"RAFIKI" *Super Mutt* *Rafiki means Friend* "PROJECT POOCH"

 "Project POOCH, quite simply, changes lives. We operate a kennel inside a youth correctional facility and pair currently incarcerated youth with shelter dogs. The youth learn kennel management, positive reinforcement, grooming, and training techniques. The youth learn what it means to be depended on by another living creature and what it means to be trusted and relied upon. And, they learn what unconditional love feels like—sometimes for the first time. Our dogs get trained, loved, and adopted into their forever homes. There is no limit to the amount of time a dog spends in our care, and we are focused on the individual needs of each dog."

"RAFIKI" AVAILABLE FOR Adoption at "PROJECT POOCH"  

www.pooch.org 

If you are interested in making a donation, learning more about our mission, volunteering, upcoming events, or details about adoptable dogs, call our office at 503-697-0623. If you get our voicemail, please leave a detailed message. We often cannot answer the phone as we are working with the pups, but we can call you right back!

If you need to schedule an adoption appointment, please review the adoption information page first and then email us at adopt@pooch.org or call us at 503-697-0623.

 

 RAFIKI neutered male , Appx. 1-year-old mix 60 lbs Breed: Mix of 13 breeds!

"Do you need a new buddy who is sweet and loving ?

Rafiki (means friend) is a super mutt (seriously! 13 breeds!) and very sweet boy to humans and his dog friends that he’s gotten to know. He is curious but cautious out in the world. He needs a special family to take the time to show him that the world is a fun. He’s confident in his current small world but needs to move slow, time to observe and space to feel comfortable when in new places. He’s super smart, learns fast, loves to play with toys and dip in the pool. He sleeps on his bed and can settle well in a home. He also does well without accidents in a house.

Help us find Raf his people!"  PP FaceBook  9/6/25

 

 

Rafiki has quickly become a POOCH youth favorite. This young man is playful, snuggly, and oh so silly. At approximately 2 years old, Rafiki isn’t necessarily a puppy anymore, but he has that puppy squishiness that everyone loves. 

Rafiki LOVES to play in the pool, and include dog friends into his pool games. He does best with slow introductions to other dogs, as he can be a bit too exuberant at times. That said, he is GREAT with all sorts of play styles, just needs the occasional reminder to slow down, as he wants all the fun all the time. 

Anything can be accomplished with cheese in Rafiki’s mind. He is working hard on his loose leash walking, and learning the obstacles of the training center. His basic tricks are doing well, with both verbal and nonverbal cues, and his confidence around the obstacle course highlights the trust he has in his handlers. 

Due to his focus on some of the cats on MacLaren campus, it is likely that he would do best in a household without feline friends. Any dogs in the home will need to do a meet and greet before adoption.  

If you’re looking for a unique dog to bring many smiles and laughs to your day, Rafiki would love to be the one to make that happen.

Youth insight

Does better with girl dogs than boys, but you can make it work

Good on leash

 courtesy Project Pooch 

COURTESY from PP video 

Photos courtesy of PROJECT POOCH