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: N/A

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: His behavior score was listed as “1” which is the best a dog can get. It means the individual is easy to work with and isn’t aggressive or territorial towards humans or other dogs.

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: N/A

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: N/A

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.