Avila is a 3 year old female red Shiba Inu. View her Facebook Album.

Hi everyone. My name is Avila, and I’m named after a beautiful beach in California, which happens to be my foster mom’s family favorite. I’m a 3-year-old female, and I’m one of nearly 60 Shibas being rescued from a breeder. Some wonderful DC SIR volunteers drove 24 hours nonstop to bring me and 19 other Shibas to safety in this first wave of rescues. When we arrived at Shiba HQ, I went into the backyard and ran. It had been such a long ride, and it felt good to stretch my legs! A few days later, my foster mom came to pick me up. She actually picked up four of us! We all got in the car, and I was pretty scared at first. But I found my other foster sibling, laid down next to them, and slept for most of the ride. When I arrived at my foster home, I was curious but still nervous. I loved exploring the yard, though! My foster mom has a nice big yard for us to enjoy. We didn’t go for a walk because I freeze when I have a leash put on me. I’m just not ready for that yet. I found a comfy bed in the kitchen and settled in with my three other foster siblings. I curled up and barely moved all night. It was a lot of new things to take in! My foster mom says I’m shy, and she’s right. I take my time when it comes to trusting people and learning about my new surroundings. But she also says I’m gentle and sweet, and I think that’s a pretty good start! I know it’s going to take some time, but I’m slowly learning that I’m safe. I’m ready to discover what this new life has in store for me, one little step at a time. Every day brings something new, and I’m looking forward to seeing what tomorrow brings! I’m know I’m going to have a bright future ahead. Will it be with you?

Location: Continental US
Dogs: Yes
Cats: Yes
Kids: Yes
Age 7-10-23
Weight: TBD
Intake Date: 8/12/2026

Follow Avila’s progress on her Facebook Album.