Zeke - German Shepherd Dog Dog for Adoption in Cincinnati, Ohio

Meet Zeke. Some dogs come to us with difficult stories. Zeke came to us with a story that is almost impossible to imagine.

This sweet 7-year-old German Shepherd was one of 25 animals rescued from a severe hoarding and neglect case that resulted in more than 30 animal cruelty charges. For his entire life, Zeke lived outside in a small crate. When he was finally rescued, he was heartworm positive, severely underweight, suffering from a flea infestation, had painful fly-strike damage to his ears, and is suspected to have cancer in one testicle. Our vet team is closely following and monitoring Zeke’s care - veterinary diagnostics are ongoing, and we are awaiting confirmation regarding a potential cancer diagnosis. Prior to being brought to STAF, he was living in a laundry room at a county shelter with 3 small dogs.

Despite everything he has endured, Zeke has remained one of the gentlest souls you could ever meet. He adores people and soaks up affection any chance he gets. Give him a few pets and he’ll happily lean into you, climb onto your lap, and remind you that all he’s ever wanted was love. His stuffed animals are some of his favorite treasures, and he carries them around with the joy of a dog discovering comfort for the very first time.

It’s hard to put into words what Zeke has missed out on during the first seven years of his life. A warm bed. A family. Toys. Safety. Treats. Someone to tell him he’s a good boy.

What we can say is this: Zeke deserves the world.

He’s ready to leave his past behind and spend the rest of his life surrounded by kindness, comfort, and people who will love him as deeply as he loves them. If you’ve ever wanted to change a dog’s life, this is your chance.

Come meet Zeke and see for yourself why everyone who knows him falls in love.

Visit STAF.org for more information on our adoption process. *** Email adoptadog@STAF.org for next steps! ***

Adoption through STAF includes full vetting of the dogs, including a spay/neuter at 6 months (female)/9month (male) maximum.

We do not do same-day adoptions. You will be asked to return for at least one follow-up visit, then take the dog home for a trial period before officially adopting.
You must be 21 years or older to adopt from STAF.
Due in part to increasing coyote activity/incidents in the area and the difficulty of predicting how a dog will respond to invisible fence training, we can not adopt to homes with invisible fences.
We do request vet and personal references.
We can facilitate adoptions within a 30-mile radius of our Cincinnati-based shelter

The German Shepherd Dog, known for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility, is a popular and highly regarded breed worldwide. This breed excels in various roles such as police work, search and rescue, and assistance for individuals with disabilities. German Shepherd Dogs are strong, agile, and confident with a distinctive double coat that can be straight or wavy. Their character is marked by courage, loyalty, and a strong work ethic, making them ideal companions and protectors for families and professionals alike.

Funded entirely by donations and operated by volunteers, our no-kill shelter currently homes over 300 dogs and cats, many of...