Meet Tanka, a 6 year old girl who first came to ACCT in 2025, Tanka has a history of living in a home and has many wonderful qualities that shine through when she's given attention and affection.
Tanka is a people-oriented dog who thrives on companionship and loves being close to her person! She is described as affectionate, loyal, and incredibly cuddly, happily following her favorite humans from room to room and soaking up pets and snuggles. Volunteers and staff note that she enjoys walks, exploring new places, and greeting people with enthusiastic kisses. She can be playful; especially when tennis balls or water are involved. She also appreciates downtime to relax with her person. Tanka appears house trained, knows several basic commands, and takes treats gently. She may pull a bit on leash when excited but settles into a nice walking rhythm once she gets going.
Tanka has shown signs of separation anxiety and would benefit from structure and reassurance when left alone. She is noted to be selective about canine companions, though she has had success with tolerant canine playmates. Because of her sensitivity and excitement level, a home that can provide her structure and positive reinforcement would help her blossom into the sweet and loving girl she knows she can be!
VIDEOS:
*NEW* Tanka the Love Bug
https://youtube.com/shorts/tuwbMa-5-AA?si=mS-eLu5g8jbRLKMv
*NEW* Meet Tanka: https://youtube.com/shorts/NngkaFrM6LY?si=qQHWmN7WvzhWNAtk
Graham meeting Tanka: https://youtube.com/shorts/Xe4f3yCNwek?si=O7GcxZgxM5Ocz7Cn
Playgroup 2/28: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcnvoGYrJkIYEH9u4uCkOYH1u-JRIKHMV
Playgroup 2/28: Chase, Curious, Halle Strawberry, Tanka (Halle/Tanka spat):
https://youtu.be/GaZIWge_8Js
Tanka and Athena drop leash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPhQyPE0QC4
BEHAVIOR NOTES:
On 3/20/2026 volunteer noted: "Tanka is a very sweet girl that loves attention and treats. She sits very nicely when asked. She'll sit by your side forever just hanging out and getting pet. She gave no issues putting the leash on or taking it off. She was desperate to have some playtime with another rescue."
On 2/28/26 per staff: Steerable with water (3/5). Upon entry, appropriately greeted Chase with fast helicopter tail and play bows. Several minutes after Halle Strawberry entered the yard, Tanka and Chase began engaging in some mild, slightly vocal play. Halle ran over and plowed into Tanka, initiating a spat between them that lasted about 30 seconds: lots of "scissor" fighting (open mouth, bared teeth, air snaps), boxing with front paws. Halle had a few opportunities to disengage when Tanka was distracted by handlers attempting to grab her leash (at which points she displayed appeasing behaviors toward them - ears back, hunched posture, lip licks), but returned to baring teeth and air snapping until she was pulled away by her hind legs. After Halle was removed, Tanka began showing exit-searching behaviors, pawing at the gate, whining, and once biting at the fence. However, she did occasionally resume push/pull play with Oreo Buddy.
On 2/26 per owner: Lived with kids 9 and under. Noted to be fully housebroken & crate trained. Likes to sleep on the bed with her owner. Her favorite activities include playing fetch, being pet, swimming/playing in water, and snuggling with owners. Tanka knows her name, Sit, No, Off and Leave it. Has shown separation anxiety when left alone and chews things. Towards strangers and children has been super friendly. Towards cats has shown prey drive. Towards dogs she had two really good dog friends at daycare - a large dog who is very patient and then another medium sized dog that is just like her.
From previous shelter stay:
On 7/8/25 per day trip volunteer: We took tanka out for the day and drove to the schuylkill trail for a walk. She did great in the car, and was very excited and curious about where we were going. Once we got to the trail she was so excited to start walking. She was pulling a little on the least the first 10 ish minutes of the walk, but after she got some excitement out she was absolutely perfect on the leash. We saw multiple dogs from far away, and she did not bark or growl once throughout the entire day we had her out. She loved meeting new people on the trail that were interested in adopting/fostering her. She did not jump on anyone and greeted everyone with kisses and got so many pets!! She is such a kind, gentle, and calm girl who I was so lucky to spend the day with. We got her a pup cup which she absolutely loved and ate so gently. By the end of the day, she had fallen asleep on my lap on the car ride back to ACCT. She would flourish in a loving home where she can go for walks and enjoy some sweet treats and kisses!
On 7/4/25 per staff: I had a new volunteer take Tanka out. She was eager to get out of her kennel and used her head and muzzle to try to get out before leashing, but was luckily leashed right before her body left the kennel. She pulled moderately on leash through the kennel and tried to pick up every morsel of food on the floor. Once in the yard, she mainly stayed with me and her handler and wanted to be pet. She allowed all over petting and handling, sat nicely for treats, and even propped her two front paws onto my lap and laid her head on me while on the bench. She walked nicely back through the kennels and needed a treat to go back into her kennel.
On 7/2/25 per volunteer: Tanka was easy to leash and take out. Outside, Tanka went bathroom right away - she appears house trained and her previous owner noted she was as well. Overall during our time together she was pretty calm. She liked my hotdog treats and was enthusiastic, but not overly snatching. Jumped up on the bench to give me some kisses. She seemed to really enjoy a walk and to be a curious dog who liked looking around. She could be a good dog running club buddy - she moves at a good pace!
Evaluated Gold.
ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details.
If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/
Confirmed placement is considered confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent
All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly's Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313
PHOENIX
Pit Bull Terrier
🇺🇸
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
female, large, senior
Pit Bull Terrier
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
