rowan

Rowan is a quiet, sensitive boy who is still learning what safety feels like.

When approached in his kennel, he watches carefully with soft eyes and offers small, cautious tail wags once presented with a leash. He allows handling, though he can be flinchy and unsure, so it’s best to go slow and let him take things at his pace.

Outside, Rowan explores slowly. He sniffed a ball with mild curiosity, and eventually accepted treats, always staying observant and reserved. Even with dogs passing by, he remained calm and non-reactive.

Rowan appears under-socialized which makes him nervous. Still, he tolerates handling, reads other dogs appropriately, and recovers easily from stressful moments.

What Rowan needs is a patient, understanding home that will move at his pace and show him that humans can be kind, predictable, and safe. With time, consistency, and love, this gentle soul has the potential to truly blossom.

If you’re someone who believes trust is earned… and worth waiting for, Rowan could be the boy you’ve been looking for. Come meet him at ACCT Philly, open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.

VIDEO

BEHAVIOR
01/31/2026 volunteer notes: Rowan did not approach the door when I went to leash him. He backed into the corner. After closing the divider, he gave me low, quick, pleasing tail wags while looking at the leash. He did allow me to lasso him and came out easily but he was flinchy. He walked out low to the ground. In the yard, he did not solicit affection but he didn’t flinch from touches. He sniffed a ball and nosed it a little. He eventually took a treat from a hand but remained aloof and watchful even with dogs passing. He had sores over his rear as if he had had to sit in feces in a crate for a period of time. He pooped and peed immediately when we got outside and there was a child’s green toy wheel in his poop. Wherever scared Rowan comes from, he was not socialized with humans which makes him nervous but not aggressive. He needs a slow approach and to be taught that humans can provide him with safety, love, and a true home.

01/31/2026 staff notes:
Kennel Presentation: in back of kennel, tossed a treat in and ate it. Went around to the backside, had to close the guillotine and step into the kennel and lasso to leash. Tolerant, flinching. Avoided eye contact

Leash Skills: pulled moderately, stayed inside went into eval room.

Sociability: asocial, sniffing everything. Touched on back, unfazed. Ears to the side, tail down.

Play: did not do

Dog Interaction: met Snow Bunny, middle tail, sniffed, licking vulva. She snarled at him and he was unfazed, had to be moved away with leash pressure

Return to Kennel: easy

Color Level: Blue due to fearfulness in leashing

Recommendations and considerations:

MEDICAL
Vet Exam: Vet Exam
01/30/2026 | 1:41 pm
Exam Reason
Skin/Ear Issues
Clinic
ACCT Philly
Subjective
Concern for ear infection
Objective
Mentation: BAR, nervous Body Condition Score (BCS): 5/9 Muscle Condition Score (MCS): 3/3 Hydration: Euhydrated EENT: Severe crusting discharge and erythema AD. No ocular/nasal discharge. Normal cervical palpation. Oral: Mild dental calculus, no apparent oral masses or foreign bodies Cardiovascular: No murmur or arrhythmia, MM pink and moist, CRT less than 2 sec Respiratory: Clear lung fields bilaterally, no crackles or wheezes Musculoskeletal: Ambulatory x4, no lameness. Brief orthopedic exam performed. Neurologic: Normal mentation. Cranial nerves WNL. No ataxia. Brief neurological exam performed. Integument: Thinning fur coat noted on caudal dorsum Peripheral Lymph Nodes: No peripheral lymphadenopathy Abdomen: Soft, comfortable, no masses or organomegaly palpated Urogenital: Normal external genitalia, no discharge or inflammation. Bilaterally descended testicles. Rectal Exam: Not performed
Assessment
- Severe ear infection AD - Thinning fur coat on caudal dorsum - r/o FAD vs other
Plan
Ear cleaned EKT administered AD Pathway: available

Tech Exam: Intake - Medical
01/29/2026 | 11:27 am
Exam Reason
Needs Initial Exam
Clinic
ACCT Philly
Weight
81.8 lbs
Body Condition Score
6 - Stout
Assessment
Microchip Found? No Microchip entered on profile? No Found Chip placed on hold? No Collar placed? No Age- about 5 years old Urogenital- male Altered- no - intact with two testicles Eyes- clear Ears- moderately dirty left ear - Severely dirty/ infected right ear Nose- clear moist yellow discharge Coat/Skin- flea dermatitis on hind end/ live fleas , skin irritation on hind end Teeth- slight yellow staining on all teeth Gums- red Musculoskeletal- no injuries or lameness , WNL Behavior- QAR - nervous - prefers female handlers



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 a 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