she wasn't seriously hurt, but we decided she could not return to the street.


Lola moved on to the farm with Dra. Martha and lived there for several months after being spayed and vaccinated. She's a fun and feisty girl and in May of 2018, arrived in Canada with a kind couple who volunteered to bring her here.


As luck would have it, this couple (who met her and several of our other pups when they visited the farm on their vacation) fell in love with little Lola somewhere in the sky between Colombia and Canada.

After spending some time in foster care here in T.O. to be vetted and evaluated, little Lola moved to Ottawa with them, and she now makes her home in our nation's capital and she has a new Canadian canine brother called Ami too! Lola was adopted in late May of 2018.

Nala was found as a stray. She followed a lady home from a bus stop and that woman and her family fed Nala for a week -- that whole time she stayed outside their front door. Thankfully, the family eventually contacted a volunteer with the rescue to pick up Nala as they could not keep her.


Nala was put in a foster home in Colombia, spayed, vaccinated and evaluated. She arrived in the spring of 2018 with her flight buddy Cyrus (he already had a family waiting here and one that had previously adopted his sister, Danka!). She spent some time in foster care in T.O. -- learning to play with toys, relax and take LONG naps!



Nala found her forever family in May 2018. She's now happily ensconced in the Rosedale area of T.O., and is loving life and engaging in retail therapy -- one of her new favourite pastimes!


Luke and Leia were abandoned on the street -- tied to a light pole. They were filthy and matted and we figure they were dumped after being used for breeding. They were very attached to each other, so we knew L&L deserved to find a happy ending together.


Despite what was probably a pretty crappy start in life, this dynamic duo proved to be happy, active and fun-loving! They love all people and everyone they meet gets kisses and requests for tummy rubs. Luke and Leia arrived on January 1, 2018 to begin a new year and a new life in Canada.


They spent some time in foster care in Toronto while we searched for the right fit for this active and affectionate bonded pair.

In April of 2018, L&L found their forever family and are now enjoying the good life in Stratford, Ontario with their new parents (who are also Star Wars fans) and making friends all around town. Who knows? Maybe they'll develop an appreciation for Shakespeare? All's well that ends well for Luke and Leia!

Taffy has kind of an incredible story: She crossed the border into Colombia from Venezuela on foot to escape the turmoil there with her family, but when they arrived, they couldn't afford to keep her. Taffy was being put on the street, one of our volunteers found out about Taffy's vulnerable position and saved her.


Taffy's a resilient and happy girl and settled into her new foster home with no problem, and in the spring of 2018, Taffy made the trek to T.O. and to her foster home here, charming her foster fam and fur sibs with her characteristic playful and affectionate nature.


Taffy found a forever family and now makes her home in Liberty Village. Her dad says she's loving her new life and it's now her mission to find every mud puddle in Toronto! And every sunspot too.

It's been an epic journey for the sweet little girl -- 2 continents and 3 countries, but Taffy never gave up -- and now she's finally home. Taffy was adopted in March of 2018.

Luna was a stray that was picked up when she was found hanging around a public transit station. She was a young pup, thin and tired and more than a little frightened.


Luna was taken to a local foster home and spent some time there recovering. She was spayed and vaccinated, and it didn't take long for little Luna to catch the eye of a lovely Canadian family.


Luna arrived in Canada, spent some time in foster care here, so she could be evaluated. She moved in with big Opie, one of our other Colombian-Canadian canines and in his first outing as a foster bro, he did a pawsome job! (Read Opie's story below.)

Luna was adopted by her family in March 2018 and she's a bouncy ball of energy and a real snuggle bug too! We're over the moon for her and it's a happy ending for lovely little Luna.


Leo was thrown onto the street from a moving vehicle in a busy area. He ran after the car as it sped off and then made it to a parking lot across the street, where he took refuge under the parked cars, terrorized and in shock.


It was a miracle that he wasn’t hit by another car during this ordeal. A kind parking lot attendant saw it all go down, and then took care of him as he continued to hang around the lot for food and shelter.


After a couple of weeks, a resident in the area took him off the street and alerted the rescue. One of our volunteers went down to pick him up and whisked him to safety and a foster home.

Leo bounced back from this trauma, and it turned out he’s a super-lovable guy! So he made his way to T.O. with Candy and some kind volunteers on a red-eye flight. Leo spent some time in foster care in Toronto. He's hilarious, slightly eccentric and has his own ideas about A LOT of things! Leo and found his forever family just before Christmas, 2017. In fact, he even got to fly home to Newfoundland with them to meet the whole family and spend Christmas there. This little Colombian is a world traveller now -- and he loves a good Newfoundland kitchen party!

Candy was living on the street in a tourist-y area of Bogotá where she was being fed and cared for by a sweet vendor, that’s how she got her name! The vendor could not afford to keep her and knew she’d never be safe out there alone, so she contacted the rescue.


Candy was placed in foster care in Bogota and was spayed and vaccinated, and took some time to decompress from life on the street.



Candy arrived in Toronto in the wee hours of a chilly late autumn morning and was a happy and affectionate little girl from the moment she popped out of her carrier. Candy found a lovely forever family with 2 moms, a poodle brother called Lionel (also a rescue) and 2 cat rescue sibs! She gets to go to work with one of her moms almost every day. It's a great life for this little sweetie and her moms say it was love at first sight for them. Candy was adopted in late November of 2017.

We first met Scruffy when tourists travelling in the area of Mongui, Colombia snapped his photo. He was living on the street there with several other dogs and these kind people wanted to save one of these dogs and bring her home – Scruff was one of her friends and appeared in many of their photos.

Tragically, we found out that the dog they had wanted to adopt had been hit by a car and killed not long after they left the region, when some of our volunteers travelled to the town to find her. But there was Scruffy, still on the street with the rest of the pack. We rescued him and another young female pup in her memory. That little girl found a home with those kind tourists in New York City and little Scruffers made his way to T.O. to find his happy ending too.

Scruffy was a bit timid and fearful when he first arrived, not surprising given his background. But this little gentleman settled right in to his foster home in the east end of Toronto. It didn't take him too long to find his forever family, and as luck would have it, they are in the same neighbourhood! Scruffy has a new name, Indy and a happy new life! He's learning to relax and play and he loves his mom and dad and his aunties and uncles and fur-cousins. It's been an amazing journey for the little street mutt from Mongui. Scruff was adopted in November, 2017.


Bogie was one of several pups found abandoned in a box by the side of a country road. The litter was very young and one of our rescue vets took them in and cared for them.

Several of Bogie’s siblings found homes in Colombia, but no one wanted big Bogie and for almost a year he stayed on the farm, waiting for a forever family. Some of our Canadian volunteers met him while visiting and snapped his photo. And that's when Bogie caught the eye of one of our previous adopters, and she decided he would make a great brother for her other Colombian-Canadian Canine, Kaluha. (See below for Kaluha's story.)

So, in late September 2017, Bogie landed in The 6ix with 2 other lucky pups, Vito and Danka. His new mom was there, waiting for him at the airport. Bogie’s setting in nicely in his new home in Prince Edward County. His mom says it’s like he’s always been there. And of course, his sister Kaluha’s showing him the ropes and these 2 CCCs are already best buds!

Canela’s a striking girl with a big heart, a sad story, and a happy ending! She started out life as a stray, eking out an existence on the street. It’s extra hard for bigger dogs like Canela to survive, as they need more food, and are often the target of hostile humans. When Canela was found by her rescuers, she was extremely thin and had lost most of her hair to mange. She also had several bite marks and scars that told the tale of her struggle to survive.

Canela spent almost a year in a boarding facility that was paid for by her rescuers. She also received medical attention, was sterilized and vaccinated. She bounced back, put on some weight and has become a joyful and loving girl that’s grateful for all she has received. Canela did not get a single adoption application while in Colombia, and so after months of searching for a home there, we decided she needed a shot at the good life in the 6ix.

She arrived here and settled into her foster home with 2 other dogs and a very bossy cat. She's a huge goofball with a wonderful sense of humour. She loves to snuggle, learn new tricks and chase balls!

Canelita found her forever family in July, 2017. She now lives just west of the city and loves going for hikes and hanging out with her mom and dad and canine cousins. She says it was a long haul, but well worth it.

Lulu was abandoned by her owner on the street. One of our rescue vets saw her, waiting at the door of her previous home for almost a week, asking to be let in. When she talked to the owners, they said they didn't want her anymore.

So Lulucita moved onto the farm with our Dra. Martha and fit right in! She's an adorable and happy little pup with perpetual bedhead. After waiting for about 6 months to find a forever family in Colombia, Lulu came to Canada with her friends Junior and Lola (Lola already had a family waiting for her here). This intrepid trio were great travellers and arrived in T.O. on a blustery spring night.

Within no time, little Lulu, the dog no one wanted in Colombia, found a wonderful forever family! She now lives in a trendy west-end neighbourhood in T.O. and enjoys helping her dad work from home, going on long walks and engaging in retail therapy. Lulucita was adopted in May, 2017.


Junior was found as a stray by one of our rescue vets, living on the streets near her practice in El Rosal.

After a couple of weeks, she determined he was alone and took him home with her. Junior was living on her farm when some Canadian volunteers that were visiting met and fell in love with him. After learning that no one wanted to adopt him there, we knew this sweetie had to come to Canada.

Junior is a small and super-affectionate guy that loves to cuddle and sticks to his humans like glue. He arrived here in April of 2017, and settled into his Canadian foster home with no problemo.

This charming redhead found his forever family in May, 2017. He'll have his paws full playing with the grandkids and training to be a certified therapy dog!

Harry was abandoned in a bus station in downtown Bogotá.

A young boy found him there, and his parents contacted our rescue. We picked him up, and took him to a foster home for a much-needed bath and grooming, then he was neutered and had his teeth cleaned.

He spent a few months with his foster mom there, and in March of 2017, handsome Harry flew to T.O. with his flatmate and friend Dante.

Harry found an amazing forever family in Prince Edward County, and now his days are filled with walks along the lake, naps in sunspots, and most importantly, hosting duties at his mom and dad's B&B -- because handsome Harry is a host with the most. He was adopted in April of 2017.

Dante was hanging around a church, begging for food after Mass, when he was picked up by one of our volunteers.

He was dirty, thin and desperately lonely too, but he cleaned up nicely (check out his before and after above). He spent a few months in a foster home with his friend Harry, rescued around the same time. And then, then these 2 poodle-y dudes packed their bags, and headed north!

In his hometown, Dante was just another street dog that no one wanted. But in no time, this happy, well-mannered guy found the best forever family here with his Canadian dads, in a trendy area of T.O. They tell us this little guy has become "King of the Dog Park," known for his infectious smile and happy-go-lucky approach to life! Darling Dante was adopted in March, 2017.


Terry spent the first year of his life at the end of a chain in a garage.

What little human contact he had was very negative, and when his so-called family grew tired of him and wanted to euthanize him, a kind person stepped up to save him and pay for his care and rehabilitation in Bogotá. At that point, he was extremely fearful and under-socialized. Terry spent over a year there in a refuge, learning to live like a normal dog and to interact with humans and canines. Unfortunately, no one wanted to adopt this very handsome (but still very timid) boy, so Terry's sponsor paid his way to Canada. Terry's a truly gentle soul and with a little time and TLC, he came out of his shell and has found an wonderful forever family in Toronto, with a BIG doppelganger brother called Baloo, who's a rescue from Quebec. Baloo is showing Terry the ropes, and Terry is learning that life is good! Terry also has a new name, Otis and he and his bro now have their own Instagram account! Terry was adopted in March, 2017.

Susie was found as a young pup on the street.

She spent 5 long years various foster homes and facilities in Bogotá, searching for a family. During that stressful time, her fur began to grow gray, and she was fearful and lonely, as so many of the other dogs she knew moved on to forever families, and no one ever looked twice at Susie. In November of 2016, we decided Susie had waited long enough, and she flew to Toronto with one of our volunteers who also became her foster mom. Well, after a couple of months there, her foster family decided Susie was perfect for them, and so she became a foster fail! Susie's mom says to remove her fear and anxiety and replace it with love has been an amazing thing. Susie now lives east of the city and is loving life, and goes on daily walks with her fur sister Paloma, another one of our Colombian-Canadian canines. It's the best possible ending for sweet Susie, and she says it was well worth the wait. Susie was officially adopted in February 2017.

Sarita was born in a shelter in a town close to Bogotá, and adopted out to a family there that returned her after about 2 years when they got another puppy.

Honestly, we have no idea why! Sarita is a joy to have around, loves people, dogs and cats and just wants to give kisses and snuggles to everyone. One of our volunteers fell in love with her on a visit to Colombia, and after learning that no one seemed to want this doll, we knew we had to get her here ASAP! Sarita very quickly found her happy ending: she now lives with 2 human siblings, and her mom and dad just west of the city, and gets to do what she loves most, which is to be involved in EVERYTHING. This includes accompanying her human sibs to ski lessons, assisting in her mom's tutoring classes, and just hanging out, reading a book or watching TV (Sarita loves The Ellen Show). Sarita was adopted in January, 2017.


Fonzie found his forever family in December of 2016. This happy-go-lucky dude was found as a stray in a poor area of Bogotá.

He was wandering the streets for a few days and then someone in the neighbourhood alerted the rescue. One of our volunteers drove down to pick him up. No one ever came forward to claim him, so in November 2016, the Fonz packed his bags and headed north to the 6ix. Fonzie found an amazing mom who is a veterinarian, and his whole family is very active and sporty, which suits this guy just fine. Fonzie now enjoys weekends at the cottage and this little Colombian has embraced the great Canadian winter with gusto!

Opie's a lovable lug now, but when he was found in a poor area of Bogotá, he was in such a terrible state that he was almost euthanized.

He was emaciated, had lost much of his fur to mange, and had more than his fair share of battle scars from life as a big dog on the streets, but his sweet personality and gratefulness to his rescuers paid off, and they took a chance on him. Opie spent almost a year in Bogotá getting better, and then looking for a home. He lived at a boarding facility that was paid for by his rescuers, and everyone there said he was the sweetest dog, despite his history, but it sure wasn't home. Opie went to many adoption fairs and met lots of humans and other dogs, but as a large black dog, he was consistently overlooked, so he packed his bags and travelled to Canada to find home, arriving (appropriately enough) on Thanksgiving Monday. He spent some time in foster care in Toronto, and it didn't take too long for him to find an awesome forever family that didn't mind his larger size and battle scars. Opie was adopted just before Christmas 2016, and now he has more love, toys and cosy places to sleep than he could ever have hoped for!

Eva was found on the street by one of our rescue vets in a small town outside of the city of Bogotá.

Dr. Martha was heading into her local bank, when she saw Eva begging for food from people standing in line, waiting for the bus. But when she came out from the bank, Eva was gone! Dr. Martha tracked her down a few blocks away, quickly picked her up and whisked her to safety in a cab. Eva spent a few weeks on Dr. Martha's farm with several of our other pups. She was spayed, vetted and proved to be a really great girl. Within no time, she captured the heart of a lovely Canadian family from afar, and just a couple of months after her rescue, she travelled to Canada. Eva made an easy transition from small-town girl to hip city slicker -- she even has her own Instagram account! And she frequently visits her cousin Ollie, another one of our Colombian-Canadian canines. Eva was adopted in July, 2016.


After being surrendered by his family due to allergies when he was still a young pup, Barney spent over a year in foster care, being moved from facility to facility in Colombia and searching for a home, with no luck.

At one point, he became homeless again, when his foster family could not afford to keep him and they cut him loose on the streets. Luckily, one of our volunteers tracked him down and pulled him off the street, he was in pretty rough shape at that point. But after that, big Barney's luck really changed! Thanks to donations from some really wonderful supporters, Barney travelled to Canada and immediately found a home with one of the families that helped bring him here. He now has a big sister called Dixie to play with (she's a Canadian rescue dog and just his size), and fabulous forever family. Barney has discovered a love for Lake Ontario and all things water -- and has found his zest for life! Barney was adopted in June of 2016.

Zeus was abandoned by his family when they left the country to look for work.

He had been born in a shelter in the city, and while his brothers, Manny and Nico came to Canada in January 2016, Zeus stayed behind and was adopted locally. He's a very quiet and timid guy, but he found his way into a loving foster home in Colombia after being abandoned, and then came to Canada in May. Zeus found a wonderful home here with a happy and confident Canadian big bro called Bailey, who's also a rescue pup, and he is loving his new life! Mighty Zeus was adopted in June of 2016.

Pinina was adopted in May of 2016.

After waiting over a year in foster care in Colombia for a forever family, she made it to Canada. We were amazed no one wanted this fabulous, feathery little girl down there, but Pinina's patience paid off in spades! She now lives just outside of Toronto with a lovely family that includes a canine sister called Rio and a couple of cat siblings as well (they declined to appear in this happy tail). Her family says she loves sunbathing and climbing, and has a charming silly streak.


After waiting almost a year in Colombia, little Miss Moka made it to Canada and found an amazing family.

She had been used as a breeding dog, and her previous owners also botched up her ears, when they tried to crop them. Once they were done with her, they tossed her out on the street. Despite this rocky start to life, Moka maintained her sweet disposition and fondness for hugs and snuggles. After spending some time in foster care in Toronto, she found her happily ever after. You can follow her adventures on Instagram! Moka was adopted in April 2016.

Charlie was found as a puppy in a poor area of south Bogotá where there are many homeless dogs.

He was very ill with canine distemper and almost didn't make it, but he's a tough little guy, despite his smiling poodle exterior. Then he waited over a year for someone in Colombia to adopt him, but there were no takers and he moved from foster home to foster home, wherever there was space. His whole life changed when a wonderful Canadian family fell in love with his photos and videos and decided to adopt him. It was a long and tough haul for this guy, but it was worth it. Charlie now lives in Toronto with his big labradoodle brofur George. He loves to go to work with his dad, and he and George enjoy watching him play hockey too! Charlie was adopted in April of 2016.

Cardoza had a home, but one day her owner could no longer afford to feed her and cut her loose on the streets to fend for herself which is where we found her.

She was a filthy, matted mess and needed to be spayed, vaccinated and groomed, but she remained a sweet and happy-go-lucky girl throughout. Cardoza did not have to wait very long for a lovely Canadian family that was travelling to Colombia on vacation to see her photo, meet her, fall in love, and give her a new home -- and a new life. Cardoza arrived in Toronto in late February 2016. She loves snow and she loves the beach. Oh, and she has a new name too, it`s Blue! Perfecto!


Bibi is a gorgeous mutt, and one of the kindest, most easygoing dogs you will ever meet. She eked out an existence on the streets in a pueblo just outside of Bogotá, sleeping in the cemetery at night..

She was being fed and was spayed by a local vet that works with our rescue. One day, the vet found her on the street, she had been hit by a car and was near death. Our amazing Dr. Martha was determined to save this special girl and spent months nursing her back to health in her own clinic. Bibi was spotted by one of our rescue volunteers with Dr. Martha, and shortly thereafter found a sponsor in one of our previous adopters, who generously paid her way to Canada. Once here, Bibi spent some time in foster care. Her sad eyes disappeared and she became goofy, playful and OBSESSED with squeaky balls. When the time came to find her forever home, Ms. Bibi Bumblee hit the jackpot with a wonderful family in Ottawa. She now has a rescued greyhound sister called Serene, and 2 feline siblings called Asha and Bailey (Bibi LOVES the kitties!). She took her squeaky balls with her to share with her forever family. Bibi was adopted in February of 2016.

Rolo was found as a stray, but luckily he hadn't been homeless long, judging by his condition, and this smart boy found help fast.

He was hanging around a car dealership in the city and some of the salespeople were feeding him. After a few weeks, they contacted the rescue and a volunteer swung by to pick him up. Rolo was delighted to be safe and settled into a foster home in Bogotá with a cat, a dog and some human siblings too. But in no time, he found an amazing mom in Toronto. Now, Rolo is a bonafide Torontonian, and loving his new life in a condo in the heart of the city. He enjoys going on group walks and to the dog park too. Rolo was adopted in December of 2015, right before Christmas!

Motas was found in very bad shape -- emaciated, matted and with a broken femur, alone on the street. He was saved by a kind passer-by who could not look the other way.

Motas spent almost a year in foster care in Colombia. He had surgery to repair his fractured leg, ate good food, and received lots of TLC. And wow, was there ever a gorgeous and kind little dog under there! Motas made his way to Canada in September of 2015 and found his happy ever after just in time for Christmas! He now lives just north of Toronto with a wonderful human sister (did we mention he LOVES kids?). Motas was adopted in December of 2015.


Like so many of our pups, Elphie was simply a stray -- we don't really know her backstory, but to call her simply a stray is a huge disservice!

This lovable little mop of a dog was saved by a volunteer from the rescue when she was found bumming food off people on the street. She was taken into the rescue, spayed and given a safe place to stay until she found her match. It did not take long for Ms. Elphie to find an amazing home in the Niagara region with a wonderful mom, and she has become a hardcore Jays fan to boot! Elphie was adopted in October, 2015.

Choco was found lying on the street after being hit by a car in a rural area outside of the city.

The rescue vet that picked him up initially thought that he was deceased, but then as she bent down, this tough little dude lifted his head and she decided right then and there to take him back to her clinic and take care of him, hoping he'd make it. Well, Choco was not one to give up easily and by the time he recovered from some very serious wounds, he had an amazing Canadian family waiting for him here. He now makes his home in the Ottawa area with his big sister Dakota. She's a local rescue! He's an outdoorsy type that runs like a demon in the off-leash park, loves going fishing and riding in the car and he's so happy his rescuer did not give up on him that day. Sweet Choco was adopted in September of 2015.

Teddy was also found as an emaciated stray when he was saved by a person walking down the street who contacted our Colombian rescue partner through Facebook.

Teddy found a foster home and spent a couple of months there recuperating. Once he was healthy, his new Canadian mom saw a photo of him on the Internet and fell in love. Very soon after that, Teddy made his way to Canada, and lives happily just east of the city in a beautiful small town. He has taken an avid interest in gardening. Teddy has even been to church to be blessed and had made friends with the parish priest's rescue pup. Teddy arrived in September, 2015.


Pinky is a sweet and sassy chihuahua mix that was found as a stray. This tiny pup was fending for herself on the streets when she was picked up by volunteer from the rescue and taken to a foster home. Pinky flew to Canada in the cabin of the plane with one of our volunteers and proved to be a most excellent traveller! She's a super smart and perky little thing with a BIG personality. Pinky was fostered in Toronto and found a wonderful forever home with a remarkably well-matched chihuahua mix sister called Mocha, who is a local puppy mill surviour, and is now living the high life in the Niagara region. Pinky was adopted in May, 2015 -- she remains as sassy as ever. 
Woody was found with his sister Poppy on the street, scrounging for food (see below for Poppy's story). These 2 small pups were picked up and taken to a foster home. As soon as he was vetted and cleared for adoption, Woody found a forever home here in Toronto, not too far from his sister. Woody is lovin' his new life -- he's a very happy little guy that has taken an avid interest in Canadian squirrels! Woody was adopted in April, 2015.
Candy was found as a stray, wandering the streets, disoriented and frightened. When she was picked up by a volunteer from the rescue, she was incredibly fearful and cringed and cowered whenever she was touched. We don't know her back story, but we know it took quite a bit of time and some serious TLC from her Colombian foster mom for Candy to feel better. When she was ready, she made the trip to Toronto and her new foster family was waiting here to help her adjust to life in Canada. Candy has bounced back -- she's small but tough! And now this goofy little muppet has a happy forever home in the west end of the city and with another Colombian-Canadian canine as her brother. Candy was adopted in April of 2015.

Monito was found on the street with another small dog. For several weeks they eked out an existence there and were being fed by a kind person in the neighbourhood, but she could not afford to keep them and feared for their safety. She contacted the rescue. Monito and his friend were picked up and taken into foster care. The other dog found a home in Colombia, and in March of 2015, Monito travelled to Canada and to his forever home! He now lives in the west end with 2 human siblings. He LOVES the cottage and his Canadian mom says he's "the sweetest dog ever!"

Poppy was a young stray wandering the streets of a poor neighbourhood with her brother Woody, scrounging for food. A volunteer from the rescue picked them up and took them to a foster home where they received food, medical care and were sterilized by the rescue. Almost as soon as she was cleared for adoption, Poppy found a truly wonderful family in Mississauga. Poppy arrived in February of 2015 with her little Colombian soccer jersey on her back, and within a week, her new mom reported: "She has officially taken over."
Paloma was living on the street in horrible conditions in rural area where there were mass poisonings of stray dogs. Through the efforts of some amazing volunteers, she was rescued and transported to a foster home in the city of Bogota. She was named Paloma by her rescuers, which means dove in Spanish, because of the dove-shaped mark on her chest. Once she had been vetted, spayed and was safe with her foster mom, Paloma did not have to wait very long for a fantastic family in Canada to open their home to her. Paloma arrived in the middle of a snowstorm in late January 2015, and guess what? She loves the snow, and her new life.

Annie was found as a stray on the street by a volunteer from the rescue. She was taken straight to a foster home where she put some meat back on her bones and was spayed and vetted. When she was ready to travel, Annie made her way to a wonderful forever home in Toronto. She arrived on a cold and blustery night in November of 2014 and quickly made herself comfortable in her downtown condo digs.
Dingo was abandoned at a grooming salon by his owners. The groomer contacted the rescue and he was placed in a foster home. Very soon after that, he made his way to Canada with his friend and flatmate Asterisco. Dingo arrived in September of 2014 and went to his forever home. He's an active little dog who enjoys hangin' with his equine sibling Sante, playing tug with his sheepdog BFF and romping in the snow. 
Asterisco was abandoned by his family as a young pup and destined for a high-kill shelter. He spent almost a year in foster care in Colombia before making the trek to Canada and his forever home in September of 2014 with Dingo.  Asterisco has a Canadian poodle brother called Rummy and is a spoiled and mischievous boy with a penchant for stealing dirty socks.

Zoe is a young schnauzer who was found tied to the terrace of an abandoned home, terrified and starving. She was rehabilitated by a loving foster mom in Colombia. Zoe was lucky enough to find an amazing home in Toronto with 2 human and 2 feline siblings. She arrived here in July of 2014.
Hermes was a stray. When he became desperate for food, he started begging at a street-side café, and the owner poured boiling water on him to chase him away. He was nursed back to health in a foster home in Colombia. He's still a pretty serious little guy, but Hermes is now healthy, happy and living in Toronto - and has discovered his winning smile. Hermes was adopted in July of 2014.
Canela and Zoey were both living on the street as strays. Zoey was being fed by a homeless man, and little Canela was found wandering alone with an injured eye. They were saved by the rescue and became instant best friends when they met in a foster home in Colombia. Incredibly, these wee BFFs found a fantastic forever home together in Canada in June of 2014. Now, they live just north of the city and enjoy the great Canadian outdoors and the lake which is right on their doorstep!

Balin is an older dog that found himself out on the streets after his elderly owner died and the family cut him loose to fend for himself. Luckily, he was spotted wandering by a concerned neighbour and saved from almost certain death on the streets by the rescue. In record time, this little gentleman found a wonderful forever home just outside Toronto with a Canadian canine brother called Yogi! Balin arrived in April of 2014. 
Lucero was abandoned by her family at a young age, and left tied up for 5 days without food or water. She spent some time in a foster home in Colombia before travelling to Canada and her forever home in April of 2014. Now, she's comfortably ensconced in the west end of Toronto. Lucero has quickly mastered clicker training and has quite a repertoire of tricks – and her mom says she has the best comic timing ever! 
Toby the poodle was found starving and dodging traffic in a poor area of Bogotá. He arrived in Toronto in November of 2013 and was adopted by an amazing family. Toby has been living happily in mid-town T.O and hiking the Don Valley ever since! He's such a mellow and sweet boy that he recently began working with people with developmental disabilities and children as well, so he leads a very busy life!

Luna was found wandering, starving and scared with her littermate Sol. We don't know what became of their mother, but Sol was adopted locally in Colombia, and lucky Luna found her way to a loving family in Etobicoke in July of 2013! She has since acquired a Canadian schnauzer brother called Fergus and is showing him the ropes!
Kaluha was found as a stray and was saved from euthanasia in the city's high-kill pound. She came to Canada in November of 2012 and is livin' the life in Prince Edward County with her 2 doggy brothers Rufus and Dexter. She's quite a character and enjoys taking her toys for "walks" around the backyard.
Monito had been left for several days, abandoned and chained outside of a metro station in the pouring rain. Finally, a kind passerby decided to help him and he was taken to a shelter where he lived for almost a year. He came to Toronto in November of 2012. He's now living in the east end of the city with another Colombian-Canadian canine. Monito is a complete couch potato and loves nothing more than hanging out with his people and a nice, cheese-filled kong.

Brush was one of the very first dogs to make the trek to Canada in June of 2010. Brush was in the pound on death row when her pleading eyes captured the attention of one of the volunteers from the rescue who snapped her picture. Within 24 hours, her picture found its way onto the Web and Brush had a home waiting for her in Hamilton. Brush still resides there, with her pack mates Bear and Pebbles and has a great life!
Lechera was born on the streets of Bogotá after her mother Rosy was abandoned. Lechera and her family were saved by volunteers, with two pups finding homes in Colombia. Little Lechera and her mom Rosy made the trek to Canada together. Lechera was fostered locally and found her own forever home in Toronto in December of 2011.
Rosy was found on the street at about one year of age and with a litter of three pups. We don't know her story, but most likely, she had been turfed from her home after becoming pregnant. Rosy was saved from euthanasia, spayed by the foundation, and brought to Toronto in November of 2011. She is living a happy, spoiled life in the east end of Toronto; her hobbies include going on group walks with her doggie friends, and bossing around the family cat.
©2023 Save Friend Dog Rescue
email us
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About us
    • Our team
  • Our story
  • Dogs for adoption
  • Happy tails
  • How to help
  • Store
  • ADOPTION TIPS