success stories
After spending 18 months at the shelter, Leo finally found the loving forever home he deserved.
FOACD was proud to support Leo's journey by covering the cost of his preventative heartworm treatment and contributing close to $1000 toward his training.
A special thank you to Cass and Mike for fostering Leo and to Elemental K9 Training for helping him build the skills and confidence he needed to succeed.
Today, Leo is thriving in his forever home with his new family. He and his new sister, Gracie, have become the best of friends and are enjoying life together.
Congratulations to Ken, Kelly and Abigail for opening their hearts and giving him the forever home he has been waiting for. We wish you all many happy years together!
lovable leo
Darla~ 1,106 Days to Home
Darla spent 1,106 days at the Ashland County Dog Shelter. She was smart, funny, affectionate, and eager to learn, but years of kennel stress made it difficult for people to always see the wonderful dog underneath.
In December 2025, Darla transitioned into foster care with Jessi and Bobby. Leaving the shelter was only the beginning. After such a long stay, Darla needed time to decompress, structure, professional training, and behavioral veterinary support to successfully adjust to life in a home.
That is where Friends of Ashland County Dogs helped bridge the gap, providing more than $2,000 in support for Darla’s care, including professional training through Pawsitively Pets LLC and behavioral veterinary care through Cleveland Road Animal Hospital.
After 185 days in foster care, Darla was officially adopted by Jessi and Bobby on June 20, 2026.
Today, Queen Darla is thriving in her forever home.
Her story is a beautiful example of what can happen when shelter care, foster commitment, professional resources, and community support all come together to give a long-term shelter dog the chance she deserves.
sweet Sancho
Sancho had come into the shelter with debilitating allergies,causing hair loss and sores and other issues that made shelter life difficult for him.
After 6 months he went into a Foster home and Friends of Ashland County Dogs (FOACD) was proud to support Sancho’s Foster Family by helping cover the cost of his heartworm preventative care and other costs while he waited for his perfect family.
A special thank you to our dedicated volunteer, Cass, for fostering Sancho and helping him prepare for his new beginning. It is especially heartwarming that Sancho was adopted by Cass's best friend of more than 50 years, Joy.
Today, Sancho is living his best life with his new mom, Joy, and his Dad Steve,canine sisters, Ruby and Ava. We hear he'll be enjoying summers in Ohio and winters in Florida—a wonderful new adventure for a dog who waited so patiently for his forever home.
Congratulations, Sancho! We wish you, Joy,Steve, Ruby, and Ava many years of love, happiness, and unforgettable memories together.