Meet Knox (ACCT-A-236449)! This handsome tan guy has a heart of gold. Found as a stray and taken in by good samaritans to fix him up in July of 2025, Knox is a sweet and sensitive soul looking for a patient and understanding forever home. His short-term owners described him as loveable, energetic, playful, and appreciative.
Knox can be a little shy at first, especially around men, but he hasn't shown any aggression, rather moving away when he's uncomfortable. With gentle encouragement and positive reinforcement, he will blossom into a confident and loving companion. He enjoys playing with other dogs and has even been known to be friendly with cats! He'll do best in a calm, adult-only home, ideally with a female owner.
Knox is described as a kind, low-key and investigative boy who enjoys exploring his surroundings. He walks well on a leash and is cooperative, making him a great partner for walks in the park. He's also very polite and gentle when meeting new people.
If you're looking for a loyal and affectionate companion who will fill your life with love and joy, Knox might just be the perfect match!
VIDEOS:
Knox getting some good sniffs in the snow: https://youtube.com/shorts/P67eUzglvPk?si=l5QbVniWaS9T7nGb
BEHAVIOR:
Per staff 1/1/2026: I approached Knox's kennel and he was cowered in the back of his kennel. I opened up the door and knelt down and he cautiously approached with low tail wags. He gently took treats from me and I was able to lasso him with my leash. An ACA and I tried to coax him out with treats for over 5 minutes and he would gently take them, walk out of his kennel and then scurry backwards inside. He responded to baby talk but again would only come out so far and then would retreat backwards.
Per volunteer 1/1/2026: Knox is incredibly sweet and shy. He was very calm and patient leaving the kennel and was curious to sniff around most of our time outside. He was a bit nervous when we walked around near some male persons outside but was more comfortable around female persons. He was quick to notice other people but was not reactive to it and was very polite. Due to the weather, we did not stay out long and he was responsive to direction, easy to walk on the leash and was cooperative when returning to the kennel. He is a very kind, sensitive, low-key and investigative boy.
Per staff 12/31/2025: There is a note from previous owner that he is fearful of men. I had asked a male staff member to take him out for me. I watched from afar. When the staff member approached his head was low, ears forward with wide eyes. Body low as he walked through the kennels, hyper vigilant. I had asked him to bring Knox into the eval room once done with the walk. When they entered the room and Knox saw me he immediately loosened up, eyes softened and his ears went to the side. He came over and leaned into me allowing all handling. When the male staff member would touch him he became tense, however he never growled or snarled at him just moved away from him. Returned to crate without issue. Making Exp Gold
Behavior eval 12/30/2025:
Kennel Presentation: Nervous, shaking, ears back tail tucked, hiding in the back corner of the crate. When Showing the leash he did approach the front, was a little head/ leash shy. Once leash was on came out quickly, frantic, appearead over whelmed by the kennel environment, staying low to the ground looking around frantically, ears moving around back to forward. Once outside, a little calmer but still nervous. Brought into eval room with a female staff member, loosened up a bit with mid and low level wags, ears still moving back and forward, pacing, frantic movements, looked conflicted as well. Approached me with slight wags, allowed a head pet and then retreated back to female staff member.
Nervous and low posture when moving through kennel, went into crate with no issue and was able to unleash no issue.
Notes per previous owner:
- Owner stated he is nervous around men but loves females
- Knox is a very sweet dog. He’s playful, lovable and warm toward people and other animals. He runs back and forth with the neighbors dog outside. The day in July when we first saw Knox he was playing with a stray cat. He’s very energetic in the morning and loves to run outside. Knox is especially fond of females. He naturally gravitate toward them. Family and friends are always greeted with an almost immediate comfort level. He is cautious of males. He will position himself to watch from a distance and gradually starts to feel a little more comfortable over time. He has never once shown any form of aggression toward a person or animal. A trait that has been observed and complimented on by neighbors.
- He’s innocent. He’s an appreciative dog that has maintained a very welcoming disposition despite being on the street and malnourished. He loves people and likes to play. He’s grown so much from where he was to where he is. Knox has not come close to his full potential in our eyes. He is a survivor of unfavorable circumstances and it didn’t break him. That is the most impressive trait of his.
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
