We have an awesome new fundraising event coming next month: SSPA's Trails for Tails!

The event is a virtual walk/race of your choosing from 1 mile to a half marathon.

Sign up now and complete your race anytime between May 8 and May 23 (results must be uploaded by May 26).

Every entry gives you a shirt and a finisher's medal, with all proceeds going directly to SSPA. Prizes will be awarded for most money raised, as well as for the fastest times for the 5k, 10k and half marathon distances.

Please help us reach our goal of opening our new facility at the former Boys Ranch so we can make a difference in more shelter dogs' lives!

👉 Register for the Trails for Tails virtual race by May 23.

👉 Complete the distance of your choosing (prizes for 5k, 10k, and half marathon distances only) at your convenience at any time or location (including your treadmill!).

👉 Celebrate your accomplishment by sharing on social media with the hashtag #SSPATrailsForTrails

Stockton shelter dogs' days are already getting brighter, thanks to our amazing Dog Day Out volunteers!

Marco, at top, and Axel (who has since been adopted) were among the pups whom volunteers checked out from the shelter for a day of fun and relaxation! Thank you, Gretchen and Bianca!

Want to join in the fun and make a difference in shelter dogs' lives? Sign up for a Sunday, Wednesday or Friday shift!

Noodle recently found his forever home - and we received the sweetest update from his family (along with some adorable photos)!

The family said, "Just saying hello and thank you for all you do!!! We were pretty picky (nervous about the unknowns of a shelter dog and kids) but thank you so much for all the patience and help. SSPA rocks!!!

"Noodle is so amazing! We are so happy with him. Did great in car ride home. He is blending in with our family so quickly. He is funny but not too crazy.

Listens amazing. A rockstar with crate. Goes to door to potty. Doesn’t jump. Have not even heard a bark yet.

"He's perfectly content playing around with his squeaky ball on his own, but loves it just as much to interact. We have already witnessed a couple zoomies sessions, but is such a gentleman and gently plops down next to whoever is available.

"We have identified where he is nervous, and am definitely going to take time with leash and getting him out and about. He his mouthy, but is gentle and quick to correct. (might name him chewy, big family debate currently🙈) Pretty much needs something to chew all day😂 The Kong thingy meant for treats is his favorite with and without almond butter. And I now get the full meaning of food motivated. A treat in hand or pocket or anywhere near anything to do with food and he is at full attention and glued to you. But not jumpy or whining.

"We are still amazed how much we lucked out with this precious little guy."

Thank you all for welcoming this adorable boy into your loving home!

Puppy Benji (formerly Butters) continues to live life to the fullest with his forever family!

Adopter Iratxe said in a recent update:

"Benji is doing well and adapting very well to his new forever home. We are very in love with him.

"We got a dog trainer near us who is currently working with us on his jumping and leash pulling, other than that he is great!

"Thanks for rescuing him and for giving us the opportunity to bring Benji to our family.

"I’m attaching a couple of pictures (included here) of our weekend at our Napa property. Benji and Vasco (his fur sibling) had a great time!"

Yay Benji! And a huge thank you to his family for adopting!

Rex - now Sammy - is becoming a central part of his family.

Adopter Yolanda said, "Sammy is doing good. He is coming out of his shell and playing with us and likes to be close to us. He loves going on walks and meeting people!"

We're so happy for this boy for landing a wonderful home, and we're thankful for his adopters!

These nine super-adorable Stockton pups are among those who found their homes recently!

At center is Pete; clockwise from top left: Padfoot, Sadie, Shelby, Nino, Axel, JJ, Joey and Gizmo all found homes of their very own.

A huge congratulations to all of these lucky pups and their adopters!

Don’t forget: We offer post-adoption counseling to help with your new dog’s transition into your home! Email sspadogs@gmail.com! You can send "Happy Tails" updates there as well!

This cutie pie is such a sweet boy!

He does lack some confidence and needs some socialization work, but is a bundle of awesome!

He can be a tad nervous at first with people, but he warms up quickly and turns up the charm!

Ready to bring this adorable boy home? Fill out a foster application today.

This girl is so amazing with people!

She is super stressed at the shelter since she's so people-oriented!

When it comes to the perfect foster family for her, she is a rock star and nothing rocks her boat!

Ready to bring this awesome girl home? Fill out a foster application today.

One look into those heart-melting eyes and you'll want to bring this boy into your home!

Marco has been through so much, but isn’t holding any grudges with people.

He is unbelievably sweet, super soft and gentle, and adores people!

He’d prefer to be your only pup - but nothing will be more rewarding than to show this boy the good life!

Ready to bring this boy home? Fill out a foster application today.

Cutie pie alert!

Louis is such a delight!

He’s super handsome, loves people (including kids) and truly just wants to please.

While he’d prefer to be your only pup, he’ll dish out enough joy for the whole family!

Ready to foster this delightful boy? Fill out a foster application today.

Look at this cutie patootie senior girl!

Roxy is so ready to get out of the shelter!

She bonds strongly with her handler and loves being around you.

She’d do best as the only pup in the home, but will give you all the love you need! She’d also do best without young children.

She reportedly did amazingly on her dog day out!

Ready to foster this beautiful girl? Fill out a foster application today.

This adorable 3-year-old boy (look at those ears‼️) is looking for a patient and understanding foster or adopter to help him learn to trust and build confidence.

He’ll need his new folks to take it slowly and really work with him at his pace.

With the right home, he should start to show his personality and come out of his shell!

He could be in a home with a well-matched female dog who is more into coexisting than playing.

Ready for this rewarding opportunity? Fill out a foster application today.

We'd love to share your story! Have your own SSPA story to share and/or want to be interviewed for SSPA's newsletter? Email us at sspaupdates@gmail.com!

Adorable bonded puppies alert!

This duo - potentially Corgi/Staffy mixes - are joined at the hip and so much fun!

They are cute as a button, are social and sweet!

More than anything, they'd like a loving forever home where they can grow up together!

Ready to bring them home? Fill out an adoption application today!

This wonderful senior boy is super sweet and so deserving of a loving forever home!

He has participated in playgroups with gentle and dainty females.

More than anything, he just wants to be with people.

He's medium to lower energy!

Ready to bring him home? Fill out an adoption application today!

Check out this 12-year-old (!!) sweetheart!

She is one amazing senior who can't help but melt your heart!

Look at this face!

She's living comfortably in a foster home, but would love to find her forever!

Ready to adopt this wonderful girl?! Fill out an adoption application!

This little one is finally safe in foster after living on the streets for a while.

She's very sweet and is OK with other dogs.

She's looking for a special adopter who will continue to help her build confidence and work on her fear issues. Her person will need to be patient as she takes some time to acclimate to new people and handling.

A quiet home without young children would be best for her.

Ready to open your heart and home to this girl?! Fill out an adoption application.

This boy would love nothing more than to be a family’s beloved pet!

He has those head tilts down and has a perfect white stripe down his face!

He’s come so far from the terrified, shut-down pup we first met at the shelter. With positive reinforcement and two playful, confident female dogs, he’s flourishing every day!

He’s sweet, LOVES to play with the dogs in his foster home, and becomes your shadow once you’ve gained his trust. He also enjoys long walks and hikes.

Eli is hoping to find a forever home soon with a confident female dog and a loving, supportive family who will help him continue to come out of his shell! There’s not much more rewarding than that!

Ready to adopt?! Fill out an adoption application!

This handsome dude is a volunteer favorite!

He takes a little time to warm up to people, so he’s looking for a patient and understanding family.

He could be paired with a well-matched female dog in his new home.

Once you gain his trust, he does zoomies and flops over for belly rubs!

Ready to bring him home?! Fill out an adoption application.

Want to see all adoptable dogs? Visit sspetsalive.com or stocktonca.gov/animals!

Did you miss our previous newsletters? You can check them out here.