Shih Tzu puppies and dogs in Peekskill, New York

Black and white Shih Tzu adult Backstory for Stanley Stanley found himself in an overcapacity animal control facility that euthanizes due to lack of space. He was abandoned at a "friends" house by someone who left the state and never returned. He arrived to the animal control facility neglected, not neutered, and with a damaged eye. Animal Saints Rescue Society was asked to pull him to safety to give him a second chance at life.    Get to Know Stanley age: 6-8 years breed: Shih Tzu  weight: approximately 16 pounds  Vaccines and treatments:  Rabies  Bordetella  DHPP, part one and two  Dewormer  Flea/tick prevention  Other tests and procedures:  Heart worm test - negative  Fecal test - negative  Urinalysis to help treat initial infection which has been resolved  Neuter surgery Additional procedures:  • Eye enucleation of his left eye that was too infected to repair • Microchipped • Laser therapy to help with initial pain from infection which is now gone • Bloodwork - some elevated WBC and BUN due to infection when he was pulled to safety. It has been checked twice so far, and numbers are decreasing to show he is healing. Kidney levels are higher than normal range and should be rechecked in a few months. Stanley should be fed a lower protein diet to keep his kidneys functioning well. Veterinary care costs given to Stanley by Animal Saints Rescue Society, based upon NYC area pricing, is $3,500+ Requested adoption donation fee is only $750. This is to partly cover his lifesaving expenses that our 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue incurred to give him a second chance at life. Breed and Hair Notes  Stanley has hair and not fur. He is a handsome blend of grey and white hair.  PLEASE NOTE: Stanley's hair will grow as it is not fur. He will need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Only apply if you understand the additional maintenance and cost these dear hair-not-fur souls need and are willing to commit to life for such care. Stanley is wonderful for baths and hair trims. He loves attention, and giving him treats through it all makes it even more fun for him.  Personality Stanley is a gentle bloke who wants a quiet existence with his people nearby. It seems as though he has spent most of his life inside. He goes potty on potty pads, and he loves to nap on any available sofa.  Stanley is not thrilled about the outdoors, though he is just starting to show signs of enjoying it. He is timid about going for walks at present. In time, we can see him gaining confidence outside. For now, he will be your best friend inside by the fireside. He has met several dogs of all ages, and he enjoys their company. He is the quiet boy in the group, letting the bolder ones move forward while he waits for attention.  Stanley is incredibly sweet and an all-around heart melter.  He can see well out of his remaining eye. Given he is without his left eye, he can be startled if approached from his left side. He gets around well and has adjusted brilliantly after his surgery.  Basic foundational skills training sessions with a certified professional positive reinforcement trainer are required for Stanley's adoption. Just a few classes are needed, and they are fun. It’s an excellent way to connect with your newly adopted Saint, too.  You can enjoy meeting Stanley in his short film: https://vimeo.com/1142284479 Ideal Home It is ideal for Stanley to be in a very laidback home with only adults. Older children are possible, but only those who have experience living with dogs and have great respect and love for them. Stanley loves the company of other dogs. It is not a requirement for him to have siblings, but he would appreciate the company of other dogs in his life.  Stanley will especially thrive in a home that can give him companionship day and night. He’d be okay for a few hours on his own if you provided him with puzzles and things to do while you’re away.  Plan on sharing your sofa and bedroom with Stanley. He will want to be by your side, no matter where you are and what you are doing. No crates for Stanley.  If you have a very secure fenced-in backyard or outdoor space where he feels safe to venture outside, this would be ideal. Love and Commitment  At Animal Saints Rescue Society, our goal is to keep dogs out of overcapacity animal control facilities and out of a re-homing cycle. Our goal is to place the dogs we save into lifetime families.  With this in mind, we seek adopters who understand that an adoption is a lifetime commitment. The families who adopt from us believe that love is not a feeling, it is a decision. Some humans still believe it’s okay to try out a dog for a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years — then discard when they get bored or don’t want to deal with emotional or physical ailments.  We are looking for the empathetic, kind, and patient humans in this world who view these Animal Saints as family. They don't believe animals are subordinates or view them as mere possessions; they are partners in life. They are committed to giving them the safety and love they need to flourish.  Will that family be you? We look forward to finding out and receiving your application!       March 15, 2026, 7:46 pm

Abigail’s Backstory Abigail was labeled “stray” and taken into an overcrowded animal control facility where they euthanize due to lack of space. Animal Saints Rescue Society was asked to get her out safely to give her a second chance at life. Abigail was very shy and frightened there — and understandably so! She arrived there dirty and covered in mats. Her swollen stomach made it clear she had just had a litter of puppies. It appears she was a “breeder dump.” This is when a puppy mill or backyard breeder no longer wants their “stock,” they leave them in a field or side street. Thankfully, Abigail’s sweet disposition and desire to trust humans again is allowing her to overcome the past wrongs inflicted upon her. Breed and Hair Notes Abigail has hair and not fur. She is Shih Tzu perfection to all of us here at Animal Saints Rescue Society. She is an example of why we started our focus on helping Shih Tzu and other hair-not-fur breeds. PLEASE NOTE: Abigail’s hair will grow indefinitely, and she will need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Only apply if you understand the additional maintenance and cost that these dear hair-not-fur souls need and are willing to commit to life for such care.  Get to Know Abigail Age: 5-6 Weight: 15-16 pounds Spayed: Yes Current Vaccines and Tests  Rabies vaccine: yes Distemper vaccine: yes Bordetella vaccine: yes Flea and tick prevention: yes Heartworm test: yes, negative Anaplasma test: yes, negative Ehrlichia test: yes, negative Lyme disease test: yes, negative De-wormer treatment: yes Potty training: working on it Additional Care Bloodwork: October 2024. Normal ranges with nothing concerning. Dental: October, 2024 dental cleaning with multiple tooth extractions. Monthly Grooming and Daily Brushing: Abigail is patient and sweet for baths, haircut, and brushing. Other Notes: Based on the condition of Abigail’s teeth, she was kept in a metal crate 24/7 as a breeding dog before coming into our care. She fractured several of her teeth by chewing on metal crate bars longterm. She has deep grooves in her back teeth from chewing on round bars from the hard metal mesh on crates. Some of her teeth were shattered from the constant chewing. Her mouth is now stable and doing well. Please note that Abigail will need to have a dental once a year. Only apply if you understand the importance of annual dentals for Shih Tzu like Abigail and are able to see this through for her. We have X-rays and notes about the initial dental if you’d like more information about her continued care. If you are up for brushing your dog’s teeth, Abigail is certainly a candidate for it! The great news is that Abigail is comfortable and doing well after the dental Animal Saints provided her. Her appetite is incredible, and she does not have issues eating. She will just need to eat only soft food moving forward. She should also not chew on hard chew toys or rawhide. Adoption Fee Abigail’s medical care with New York area average pricing exceeds $2,500. Requested adoption donation fee is only a minimum of $700. This is to partly cover her medical expenses and care that our 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue incurred to give her a second chance at life.  Personality Abigail is observant and watches our every move. She doesn’t miss a beat as she wants to know where the humans are at all times. Abigail can be shy at first when meeting new people. Once she realizes they can be trusted, she will start walking up to them to garner their attention. Once she knows she can trust you, she will want to be your best friend. She loves to be hugged and gives such sweet kisses to show her affection. To have her soulful eyes look at us with such love and gratitude blows us all away. She reminds us of why we make the effort to save the lives of these Saints. Abigail is currently housemates with two other fosters. She sometimes sleeps next to a senior canine foster that does not compete for attention. She only gets along with very laidback dogs who are not a threat to her. Abigail’s needed recuperation time has been longer than some of the dogs we have saved. She needed this entire winter and spring to come to understand that other dogs are not a threat and that humans can be incredibly kind. She has not made the generalization yet that all humans and dogs are okay — she still needs time to trust everyone she meets, and rightfully so. Her past abuse hurt her deeply, but her resilience is far stronger. She is incredible, and we are so proud of how she’s flourished and gained confidence. When it comes to mealtime, Abigail requests her own space. She has food insecurities from her past. For the time being, she needs to be in a quiet and safe place with no other competition around for her plate. Abigail is smart and quick to learn. We have been working on some foundational skills with her. She has learned sit, the recall word here, and stay. What Abigail Needs in Her Family Is it you? To say we all adore Abigail is an understatement. She is a gem in every sense of the word. As the advocates who saved her life, we have given her months to recuperate here in our sanctuary. She is extra sensitive and extra special. We know her ideal person and family is out there, and we look forward to finding them. We think she’s ready now! Abigail needs someone to meet her where she is and give her the space, time, and patience to learn how to completely trust her human. Abigail is learning, most likely for the first time in her life, that people can be trusted. Kind people are wonderful to be around — so much so that she would prefer having them by her side 24/7. Now that she realizes what love feels like from them, she craves it. Abigail is in need of having her people around most of the time. If you mostly work from home or are retired, this is ideal. If you’re away from home for a few hours during the day, she can handle it as long as she has puzzles and lick-a-mats. She likes to have something to do, rather than focusing on the fact that people are not around. Abigail is also a terrific traveler in the car. Expect a sidekick to come with you, no matter where you go. Just remember that she does not like to be crated. A plane ride in a carrier would send her in a panic -- at least right now it would. Abigail will do best in a quieter neighborhood or rural setting. She likes to go for walks but a busy NYC Manhattan neighborhood would be way too much for her right now. At night, plan on sharing your sofa with Abigail as you relax. She will want to sleep near you through the night, too. This keeps her calm and content. Being near her people is very important to her healing. If she has to be separated in another room, especially at night, this will be incredibly stressful for her and everyone else in the home. She does not need to be in your lap all the time; she does not require it. She can be independent and lay contentedly several feet away in a bed while you’re working. But she needs to know you’re there, and it keeps her calm to have trusted humans in her presence. Based on her past, crating is an absolute NO. She spent the first few years of her life crated far too much to the point she broke some teeth from chewing on one. She doesn’t need to be in one ever again unless it’s for safe travel or a medical emergency. Foundational skills training sessions with a certified professional trainer are required for Abigail’s adoption. Abigail is very observant and eager to please. She will gain such confidence from the classes, and they will ensure a successful transition into her lifetime family and home. Even though Abigail has a newfound love of people, she can still question her safety around them at times. Because of her past experience with neglect and humans being unkind to her, it is best for Abigail to be in a home with only adults who have experience with dogs. Abigail needs a quiet and laidback home with patient people who have good mobility and like to get outside with their dogs. We don’t say this often about dogs, but we think she could be content as an only dog in the home, provided her humans are around all the time. Ideally, it would be good for her to continue meeting other dogs, even if she lives alone. This is important for her to gain confidence and flourish in her second chance at life. Love and Commitment At Animal Saints Rescue Society, our goal is to keep dogs out of overcapacity animal control facilities and out of a re-homing cycle. We place the dogs we save into lifetime families. With this in mind, we seek families who understand that an adoption is a lifetime commitment. The families who adopt from us believe that love is not a feeling, it is a decision. Some humans still believe it’s okay to try out a dog for a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years — then discard when they get bored or don’t want to deal with emotional or physical ailments. We are looking for the empathetic, kind, and patient humans in this world who view these Animal Saints as family, and they will do whatever it takes to give them what they need. Will that family be you? We look forward to finding out and receiving your application!March 15, 2026, 7:46 pm

Keziah is a petite girl with an irresistibly cute snaggletooth! Keziah is sweet and playful. She loves her walks and to sit on your lap. She is about 20 lbs and was born in May 2024. Keziah would like to be the only dog in your home.

Chia is a 2–4-year-old pup who forms deep bonds quickly and becomes completely devoted to his person. A true “velcro dog,” he loves to be close at all times—following you around, snuggling on the couch, or curling up nearby. He’s playful, affectionate, and full of energy, with a love for toys and brisk walks (he may pull at first from excitement). His zoomies are guaranteed to make you smile, and he’s mostly quiet at home aside from alerting you if someone passes by. Chia knows “sit” and “down,” is very food-motivated, and would benefit from continued training. He can be leash reactive but has the potential to do well with other dogs given slow introductions. He may be a bit cautious with new people at first, especially men, but is never aggressive and warms up with time. Chia did great at both the vet and groomer, prefers not to be crated, and settles quietly when left alone. He would thrive in a patient, active home ready for a loyal and loving companion.

Ray is a 3-year-old, 7-pound Maltese/Shih Tzu mix (our best guess!) with a big personality in a tiny body. This smart little guy is eager to learn and is already working on basic commands with his foster mom. Ray is doing well with house training and will use both pee pads and go outside. When it comes to playtime, Ray is all in! He loves his toys and could happily play fetch for hours. He’s an energetic, fun-loving pup looking for an active family that will include him in daily adventures—whether that’s hiking, exploring, or simply getting out and about. Ray is still very puppy-like and can be a bit mouthy when excited, so he would do best in a home with children over 10 who can respect his playful nature. If you’re looking for a smart, active, and entertaining sidekick, Ray may be your perfect match!

Bubbles and her sister Buttercup were surrendered to a kill shelter because their owners just had too many and couldn’t find homes on their own. Their mom is a long-haired Chihuahua and their daddy is a Shih Tzu and they were born on February 2nd last year so they are now a year old. Bubbles has been spayed, is up-to-date on vaccines and heartworm negative. She’s also microchipped. She weighs about 9 pounds and is full grown now. Bubbles is great at the Vet and The Groomer and loves riding in the car. She needs a little practice on the leash and she’s making great progress on house training. Bubbles is a very friendly and a super snuggler! She and Buttercup are very bonded and we would very much like to get them a home together. They are so funny together! They play and run zoomies around the house. They would do well with older children and we have not had them around cats but we feel like she would be fine with proper introduction. If you would like to give this super affectionate love bug along with her sister, their forever home, please email omlc7@hotmail.com or dogs4mylife@gmail.com. If you do not see a response, please check your spam folder.