These are some of the over 50 Colombian dogs that have made their way into Canadian homes and hearts over the last few years. The photos on the left-hand side of the page were taken in Colombia and the slide shows on the right are some of the highlights of their happy new lives in Canada.  

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 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.

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.
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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.
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.
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!