Lela

My story

This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information.Lela is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Lela has been displaying a high level of kennel stress despite efforts to keep her comfortable. When people pass her kennel, she begins hard barking, growling, lunging, and baring teeth, which is a new behavior for her, indicating a high level of stress. She has also been seen at the back of her kennel, jumping all the way to the top. Outside of her kennel, Lela can be initially nervous at first and needs some time to warm up to new people. But with handlers or staff she is familiar with, she is social; Lela has displayed intermittent reactivity to other dogs on walks, but this behavior is inconsistent. Medically, Lela has been recently treated for Giardia. Lela is healthy.Meet Lela!Lela was brought to the Queens Animal Care Center by NYC Parks Rangers after being found abandoned in a park. Witnesses reported two people entering the park with two dogs-and leaving with only one. Lela was left behind. Though frightened at first, she allowed staff to leash her from the crate without issue and calmly walked to her kennel.🐾 My ideal homeLela is looking for a quiet, adult-only home where she can feel safe and decompress at her own pace. She's a sensitive soul who thrives in a calm environment, ideally with access to a yard for sniffy walks or lounging in the sun. She'll do best with adopters who can provide structure, consistency, and lots of patience as she learns to trust.👶 Good with kids?No, Lela should be placed in a home without children. She needs slow introductions to new people and can be easily overwhelmed, so an adult-only household is the best fit.🐕 Good with other dogs?Lela has shown mixed and sometimes escalating reactions to other dogs at the shelter. She has not sought out dog-dog interaction and has displayed signs of discomfort or reactivity in several playgroup settings. We recommend she be the only pet in the home and avoid dog parks altogether.🐾 Leash MannersShe walks well with level 3 volunteers and can pull moderately at times. While she's made progress, she does best with handlers who understand her need for a slow approach and calm energy.🎉 One fun factLela has a signature move: if she trusts you, she'll press herself against your legs just for a moment-her quiet way of saying "thank you". Primary Color: Brindle Secondary Color: White Weight: 44.2 Age: 3yrs 2mths 3wks

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Lela, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.