Many dogs patiently wait for adoption while staying at Paws and Prayers Pet Rescue in Cuyahoga Falls. Established in 2001, the rescue has made it a mission to find homes for countless cats and dogs, many of which have been surrendered to the shelter by owners, and some others come directly off the streets as strays.

I’ve been volunteering as a dog walker with the shelter since April 2023. Through my experiences, I’ve seen many dogs come and go, heading to their forever homes.

Duncan, the pictured pit bull, is my personal favorite to hang out with. He’s a young dog off the streets of Cleveland, estimated to be around two years old. Sadly, a large chunk of his life has been spent at the rescue, and he deserves the world. Coming into the shelter he was underweight, and he now weighs a healthy 70 pounds. Pit bulls have a bad reputation for being mean dogs, but this guy truly just wants endless pets and treats. His favorite trick is, “Show me your belly,” where he’ll roll over and wait for belly rubs. He needs an owner who has enough time to train him and can handle his energy.

The black and tan dog with the pink collar is Nova, a female hound-mix between two and three years old. Rusty is the smaller chocolate and tan dog, a two-year-old beagle mix. Boo is the final dog featured, an eight-year-old male beagle.

The dogs in these photos are still waiting to meet their new owners, which could be you. If you’re interested in adopting or volunteering, visit their website.

Anthony Scilla is a photographer. Contact him at [email protected].