Adopt

Shiba Inu Rescue Association Adoption Process

So you've seen the beautiful, headstrong breed known as the Shiba Inu. You've looked at your living situation and decided that you are ready to open your home to a homeless Shiba. Now the question is, how do you adopt one? Below is SIRA's adoption process explained. Please read all the information as our process may differ from other shelters or rescue organizations you may have looked into adopting from. We currently CANNOT accept applications from people outside of the Midwest region. Our service area includes Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

The first step in adopting a rescue Shiba from SIRA is to fill out our adoption application. This allows us to find out more about you and your family, your living situation and what you are looking for in a forever friend. You must complete all applicable fields in the application and be as detailed as possible. Incomplete applications will be returned for correction. Click HERE to download the application. When you have completed it, please send it in the form of a word document or PDF to adoptsirashibas@gmail.com. No other formats will be accepted and please do not copy and paste the application into an email. If you have any problems or questions do not hesitate to contact us at the above email address.
Once we receive and review your application, we will call and verify your references. All applicants are REQUIRED to provide TWO non-related references that do not reside in your home. These should be people who have been around your pets or are familiar with your pet experience If that is not possible (i.e. you have never owned pets or have not owned any for many years) please provide references who know you well.
If you currently own or have owned pets, you will need to provide us with your most recent veterinarian's information and please contact them to grant permission to release your records to Shiba Inu Rescue Association. Failure to do so will result in a delay of the adoption process.
If you are renting, you will need to provide us with your landlord's information. Please also let us know of any breed/weight/pet restrictions set by your landlord. We will be calling to verifying all information. It might be helpful to let your landlord know we will be contacting them. If we cannot verify that you are allowed to have a dog, it delays the process.
You must be at least 21 years of age to adopt.
Once the application is approved and references are checked, we will find a volunteer to perform your home visit. The volunteer will make arrangements to visit with you in your home. PLEASE NOTE: ALL FAMILY MEMBERS, INCLUDING CHILDREN, MUST BE PRESENT FOR THE ENTIRE HOME VISIT. The home visit gives us the opportunity to discuss with you and your family any issues or potential dangers for the dog (i.e. exposed wires, possible escape issues, etc. ). We can then offer suggestions of how to Shiba-proof your home and management techniques to keep the dog safe and everyone happy. This is also the time for us to find out and discuss with you exactly what your are looking for in a dog, and what will fit best with your family.
Find your forever friend! Once your home visit has been completed and you have been approved to adopt, you may begin the search for your forever friend. Use the email links on the dogs' bio pages to contact the foster families and let them know you are interested in their foster.
Foster families care for the rescued shibas in their home for an average of 6-8 weeks. They evaluate the dogs and find out how they are with adults, children, dogs, cats and other pets if possible. They know how much stimulation and activity their foster dog needs in addition to any training that may be needed in the future.
All potential adopters are required to meet their new dogs in person and resident dogs must meet the foster dog. There is also a 24 hour waiting period before adoption may occur.
If you are not able to adopt the first dog you are interested in, please do not be discouraged. This does not mean you are not a good home for a rescue Shiba, it only means that there was another family who's situation was better for that particular dog. Keep looking and inquire when you see a dog you are interested in. Your perfect match is out there and you will find it. We will help you in the process!

ADOPTION!
Once you have found your perfect match and the foster home has approved you to adopt their foster dog, an adoption day will be arranged. All resident dogs must meet potential new dogs. We require a waiting period as well. Before your forever friend comes home, you will need to be sure you have all the necessary supplies to care for your new Shiba. A Shopping Check List is available for you to use. You will be required to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian within the first 10 days of adoption and provide proof of such check up to the adoption coordinator. The final stop in the process is to sign the adoption contract and pay the adoption fee!

Adoption fees vary depending on the age of the dog:
Puppies under 6 months = $500.00 (Please note - all puppies under 6 months are required to be foster/foster to adopts due to spay/neuter age)
Puppies 6 months to 1 year = $400.00
Adolescent 1-3 years = $350.00
Young Adult 4-6 years = $300.00
Adult 7-9 years = $250.00
Senior 10+ years = $200.00

Shiba Inu Rescue Association reserves the right to deny any applicant at any stage in the adoption process for any reason.

ADOPTABLE DOGS!

PHANTOM & FLASHER

Our names are Phantom and Flasher and we’re Shiba mix boys looking for our forever homes!! We decided to make our announcement together, since we’re brothers and all, but we can each go to different families. We live in the Taylor, MI, area now and we are 3 1/5 month old Shibeacorlabs. Never heard of that breed? Well, that’s probably because our family might be the only ones! We are part of a litter that is a blend of Shiba Inu, Beagle, Corgi and Lab. Can you believe it? Our mama was abandoned when she got pregnant. But the nice people at SIRA rescued her and made sure she had a safe, warm foster home where she could give birth and raise us puppies until we were weaned. We have so much fun playing in the yard and wrestling with each other. Our mama Wren is the sweetest mom ever, so our SIRA thinks we’ll grow up to be really nice dogs. We look and act a lot alike, but you can tell us apart by the amount of white fur on our neck/chest. Flasher has more white than Phantom. Right now, we’re both typical goofball puppies. Our foster mom says that we’re not quite as insane as the average Shiba puppy, so that’s a good thing, but we’re rambunctious. We have no idea what that means, but it sounds like fun. We are both healthy and doing really well on house training (we're still little guys, so there might be the occasional accident). We’re good-natured and do just fine with kids and with cats. But we’ve got tons of puppy energy, so you and any older resident pups in your home will need to be patient as we mature and help us learn good manners and behavior. We each weigh about 13 pounds now and we’re not sure how big we’ll get, but we’re thinking maybe 40 to 45 pounds when we’re grown up. Right now, we’re too busy having fun doing puppy things and keeping foster mom on her toes to think about the future. We’re ready for adoption, but since we are too young to be neutered yet, we’ll need a “foster-to-adopt” arrangement where you will foster at first, then complete the adoption once we’re neutered. SIRA will work with you to cover the cost of neutering. If you live in the Midwest and are interested in adding a happy-go-lucky Shibeacorlab boy into your life, the best next step is to start the process of becoming approved to adopt from SIRA. Visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt and download the application. The application helps SIRA learn more about you and your home environment to make sure we’ll be a good match. Once you’re approved, SIRA can talk with you about the whole foster-to-adopt thing and put you in touch with our foster mom so you can meet and smother you with kisses!!

BEAR

My name is Bear and I'm looking for my forever home. I just turned 10 years old and until recently, I had my very own human who loved me very much, but who was elderly and got really sick and struggled to take care of me properly. So SIRA came and brought me to my foster home outside of Chicago. I'm basically a big-ol, laid-back Teddy Bear who never passes up an opportunity to stretch out on the sofa for a nice nap. But I can be playful too sometimes. I like playing fetch, especially with squeaky toys! I'm a big boy. A very big boy! I weigh 54 pounds, but I'm working on changing that. I've already lost 5 pounds! Foster mom says that losing weight is important to help me stay healthy. I've got a knee problem that doesn't interfere with my mobility, but it could in the future if I don't lose more weight. I'm a friendly, social guy who likes to meet new people. I get happy and excited when I meet people on walks and they pet me. I'm also very smart. I know commands like sit, lay down, paw, speak, and come. But I'm a typical Shiba. That means I will almost always be happy to do all of my tricks IF you have TREATS for me. Yup. It's all about the treat. I'll bark at you the whole time if I'm not getting my treat fast enough. Despite a bit of Shiba-sass, I'm a well-behaved Bear at home. I'm completely potty trained and never had an accident in my foster home. I'll whine or bark to let you know that I need to go out. I'm also crate trained. I like napping in my crate with the door open during the day. My foster mom says that I'm very good when she leaves me alone at home with free-run of the apartment. I love to go for car rides, especially if the windows are rolled down when the weather is nice. I like big windows in general. I love to watch the world walk by and to lie in the sun in front of the balcony door here in my foster home. There aren't too many things I don't like, but one of them is BATHS! I'll try hard to get out of the tub and will yell at you to STOP. I don't get aggressive, but since I'm such a big boy, it might take two people to keep me in the tub. My perfect forever home would have no other dogs or maybe another older dog that is also laid-back. I'm more comfortable with smaller dogs than bigger ones. Not sure how I'd feel living with a cat, but my foster mom says I don't seem to have a high prey-drive. I'd do just fine in an apartment or in a house. I don't need a fenced yard to play in as long as you can take me out for walks and potty breaks. One thing to know is that I don't do well on slippery tile or wood floors. But I am great with carpet (and I like to roll around on it). I'm not a fan of stairs - you know, the knees and my weight... But my foster parents have this thing called an elevator at their apartment, and I ride it like a king!! I'm fine with kids, but I can get mouthy sometimes when I get excited, so it would be best if the kids are old enough to be dog-savvy. My forever home will need to make sure that I take my allergy meds. I'm not sure what I'm allergic to, but the meds help keep that under control. They used to get really bad before I came into foster care, so I have some fur loss around my neck and belly that the vet said might not grow back fully. But I'm feeling so much better now that I don't mind. it's just one of the things that makes me a special Bear. I'm neutered and up to date on vaccinations. So, if you live in the Midwest and you'd like your very own Bear to be your pal and keep you company, then I'm your boy! The best next step is to visit www.savingshibas.com to start the process of becoming an approved SIRA adopter. The application process helps SIRA learn more about you and your home environment to make sure we'd be a good match. Once you're approved, they'll connect you with my foster parents so we can meet. I'd love to meet you and be your Teddy Bear!

BENJI

My name is Benji and I’m looking for my forever home! I’m an 8-month old love bug! Well, to be clear, I’m a Shiba-Poodle mix, so I guess that makes me a ShibaPoo? Or a PooBa? Whatever you want to call me, I will come running, because I want to be your friend! I love people and I warm up quickly when I meet someone new. I like big people, small people, little people – any people! And I like furry “people” too. There are other dogs in my foster home here in Montague, MI, and I love to play with them. I’m good with cats too. Foster mom says I don’t have a mean bone in my body. I’m such a friendly boy that being alone is really hard for me. I don’t like it at all. At night, I do best when I can sleep in the same room with another pup or with one of my people. If I’m left alone, foster mom has to make sure I’m secure in my crate or else I might make a mess or accidentally get hurt. I’m still young and so I have a lot of energy. Foster mom says I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m a very smart boy, so if you’ll promise to teach me, I’ll grow into the best boy, I promise. I love treats and am very food motivated. Loud noises scare me, like gunshots and fireworks. I can jump really high, so gates and ex-pens don’t keep me confined. Like any puppy, foster mom has to keep a close eye on me to make sure I’m not getting into things that I shouldn’t and she’s careful about what is left out on the edge of counter tops. I’d love to have a forever home with humans who will play with me and spend time with me. I’d also love to have a dog friend to play with. I'm a healthy boy - neutered and up-to-date on vaccinations. I weigh about 20 lbs. If you live in the Midwest and want a handsome young pup like me to be your very best friend forever, the next step is to visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to start the process of becoming approved to adopt. The application process helps SIRA learn more about you and your home environment to be sure we’ll be a good match. Once approved, SIRA will introduce you to my foster mom so we can meet.

NEKO

My name is Neko and I’m looking for my forever home. I’m 7 years old and I came to SIRA from a commercial breeding facility where I’d spent my whole life. Now I live in the Monroe, Wisconsin area with my foster family. It was a big change for me to go live with humans in a house! But I’m getting used to this new life, even though there are some things that still scare me. I’ve found a nice quiet place in my foster home where I like to hang out. Foster mom calls it my “soothe spot” because It helps me feel safe. I like my foster family very much. There are 3 other dogs here and I’m good with them. I also like to be near the humans and see what they are doing. And I like it when foster mom scratches my head. But like some Shibas, I am a bit reserved and don’t want constant attention. My favorite thing to do here is to play outside! I’d love for my forever home to have a securely fenced yard where I can run around and play and chase butterflies. That makes me happy. Leash walks are okay too, but I'm still getting used to all the new and unexpected things that can happen, so they're a little scary for me. Even though I’m shy, I have a silly, goofy side. Like when I chase my tail. Foster mom says I’m funny because I don’t know what to do when I catch it! Another thing I’d love to have in my forever home is cheese. Oh gosh, I love cheese! And foster mom says I have a discerning palate because I especially like rare and expensive cheeses. Another thing that’s fun for me is going on car rides. I like to look out the window and watch everything that passes by. There are a couple of things that I really do NOT like. Thunderstorms and fireworks are right up there at the very top of that list. Those booms just terrify me! I get so freaked out that mom gives me special medicine called Trazadone to help calm me. She lets me hide in a dark quiet place (her closet) and will lay there with me and pet me and reassure me and let me nuzzle her hand. I’m a healthy boy. I weigh just under 24 pounds and am neutered and up-to-date on vaccinations. My perfect forever family will have experience with fearful/shy dogs and patience with me as I learn to feel safe around new people, places, and things. No small kids, please. They scare me too much. But I’ve liked the teenagers I’ve met as well as the grownups. I'd be fine if you have other nice dogs for me to hang out with. But my foster mom thinks I’d be okay as an only dog or living with a cat or another small pet. I’d probably just ignore them. If you live in the Midwest and are interested in me, the best next step is to visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to start the process of becoming approved to adopt from SIRA. The approval process helps SIRA get to know you and your home environment so they can see if we might be a good match. Once approved, SIRA can introduce you to my foster mom so we can meet.

KAMI

My name is Kami and I’m looking for my forever home. I’m 4 years old and a long-haired "Woolly" Shiba Inu. Until recently, I lived at a commercial breeding facility working hard making puppies. Now that I’ve had some time to get used to what it’s like to be a member of a family, I think I like it! The food is great here in my foster home and there are treats!! Yum. I’m a friendly, laid-back girl and not too much scares me. I love being near my people and getting their attention. My foster family makes me feel good, especially when they pet me! I like big humans and the little ones too, and foster mom says I’m a good girl with kids and don’t ever jump up on them. In addition to hanging out with my people, my favorite things to do at my foster home are sunbathing on the patio and taking naps. Patios are new to me and I like them! Foster mom says that maybe I can have a nice spot in the sun to nap in my forever home. I’m good with other dogs and with cats too. I’m patient, but not a pushover. I’ll defend myself if needed. There are some things I’m not crazy about. I’d rather not be left alone, though I’m getting more used to it when my foster family leaves. I used to get really upset and anxious, but now that I feel more at home here, I’m getting better. What I really don’t like is to be confined in a crate. I hate that so much that I’ll try whatever I can to get out, even if I hurt myself. But I’ve shown foster mom that I can be trusted to have free run of the house so I don’t need to be crated. I like going for walks at my own pace, which is pretty slow. I’m not in a hurry about anything. Even though I’m a sweetheart and pretty laid-back, I’ve got a little spice in me too. And definitely some opinions and will make them known. Like grass. I don’t like it! If foster mom insists, I’ll go potty on grass, but I prefer the patio. I will bark to let her know when I’m done sunbathing and ready to come back inside. And because I like to be where my humans are, I’ll follow them to the door and try to push it open with my nose so I can go with them. So my forever home will need to be careful to prevent me from accidentally getting loose. I weigh about 20 lbs and I’m spayed, vaccinated and a healthy girl overall. I did just have surgery to correct a knee problem. The vet says I’m healing like a champ and that my knee looks great, but my forever home will need to continue to help me heal and strengthen it and keep it healthy. I take daily Dasuquin supplements to help keep both my knees properly lubricated. I’ve also been taking medicine to help with my separation anxiety. Once I get settled in my forever home and feel safe and get used to the new routine, I may not need that for long. I’m being fostered in Dorchester, Iowa. If you live in the Midwest and would love a sweet, laid-back friend to share a sunny spot with, then the next thing to do is to become approved to adopt with SIRA. Visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to download the forms. The application process helps SIRA learn more about you and your home so they can match you with foster Shibas like me! Once approved, if we’re a good match, SIRA will introduce you to my foster mom so we can meet. I’d like that!

SQUIGGY

Update - Meeting Pending! My name is Squiggy and I’m looking for my forever home. I’m still a puppy – not even one yet. I’m a healthy boy. I weigh 12 lbs right now, but am still growing. I came to SIRA from a commercial breeding facility. Now I live with my foster family in Bondurant, IA. Because I’m still getting used to life in a home with people, I’m a bit shy and nervous at first, but once I get to know you and feel safe in my surroundings, my personality starts to shine and I become a typical happy, crazy Shiba puppy. Like when my foster mom comes home after being away, I get so happy and excited to see her that my butt starts to wiggle and then before I know it my whole body is wiggling! She says that I’m too cute for words and that I’ve got the softest fur ever. I like it very much when foster mom pets me, but I’m not what foster mom calls a “fake Shiba” – I’m not totally snuggly and cuddly all the time. And even though I’m a little timid, I have got OPINIONS and I’m not afraid to express myself. If I have something to say, you’re gonna hear about it for sure (and I’ve got the cutest little bark)!
I get along pretty well with the other dogs in my foster home and like to play with them. But sometimes I get worried that they might take my food or my toys or my stuff, so I get all snarly and growly and try to guard them from the other dogs. Foster mom is working with me on some desensitization training to help me understand that I don’t need to guard things. Right now, as long as there aren’t any high-value toys lying around, I’m cool, and I’ve never felt the need to resource-guard from the humans. I also live with cats, and I’m curious about them. But if I get too close when I’m sniffing them and they hiss at me, I back away and leave them alone.
I’m learning lots of new things since coming to my foster home and I’ve been a good boy! I’m house trained – the only accident I ever had in the house was at the very beginning when I was still scared and hadn’t learned the routine yet. My forever family just needs to remember that I’m still a puppy and will need more frequent potty breaks until I’m grown up. I’m a good eater too. I like the food here in my foster home and I like to really chow down. Sometimes foster mom uses a puzzle feeder to slow me down. I’m also learning about going for walks on a leash. I wasn’t sure I liked the leash thing at first and spent most of my time biting it. But now I’m getting used to it. Foster mom says I still need to learn some leash manners, but walks get easier and better every day.
My ideal forever home will be patient with me as I adapt to my new environment and understanding if I’m a timid at first. But if you tell me what a good boy I am and give me lots of pets and maybe even some snuggles, I’ll quickly become your dream dog. You will be committed to continuing positive-reinforcement training so I continue to grow into a well-adjusted and well-mannered adult (yeah, my foster mom told me to say that). My foster mom thinks I’d do fine as an only dog and I don’t need to have a fenced yard as long as you have time to play with me and take me out for exercise and to burn off my puppy energy. I’d be okay in a home with older kids and with kids who understand that I need some space. I’d be okay living with a cat or with nice, easy-going dogs that are my size or smaller. Larger dogs are more likely to trigger my need to guard stuff.
If you live in the Midwest and want an adorable little wiggle-butt like me to share your time with, the best next step is to visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt and start the application process to become an approved adopter with SIRA. The application process helps make sure that we’ll likely be a good match. Once approved, SIRA will introduce you to my foster mom so we can meet.

BELLA ROSE

Update - Adoption Pending! My name is Bella Rose and I'm looking for my forever home. I'm 5 years old and weigh about 20 lbs. If you're looking for a sweet and spunky companion and playmate - someone to ride shotgun with you through life - then I'm your girl! I love to play with toys and balls. I'll even catch the ball in my mouth and throw it back at you! I love to go for car rides and walks with my human, but I'm also happy to sit next to you on the couch and hang out. Wherever you go, I want to go too! So you'll have to watch me carefully to make sure I don't jump over baby gates and slip out the door and escape when you open it. I have a couple of quirks: I don't like being left alone and I really hate being confined in a crate, but I'm fully potty trained and have been a very good girl when left at home with the run of the house for short periods of time. You see, my previous owner passed away, so it will take me a little while to trust that when my person leaves, they'll come back. I also don't like garage doors. They're big and noisy and scary! I'm a friendly and affectionate girl and warm up quickly to new people. I haven't met any little kids yet, so I don't know how I'd feel about them. I'm very curious and love to watch out windows to see what's going on. I sometimes get a little mouthy when I feel I need to protect my person from things like the mailman or those big scary garage doors, so my human may want to do some training with me to help me overcome that habit. I like being outside, as long as my person is there with me. My ideal forever home will have lots of time to spend with me, playing ball and going for walks and snuggling on the couch. I'd do best as an only dog, where I don't have to share your attention. I am a healthy girl - spayed and fully vaccinated. I'm being fostered in the Omaha, NE, area. If you live in the midwest and want a best friend for life like me, visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to start the application process. Applying helps SIRA learn more about you so they can make sure we'll be a good match. Once approved, they can introduce you to my foster mom, so we can meet!

STORMY

My name is Stormy and I'm looking for my forever home. I'm 5 years old and I live with my foster family in the Union, Ohio area. I came from a commercial breeding facility, but I'm done having puppies now. I'm still getting used to this new life - living with people in a home. Pretty much everything is new for me and scary. I am shy and cautious, especially around people I don't know. But I'm also curious and a smart cookie, so I'm figuring things out! For example, I figured out that if I am outside in the yard and something startles me, I'll pretend to go potty so foster mom will let me back inside sooner. Foster mom says I'm a sweet girl. She has noticed that gravitate to small children and I'll follow them around. Even when they startle me, I don't get aggressive at all, but I may run away. I'm still getting used to people petting me and rubbing my belly. I let them do it - and I think it feels good - but I can't quite relax yet. I'm a good girl at the groomer and I'll even let them trim my nails, but oh please don't turn on that high-speed drying thing - that is just too much for me! My perfect forever home will be patient and understand what a shy dog like me needs in order to feel safe in a new place. If you create a routine for things like meal-times and potty breaks and walks that I can learn and count on, that will help. I may try to escape at first, so my forever family should be very careful and watchful when opening doors and when I'm outside in the yard. I'll need a securely fenced yard. Like many Shibas, I like to chase squirrels and bunnies. I'm really interested in cats, but haven't shown any aggression toward them in my foster home. I like other dogs, so if your family has a nice dog or some kids, that would be super! Even more than chasing critters in the yard, I love going for walks. So if you're looking for a buddy to walk with, I'm your girl! I'm spayed, up to date on vaccinations, and healthy. If you live in the midwest and are interested in me, the first step is to become an approved adopter with SIRA. Visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to download the application. Applying helps SIRA get to know you and your home environment so they can make sure we're a good match. Once approved, they can introduce you to my foster mom so we can meet!

HEIDI

My name is Heidi and I'm looking for my forever home. I'm 8 years old, but my foster mom says I act more like a happy, fun-loving puppy. I guess I'm making up for lost time since I spent my first 8 years at a commercial breeding facility. I've only been in foster care for a short time, but I'm loving this new life! The people here are so nice and there are other dogs to play with and a yard outside where I can run around and investigate all of the noises and smells. I'm just so happy to be free! I love getting attention from humans and from other dogs. I'll approach you with my tail wagging and a big smile on my face. I've got plenty of energy and curiosity. I'd love to find a forever home where the humans have time to pet me and spend time with me. I'd love to have a securely fenced yard. I'm a really good girl - I promise - but foster mom says that I need to fess up that one of the ways that I act like a puppy is by swiping things and chewing on things that I'm not supposed to. Yes, I've shredded toilet paper and I may have brought remote controls and a shoe or two out to the yard to play with, but c'mon - how am I supposed to know what's a toy and what's not a toy? I'm new to all of this, remember? My foster mom just laughs. She says I'm smart and sassy - a typical Shiba. But I guess my forever home will need to be patient as I learn and will need to keep an eye on me and keep non-toy things out of my reach. Oh. And my reach is pretty long, actually. I'm learning all about things called counter tops that I can reach if I try hard. There are amazing prizes up there sometimes like bags of bread! When I'm not making mischief, I'm a pretty easy-going girl. I like hanging out with my foster fur-brothers. I'd love it if my forever home had a nice dog or two for me to play with. I'm not spooked by loud noises like thunderstorms. I might bark at things like Fireworks and delivery people, but I calm down once the danger has passed. I've been learning about leash walking. I do pretty well, though I'm still getting used to how the harness feels on my body, and I'm much more comfortable doing my business in the yard. Unlike many Shibas, I haven't tried to sneak out of the front door or out of the yard, but my forever home should carefully monitor me and use safeguards indoors like baby gates since I'm very curious. I am housebroken, but am fine being in my crate or in an ex-pen when my foster family is sleeping or out of the house, so I don't get into trouble. I am healthy, and foster mom has an appointment to get my teeth checked soon. I'm spayed, up-to-date on my vaccinations, and I weigh 21 pounds. I'm being fostered in the Omaha, NE, area. So if you live in the midwest and want a happy-go-lucky, fun, affectionate girl like me to be part of your family, the first step is to become an approved adopter with SIRA. Visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt for more information and to download the application. Applying helps SIRA learn more about you and your home environment so they can confirm that we'd be a good match. Once approved, they'll introduce you to my foster mom so we can meet!

TITAN

My name is Titan and I'm looking for my forever home. I just turned 6 years old and as my name suggests, I'm a big boy, weighing 42 lbs. But I'm a gentle giant (and handsome too!). Until I came to my foster home in Minneapolis, I had lived my whole life at a commercial breeding facility, so living in a home with humans is new to me. I'm still getting used to all of the sounds and smells and the routine of this new life. And I'm still learning that humans can be kind. But even though I'm shy with people and skittish around loud noises and new situations, I think I'm starting to get the hang of it! I used to hide under the bed all the time (where I feel safe and secure), but my curiosity is starting to get the better of me and foster mom catches me peeking out to say hi and see what's up. I'm still skeptical about trying new things, but foster mom encourages me. She nudges me out of my comfort zone from time to time, like recently she picked me up and put me on top of her bed. At first, I wasn't sure what to think, but I checked out all of the smells and decided it felt soft and comfortable, so I settled down and got lots of pets! That felt nice! I'm starting to play outside in the yard with the other dogs in my foster home. I've been out on a leash a few times, but I'm still getting used to that. To help me thrive, it will be important for my forever home to have a securely fenced yard to play in - and a nice resident dog to help me adapt and keep me company. I don't like being left alone. I'm well behaved with kids and with cats and haven't shown any of the typical Shiba prey-drive or escape-artist tendencies. But my forever family should be careful when opening doors and should supervise me always when outside since I still spook easily. Foster mom says I'm pretty much fully potty trained. I still wear a belly band overnight, mostly because I sometimes still mark a little bit when I'm playing. But that behavior should fade over time. If you have experience with shy, fearful dogs like me, that would be great. I feel safest and best when people are calm and gentle and kind to me. Consistency and routine also help me to feel secure. If you're patient, I promise I'll show you what a sweetheart and what a good boy I can be! If you think you'd like to be my forever home, then the next step is to visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to start the application process to become approved to adopt with SIRA. The application process helps SIRA get to know you so they can determine if we'll be a good match. Once approved, they'll introduce you to my foster mom, so we can meet!

ERIE

My name is Erie and I’m looking for my forever home! I’m 6 years old and came to SIRA from a commercial breeding facility. I’m a healthy girl (spayed and up to date on vaccinations) and weigh 22 lbs. I’m being fostered in the Findlay, OH area. Because I’ve never lived in a home with people before, I’m still getting used to things. U unexpected movements and unfamiliar noises still spook me. I’m also getting used to trusting humans. My foster family is so nice to me, but I’m still pretty shy and skittish, especially around men. I still get jumpy and bolt if someone gets up from the couch and I’m not expecting it. But foster mama says that I’m a real sweetheart! I am the first one to greet her with a smile and a tail wag in the morning and when she comes home. And I don’t show any aggression to people. I’m gentle with little humans too. I’ve got to say, I think I’m starting to get the hang of this new life. I’ve learned that if I approach my foster mom she’ll pet me! I like how it feels, but I’m a little too shy to let her rub my belly yet. I do give her little kisses on the top of her head when she bends down to show her that I like her. Foster mom says I’m really smart and very curious, so I figure out how to maneuver things to get what I want. I love going for walks outside. Like many Shibas, I’d love to chase all of the critters outside, but I’m learning to just stop and watch them when we’re out on a walk instead of trying to catch them. I like going outside so much that whenever anyone goes to the door, I think it must be time for me to go too. So, my forever family will need to be very careful when coming and going to keep me from getting loose. I’m a little sneaky sometimes and have figured out how to get around the dog gate if it isn’t set up just right, so it will be good if my forever home is always on guard and has plenty of fail-safes so I can’t escape. But don’t let my Shiba-tude mislead you. I’m a very good girl! I have never had an accident in the house and I tolerate baths with no complaints. I am not one of those Shibas that jumps all over the furniture either. I’m happy being a “floor dog.” Even if I get scared by thunder or fireworks, I will come into the bedroom for refuge, but I’m not interested in being on the bed. I’m also a good girl when my foster family is away at work. I’d love to have an active forever family who will take me out on lots of long walks and hikes. Having a fenced yard would be nice for days when we can’t go for walks to help me burn off energy. It would be great if my forever family had another nice dog who could help show me the ropes and teach me how to play and how to be a pet. I’ve never lived with a cat or other small pets, but foster mom isn’t sure that would be a good idea since I like to chase the critters outside. It would be good to have a very patient forever family who can understand that it is going to take a while for me to learn how to be comfortable and confident in this new life. If you have experience with fearful, skittish dogs, that would be best. If you can give me time and patience and some training, I promise I’ll be a wonderful addition to your life. If you live in the Midwest and are interested in a smart, pretty girl like me, visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to start the application process to become an approved SIRA adopter. Applying helps SIRA learn more about you so they can learn if we’ll be a good match. Once approved, SIRA will introduce you to my foster mom so we can meet.

SASHA

Hi, my name is Sasha and I’m looking for my forever home. I’m five years old and my foster family says I’m a sweetheart! Until recently, I lived in a home with a family, but they decided that they couldn’t care for me any longer. A really nice lady took me in and helped me get to my foster home. So, a bit more about me: I’m pretty nervous and shy and cautious around people who I don’t know. But if you’re patient with me and help me build trust (and give me hot dogs), I’ll be your best girl. Some things I love include being outside. I love to hang out in the securely fenced yard at my foster home and play with the other dogs in my foster home. What’s even better is when foster mom takes me for a walk! I love exploring. And I love hot dogs! But more on that later… I like my foster home and get excited when my foster parents come back home, even though I still play hard-to-get when they want to pet me. I’m pretty laid-back when I’m indoors. I’m a very good girl. I’m house-trained and don’t even jump up on the furniture (even though my foster family says it’s okay). I like to sit in front of the TV and take a nap, or even go down the hall to the bedroom to get some alone time. My wish list for my forever home would include humans who are patient and gentle with me to help me not feel so scared. I will need at least one other nice dog to play with, and a securely fenced yard to play in. I’d love to have a quiet home without small kids… but with lots and LOTS of hot dogs!! Did I mention that I like hot dogs? Yeah. I REALLY like hot dogs!! I weigh about 25 lbs and am healthy and spayed and up-to-date on vaccinations. I’m being fostered in the Madison, WI area. If you live in the Midwest and would like to be my forever home, the next step is to visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to start the process of becoming approved to adopt. Just download the application that will help SIRA learn more about you to see if we might be a good match. Once you’re approved, SIRA can introduce you to my foster family so we can meet.

ROSIE

Update - Adoption Pending! My name is Rosie and I'm a lover! I love people, I love long walks at the lake and going for hikes, I love tennis balls, I love treats, I love stuffed toys, squeaky toys, and chewy toys. However, most of all I love getting petted!! I've learned quickly (because I'm super smart) that if I sit or do what my foster humans ask me to do, I get lots and lots of attention and petting. And then I’ll roll over for more belly rubs. So my forever home should have lots of love to give and time for lots of fun activities (and also frozen stuffed Kongs). I’m one year old and weigh 32 lbs. Yep. I am still a big puppy. I’m silly and goofy and very curious. Sometimes I’m so curious that I get myself in trouble. But I try hard to be a good girl and will be loyal to my humans forever.
I came into SIRA’s care after I was found tied to a stop sign and was brought to a high-kill shelter. Nobody had taught me the things I needed to know to be a good family member, but now I’m learning. I know lots of commands. I am also learning that I don’t need to use my mouth to get attention from my humans, because they will give me the love and affection I crave anytime – especially when I ask politely (instead of nipping at their shoes or pants legs). My foster family is working with a trainer to help me learn that I don’t need to protect or “resource guard” things that I love. I’m very curious and love to explore all of the smells. I’ve learned that I can reach things on counters and sometimes that’s where especially interesting treats can be found and I have fun stealing shoes and socks. I’m very motivated by praise and nothing makes me happier than being told I’m a “good girl.” I just love to love, especially bringing my toys over and jumping up on the couch to get pets (and then rolling over on my belly for belly rubs). I have not yet tried to jump over baby gates or fences, but my forever family should know that Shibas can sometimes be escape artists and door bolters. Like many Shibas, I do have a high natural prey drive. I’m very interested in hunting critters, so my forever home should not have cats, small dogs or small pets.
My ideal forever home will be experienced dog owners who are committed to continuing with training so I’ll become a happy and well-mannered adult. I’m being fostered in the Kansas City area. I’d love to live with an active family, since I love going for walks and hikes. But my forever home should probably not have little kids since I might be too much for them. A nice, active dog my size or larger could be a good match if they can help show me the ropes and don’t mind a bit of rough play. When I go to training I love to play with my big dog friends. I am crate trained, but I get so bored and antsy if I’m left alone for more than a few hours that it would be good for me to get a break mid-day and lots of things to do to keep busy (so I don’t invent my own things to do that end up being destructive). I have lots of energy and am usually raring to go again after a short rest. I enjoy watching out the window and will sometimes bark at the people and dogs passing by.
It would be great if my forever home had a securely fenced yard, but I could also do well even in an apartment if my humans make sure I have plenty of exercise. My foster family thinks I’d be a Rockstar at agility training. While I love going on adventures outside and running and jumping. Generally, I’m fearless. But road trips are not always fun for me. I sometimes get anxious and drooly and carsick when we go for rides, especially if I’ve just eaten. I don’t mind baths too much, but I would much rather roll around in something stinky or jump in the water than take a bath. I don’t like getting my nails trimmed. I love, love, love treats! And if you give me zucchini I will love you forever. But I do have a sensitive tummy, so foster mom says I can’t have too many treats at once.
If you live in the Midwest and are interested in me, the first step is to apply to become approved to adopt with SIRA. Applying helps SIRA learn more about you. Once fully approved, if we look like a good match they will introduce you to my foster family so we can meet! Visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to download the application.

BRANDY

My name is Brandy and I'm looking for my forever home! I'm 6 years old and weigh 26 lbs and am being fostered in the Naperville, IL area. I came to SIRA from a commercial breeding facility where it was my job to make puppies. My working girl days are behind me now and I'm adjusting to this new world of living in a home with humans. I'm a pretty shy girl and people still scare me. But I'm slowly learning to trust and if you have patience and are gentle with me, I'll continue to blossom. I have a favorite human in my foster home who I let pet me and give me treats and who I like to sit next to sometimes. I made myself a really cozy den behind a couch and that's where I like to hang out. I feel safe there. Loud and new noises still scare me and I'll run and hide. But even though I'm skittish and cautious, the curious Shiba in me comes out and I'll peek around the corner of the couch to watch what's happening. Where I really come alive is outside in the yard. When I go outside my tail goes up and I run around and watch everything that my two foster siblings are doing. When I see them playing with balls and frisbees I think I might want to join them, but I'm still not sure what to do. You see, I never saw toys or had the opportunity to play before. My perfect forever home should have a securely fenced yard for me to play in and at least one nice dog who can help me continue to learn what life with a family is all about. Foster mom says I'm a good girl and very smart and clever. I'm cooperative at the vet (I pretty much just freeze). And I learned to go potty outside really quickly. Occasionally I forget and have an accident, but foster mom says I'm fine 90% of the time. Something else I love is string cheese!! Foster mom cuts up one stick along with my kibble at mealtime. She says I'm so thin that it's okay for me to have some cheese. I like to eat when it's quiet, so foster mom feeds me in my safe spot behind the couch. One thing I very much do NOT like is being crated. So foster mom keeps me safe when we go in the car by double-leashing me and tethering my leash to something so I can't escape. She says I'm quick and a master escape-artist so my forever family will need to be extra careful when they open doors so I don't bolt. If you live in the midwest and have some time and love and patience to give to a girl like me who is still learning what being a dog is all about, the next step is to apply to become approved to adopt with SIRA. Visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to download the application, which helps SIRA learn more about you and your home so they can determine if we'd be a good match. Once approved, SIRA will introduce you to my foster mom so we can meet.