Meet Poncha, a roughly 6-year-old Shih Tzu/Maltese mix who has already had quite the glow-up! She and another little dog, Pepita, were found wandering as strays in Ft. Pierce. They were understandably nervous about approaching the kind people trying to help them, so both girls had to be safely trapped and brought to H.A.L.O.

When Poncha arrived, her fur was so incredibly overgrown and matted that we couldn’t even tell she was a girl! We thought we had a little guy on our hands and named him Poncho. Then came the haircut, the big reveal, and… SURPRISE! 🎉 Poncho was actually Poncha, a sweet little lady! Fortunately, she wears the name beautifully.

Poncha can be a little shy when she first meets you, but once she realizes you’re a friend, her sweet personality starts to peek through. She’s been introduced to both dogs and cats here and has done wonderfully with everyone. We think she’d probably do just fine with respectful kids, too.

We don’t know how long Poncha was on the streets or whether she’s housebroken, but we’re pretty sure she’s ready to leave her stray days behind. She’s been through enough adventure for one lifetime and is now accepting applications for a soft bed, a loving family, and a permanent place to call home. ❤️

Requirements: Martingale Collar

Arrived at H.A.L.O. on 9/05/2026