Eli ~5 years old male, black Lab mix, 75 lbs, Neutered
Background: Eli’s history is a bit of a mystery. He was originally surrendered to the Modesto shelter in May 2025 for unknown reasons. A month later, he was transferred to the East Bay shelter, which then contacted Lab Rescue for assistance. Upon arrival, Eli was showing some stiffness when getting up and moving around. Veterinary exams and X-rays indicated chronic cruciate ligament disease.
He is currently on joint supplements and an anti-inflammatory medication, and he’s getting around just fine. Shelter staff described him as doing very well in that environment—friendly with both people and other dogs.
What Eli's Foster Says: Meet Eli – Your New Best Friend. Eli is a sweet-natured, friendly, and affectionate boy who’s been waiting a long time for his forever home. After spending several years in a shelter, he’s adjusted beautifully to home life and is ready to shower his new family with love.
This handsome, energetic pup loves being near his people. During the day he’s calm and happy to relax at your feet or curl up next to you on the couch for snuggles. At night he sleeps peacefully in his own bed in your room—though he’ll try to sneak onto the big bed if he thinks he can get away with it! When left alone, Eli enjoys soaking up the sun and napping in the backyard.
Eli is well-mannered and house-trained. He knows basic commands like “sit” and “stay,” walks nicely on leash (with just a little pulling when he’s excited), and isn’t a big chewer. He eats twice a day and does well with his meals even though he’s not highly food-motivated.
Socially, Eli is curious and playful with other dogs—especially larger ones—but he isn’t fond of cats and shows typical Labrador instincts around birds and squirrels. Because of his past, he still has some mild anxiety, but with patience and consistency he’s blossomed into a wonderful companion.
Eli would thrive in a loving home with a couple or a family with older children who can give him the affection, support, and stability he deserves. If you’re looking for a loyal, gentle, and playful friend who’s just as happy cuddling as he is exploring, Eli might be the perfect dog for you!
What Rescue Rep Says: Eli has been in a foster home for nearly three weeks and has adjusted quite well. He settled in quickly and is enjoying the comforts of home life. We’re looking for a forever home where he won’t be left alone for long hours and where he can enjoy regular, gentle walks.
Due to his size, Eli would do best in a home with older children (ages 10 and up), as he may accidentally knock over smaller kids. While we don’t know much about his life before the shelter, we do know from his original family in Modesto that Eli has a tendency to chase cats—so a cat-free home would be best..
Medical: Eli is neutered, microchipped, current on all vaccinations, heartworm negative, and on preventative medication. As mentioned earlier, he has chronic cruciate ligament disease. To help manage this condition, Eli should:
- Maintain a lean body weight
- Stick to leashed walks
- Avoid high-impact activities like running and jumping
He may develop arthritis over time, so ongoing joint support—including a healthy diet, joint supplements, and anti-inflammatory medication as needed—will be important for his long-term comfort and mobility.
Located In: Oakland
If you are interested in Eli, please contact Rescue Rep Kris at krisellen.nm@gmail.com In your email, please tell me about yourself and why you would be a good fit for Eli.
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