Steve’s Small Dog Corner
Steve Forino
Even before joining AmsterDog in 2025, Steve Forino had spent years devoting his heart and hands to saving New York City’s most vulnerable small dogs. With an unwavering commitment to pups with a ruff start in life in need of a second chance and a fondness for senior pups, Steve works tirelessly to rescue dogs from euthanasia and the trauma of overcrowded shelters.
Steve ensures every dog he saves gets the care they deserve—whether it’s hernia repairs, tail amputations, pneumonia and CIRDC treatment, or full dental work on top of the usual spay and neuters, Steve never fails to step up. In some cases, it is the first time these dogs have known love, patience, and safety. He’s helped countless dogs heal, both physically and emotionally, and guided them to the loving forever homes they were always meant to have.
We are endlessly grateful for Steve and the heart he puts into every rescue. Because of him, tails keep wagging and second chances are possible. Thanks to Steve, so many little lives have been spared, restored, and cherished. His compassion doesn’t just rescue dogs—it transforms them.
See below for current dogs available for adoption and some wonderful success stories from this past year.
~ Adoptables ~
Sweet little boy charlie is waiting for the love of his life!
Charlie is a 4 year old Havanese/Maltese mix and weighs 13.2 lbs. Charlie is perfectly housebroken, has no anxiety issues, and walks well on leash. Since arriving in his foster home, he does, however, appear to be deaf. Charlie can be a bit shy, but gets along with other dogs and cats. Charlie is a very good, well-behaved boy in the home and frequently asks for pets and affection. Charlie really just needs someone to trust & love him that he can trust & love back! Charlie is fully vetted, neutered, micro chipped and ready to be yours.
If you can open your heart & home to dear Charlie, please contact Steve by email at steveforino@gmail.com or @SteveForino on IG. Apply to adopt Charlie by clicking “Application” at the top of this page!
little boy Bentley & his ears are searching for their forever home
Bentley is a young tan & silver Yorkie mix, about 1 year old and weighs 8.3 lbs. Bentley is an adorable little boy who was sadly found as a stray in the big city before arriving at Hotel Steve. Bentley is super friendly and energetic. He gets along with other dogs and cats, too. Bentley is currently working on his house training, but good news, he is extremely treat motivated and smart! Bentley is fully vetted, neutered, micro chipped, and ready to run zoomies straight into your heart!
If you can open your heart & home to Bentley, please contact Steve by email at steveforino@gmail.com or @SteveForino on IG. Apply to adopt Bentley by clicking “Application” at the top of this page!
Darling Nellie needs an experienced adopter to help her bloom!
Nellie is a 4 year old schnoodle mix and weighs 13 lbs. She is housebroken, paper-trained, crate-trained, and a very smart, well-mannered, and travels beautifully. A true delight on the grooming table, she enjoyed her spa day and looked fabulous afterward. This little one is incredibly affectionate with her trusted people and makes a loyal, loving companion. She is also an excellent snuggler and thrives on making her person happy. That said, she has had a difficult past and does come with some challenges. She has a bite history and needs an experienced, patient adopter who can give her the time, structure, and guidance she needs to feel safe. She can be possessive and resource guard, so she must be the only pet in the home and would do best in a calm environment with a strong, confident leader. Nellie is fully vetted, spayed, micro chipped, and looking for a lap to snuggle in!
If you can open your heart & home to Nellie, please contact Steve by email at steveforino@gmail.com or @SteveForino on IG. Apply to adopt Nellie by clicking “Application” at the top of this page!
Sweet, silky & ready to love - say hello to sherry!
This tiny blond Yorkie mix was found as a stray in NYC and is now ready to find her forever home! About 3 years old and just under 10 lbs, Sherry is both paper trained and housebroken. She recently had cherry eye surgery and is feeling great. Sherry is friendly, affectionate, and loves cuddles, walks, and adventures. She gets along well with dogs and cats, travels easily, and is a quick learner who’s working on slowing down at mealtime. Sherry is fully vetted - with a fresh set of eyes only for you! - spayed, micro chipped and will love you completely.
If you can open your heart & home to Sherry, please contact Steve by email at steveforino@gmail.com or @SteveForino on IG. Apply to adopt Sherry by clicking “Application” at the top of this page!
A little Spice with lots of nice: Adopt Tiger!
This handsome black & tan long-hair chihuahua mix Tiger is approximately 2 years, 1 month old - but don’t let his size fool you, because he is 8.8 lbs of solid muscle! He loves going for walks and gets along with other dogs and cats. Tiger is loyal and loving, and is doing very well in foster - Steve even still has all his fingers & toes! But Tiger does have a bite history, having been adopted from and returned to the shelter after only a week and being put on the At Risk list. Life is better a little spicy and this little boy will bring so much sunshine into your life, that we know with a little work, he is so worth it. Tiger is house broken and paper trained (psst, he is a squatter!). Once he trusts you, he is really very smart and easy to train, frequently looking for guidance with his deep, soulful eyes. Tiger is fully vetted, neutered, micro chipped, and looking for his guardian angel!
If you can open your heart & home to Tiger, please contact Steve by email at steveforino@gmail.com or @SteveForino on IG. Apply to adopt Tiger by clicking “Application” at the top of this page!
help luna bloom — A Gentle Soul Seeking a Calm Home
Luna is a pretty little yorkie mix of 5.8 lbs and only about 1 year old. She does well with other dogs and cats but prefers calm, respectful companions. Luna is a tiny, delicate Yorkie mix who was found abandoned on the streets of NYC. Understandably, she is frightened and still recovering from the trauma of being left alone. Beneath her timid exterior, though, is a sweet and loving little dog who just needs to feel safe and cared for. Luna responds well to gentle handling and slow introductions in a quiet environment. She has a healthy appetite and enjoys going for walks. In just one week of foster care, she has already begun to trust, even seeking out affection and wanting to cuddle at night Luna is fully vetted, spayed, micro chipped, and looking for a safe space to call her own.
If you can open your heart & home to dear Luna, please contact Steve by email at steveforino@gmail.com or @SteveForino on IG. Apply to adopt Luna by clicking “Application” at the top of this page!
~ Happy Tails ~
Recent Adoptions
Enjoy the little things in life…
~ Rescue Update ~
the transformation of a princess
Princess’s road to recovery has been anything but easy. At 8 years old, this tiny 11-lb girl was abandoned by her family, losing everything she had ever known. Terrified at the shelter, where she was known as “Princess 230366”, she soon became gravely ill with pneumonia—and at risk for euthanasia.
Thanks to the 5 Star “Hotel Steve”, we were able to pull her to safety. She arrived desperately sick, with a pneumonia that stubbornly resisted three different antibiotics. Over the past few months, she’s gone from being syringe-fed to eating small bites on her own, slowly gaining strength—with help from Steve, who rushes her to the vet at the first sign of trouble and cares for her around the clock. But just as she was improving, another hurdle appeared—an infected ulcer in her eye. She received treatment for that, too, and after a few more weeks of pampering & medicine, Princess is now showing off her spunky personality! She’s eating well and playing and finally has an adopter!
Thank you to everyone who shared Princess and was rooting for her while she healed! ❤️
UPDATE: Princess made a full recovery and has since been adopted! Check out the pic of her taking off with her new family!
