February is a month dedicated to love and finding your perfect match, even if that match is in the form of a dog. That’s where TLC comes in. Our rescue meticulously pairs our adoptable dogs with their forever families through meet and greets, thoughtful conversations, and a series of reference checks. We make sure that every adoption is a match made in heaven.

Swiping & searching. Whether you find the adoptable dog online or through our social media channels, we aim to provide insight about the pup in the process. We share info about their personalities, likes and dislikes, and anything else we’ve learned while they’ve been in our care. Don’t worry - there are no men holding fish in these profile photos.

Love at first sight. Sometimes you meet a pup at a Meet & Greet event, trivia night, or even out on a walk in your neighborhood. While you’re playing with this canine cutie, we invite you to ask the volunteer or foster any questions you may have to get to know the dog even better.

Matchmaking. So the first meeting went well- that’s great! Now we get to do our matchmaking. After we take a look at your application, we’ll review your veterinary records, talk to your landlord, and check in with at least two of your personal references. Through each step, we compare the info with what we know our adoptable dogs need to determine if you’re a good fit for each other.

Furever. If we’re confident that your family is a good fit for our adoptable dogs and vice versa, we’ll work together to schedule an adoption appointment and let you add a furry family member to your household! If you’re not a perfect fit for this dog, don’t be discouraged. You may be a better fit for another dog in our rescue and our matchmaking process will continue. You can’t rush love!

Lots of love. We’ve helped match over 8,000 dogs with their forever families over the last 12+ years. We are proud to know that each dog is living his or her best life with a family that was precisely paired with their perfect people.

Ready to play cupid? Be a part of the process and join our team of matchmaking volunteers! This team works remotely to process applications, call references, and connect with applicants. Calls can be done on the volunteer’s schedule and training is provided! It’s a great way to get involved with low time commitments!

Did you know how easy it is to find your perfect match using the filters on our website? You can quickly search for cat-friendly dogs, seniors, or even specific mixed breeds—like our lovable Lab mixes!

Abby is TLC’s longest-resident pup, a lovable 5-year-old Lab mix bursting with goofball energy, belly-rub enthusiasm, and happy zoomies. She’s people-loving, food-motivated, and looking for a calm, dog-savvy home where she can finally be someone’s whole world.

Butter is a tender-hearted 1-year-old Lab mix, who’s making quiet but meaningful strides every day. She adores other dogs and will thrive in a calm, experienced home with another confident dog to help her build courage and confidence.

Solomon is a lovable, clumsy 3-year-old Lab mix who thinks he’s a lap dog and isn’t shy about asking for cuddles. He’s housebroken, crate trained, dog friendly, and looking for a committed home to match his big heart

Yeti is a 2-year-old Lab mix rescued from Mississippi who’s been learning how to be a house dog and discovering that the world isn’t so scary after all. Once he feels safe, his goofy, affectionate personality shines—and with a patient home, a fenced yard, and a confident dog buddy, Yeti will truly thrive.

February marks the season of hearts and love, and Rain fits that theme perfectly. This sweet mama Pittie was heartworm positive and on the put-to-sleep list in Mississippi before she was rescued with her puppy, Stevie, and brought to TLC. After completing her heartworm treatment, Rain has found the happy ending she’s always deserved in a loving forever home.

Rain is a young Pit Bull mix with a goofy personality and an endearing overbite that makes it impossible not to fall in love with her. She can be shy when she first meets new people, but she blossoms quickly, especially when another dog is nearby. She adores other dogs and enjoys playful wrestling and zoomies, but also loves to entertain herself with a stuffie or relax with her people once she’s had her fun.

After all she’s endured—raising her puppy, overcoming heartworm, and learning what it feels like to be safe and loved—Rain is now settled into life with a family of her own. This Valentine’s Day, she didn’t ask for chocolates or roses. She found what she was hoping for all along: a family who fell in love with her silly grin, playful spirit, and sweet soul.

Happy tails, Rain—we’re so grateful you found your forever Valentine.

Manisha has been volunteering and fostering for TLC since March of 2019.   The day after becoming an approved volunteer, Manisha took in her first foster dog named Babka.  This sweet black and white hound puppy began Manisha’s fostering journey.  Manisha loves working with everyone at TLC Rescue.  She loves the tribe she works with, volunteers who share their love of dogs and a common goal of finding the best forever home for each dog.  Manisha has found this to be one of the best parts of volunteering for TLC. 

Each and every time Manisha goes to the center she is filled with excitement, eager to discover her new foster’s personality.  Manisha believes that her job as a foster is not to just provide each dog a “couch to crash on,” but to get them at least partially ready for their forever family.  She enjoys helping her fosters learn basic commands in addition to house and crate training.  She loves to take them on walks or going to a dog-friendly neighborhood restaurant, helping to expose her foster to new people, other dogs, and different environments, helping them to prepare for “real world.”  

Manisha has sweet memories of the 145 dogs that she has fostered.  The dogs that have stayed with her the most, making a huge impact, are those who needed a little more “TLC.”  York who required an amputation, Izzy who was abandoned at VRC with a broken leg which also needed amputation, Ghost who was deaf, Josie who was nervous about everything, Wade, a week and a half old pup weighing only 1.2lbs and Manisha had to burp Wade after every syringe feeding, and Trooper who was just skin and bones when she first saw him.  

When asked about any advice for those thinking about volunteering or fostering, Manisha responded emphatically, “don’t be intimidated!”  Manisha states that there is always a place for you to help at TLC.  Whether you are fostering, transporting puppies to events, participating in transport, or helping out the applications team, by doing these things, you become an invaluable part of the TLC team.  

Manisha has found that fostering is a joint effort and has been the most gratifying experience for her and her family.  She believes that they have gotten more out of the fostering experience than what they have put in.  Manisha says that fostering has given her family a sense of purpose, and watching puppies in all their silliness is the best stress reliever. 

Manisha states that even though saying goodbye is difficult, seeing the joy on the new adopter’s face does build a kind of unique emotional strength.  

Too often in rescue work one sees the worst of humanity.  It is these types of situations that inspire Manisha to continue to foster and volunteer for TLC. 

Maybe it could inspire you to?

Help Make Raffles for Ruffs a Big Win!

We’re gearing up for one of our biggest fundraisers of the year our 11th Annual Raffles for Ruffs virtual basket raffle and we need your help!

Got an unopened Christmas gift you’ll never use? That kitchen gadget still in the box? A gift card you forgot about? Donate it! You can also ask places you frequent—your hair salon, gym, favorite restaurant, vet, or local small business—to donate an item or service for a themed basket.

Popular basket ideas:

• Date Night or Girls’ Night

• Coffee & Tea Lover

• Kitchen & Cooking

• Self-Care & Spa

• Pet Lover

• Family Game Night

• Local Favorites

Business owners: This is a great way to promote your business while saving lives! Donations can include products, services, themed baskets, or monetary contributions. Donor recognition is available at multiple levels, including website mentions and live event shout-outs.

Last year, Raffles for Ruffs raised over $37,000, helping us save 750+ dogs. This year, as we rebuild and reimagine rescue together, your support matters more than ever.

Interested in donating or sponsoring a basket? Email rafflesforruffs@tlcrescuepa.com

Together, we can make sure no dog is left behind.

Valentine’s Day Training Tip: Teaching Your Dog to Give a Kiss 💋

Ah yes, the Kiss Cue—where romance meets operant conditioning.

Step 1: Arm yourself with a high-value treat. This is not the time for dry kibble. If your dog wouldn’t emotionally commit to it, neither should you.

Step 2: Hold the treat near your cheek and say your cue (“Kiss,” “Smooch,” “Be My Valentine”). Your dog will move in, not out of love, but because boundaries are a social construct.

The exact moment you feel a nose tap or polite lick, mark it (“Yes!”) and reward. Timing matters. If you’re late, you will accidentally reinforce face-eating.

Step 3: Gradually fade the lure so your dog kisses before seeing the treat. This is how you create the illusion of unconditional affection.

Important Valentine’s Safety Notes: Only reinforce gentle contact. We’re going for rom-com, not true crime.

Valentine’s Selfie Tip: Dog Edition

Want your dating profile to scream “I’m fun, lovable, and possibly obsessed with dogs”? Follow these pro tips:

1. Eye Level is Everything – Kneel, sit, or lie down so your dog isn’t just a floating head. Nobody swipes for a human with a tiny floating dog blob.

2. Treats > Coercion – Use a snack to get that perfect “smile” or “alert puppy gaze.” Bonus: your dog looks photogenic, and you look like a responsible caretaker.

3. Natural Lighting = Angel Mode – Sunlight makes eyes sparkle. Indoor selfies with harsh lighting? Let’s call that “mystery shadow chic”

4. Timing Matters – Take photos before playtime or walks, not after. A panting, half-asleep dog is not your Valentine’s aesthetic.

5. Candid Wins – Forget stiff poses. Capture laughing, snuggling, or nose boops. Authenticity > forced cuteness.

Pro tip: If your dog decides to lick your face mid-shot, just roll with it. Nothing says “fun and affectionate” like slobbery chaos.