Welcome to Adoption Central! Each week Paws Give Me Purpose will feature a different rescue/shelter dog that is in search of their forever family.
We see so many dogs come into shelters, but the ones who really touch our hearts are the owner surrenders; these are the animals that had once known what a home was, and lost it in seconds. Owner surrenders can be some of the most heartbroken dogs we see in the shelters. People don’t seem to understand or accept the reality for the surrendered pet, and what it does to them.
Today we are re-featuring a stunning beauty, Oreo! This very scared but sweet girl is completely unnoticed in a crowded shelter.
Oreo was sadly surrendered to the Town of Babylon Animal Shelter in March of 2021 because her family “no longer had time for her.” This beautiful soul lived her entire life in a home and now finds herself in a strange, noisy, scary place. She is extremely heartbroken, sad and very lost without her family – the shelter environment is literally destroying her.
Why is it that this beautiful girl goes unnoticed? Oreo could be invisible in the shelter because of her coat color, or in other words, “Black Dog Syndrome” – too many people judge dogs by their looks.
“Black Dog Syndrome” is a phenomenon in which black dogs are passed over for adoption in favor of lighter colored ones. You may be shaking your head reading this, but it’s true! Research has been done in this area and has found that stigma against certain breed types. Oftentimes, black dogs are portrayed as aggressive in film or television, and some people even believe that the color black is associated with evil or misfortune and this bias transfers over to their choice of a dog. This is basically known as a coat color bias.
Oreo is a sweet, loving girl. She is about 5 years old, full of energy, loves to play fetch and cuddle with her people. She just loves people and craves attention. Because the shelter is so scary for her she does need a few minutes to warm up, but just throw a tennis ball and she is your new best friend!
This poor girl is very stressed and unhappy in the shelter, but has bonded closely to her people. She has become protective of her people and her space, but who could blame her. After having already lost the only home and family she has ever known, she’s protecting what she currently does have that is very valuable to her right now. She does not guard her food or toys.
Oreo loves to run and play and is extremely intelligent. She does have a lot of energy and requires lots of exercise, but once she gets that energy out, she calms right down and just enjoys hanging out, being loved and cuddled.
This beautiful angel needs a family that will give her the time and patience she needs to learn to trust and decompress from the trauma and change she has had to endure. A very special home, one with a family that understands her, her needs, and all that she is dealing with emotionally. Oreo needs someone that will give her the time she needs to realize that she is safe, loved, and will never be abandoned again.
The shelter firmly believes that once Oreo is out of the shelter and in a home she will be a different dog, but for now they want to be cautious and are saying adult only household with no other pets.
Won’t you please consider stepping up to help this beautiful girl? At the very least, we ask that you please share to help find that special someone who can make Oreo’s dream come true. Let’s not allow her to wait any longer – the effects of shelter life on this once beloved family dog are just unbearable.
If you’re considering adopting a dog, remember that a dog of any color can fit your lifestyle. Don’t overlook that dark-coated beauty waiting in the shadows. You may be overlooking the love of your life!
PLEASE, go meet Oreo, we promise you will fall in love. She just needs that special someone to give her that chance. She is SUPER stressed at the shelter and desperately needs a family to love!
Babylon Animal Shelter
80 New Highway
Amityville, New York 11701
(631) 643-9270
For most dogs, being surrendered to an animal shelter is a drastic change and a very stressful experience. Even though a shelter may make every effort possible to make a dog’s new home welcoming, it is still often the place where dogs are confined, separated from their families, and exposed to more noise due to the close proximity of other dogs.
Any dog, rescued or not, will fill your life with love and slobbery kisses, but there is an intangible quality that comes with a rescue or shelter dog. How many times have you looked at your pup and felt an almost sacred bond with him/her? Or how often do you catch yourself talking about how your dog came into your life at the perfect moment? Once you’ve adopted a dog, you realize there’s some cosmic force that brought you together, and your life is much better because of it.
Today we are re-featuring stunning Shelly! She is sadly still waiting for the forever she was promised and it is beyond heartbreaking. Please take note of the changes in Shelly’s requirements for a home since our last article.
Poor Shelly is experiencing a high level of stress and anxiety; the shelter environment is a difficult one for dogs to navigate as it is always changing. Different dogs coming in and going out, it’s very loud and chaotic. Some dogs are not phased at all by the daily activity while others are much more sensitive to the activity like Shelly.
Shelly was picked up as a stray and brought to the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter by a good samaritan, and as it turns out she was actually adopted a few years ago. Sadly, her family is no longer able to care for her, and she now sits alone and frightened behind shelter walls.
When a dog was once a treasured family pet, their devastation upon abandonment is nothing short of heartbreaking. They wait for their family to come back for them. With every visitor and every walk outdoors, they’re certain they will be going home. With every breath, every blink, and every sigh they wonder where their families are.
Shelly is now looking for a second chance at a happy life. She is about 7 years young, a petite 48 pounds, up to date on vaccinations, spayed, micro-chipped and heartworm negative. She is ready to meet her love connection and would do best in households with children over the age of 12.
Beautiful Shelly is a ball of sunshine who loves going for long walks and really enjoys playtime. Shelly will make an amazing family dog! She has tons of energy, and would make a great running or hiking buddy. A high energy dog can be a ton of fun since they love to play, learn and accompany you on all your adventures. But to get to the fun parts, you have to accept the challenges that are also part of the deal. Shelly requires a lot of exercise to help her expend all of her energy.
Even with the best and most well-intentioned care, a shelter is not a home – and the impacts of long-term sheltering are too serious to ignore. It’s a sad fact that long shelter stays increase the odds of behavioral deterioration and this emotional trauma may cause issues such as chronic fear, anxiety, depression or even aggression. If a dog remains in shelter care indefinitely it most certainly may lead to long-term emotional suffering. Due to her time in the shelter, Shelly has begun to deteriorate, and is currently taking Prozac for her anxiety. Let’s not allow her to decline any more, help us find her a forever home!
The shelter states that Shelly would do best with calm, low key female doggie friends both big and small, a meet and greet is required at the shelter. She is not a fan of cats. We have been told that she’s such a good girl that they don’t understand why she’s still waiting – and neither do we!
There is no reason she should be sitting behind shelter walls for so long with no interest. She is incredibly friendly, sweet, full of energy and fun. She loves to run, play fetch and enjoys the agility course. She knows to sit and knows to wait. She will sit at a door and wait until you give her the go ahead to move forward.
Every dog deserves a loving family with whom to spend their life. Adopting a homeless dog is an amazing act of compassion and a highly rewarding experience. Giving a shelter dog a chance to live in the comfort of a loving home is priceless. Don’t hesitate to give yourself the wonderful opportunity to brighten a dog’s life; you will not regret it.
Every night when her kennel door closes Shelly dreams of a loving home and family to call her own. Don’t hesitate to go and meet her, we guarantee you will fall in love!
Brookhaven Animal Shelter
300 Horseblock Road
Brookhaven, NY 11719
(631) 451-6950
One of the largest challenges facing animal welfare organizations continues to be the vast number of animals in need of assistance. Although animals enter shelters for a variety of reasons, the majority of shelter populations are strays or owner surrenders.
All dogs deserve a home with a loving family. While many do find happiness, some are repeatedly overlooked because they have traits that seem to make them less adoptable, and sometimes this is for no apparent reason. We often see the nicest dogs stuck in the shelter for far too long. These dogs often become staff and volunteer favorites, get lots of love and care, but just don’t grab an adopter’s attention.
Animal shelters and rescue groups are brimming with happy, healthy pets just waiting for someone to take them home. Most shelter pets wound up there because of a human problem like a move or a divorce, not because the animals did anything wrong. Many are already house-trained and used to living with families.
It is an indisputable fact that puppies are cute; everyone loves puppies, but puppies are not always the best option for your situation. Adult dogs deserve a chance, and are often passed up by potential homes who are focused on getting that “brand new” puppy. The truth is adult dogs are far less work than puppies, are great companions, just as affectionate and playful, without the mess of housetraining, and are less destructive of things like furniture.
Today we are once again re-featuring stunning Roxy. Another year is almost over and sadly she still sits alone and forgotten, waiting for her chance at a home and family to call her own. We find this beyond heartbreaking.
Roxy is a stunning, 8 year young Shepherd-Rottweiler mix who was originally adopted from Bobbi and the Strays in New York as a young pup, and was returned in September of 2020 when her dad passed away and her mom was unable to care for her any longer. Poor Roxy is yet another beauty that has been waiting far too long for someone special to come and take her home, and it seems no matter how many articles, posts and shares, not one person has shown any interest and it’s time we changed that!
Roxy is a staff and volunteer favorite, she gets lots of love and care; however, she just doesn’t grab adopters’ attention. She is the complete package for an amazing family dog! All this sweet girl wants is a loving home and family where she can relax, and enjoy all that life has to offer. No one is truly sure why this stunning girl goes unnoticed; we are dumbfounded. She is incredibly friendly, sweet, full of energy and fun. She loves to run and play fetch. She sits and shakes to get treats and takes them so gently from your hand. Her favorite pastimes include playing with squeaky toys and stuffed animals.
With more settled behavior, mature dogs like Roxy make ideal companions for a variety of owners. Perhaps the biggest benefit of adopting a mature dog is knowing what you’re getting. Busy households with individuals who work full time will find it a joy to have an older, experienced dog compared to starting from the beginning with a puppy. When juggling responsibilities and countless year-round obligations, it is much harder to put in the work it takes to properly raise a puppy versus an adult dog like Roxy.
Large dogs like Roxy can get a bad rep sometimes, but the truth is that many large breeds make excellent family dogs and Roxy is no exception, she LOVES kids! She really enjoys meeting new people and gets so excited especially when she sees children. It’s as if the sadness in her eyes disappears and she lights up with happiness.
She is a very smart girl who loves showing off her knowledge of commands, enjoys long walks, playing in the yard with her ball, toys, and loves to just hang out by your side. Roxy would be best suited in home with a fenced in yard and needs to be your one and only pet as she can be a bit reactive to other dogs. This is not a large issue and is manageable, she has never shown any aggression other than hard barking and pulling when out on walks and is easily redirected. She has been spayed, vaccinated, heartworm negative, and microchipped. She is devoted, playful, and affectionate, what more could you ask for?
Choosing the perfect dog for your family isn’t always an easy choice, and in a perfect world, any dog you choose would mesh perfectly with your lifestyle. But whether you’re looking for a dog that can keep up with a busy house or want a couch potato/love bug, Roxy is your girl!
Roxy has been waiting for her forever home far too long. She sits in her kennel just waiting for someone to spare a glance at her yet he keeps getting passed by. Won’t someone please give her a chance? There must be a family out there who is the perfect match for this adorable girl; she is truly special and so deserving of a home, please give her a chance.
If you have any other questions about Roxy or are interested in adopting this beautiful girl, please reach out to Bobbi and the Strays directly.
Bobbi and the Strays, New York
adopt@bobbicares.org
(516) 378-4340
Animal shelters across the country report that the merriest time of year for people can be an especially heartbreaking time for pets. Shelter pets want nothing more than to be in a home where they will be loved as a family member, and there’s no greater gift a shelter animal can receive this holiday season than a loving family.
Today we are re-featuring stunning Emma! Another year has come and is almost gone, it is simply beyond heartbreaking that this beautiful girl is still waiting for the forever she was promised. She is a very sweet and super smart girl who has so much love to give. She is about 8-9 years young and has been at The Shelter Connection since 2016. There is absolutely no reason for her to wait any longer!
Emma was originally adopted from this very same shelter back in 2015, but unfortunately was returned. Although the family loved Emma very much, they were simply not able to manage her high prey drive. Just imagine how sad and confused this beautiful soul must be to be back in the shelter after having had what she thought was her forever home. The family has stated that in the house she was happy, relaxed, house trained, and not destructive — a perfect Angel!
Just like Emma, almost every dog has a natural tendency toward some predatory behaviors, and these behaviors can often be a challenge for pet parents. To most people in the dog world, the term “prey drive” refers to a dog’s eagerness or desire to chase and capture prey.
A strong prey drive in dogs can be a problem if it means your dog chases anything that moves. While this can be fun when you’re up for a game of fetch, it’s not such a good time when you’re out for a walk and your pup tries to tear after every animal that wanders into their peripheral vision. Prey drive also has a positive side. The term prey drive primarily refers to a dog’s level of excitement or motivation to perform a task involving hunting-related behaviors or going after an object. Prey drive is normal, it is manageable and you can train a dog to stop reacting or redirect those instincts into something just as pleasurable, such as games.
Emma is a pro at her commands, loves going on long walks on the nature trails, crushing the agility course (she even does the weave poles) and of course, a nice petting session! Emma walks nicely on the leash, but begins to pull when she sees another dog or an animal she wants to chase; due to this, the shelter does not recommend she be walked by any children in her future home. Finding methods to manage Emma’s prey drive – especially when out in public on walks – is vitally important.
Emma is the perfect balance of playful and couch potato; outside she can keep up with the best of them, but once she’s inside, a couch and a soft blanket are all she needs to relax. The volunteers at the shelter describe her as exuberant and happy-go-lucky but not over the top at all. Emma is thrilled to meet all people, but due to her high prey drive she would need to be the only pet in a household.
She needs an active home where she can exercise on a daily basis. A very special mom and dad — a savvy, experienced, strong, and patient individual or family who will be committed to her and will put in the time needed to teach her the ropes of life and help her become the best she can be. Individuals with time to engage her in other play activities that involve chasing, catching and retrieving, playing with toys, playing fetch, tug of war or involving her in agility sports as a positive and fun outlet for her prey drive.
Emma would make a fabulous family dog and would do best in a home with children 12 years and up; she is very friendly with people, she just needs a home with children responsible enough to not accidentally leave gates/doors open etc. Ideally a home with a solid 6 foot fenced in yard especially if the neighbor has a dog.
Emma is an affectionate companion and an all-around amazing dog with a lively personality. She is very people oriented, eager to please and very intelligent. She is a wonderful girl that truly deserves a second chance for a good life.
If you’re interested in this gorgeous girl, make an appointment and head down to the shelter — we guarantee you will fall in love!
The Shelter Connection
75 Marino Avenue
Port Washington, NY 11050
(516) 869-6311
