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Gaston ACCT-A-232309 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to length of stay and lack of space for incoming dogs. Gaston must have confirmed placement with a RESCUE PARTNER, OR ADOPTER by Friday, December 5th, 2025 at 10AM. Should Gaston’s medical or behavioral status change, his urgency and timeline for placement may also change.
Gaston is a large, lovable boy who first came to the shelter as a stray in September and was reclaimed—but after being found stray again, his owner chose not to take him back. Now this gentle giant is ready for a new home that will give him the stability, affection, and structure he deserves.
Gaston is very social and loves people. He’s always right at the kennel door to greet you with soft eyes, a loose body, and plenty of enthusiasm. At around 80+ pounds, he sometimes forgets his size—he’ll hop up to say hello or sploot out in pure bliss for butt scratches. He allows all handling and has shown no mouthiness, just a whole lot of affection and goofy charm.
On leash, Gaston is strong and pulls hard both inside the kennel area and outside, so a sturdy handler or training support will be helpful. He’s easy to leash when calm and eager to head out, but does best with someone prepared for his strength.
He enjoys toys, especially plush squeaky ones, and loves lounging while gently chewing his favorites. He’ll play a little game of keep-away if you try to take his toy—classic big-dog silliness.
Gaston has met other dogs through the fence and was loose, wiggly, and friendly, though the other dog wasn’t always as comfortable. He’s shown a good willingness to greet politely.
Despite a brief period of needing caution and medication when he first came in, Gaston has been easy to leash and handle since, showing no aggression and plenty of eagerness for affection. He walks right back into his kennel and is easy to settle in again.
Gaston is a strong, lovable, people-oriented dog who wants nothing more than attention, playtime, and a family of his own. With some leash-training help and a home ready for a big, affectionate companion, he will make a wonderful best friend.
Video:
New 12/2! Meet Timestamped Gaston
https://youtube.com/shorts/G4eXTN8Lq90?si=Z2ClOvFn82LFc4Gv
New 12/2! Gaston knows sit and shake!
https://youtube.com/shorts/XUEvdIf_E1E?si=CAV-I9_3TuJ8iImG
Gaston and Rue Rue: https://youtube.com/shorts/KVUDgQfNDlY?si=KJNmgYHcs3AQif-Y
Gaston playing fetch! https://youtube.com/shorts/xxmKwsmSvhQ
Behavior Notes:
Per volunteer 11/23/2025: Big, playful bear. Loves fetch with tennis balls.
Per volunteer 11/19: He was a good man on his walk. Pulled a little, but easy to leash and direct through the kennel. Saw dogs through the fence and was interested but also easily redirected to continue walking. Took treats nicely, liked the squeaky toys and getting pets
Per staff 11/16/25: Kennel Presentation: Right at the kennel door when I approached. Soft eyes ears to the side and neutral body with tail down. He jumped up on the kennel door when I started to unlock it.
Leash Skills: Was four on the floor and easy to leash. Pulled extremely hard through the kennels and outside.
Sociability: Very social, allowed all handling. Loves a butt scratch, legs will sploot out. He will jump up and pounce off you. I don't think he knows 80 something pounds. Did not get mouthy at all.
Play: Love the plush squeaky toy. he laid down on the tiny mat that was outside, just chewing but not tearing it up. He would play keep away from me if I went close to him.
Dog Interaction: Met Felma through the fence. He was all loose and wiggly and felma came up curious and then started hard barking barring teeth at him.
Return to Kennel: When leaving the x pen he did jump up an attempt to bite the leash, but dropped it as we continued to walk. Pulled hard through the kennels but went right into his kennel was able to be unleashed and did not try to push back out.
Per staff 11/16/25: I was already outside with another dog, when a ACA had come out with Gaston. I asked if how he was when leashing up, he said he was right at the door did not back away or have issues leashing him up. He is strong and pulls on leash. I observed the ACA giving him butt scratches that Gaston was enjoying.
Per staff 11/15/25: ACA attempted to leash and was unable due to behavior- starting on medication and will try again later
Per staff 11/12/25: dog seems calm, I would still use caution when handling just to be on the safe side. After getting to the shelter, Gaston walked with a leash with no aggression or resistance
9/18/25: Found as stray by police and was reclaimed by owner
Medical Notes:
URI 11/28/25: This dog has been observed to have shelter acquired upper respiratory infection (URI), or a "doggy cold". They have been started on medication, and will be monitored for resolution of the respiratory infection.
11/24/25: PT was previously in our care and placed on gaba until further notice and remained on gaba for the past week since returning. Behavior memos are good. cage side dog greated calmly at kennel door.
Plan: ok to take off of meds at this time, if FAS returns ok to place back on previous med dose.
Intake 11/13/25:
Weight:84.1 lbs
Body Condition Score: 6 - Stout
Age- 8
Urogenital- male
Altered- at acct
Eyes- clear pink
Ears-clean
Nose- clear
Coat/Skin- clean wound on hind
Teeth- Stained tartar on gums line
Gums- pin does not like overhead or standing behind dogk moist
Musculoskeletal- good
Behavior-bar
ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details.
If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/
Confirmed placement is considered a confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent.
All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open-intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly's Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313
