Castiel

Available for Adoption

Their Journey So Far

1. Freedom Ride

   September 30, 2026

   Yesterday, this boy was supposed to die. He was on the euthanasia list with a 2:00 p.m. deadline: no extension, no extra time, the unfortunate reality when shelters run out of space. But 2:00 came and went, and he was no longer in the shelter. He was in a car, headed toward safety. When we first heard about the eight dogs on the list, we hoped we could save one. Then people came together: fosters stepped up, volunteers dropped everything, plans were made, and somehow we were able to save three. Three lives that almost ended. They may not have understood what was coming at 2:00, but watching this video, we're pretty sure they understood this: they were safe, they were free, and they had been rescued. Welcome to The Comeback Pack, babies. Your comeback starts now. A few important thank-yous: the shelter we worked with was incredibly collaborative and moved quickly to process everything; Wendy and Kyle helped with transport; Blake stepped up to foster, and because Blake said yes, we were able to say yes to saving that third life; and everyone honoring their pledges. This is what rescue looks like: people coming together to make the save possible.

2. He Wanted Someone to Love Him

   October 3, 2026

   He was scheduled to die, and all he wanted was for someone to love him. You may remember him as Drake. A video from the shelter showed exactly why this boy stole so many hearts: even in the stress of the shelter, he was reaching for connection. He wanted to be touched and to be close, and he was a staff favorite, and it's easy to see why. We jumped into action when he had only a few hours left, made it to the shelter in time, and it was like he knew. The shelter staff were so happy he was making it out alive. We saved him and gave this angel a new name: Castiel. Unfortunately we didn't have an open foster, so our only option was to put him in boarding. He's safe, he's doing great, and no surprise, he's already a favorite there too. But he really wants to live in a home. He's safe; now we need someone to be his angel. Please foster Castiel. Fosters must be local near Murrieta, CA. Can't foster? Please share. And to everyone who made a pledge for Castiel and has honored it: thank you. You helped us say yes when his life depended on it.

   • Meet Crowley, rescued the same day
   • Meet Lilith, rescued the same day

3. One Hour to Spare

   October 5, 2026

   He made it out with one hour to spare. Now he needs some stability. For months, Castiel (Cas for short) pressed himself against the metal bars of his shelter kennel, hoping someone walking by would stop and scratch his back through the slats. That pretty much tells you everything you need to know about him. Cas adores people. He was a staff and volunteer favorite because he's friendly, affectionate, goofy, and genuinely just wants to be included. He was known as Drake in the shelter. But that's the reality of overcrowded shelters: even really good dogs run out of time. Cas was scheduled to be euthanized at 2 p.m. We rescued him at 1. We didn't have a foster home waiting, but we weren't going to let that stop us from saving him. So Cas is safe in boarding. He's doing great there and has already become a favorite, but boarding is expensive, and after spending months in a shelter, what Cas really needs now is the stability of a foster home. Cas is about 2 years old, 70 pounds, neutered, vaccinated, and dog friendly. He has participated in playgroups both at the shelter and in boarding. He needs proper introductions and may take a little time to decide a new dog is a friend, but once he does, he enjoys canine company. Cats and young children are currently unknown. He's fresh out of months in a kennel, so his manners still need some polishing. Sometimes his excitement gets ahead of him, but he's smart, eager, affectionate, and ready to learn. A confident foster comfortable with larger dogs would be ideal. One hour separated Cas from never getting the chance to have any of this. We got him out. Now we need someone to help him learn what life outside of a kennel is supposed to feel like. If you're not ready to adopt, please consider fostering Cas. The Comeback Pack provides the food, supplies, and veterinary care. You provide the consistency, the love, and all those back scratches he spent months asking for through the kennel bars.

4. Urgent: Castiel Needs a Foster

   October 10, 2026

   Castiel needs a foster. Urgently. We saved his life just in the nick of time, and now we desperately need your help to give him somewhere safe to land. Castiel, formerly known as Drake, was on death row when The Comeback Pack stepped in to save him. With nowhere for him to go, we had no choice but to place him in boarding. We eventually found a foster who absolutely adored him! Unfortunately, Castiel discovered her chicken coop and decided to let himself in. No chickens were harmed, but let's just say we're pretty sure he wasn't there to make friends. For everyone's safety, we had to move him, and now Castiel is back in boarding. The problem? We simply cannot afford to keep him there, and it's heartbreaking because this is such a good dog! He's incredibly sweet, affectionate, and loving, and everyone who meets him falls in love. He's good with other dogs with proper introductions (some dogs take him some time to warm up to), and he appears to be house trained. And here's the best part: we've already purchased a professional training package with our partners at Better Together Dog Training to help Castiel and his new foster family succeed! What we need is a foster in the Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, or Wildomar area, someone willing to give this wonderful boy a safe place to land while we find his forever family. We saved Castiel from death row because we believed he deserved a future, and we still believe that, but right now we cannot do this without you. Can't foster but still want to help? Every day Castiel spends in boarding costs money that our little rescue desperately needs for other dogs, so donations toward his boarding expenses would mean the world to us. And if you can't foster or donate, please share! His person might be just one share away.

   • Help cover Castiel's boarding
   • Meet Better Together Dog Training

5. Not a Single Inquiry

   October 13, 2026

   He was just one hour away from losing his life. Now he lives like every day is the best day ever. Castiel is one of those dogs who makes you fall in love within minutes of meeting him. We rescued him just an hour before he was scheduled to be euthanized, and honestly, sometimes it feels like he knows he was saved, because this boy is absolutely bursting with joy and love. Castiel has never met a stranger. He loves people, gives the best hugs, lives for belly rubs, and approaches life like every day is a celebration. He loves everyone he meets, is good with other dogs with proper introductions, is improving his leash manners, appears to be house trained, and has professional training support available. What's surprising is that this wonderful boy hasn't received a single inquiry. Not one. Castiel is currently in boarding in Murrieta, CA. He's safe, but what he really needs is a home and someone to love. Adopt or foster Castiel! Forever not in the cards right now? Be his bridge to forever. We provide supplies, training, and support. You provide the love. Please share this sweet boy: somewhere out there is a person who needs Castiel just as much as he needs them.

6. So Much Love to Give

   October 16, 2026

   Castiel has so much love to give. He just needs somewhere to give it. Cas was a staff and volunteer favorite at the San Bernardino shelter. We saw videos of him snuggling into people, flopping onto his back for belly rubs, and soaking up every ounce of affection he could get. When his time ran out, the people who knew him pleaded for someone to save him. So we did. Unfortunately, Cas has spent most of his time with us in boarding. And while we're incredibly grateful for our wonderful boarding partners, who send us photos and videos and make sure he's loved and cared for, boarding was never supposed to be his destination. It was supposed to be his bridge to a better life. Recently, Cas got to enjoy a day out on the town, and goodness, this boy is just delightful. He loves people. Loves them. He wants belly rubs, hugs, attention, and the opportunity to be somebody's very best friend. He's also a really good dog! He seems house trained, gets along with other dogs with proper introductions, and genuinely wants to please. Will he need a little patience as he settles into family life? Probably. He's been let down by people more times than we care to imagine, and living in a home may take some getting used to. But we see so much potential in this boy, and we're not the only ones! Our wonderful partner trainer, Juli at Better Together Dog Training, met Castiel and fell in love with him, too. In fact, she's helping us offer a training package with his adoption to give him and his new family the best possible start. We're looking for someone who sees what we see: someone who will give him a little patience, a lot of love, and the chance to finally belong. Could you foster? You'd be helping Castiel leave boarding behind and discover what family life is all about. Could you adopt? If those sweet eyes are looking straight into your soul and every tail wag is wiggling its way into your heart, we'd love to arrange a meet and greet! Castiel has already been saved once. Now we'd really love to see him get the happy ending we saved him for.

7. Professional Belly Rub Enthusiast

   October 25, 2026

   Cas is a simple guy. Give him some belly rubs, a few treats, and a nice patch of grass to flop around in, and he's pretty sure life doesn't get much better than that. At just 2 years old and 75 pounds, Cas is one of the most affectionate dogs we've had the pleasure of rescuing. He landed on the euthanasia list at an overcrowded shelter for one reason: he ran out of time. He was absolutely adored by shelter staff and volunteers. In fact, he was famous for pressing his entire body against the kennel bars whenever someone approached, hoping they'd stop and give him some love. That pretty much sums up Cas. He just wants to be loved. Now that he's out of the shelter, he's discovered the absolute joy of rolling around in the grass, and his dramatic flops and goofy belly-up antics are hilarious. Cas is a big, young boy who's still polishing his manners. He needs someone comfortable handling a 75-pound dog while he continues working on his leash skills. But here's what makes him such a wonderful dog: he's incredibly affectionate and eager to please, smart and highly trainable, knows basic commands, is crate trained, good with other dogs and cat friendly too, and is a world-class belly rub recipient. Cas thrives on positive attention, and he wants so badly to make his people happy. His dream home? Someone who will continue his training, appreciate his goofy personality, and occasionally sit in the grass with him while he gazes lovingly into their eyes and requests another belly rub. He's not asking for the world. Just someone to be his world.

   

8. Not a Single Application

   October 31, 2026

   Cas has absolutely no idea how handsome he is. He's too busy trying to convince everyone he meets to love him. This gorgeous boy is affectionate, goofy, playful, and absolutely adores people. He spent months at the shelter begging for back scratches through his kennel bars, and now all he wants is someone to call his own. He's smart, eager to please, and has so much love to give. And somehow, despite all of this, we haven't had a single person express interest in adopting him. Not one. Castiel "Cas" is a 2-year-old, 70-pound German Shepherd mix. He's dog friendly, cat friendly, crate trained, neutered, vaccinated, and ready for his forever home! He's an athletic, enthusiastic boy who would thrive with an active family willing to give him some structure and help him polish his manners. Experience with larger dogs is a plus.

9. Working His Way to the Front Seat

   November 3, 2026

   Man, we needed a good laugh today more than words can express. Castiel was happy to oblige. He started out in the back of the car, and somehow worked himself through to the front seat. He is so proud of himself. Cas is the kind of dog that isn't shy about his feelings. He wants to make sure you know how much he loves you. He's looking for his forever home.