Shelter I.D: A5754539

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 02/06/2026 - 02/26/2026

Est. Age: 2 years

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “1, sweet”

My Experience with Cleo: Cleo was sound asleep when I passed her kennel. I didn’t try to call her and disturb her, so I don’t have a lot to say about who Cleo was as an individual.

I did notice she was extremely malnourished; her ribcage and spine protruded from her body unhealthily. Cleo was described as sweet by shelter staff, but it didn’t save her. After 20 days, her time ran out.

Shelter I.D: A5675298

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 02/10/2026 - 02/25/2026

Est. Age: 3 years and 4 months

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “3, remains tense, head shy, muzzled as a precaution.”

Her notes also state she “attacked and killed owner’s stepdaughter’s 2 three-week-old kittens. Adoption Partner only with a Waiver of Indemnity”

My Experience with Xena: Her eyes were filled with a deep sadness. Xena’s body stayed close to the kennel door, and when I extended my hand to her, she sniffed only briefly. She seemed completely uninterested and rather bored, staring straight ahead at the metal wall. Xena’s attitude and dusted grey snout made her seem much older than 3 and a half years.

She was not necessarily an aggressive dog. While Xena’s gruesome past may seem barbaric, many dogs are capable of killing small animals. They just never get the chance to do so. A family dog who is gentle and playful with humans, but will kill a small mammal on sight, is no more aggressive than a family dog who enjoys chewing on plush squeaky toys. The key is not letting dogs with a prey drive near small animals.

Shelter I.D: A5752829

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 01/29/2026 - 02/25/2026

Est. Age: 5 years

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “1, sweet, allows handling”

My Experience with Antonio: This bully mix was 76 lbs of love. Despite being 5 years old, he jumped off his bed quickly to come say hello. Antonio’s tail never stopped moving. He was just your classic pittie, full of energy and love to share with whoever he could.

Antonio came to shelter already neutered, so he was likely part of someone’s family at some point. After 26 days of people walking past his kennel and no one taking him home, Antonio was euthanized.

Shelter I.D: A5755124

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 02/10/2026 - 02/25/2026

Est. Age: 9 months

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “The handler entered the kennel and he approached willingly. He allowed the handler to pet him under the chin. When the handler presented the loop leash, he retreated to the back and began to urinate. The handler put the loop leash down, knelt in the kennel and began to verbally reassure him. He approached with soft body language, and the handler slipped the loop leash over his head, while he was distracted being pet. He walked ok on leash, but he required some verbal coaxing at times. He was taken to a quiet area outside of the kennel building. The handler knelt and called to him. He approached the hander with soft body language and began seeking affection … He displayed no negative or concerning behavior toward the handler dung the handling, but he is timid and needs confidence building…”

My Experience with Cloud: Cloud was a beautiful dog. He had a blue-grey coat and elegant features. After I put my camera down, he stood up from his bed and came over to greet me. His tail wagged slowly. Although he was timid, he seemed to want to be loved. 15 days passed since his arrival, and with no potential adopters, Cloud was euthanized at just 9 months old.

Shelter I.D: A5754498

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 02/06/2026 - 02/25/2026

Est. Age: 6 months

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “3, trying to bite leash, growling and barking very hard to handle.”

My Experience with Gloria: Gloria was definitely a shy dog, but she seemed potentially curious. She didn’t cower or slink to the back of the kennel. Gloria only stared and sniffed the air tentatively.

Even though her behavioral evaluation went poorly, she was just 6 months old. Gloria would have improved greatly with patience and care. We’ll never know the dog she could’ve been.

Shelter I.D: A5675304

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 02/10/2026 - 02/25/2026

Est. Age: 3 years and 1 month

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “2”

My Experience with Zeke: Choosing to stay on his bed, Zeke appeared uninterested with my presence. His golden eyes followed my movements but he wasn’t interested in greeting, even after I called his name. Zeke was a big dog, being 109 lbs. on his intake date. Large dogs have much lower chances of being adopted or fostered. After just 15 days, he was put down.

Shelter I.D: A5755955

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 02/13/2026 - 02/24/2026

Est. Age: 2 years and 6 months

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: No behavioral evaluation was performed, but her notes state “RESCUE ONLY, surrendered by owner due to aggression towards other pets in own home, killed a pet turtle, killed a pet rabbit, attacked a terrier mix causing the loss of an eye.”

My Experience with Trixie: Trixie was an ostensibly sweet, friendly dog whose tail wagged when I kneeled down to greet her. She pressed her nose to the metal wires and sniffed enthusiastically. For some reason, Trixie was wearing a cute fleece sweater despite no other dog in her kennel strip wearing one.

I was surprised and disappointed to see she had been euthanized after just 11 days. After reading her shelter notes, it wasn’t surprising anymore. I wouldn’t describe Trixie as aggressive, rather, she either was animal-reactive or merely had a high prey drive. Both possibilities are able to be managed in an extremely patient home without other non-human residents, but barely do such homes exist.

Shelter I.D: A5753396

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 02/02/2026 - 02/24/2026

Est. Age: 2 years

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “1” Despite her behavioral evaluation being 1, her notes state “Behaviorally okay for public adoption with known history of aggression disclosure, no small animals (Required).” I could not find any specifics about what her history of aggression was.

My Experience with Lizzy: Upon my approach to her cage, Lizzy backed up and stood on her bed. She seemed very nervous and shy, but especially sad. She further moved to the back of her kennel. I chose to give Lizzy her space, and moved on.

22 days is an unusually generous amount of time for a dog with aggression history. I think it’s likely that her issues were anxiety-based, rather than over anger or territory. Fear-based aggression is treatable with special care, but our current system is not built to rehabilitate- only offer food, water, and isolation.

Shelter I.D: A5747511

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 01/07/2026 - 02/24/2026

Est. Age: 1 year

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “2, nervous but allows handling”

My Experience with Beckett: Beckett was an exceptional and memorable dog. The first time I saw Beckett, he was friendly but rather shy. His bold markings made him stand out among the other dogs. Over a month later, Beckett was still there, but this time he was way more excited to have visitors. He was gentle, and I never observed him barking, despite being in the most raucous kennel strip. Someone at Lancaster’s animal shelter knew he was special. As weeks went by, dogs were euthanized every day- including dogs under a year old. Despite the shelter crisis, Beckett’s death was postponed until he had been there nearly two months. I have never seen a dog stay there so long. He was given all the chances they could offer him

Beckett’s soulful eyes and calm nature are something I’ll always remember.

Shelter I.D: A5755902

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 02/13/2026 - 2/20/2026

Est. Age: 1 year and 2 months

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: Rocky had no behavioral evaluation listed. However, in his notes, it says that Rocky was surrendered to the shelter when he lunged to attack a woman who approached him. Due to that information, he was designated as “Rescue Only.”

My Experience with Rocky: I didn’t spend much time with Rocky, as he was extremely defensive of his space and barked incessantly. I did notice he seemed a bit malnourished; his head appeared too big for his body.

Rocky may have been able to be mentally and physically rehabilitated in a different world. But with friendly, gentle dogs and even puppies being euthanized in our overpopulated shelters, dogs with behavioral issues fall through the cracks. Nonprofit organizations and municipal shelters aren’t in the wrong for prioritizing the younger and safer dogs who have a better chance at adoption. Still, every dog euthanized who couldv’e lived a long, happy life is a tragedy and a failing of the systems we have in place.

Shelter I.D: A5754723

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 02/07/2026 - 02/20/2026

Est. Age: 3 years

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “1, friendly”

My Experience with Henley: Henley was a happy dog, but unfortunately, he expressed his excitement verbally. His tail wagged quickly and he pressed his whole body again the kennel door, seeking pets or love of any kind. However, Henley’s almost constant bark was loud, and was definitely a turn off to any potential adopters walking down the stalls. After 13 days, he was killed. 13 days is an incredibly short time for any dog, but loud dogs often get fast tracked to the kill list.

Shelter I.D: A5747570

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 01/03/2026 - 02/04/2026

Est. Age: 3 years

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “sweet, accepts attention and loves treats.”

My Experience with Priscilla: When I first approached Priscilla’s kennel, she gave a few soft, uncertain barks. It only took a few seconds for her to calm, though, and she soon came over to say hello. Priscilla was definitely a shy soul. Even though Priscilla’s tail didn’t wag, she seemed interested, and wanted to interact further. The wires separating us prevented it. She grew bored and returned to she back of her cage.

Priscilla’s sweet nature would’ve made her a lovely friend and companion, and Lancaster Shelter knew this, postponing her death a full month after her arrival.

Shelter I.D: A5746738

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 12/29/2025 - 01/29/2026

Est. Age: 5 years

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: behavior score of 1.

My Experience with Daniel: Daniel had soft, warm yellow eyes, which were full of melancholy and uncertainty. He was huge- 99.7 lbs, according to his record. He wasn’t interested in nearing the front of the kennel, instead standing despondently towards the back. That was sadly the extent of my interaction with Daniel. Peculiarly, he was given a full month before being euthanized, despite several dogs under a year old being killed in less time while he was there. I wonder if shelter staff were rooting for him, putting off his death each day until they could no more.

Shelter I.D: A5747356

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 01/02/2026 - 01/23/2026

Est. Age: 2 years

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “1, timid”

My Experience with Velvet: Velvet lurked at the back of her kennel, which she shared with a small cream-colored dog named Taffy. Taffy approached me first, seemingly much more outgoing than Velvet. But it didn’t take long for her to venture near me as well. Velvet was a quiet dog, who was indeed timid, but it only took a few moments for her ears to perk up and her tail to start wagging. I later learned she was being treated for an upper respiratory infection, which added to her discomfort. Velvet’s URI didn’t go away, and after 2 weeks of treatment, she was euthanized. Crowded and cold kennels are no place for healing or recovery. She might’ve recovered successfully in a better environment with more individualized care.

Shelter I.D: A5747419

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 01/02/2026 - 01/22/26

Est. Age: 7 years

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “1”

My Experience with Jessica: Jessica’s muzzle was dusted in white, giving her the appearance of an older dog, but her behavior defied that assumption. When she noticed me approaching, she bounded toward the kennel door panting with a goofy grin on her face. Even through the kennel wires, she was determined to play. She play-bowed and jumped up to put her paws on the wire door. Jessica was full of excitement, energy, and life. Being a German shepherd, I’m certain she was eager to learn and had a taste for adventure. I’ll always her remember her hopeful, happy smile.

Shelter I.D: A5747250

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 01/03/2026 - 01/22/26

Est. Age: 1 year

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “1”

My Experience with Gunner: This dog stood out for his truly unique coat pattern and playful demeanor. I wish I had gotten a better picture of Gunner. He had a predominantly white coat covered in tiny black spots. His tail was quite long, and it wagged enthusiastically. Gunner was so excited to have a visitor, his rear end shook in sync with his strong tail. His playful personality with his cookies-and-cream fur would’ve made him the perfect addition to a family.

Shelter I.D: A5747658

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 01/05/2026 - 01/21/2026

Est. Age: 1 year

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: (01/05/26) “…She was approached by two dogs at the same time. She tolerated them both sniffing her, but she was timid. After the dogs broke away, she began to calmly roam the yard and explore. She was tolerant of dogs trailing her to sniff her. After a short time, she began to gain more confidence around the other dogs and relax more. She began to approach the other dogs and exchange soft greetings with them. She tolerated a male shepherd puppy putting paws on her back and offered no corrections. After some more time, she continued to grow in confidence and offered a play bow to a female shepherd. They then engaged in gentle/dainty play. She remained playful and social for the rest of her time in the yard. If dogs were overwhelming or confrontational, she would display passive appeasement behaviors. She would approach the handlers often and seek affection. She is social with the other dogs and prefers a gentle/dainty play style.”

(01/08/26) “She approached the handler with soft body language and began to seek affection. She allowed the handler to pet her head with no reaction. She allowed the handler to check her teeth with no reaction. … She displayed no concerning or negative behavior toward the handler. After the handling, she put her front paws on the handler and continued to seek affection. She was returned to her kennel without issue.”

My Experience with Charleen: Charleen was gentle and sweet, licking my hand through the wires curiously. Her tail wagged. Charleen’s soft yellow eyes seemed sad despite having a visitor; I later learned that she had just been dropped off at the shelter that morning. She seemed like the perfect dog and I believe had she been given longer than 17 days, Charleen would’ve found her family.

Shelter I.D: A5746163

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 12/23/2025 - 01/21/2026

Est. Age: 5 years

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “very sweet easily handled”

My Experience with Delilah: Delilah seemed like a lonely, rather sad dog. She had been at the shelter in her cell-like kennel for two weeks already at the time of my visit. Although it’s hard to tell from this picture, her ears were huge. Delilah’s ears constantly twitched and rotated toward every little noise. Among rows and rows of dogs barking, she was silent, seemingly bored of the commotion.

Shelter I.D: A5747250

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 01/01/2026 - 01/20/2026

Est. Age: 4 months

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “very sweet, easily handled”

My Experience with Fuddy: These two puppies arrived at the shelter on New Years Day. Fuddy was quite preoccupied with playing with his little sister. He didn’t seem at all bothered by my calling and coaxing trying to get his picture. His sister, on the other hand, eventually bounded over to say hello, forcing Fuddy to take a break and approach the kennel door with her. In the photo above, Fuddy is the one on the right. They resumed their exuberant play-fighting and I moved along. A couple days later, Fuddy’s sister was adopted. No one ended up adopting him though, and after 20 days in LA’s most lethal shelter, he was euthanized.

Shelter I.D: A5746692

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 12/29/2025 - 01/20/2026

Est. Age: 4 years

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: Maximus received a score of 2, most likely meaning that he was nervous and cowered from human touch.

My Experience with Maximus: Maximus was a huge 86 lb. retriever mix. Despite his size, his pose reminded me of a cat. Max was laying on his bed asleep, with his big paws tucked under his chest. He wasn’t interested in getting up and coming closer. Max’s eyes darted around nervously, so I put away my camera, which spooks skittish dogs. He seemed to relax a bit and lowered his head, ostensibly uninterested in any affection I had to offer. Maximus was a shy, gentle giant who was given 22 days before his life was deemed disposable.

Shelter I.D: (Zelda) A5746746 (Loki) A5746745

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 12/29/2025 - 01/20/2026

Est. Age: 1 year

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “calm, relaxed, sociable and easily handleable” (Zelda and Loki had the same note)

My Experience with Zelda and Loki: These two puppies were full of energy and curiosity. They took a quick break from playing to run over and greet me when I approached. In both puppies, but more obviously in Loki (pictured right), they had a large, thick snout and furrowed brows, likely due to a Chinese Shar-pei heritage. Zelda nibbled on her brother’s ear to let him know she’d grown bored of me, and off they went to resume playing. After 22 days, Zelda and Loki ran out of time. I hope they are as inseparable in death as they were in life.

Shelter I.D: A5746354

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 12/26/2025 - 01/14/2026

Est. Age: 2 years

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: scored 1. “wiggly, friendly”

My Experience with Kai: Out of over 100 dogs I met on my shelter visit, Kai stood out as one I remember well. He wasn’t particularly unique looking, just your classic blonde-brown Labrador mix. But his behavior is memorable. Row after row of prison-like kennels house dogs of all sorts; they are fearful, skittish, lethargic, depressed, sometimes curious. But rarely do I see a dog so full of life and love in a place so dark. Kai radiated joy- he tried to initiate play, bowing energetically and putting his paws on the bars to stand tall. Kai was wagging his tail hard enough to create a boom boom each time it hit the metal wall. His mouth stayed open, panting with excitement at someone finally stopping by his kennel to say hello.

Usually, when I meet a dog who I’m confident will be adopted before their time runs out, I move along. But Kai captured my attention with his big smile and strong tail echoing off the wall. It was alarming to see he had been killed. After 19 days he had run out of time. Unlike many abused, frightened dogs in the same situation, I hope that in the end he was only happy to finally be getting attention of any kind.

Shelter I.D: A5746562

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 12/27/2025 - 01/14/2026

Est. Age: 5 years

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “1”

My Experience with Presley: Presley seemed to have had a hard life. He had a crust developing out of tears underneath each eye, and a deep pink scar, long healed, from his nose to his lip. Presley had a melancholy look about him. He sniffed my hand gently, then looked past me.

Presley’s intake photo was an almost different dog. His tail was blurred from wagging, and he was panting in a way that looked like a big smile. Interestingly, Presley was an “Owner Surrender” and I’m not sure what he was surrendered for. His intake photo was taken eight days before my visit; I think he just didn’t understand yet that he was being abandoned. Presley was given just 18 days before being added to the kill list.

Shelter I.D: A5746037

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 12/23/2025 - 01/14/2026

Est. Age: 10 months

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “very sweet, knows some commands”

My Experience with Dom: The first thing you’d notice looking in Dom’s kennel was his large, piercing blue eyes. He was a darling, immediately jumping off his bed to come to the front of the cage. Wagging his tail, he let out a couple barks to get my attention. Dom sniffed my hand curiously and sat upright, as if waiting for me to open the door.

His intake type was “stray.” However, Dom knew commands such as “sit” and “shake,” so it’s likely he had a home at one point.

Shelter I.D: A5744900

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 12/17/2025 - 01/13/2026

Est. Age: 1 year

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “fearful, not leash trained.”

My Experience with Justin: Nearing Justin’s kennel block, he stuck out immediately compared to his neighbors; and not just because of his emaciated body. Justin had a large neon green sign stuck to the cage bars: “GIARDIA +” it warned. Giardia is an infection caused by an intestinal parasite. It certainly added to Justin’s extremely light weight, but his level of weight loss was likely due to malnourishment as well. Whether he was a starving stray or neglected pet, I don’t know.

Justin’s notes from the shelter describe him as fearful. While I don’t know his demeanor outside of the kennel, he didn’t appear that way. Justin was a quiet dog who looked rather bored, even annoyed by all the commotion happening in the surrounding cages. He didn’t shy away from my presence. Rather, he came up to the bars and tried to smell me. For sanitary reasons, I did not extend my hand to Justin. Even so, his tail wagged slightly.

Shelter I.D: A5745820

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 12/22/2025 - 01/13/2026

Est. Age: 2 years

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “nervous, go slow, does not walk on leash.”

My Experience with Mocha: Mocha was a gentle soul who stayed near the back of the kennel, sitting quietly. She never barked or growled. After a few minutes Mocha got a bit braver and stood up. Eyeing me with suspicion, but a twinkle of curiosity, she walked a couple feet closer. I suspect that if I had stayed longer, she would’ve continued making progress.

Mocha’s family left her at the shelter upon moving. I wonder if they would have reconsidered had they known her fate.

Shelter I.D: A5741649

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 11/30/2025 - 01/08/2026

Est. Age: 1 year

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “1”

My Experience with Hannah: Unfortunately, I didn’t get much of an interaction with Hannah. As I approached her kennel, she barked incessantly, with wide, frightened eyes. After I snapped a couple photos, I gave her her space and moved on. It’s not common for otherwise friendly dogs to bark or growl in their kennel. It’s a small space, and they feel cornered by an unknown human. It’s likely that Hannah, as any other vocal dog, would behave differently in another setting.

Mostly what I remember of Hannah was her eyes. One a deep brown, another an icy blue, she was a beautiful dog. May she rest in peace.

Shelter I.D: A5738255

Location: Castaic Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: N/A - 01/08/2026

Est. Age: N/A

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: N/A

My Experience with Marshmallow: This rooster was skittish, but curious enough to not flee to the back of his kennel. Marshmallow clucked curiously and kept his distance, occasionally crowing with a crackly, grating tone that only Silky chickens make. With his large, fleshy comb, I’d estimate him to be at least 3 years old.

With roosters not being allowed to exist within most of Santa Clarita, many end up in animal shelters. Many people want fresh backyard eggs and purchase baby chicks in the hope of having a flock of egg-producers. Just like humans, chickens are born with a 50/50 split of male to female. When these chicks grow up and don’t lay eggs, and develop a loud morning crow, they are abandoned.

I am not sure whether or not this was Marshmallow’s situation, but it’s certainly the reason there is a disproportionate number of roosters at the shelters compared to hens.

Shelter I.D: A5743610

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 12/10/2025 - 01/08/2026

Est. Age: 1 year

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: N/A

My Experience with Gracelynn: Gracelynn was extremely friendly and sweet. She immediately approached the front of the kennel, wagging her tail and sniffing my hand eagerly. She still had her soft baby fur. Gracelynn exhibited a friendly nature and gentle mannerisms. I had no doubt she’d be adopted soon. Confident in her future, I stood back, took a couple pictures, and moved to the next dog.

It was truly heartbreaking and surprising to see Gracelynn on the kill list. After 29 days, she simply ran out of time.

Shelter I.D: A5743757

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 12/11/2025 - 1/7/2025

Est. Age: 4 years

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: “He required a go-slow approach when being collared by the runner and at one point jumped backwards with an open mouth. He entered the play yard with soft body language. He was approached by two dogs at the same time. He had concerned eyes, flinched, and jumped back to create space. He then walked away and began to roam the yard to himself to explore. He would flinch and jump back with concerned eyes, with any dog that approached to sniff him. He would also give growl and show of teeth warnings for space, to dogs that lingered near his face or tried to entice play. After some time, he appeared to relax more and gain more confidence. He began to approach and exchange some soft greetings with the calm dogs. He remained social with the calm dogs for the rest of his time in the yard. He would still become wary and give growl warnings to higher energy dogs or dogs trying to entice him in play. He was wary around the handlers in the yard and mostly kept his distance. He would do best with a very calm dog that would respect his space and boundaries.”

Unfortunately, during a different behavioral assessment, Bear lunged in an attempt to bite his handler’s hand while his leash was attached to a fence. He possibly felt cornered by a stranger. Bear was then designated as “Rescue Only,” meaning only an organization can adopt him. This greatly reduced his chances of being saved in time.

My Experience with Bear: When I neared his kennel, Bear stayed near the back, barking with wide, scared eyes. I lowered the camera so he’d feel less spooked, and after talking in a soft voice for a few seconds, he approached nervously. Bear uttered a few uncertain barks and then mellowed out, though he still wasn’t interested in sniffing my hand or getting closer. After I stood back up, he resumed barking loudly.

Bear was surrendered to the shelter by his family, who said he was escaping too often. At one point, he lived in a home, possibly for most of his 4 years alive.

Shelter I.D: A5729793

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 12/09/2025 - 01/07/2026

Est. Age: 2 years and 8 months

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: "He was easily collared by the runner in the catch pen. He entered the play yard with soft body language. He was approached by a female shepherd. He became tense with a high stiff tail, hackles raised, froze and licking his lips. The female shepherd then walked away from him. He was then approached by a male Labrador. He became tense with a high stiff tail, hackles raised, gave a low growl and then a huff. The male Labrador walked away from him. He then began to roam the yard himself and explore. He was approached by a calm female Pitbull. He immediately became tense, gave a low growl, and took one step forward toward her. A handler broke his focus using a spray bottle and he was removed from the yard at this time. Due to his behavior toward the other dogs, he will be designated as no other dogs recommended. He would likely do best as an only dog in the home.”

My Experience with Patrick: Upon approaching Patrick in his kennel, he scooted forward curiously. I held out my hand to the bars and he sniffed heavily. His tail started slowly wagging. Patrick was mellow and calm, but most of all, he seemed sad. Although his tail wagged, his facial features and mannerisms were sullen, perhaps even just bored. I honestly believe he would’ve been a great dog for a family or someone looking for a well-mannered dog who spends his time lounging around. Labrador retrievers are known for their sweet, relaxed nature.

Shelter I.D: A5681920

Location: Lancaster Animal Care Center

Length of Stay: 12/01/2025 - 12/18/2025

Est. Age: 1 year and 9 months

Shelter’s Behavior Evaluation: "He was easily collared by the runner in the catch pen. He entered the play yard with soft body language. He was approached by a female shepherd. He tolerated her sniffing him, but he was very tense, with a high stiff tail and froze. The female shepherd then walked away. He was then approached by a male Labrador and displayed the same tense behavior. … He continued to become very tense and freeze with a high stiff tail, when any dog approached to sniff him. He was approached by a female husky that greeted him and she began to sniff him. He froze with a tense body … After she sniffed him for a few seconds, he growled, lunged, and began to attack her. A handler nearby was able to use the sound of a shaker can, to break his focus and stop his attack. The handler then grabbed his leash, and he was removed from the yard at this time. Due to his very tense behavior around dogs in the yard and his unprovoked attack, he will be designated as no other dogs required.”

My Experience with Butter: He was a nervous dog, but nevertheless, Butter sniffed my hand gently and wagged his tail. He seemed to be at ease around humans. In a block of dog kennels with a cacophonous barking echoing off the walls, Butter was silent. He might’ve been a good match for someone looking for a quieter companion.

I believe it’s worth noting that a dog-reactive dog can still live a fulfilling life as someone’s family and friend. Their reactivity can be managed by avoiding dog-centered places and always keeping them on a leash for other canines’ safety. I also want to mention that an animal shelter often can’t accurately predict an individuals behavior due to the high-stress, high-volume environment it is. Butter may have had a friendlier interaction in a place he was more comfortable with, but we’ll never know.