Iris

Originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Iris was found wandering the streets still dragging a heavy chain; her former owner was located but chose not to reclaim her. At the shelter she became a favorite of an 11-year-old volunteer who read to her every Sunday. She traveled to Brooklyn in late March 2026.

Iris has a system. If you’re petting her and your attention drifts, she presses her head up into your hand. Still distracted? Expect a light tap of the paw. Her fosters call her the cuddliest dog they’ve ever met.

She’s a gentle, goofy senior with low energy and an independent streak, though lately she’s surprised everyone with bursts of playfulness and tiny zoomies around the house. Walks have gotten sniffier too, with her nose on the lookout for snacks. She’s just as happy stretched out on a blanket for hours as she is next to you, and Brooklyn’s noise and pace barely register. She’s crate trained (she heads in on her own at night and is fine crated while you’re out), house trained, and very good on leash.

People are her favorite. She warms up almost instantly, and at a recent dinner party she worked the room, collecting pets from every guest. She’s intuitive, too: when a foster’s friend was having a hard time, Iris settled on the floor right beside her. She’s been comfortable around kids she’s met (a young shelter volunteer used to read to her every week), so older kids are a good fit and younger ones likely would be too. Cats haven’t been properly tested, and reports are mixed.

Her one real homework assignment is other dogs. She has a history of leash reactivity, and training has largely resolved it; she’s recently handled adoption events with dogs moving all around her, no fuss. While she may do well in a home with a similarly calm dog, an only-dog home with an adopter ready to give some steady support early on will make for the smoothest transition.

Iris is up-to-date on required vaccinations, spayed and microchipped. She tested positive for heartworm and still requires treatment. If Iris is adopted prior to treatment, Badass will cover the cost of care. If you think Iris might be a good fit for your home, we can share more details regarding her heartworm treatment plan.

She has received a health check and is currently in overall good health. However, we cannot make any guarantees regarding her future health or medical needs.

Complete veterinary records, dating back to the time of rescue, are typically sent via email after an adoption. They can also be sent in advance of an adoption, upon request.

Iris is eligible for our limited foster-to-adopt program, which gives approved adopters the chance to welcome a dog into their home and get to know them before finalizing an adoption. The foster-to-adopt period typically lasts 2–4 weeks and follows our standard foster guidelines. Interested adopters should submit an adoption application noting their interest in the program and the specific dog—they can connect with the adoptions team for more details.