Meet Simba - a sensitive, loyal boy who is grieving the loss of the only person he's ever known. After spending his life with one owner, Simba is understandably overwhelmed by the shelter environment and needs time, patience, and understanding as he adjusts to so much change. When he feels safe, he bonds closely with his handler and finds comfort in staying nearby. Simba walks well on leash, enjoys car rides, loves treats and bones, and has lived in a home where he was crate trained and mostly housebroken. Simba can be cautious with new people and benefits from slow, respectful introductions. He communicates clearly when he's feeling unsure and does best with people who can read and honor his boundaries. Once he's comfortable, Simba shows his affectionate, playful side and enjoys being around other dogs. He's looking for a calm, patient home that can provide structure and reassurance while helping him rebuild confidence after loss. With consistency and compassion, Simba has the potential to become a deeply devoted companion who just needs time to heal and trust again. Videos: Simba loves pets: https://youtube.com/shorts/icTCr2UwLio?si=hRvWk1ysuFHShokH Sweet boy Simba: https://youtube.com/shorts/7uq9qfooUgc?si=Y5y73dFgO9KXpR7b Simba knows paw: https://youtube.com/shorts/Zz6HOgHtarw?si=w_9XwDOckLMbmp0f Behavior Notes: per volunteer 02/07/2026: Kennel Presentation: lying down on his bed when I approached. He slowly got up but stayed on his bed, he had soft. I tossed some treats in which he had no interest in. Tossed my leash in his kennel and he did a bit of leash dodging before I was able to slip the leash over his head. Leash skills: pulls minimally on leash. Once outside he immediately relieved himself so he seems to be housebroken/ trying to stay housebroken. Sociability: Inside, he displayed a neutral to body posture, and was shaking a little bit. He was a little nervous but allowed full handling and even sought attention, rubbing against me and sitting nearby. In the photoshoot room, he allowed handling from another volunteer and tolerated having a bandana put on. He was somewhat nervous in the room, displaying lip licking and pinned-back ears, but remained tolerant. He showed curiosity toward a squeaky toy. He took treats gently, sometimes eating them, other times spitting them out. He jumped up softly a few times but was easily redirected. Toys and play: did not attempt play due to fearfulness. Curious of squeaky toys but did not play with them. Returning to kennel: no issues returning to kennel as he hopped right back him himself. Recommendations and Considerations: go slow, he opens up nicely when you go slow at is pace. Per volunteer 2/6 Meet Simba Simba found himself at the shelter after his owner sadly passed away, and through no fault of his own, he's now looking for a new family to love. He is the absolute sweetest boy. walks beautifully on a leash, appears to be house trained, knows "paw," and truly just wants to be close to his people. During our time together, Simba spent most of it curled up next to us, soaking up pets and finding comfort in feeling safe. Simba has so much love to give and would make the most loyal companion. He deserves another chance at the cozy, loving home he once knew. Per staff 2/5/26: During my morning walk through Simba was laying on the bed when i approached. Wide eyes, ears forward, hard barking and lunged forward but not coming off the bed. Per staff 2/5/26: Simba stayed glued to my foot /right hip once in the back office. Once a nurse attempted to use the scanner after letting him sniff, he began to lip lick, whale eye and became stiff with a tucked tail. We attempted wet cat food and wet dog food as well as dry and chewy dog treats and he did not have any interest. The vet came in to review-he put his right paw out to create distance from doctor. Once the doctor left and we proceeded to attempt check in, he sat facing us. We tried cream cheese on a stick which he was interested in. We then proceeded to put cream cheese on the door and I held him on a tight leash (as I didn't feel a bear hug with or without muzzle was appropriate as he has an impaction/distended stomach and was showing clear signs of stress/wanting to be not touched. No growling or vocalizations from Simba were utilized and he was very tolerant despite his clear communication to be left alone. We were able to do DHPP, rabies , bordetella and did not microchip due to his stress utilizing cream cheese on door and a tight leash (no restraint on body) or muzzle. Despite being glued to my side (only because I was the initial handler on leash) he still did not solicits signs of any sort of pets/handling other than what was necessary. Per staff 2/4/26: Per owner he will eat anything off the floor, be cautious Per owner 2/4/26: His owner passed away so a family member surrendered on behalf of the owner. Noted to be friendly but only lived with his owner, likes to tear up items but listens to commands, mostly housebroken but has some accidents, is crate trained, high energy, likes treats, walks well on leash, likes bones, will bark at strangers and children until he gets to know them, has not been around cats but does not bother them, and he likes to be around other dogs. Ideal home environment: the dog is friendly he just needs to be neutered to calm him down, the dog likes to go on walks and play he's use to driving in the car. Needs more house training, he was around the owners grand children but hasn't been around children since the owner passed away 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