Mara

My story

Mara is a stunning 3-year-old American Bulldog mix who recently returned to our care—and she’s been her happy, friendly self ever since! The moment she saw familiar faces, her whole body lit up. She’s been soaking up affection from staff and reminding everyone just how special she is. Mara was returned through no fault of her own. She has a high prey drive toward cats and small animals, which couldn’t be safely managed in her previous home. Because of this, Mara may need a cat-free home with no small animals. When it comes to dogs, Mara may do well with a canine companion given slow, supervised introductions. She enjoyed meeting our test dog here at the shelter, though thoughtful matching is important—especially with other dominant female dogs. This sweet girl is loving, social, and truly shines when given structure, consistency, and positive guidance. She’s smart, active, and will thrive with daily exercise and mental enrichment. Mara walks nicely on leash, and continued obedience training is highly recommended—not only to build her social skills, but also to strengthen the bond with her future family. A professional trainer who worked with Mara shared this: “She is the sweetest, softest dog on the planet. She’s extremely responsive to gentle vocal correction and truly loves positive reinforcement.” Mara can be a bit nervous at first, and may bark at strangers or other dogs, but with calm, confident guidance and proper introductions, she does wonderfully. Because of this, we believe Mara would do best in a home (not an apartment) with more space and a less busy environment to set her up for success. If you’re willing to offer patience, consistency, and love, Mara will reward you with unwavering loyalty, affection, and a truly special companionship. Could Mara be the one you’ve been waiting for? Please complete an adoption application: https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/animals-pets/adopt-or-foster-pet/adoptions Animal adoptions and viewing are by appointment only. This allows our Adoption Staff to spend quality time with each potential home to ensure the most successful matches are made between the animals and their new families. *Please note: we only adopt within Ontario

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Mara, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.