First some news to celebrate….last week’s featured pet Sophie was adopted Thursday!
We have two volunteer staff favorites to feature. They were adopted but surrendered as they were not good matches for people that adopted them. We are using this opportunity to remind our adopters that they are encouraged to contact the [email protected] account with any concerns. Every adoption folder has a label with this address on it. We will do our best to steer your question to the person that can help with the issue whether it is the new pet is not eating well or a behavioral issue. Shouldn’t this be the first option before considering returning your pet? Of course we love to receive letters and photos as most of our adoptions are happy forever homes. All dog adoptions also come with a free training class. Learning basic obedience skills puts any dog on track to be the best companion they can be.
Shadow (ID# A 1154151) is a 1 year & 5 month old, male brindle, black & gold, Labrador Retriever mix. He weighs 51 pounds. Shadow was adopted from us along with another volunteer favorite and they got along very well. Shadow and his mom were attending training for him to become an assistance dog. She reported he was doing very well in training but alas he can not live with a feline so returned to our shelter. He was recently adopted for just about a month yet returned for separation anxiety. They reported he had dietary issues when he was anxious. When left alone Shadow broke out of a kennel and chewed something he should not have so they did not want him. Shadow is a potty brigade dog so house training should go well. He is pretty good on leash and enjoys taking walk. He is intelligent already knowing the cue for sit and down. He is very attentive to his people so should excel in training class. He is great with other dogs. He is an excellent play group greeter. We are amazed with his doggie social skills even at a young age. He seems to prefer softer play to rowdy play. Shadow gently encourages dogs to play and is very tolerant of those with less experience or lacking doggie social skills. Although puppyish at times Shadow has been a easy going well behaved boy at the shelter. He would prefer parents that were home more than away. Perhaps they may need to be creative in finding things to keep Shadow entertained. A fellow canine companion may do the trick. This lovely sweet dog is hopeful there is a better match for him very soon. He is located at our Eastside shelter.
Tammy (ID# A 1689078) is a 1 year and 3 month old female dark brindle & white Pit Bull Terrier mix. She weighs 53.4 pounds. Tammy first came to the shelter after becoming lost from her home. She had no microchip so we had no way to contact her owner. She was adopted and doing well until her family adopted a small dog. They did not conduct a “meet & greet” so Tammy could meet the small dog. Tammy played too rough for the little one. Since little dogs are easier to care for they surrendered Tammy. Tammy can be a bit on the shy side at first but spend a few moments with her and she warms up well. She may be shier of men so please be understanding and have patience, she may take a little longer to acclimate to her new home. Tammy has several male and female volunteers she has grown fond of and she is quite comfortable with them. Tammy enjoys taking walks and is easy on leash. Very loud noises that are unfamiliar to her can startle her so she looks to her person for reassurance. Tammy enjoys a bit of soft play but is generally a fairly easy dog. She really loves to share affection. She is gentle with her kisses. She is a smart eager to please girl already knowing the cue for sit and she shakes paw. She and her new parents will be star students when you come to the free training classes. Tammy has participated in our doggie play groups with dogs her size and down to around 30 pounds. She enjoyed meeting and greeting but was not overly playful. When the group began a game of chase Tammy preferred to be with the humans in the play yard. When the group stopped to rest she wanted to socialize and mingle around the yard with them. Perhaps with just one other dog she may be more playful. We do think a very rowdy dog that tackles during play will be too much for Tammy’s softer play style. Tammy is a tall lanky girl with pretty gold brindle markings on her dark sable fur. She has a very striking white blaze on her nose and a tuxedo chest. Tammy would love to meet her forever family so visit her at the Eastside shelter.
Albuquerque Animal Welfare wants to help you find the best match. We are there to help you so when picking your companion things to consider are temperament, activity level, size, age, compatibility with other animals (if known), compatibility with children, talents, tricks or type of play the animal enjoys. We have tools to help you. Our first tool available when you walk in the door is our Pet Profile adoption card. Once you have found a companion you would like to meet, give your completed pet profile card to a staff member or volunteer. While interacting with the potential adoptee your card is reviewed along with the information we know about the animal. This is your opportunity to ask questions and we may ask you a question or two if there is something quite different from what we know about the animal compared to what you are looking for. Our second tool is the tidbit card. This card is completed by staff and volunteers after they have learned about the dog through training, walks, play groups and play with people. We add information about any talents, tricks, and energy/activity level of the animal. Often it is “love at first sight” when meeting a companion but time and energy needed for the companion is extremely important. If a dog is surrendered we ask the owner to give us information such as is the dog house trained, rides well in a car, was good with cat, other dog, children etc. All of this is invaluable information to help find your perfect match.
Sometimes adoptions are just not a good match. Yet if the families that adopted Shadow and Tammy’s had used the e-mail account perhaps we could have helped. There are many things that can be tried to help with the companion’s feeling of loneliness when their parents need to leave; help them acclimate to the home and/or new food and how to introduce new companions in the home. In addition training can build confidence and it is a wonderful bonding experience for you and your new pet.
More news to celebrate….The Long Leash on Life-To the Rescue yard sale & adoption event was a huge success. Desiree Cawley, our marketing director informed me that $20,000 dollars was raised and $10,000 was matched so a grand total of $30,000 will be divided among several rescue groups. Thank you, Long Leash on Life, the many volunteers from the rescue groups organizing, pricing and helping customers and most of all our Albuquerque Community!
Desiree also mentioned that 6 pets from AWD found homes and 1 from Animal Humane found a home.
