Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Not good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Story
Spotty ACCT-A-235952 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to length of stay and lack of space for incoming dogs. Spotty must have confirmed placement with a RESCUE PARTNER or ADOPTER by Sunday, November 16th, 2025 at 10AM. Should Spotty’s medical or behavioral status change, his urgency and timeline for placement may also change.
Spotty is a big, lovable, and affectionate male dog who is full of personality and charm. At 73 lbs., he’s a hunk of a boy with a big heart—he loves giving kisses, leaning in for pets, and even trying to crawl into your lap when he’s feeling extra cuddly. Spotty knows “sit” and is working on staying house-trained, making him a joy to be around for a patient, loving adopter.
He was surrendered by his owners after a year in their home due to not being able to have pets. They referred to him as "Spot" and described him as high-energy, “ok” with strangers, good with children, and “ok” with other dogs. He has never bitten anyone and has not been around cats.
Spotty is social and enjoys meeting other dogs, showing soft, loose body language and wagging tails during fence interactions. While he can be barky and mouthy at first, especially in his kennel, Spotty warms up quickly with treats, patience, and gentle guidance. Once he settles, he’s incredibly sweet and attentive, offering soft kisses and even gentle nibbles on the chin to show affection.
He would do best in an adult-only home where he can get the focused attention and calm guidance he thrives with. Spotty is ready to bring his charm, energy, and big-hearted personality to a home that can match his enthusiasm and give him the love he deserves.
Videos:
Spotty and Barbie: https://youtu.be/hY7wnckbNDg?si=r4F7RX5X6OT6Odol
Spotty and Barbie fence meet: https://youtu.be/Gh9uLvrWdLg?si=OSIuA0SudxnLZtkZ
Spotty knows sit cue: https://youtube.com/shorts/KuqNy6f8sTQ?si=M92UWXAJpnkWc1S
Fence meet with Barnaby: https://youtu.be/bvR_5H1VK70?si=PbGfRpRlgnzHpp1Q
Fence meet with Barnaby1: https://youtu.be/FLaO_X4urZc?si=KcBH_RKl3rI_CIQn
Behavioral Notes:
Per volunteer 11/5/25:
Spotty came to ACCT Philly on October 30th, 2025, after his owner surrendered him due to housing restrictions. He had lived with his family for about a year before coming to the shelter. Though he was unsure at first and displayed some stress behaviors, Spotty has shown that with time, patience, and treats, he can soften and connect. He’s shown housebreaking habits, knows “sit,” takes treats gently, and has even shared some sweet moments of trust and affection with staff.
Spotty has made progress during walks and time outside. Once he relaxes, he becomes affectionate, enjoys gentle handling, and looks up at his handler with soft eyes and low wags.
Spotty would do best in an adult-only home, where he can continue to build on his progress with calm structure and positive reinforcement. He’s a smart, sensitive boy ready for a family that understands he’s learning to trust again.
Per volunteer 11/5/25: I've walked Spotty/Spots the past 2 nights. The first night that I went to walk him, he was barky in his kennel, and he's a big boy at 73 lbs. so I gave him several treats to settle. I then opened the kennel door, easily leashed him and he exited very nicely. I thought he might be a strong puller on the leash, but I was pleasantly surprised.
He's a big headed hunk prone to jumping for love, so he'll need a little guidance to curb that. And of course, then he turns on the charm by trying to sit in your lap and give kisses. He is trying to stay housetrained, he knows sit, he had no interest in any of the toys, but he's one very happy fellow!
He was very playful through the fence with a female dog.
He was reluctant to return to this kennel, so I tossed in a treat, and he followed. I had no issue removing his leash.
You have to meet this boy, you'll fall in love!
11/04/2025 per staff, fence meet:
Oriented gaze and body towards him, loose, soft eyes, tail low and wagging, head lowered when sniffing thru the fence.
Looks very good but needs a full meet before adding “good with dogs” attribute
11/04/2025 per staff:
took spotty out for a walk as i know he's housebroken. he was at the front with a mid level wagging tail and jumped up on the kennel door. i opened the door and was able to easily secure him. we went for a walk and he relived himself. before returning back to kennel i sat on the bench and he tried crawling into my lap. with my help he sat in my lap and gave me some sweet kisses. he allowed all over handling and walked right back into kennel
11/03/2025 per staff behavioral eval:
Kennel Presentation: At the front of his kennel when we approached. Hard barking with ears forward and high tail. Tossed some treats in and he ate them. His barking lessened as we tossed more treats.
Leash Skills: Was right at the door when I opened it, head was low looking out the door. When leash was presented he back away, avoidant of the leash. Used a treat lure to leash up. He walked right out without hesitation.
Sociability: He became more social over the course of being out. When walking he did not eat any treats, pulled mildly out on the walk. When we went into the x pen he leaned his body into pets and when i sat down he put his front paws on my legs. He gave me soft kisses and then nibbled my chin. Takes treats gently and knows sit and to catch the treat.
Play: Did not interact with toys.
Dog Interaction: Met Barnaby through the fence. Both dogs had soft body/ face and loose wagging tails.
Return to Kennel: He pulled hard through the kennels, I had to use slight leash pressure to go into kennel. Used clip to remove leash.
Color Level: Blue
11/03/2025: This dog would do best in an adult only home.
11/01/2025 per staff: went to go check on spotty today. once he saw me he lunged forward with a high tail, hard barking, baring teeth, and low growling.
11/01/2025 Per staff: When I approached Spotty he was at the front of his kennel with wide eyes and began hard barking at me. i tossed some cheese and he immediately stopped. i continued to feed him cheese through the barrier and asked him to sit which he did. i opened the kennel door and let him sniff my leash, he backed up hard barking, showing teeth and snapping at the leash. i was able to secure a lasso after a couple tries. once secured he came right out. we went outside for some fresh air and he went potty right away, seeming housebroken. i let him explore for a bit, saying high to a dog and sniffing around. i used the back of my leash to do some handling which he was tolerant of as he continued to sniff with a neutral body. we walked around some more, i offered him more cheese which he declined and did some baby talk. he really enjoy baby talk, looking up at me with soft eyes and low to mid level wags. the more time we spent outside the less tense his body was. i was able to even do some light handling with my hand and got a couple wags. heading back inside Spotty stopped and looked up at me. i gave i walked a bit forward and he followed. he was easy to return into his kennel land with soft eyes ad low wags hopped up on the bars for the rest of his cheese (which he ate very gently).
10/30/2025 per staff: Dog was stiff while ACA tried to leash him, dog lunged at ACA
10/30/2025 per staff: requesting meds- per ACA was bucking towards her, baring teeth, stiff and growling
Per owner 10/30/25 (Owners had Spotty for one year and surrendered due to not being able to have pets): Described as being “ok,” high energy, has never bitten anyone, does “ok” towards strangers, good towards children, has never been around cats, and “ok” towards other dogs
Medical Notes:
11/6/25: 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.
11/03/2025: Vaccinated outside while walking. Saw needles and would lower head, whale eye and then face and body away. Easily vaccinated while sniffing, and covering eyes while sitting in your lap for the bordetella
Weight: 73.4 lbs
Tech Exam – 11/03/2025
Mm color pink, moist, hydration normal, attitude BAR, pain none.
Assessment: Animal previously altered.
Vet Exam – 11/03/2025
Age 4–6 years, male neutered, microchipped, eyes clear, ears clean with wax, nose clear, coat thin with small bald spots, teeth with tartar, gums pink and moist, normal gait, BAR.
Tech Exam: Brief – 10/31/2025
Reason: baring teeth, lunging, growling.
Assessment: FAS in shelter vs kennel reactive.
Plan: Gabapentin and Trazodone for 3 days; reassess after behavior evaluation.
Previously Altered (Technician) – 11/03/2025
Confirmed neutered prior to arrival.
Due to being significantly overcapacity with dogs and cats and higher than usual intake, extensions are unlikely to be granted. If you are interested in an animal please contact ACCT Philly immediately.
Due to limited space, timestamps may also be proceeded with early so it is imperative to let us know if you are considering adopting or tagging a dog or cat.
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 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.
