Welcome to
Skagit Newfy Haven
A Re-home Haven for Adult and Senior Newfoundland Dogs with barriers to traditional family adoption.
Introduction to Skagit Newfy Haven
Skagit Newfy Haven is a welcoming and safe space for adult and senior Newfoundland dogs with barriers to traditional family adoption. Our Haven is in NW Washington State in rural Skagit County. I share my home and 1 acre fenced property with the Newfs who have full indoor/outdoor privileges. I avoid using kennels except when needed to acclimate newcomers. Explore these pages to learn more about how the Haven came to be, my background with Newfoundlands, past adoptions/rescues/fosters, and the current permanent Newf residents. Donations to Skagit Newfy Haven Charitable Trust to help with the substantial cost of direct care for these dogs are welcome. Skagit Newfy Haven Charitable Trust is a 501(c)3 Public Charity.
Skagit Newfy Haven provides a range of services for the well-being of our Newfoundland dogs. From permanent adoption, foster services with rescue organizations, and getting veterinary care and rehabilitation when needed, we are dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of Newfoundlands in need.
Recommended Newfoundland Resources:
New to Newfoundlands and want to learn about the breed or adopt an adult Newfy in the Pacific NW? Check out the SPDR Newf Page:
Interested in getting a puppy from a reputable breeder nationwide? Check out the Newfoundland Club of America site:
Interested in History, Art and Literature on Newfoundlands?
Looking to join our regional Newfoundland Club in NW Washington?
Past Adoptions, Foster and Rescue
Some of the Newfs had good lives before finding their way to my home, and others experienced substantial neglect and abuse. In 2009 I adopted 4 year old “Mossy” who eventually was rehomed to a friend and Newf enthusiast’s home to live out his years with a family. After some moving and job changes, I was in a better position a few years ago to adopt more Newfs along with a friend and we provided a loving home for Romeo in 2016 (5 years old), Riley 2019 (7) and Sophie 2019 (10).
Riley and Sophie were a bonded pair of more advanced age that had been adopted out by a rescue organization, but unfortunately the adopter had ill health and this lead to severe neglect and malnutrition where they were literally skin and bones. These wonderful loving souls lived the best and most active lives for the remainder of their natural lives in our home with love and activity (8, 4, and 4 more years respectively). Family outings/visits, dogparks, and lots of social activities were enjoyed by all!
Romeo started having severe osteoarthritis issues of his hips in his last 2 years and still he wanted to be active and go everywhere I and the other dogs went. A dog "wheelchair" was arranged and this allowed him to continue going for the walks he loved.
I helped with a direct rescue of two abandoned young adult Newfs in 2025 for 3 months. Maggie and Luke were found abandoned on the Medina golf course in King County. Due to a variety of circumstances, King County animal rescue/shelters refused to take the dogs in. This precluded Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue from getting involved for 30 days. I was alerted by a Newf enthusiast in Medina who had learned of the predicament and initially provided a side enclosure space for 3 days. I arranged to take them in as an emergency foster situation. This included helping provide a safe space and immediately getting proper veterinary care for active infections. This was a very intensive 3 month period with 2 younger and untrained Newfs that had no problems jumping over 5 foot fences to explore the neighborhood!
I worked with Newf enthusiasts and Newfoundland rescue specialists associated with Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue and Newfoundland Club of Seattle to find families that would be a good fit for each to be adopted where they now thrive.
In 2025 I restarted making my own permanent adoptions of adult Newfs needing re-homing, bringing Chewie (4 years), Teddy (1.5), and Storm (5.5) to Newfy Haven. Although the 2025 adoptions have been younger to middle age adults, future adoptions will be concentrated on senior/geriatric Newfs. This will require significantly more veterinary and maintenance care. As in the past, foster and rescue options will occasionally be offered.
Riley, Sophie and Romeo about 2019
How Many Newfs at Newfy Haven?
My vision is to maintain 5-6 Newfs over the next 15-20 years, as long as I’m able to physically maintain my home/property and provide the direct care for the dogs. At the time this website is being established in late 2025, there are 3 permanent adoptions and room for 2-3 more. At least 2 of these last few spaces are being held for older Newfs with no traditional options over the next 6-12 months. Whether healthy or challenged with chronic disease conditions, Newfy Haven is available to help provide a loving and fulfilling home to older Newfs. As older Newfs naturally pass over the Rainbow Bridge after a few golden years at Newfy Haven, more adoptions of older Newfs in need will continue.
Life Fulfillment for Intelligent Newfs
Everyone loves a car ride! Car rides can lead to destinations: dog parks, walking trails, helping shop in stores that allow dogs, other Newfoundland friend activities, social get-togethers/walks. There are many options for off leash dog parks in Skagit County including great dog parks in nearby towns including Sedro Woolley, Burlington, and Anacortes. Daily walking down our dead end block is expected by all, regardless of weather. When possible, a longer trip to the Edmonds off leash dog park (dog beach) on Puget Sound is the ultimate fulfilling day for everyone!
As I learn of an adopted dog’s skills and traits, Newfy Haven will support those adult or senior dogs ability to work with that skill which helps provide fulfillment and accomplishment for the dog. This can include learning to be a therapy animal visiting various facilities, learning/strengthening obedience training skills, learning/using drafting skills such as pulling a cart, and other working activities where possible.
