April

My story

**April's adoption fee is sponsored!** Move over, Moo Deng - ACCT Philly has its very own pygmy hippo! Meet April! This plump pibble made her way to the shelter when her owner's health was declining to the point that they could no longer provide for her. Having spent her entire life in a loving home, it's no wonder that she gets a bit scared and defensive in her kennel and barks at passersby; but the April we know outside her kennel is as gentle and calm as can be - she simply wants to cuddle up next to her human friends and soak up alllllll the attention. April had never been taken to a vet before she was surrendered to the shelter, so she is in need of a little pampering to improve her irritated skin and help her regrow her missing patches of fur. She could also benefit from a dietary plan to help her lose a bit of weight (though we think she's beautiful no matter her size, slimming down slightly will help her avoid future health concerns and maintain her mobility for years to come). When asked what makes their dog special, April's owner simply said told us that she is loving. And when she finds her fur-ever home, her new family will find that to be true: April is pure love through and through. Don't miss out on this national treasure - meet April at ACCT Philly today! VIDEOS Spotlighting April: https://youtube.com/shorts/XtUxqxpqSjE?si=n0WA-QiSfxXxBCLE April the Lovebug: https://youtu.be/j9ui7mfBQuM Playgroup 4/18 - Sandy, Edison, April, Cohan: https://youtube.com/shorts/pMmf9g2uulY BEHAVIORAL INFORMATION Owner Notes - April's owners had her for four years, and during that time she was an indoor/outdoor dog who spent lots of time in her yard as well as hanging out in the house with her family. April is noted to have a medium energy level, and her favorite activities include exploring outdoors and being showered with attention. April could use a little help with housebreaking, and she is not yet crate trained, though she was not noted to be destructive if left to her own devices loose in the home (other than getting into the trash can every now and then). April enjoys chewing on bones or long-lasting treats for her enrichment; she's not that into playtime and isn't a big fan of toys, preferring food and the company of her owners. April has never bitten a person or animal. She never shared her home with other pets or children but is open to meeting any kids or dogs prior to adoption. On 4/23, April received a medical exam. Staff noted that she was "nervous but very sweet and tolerant throughout exam," allowing staff to examine her thoroughly and check her ears, mouth, and teeth without issue. 4/22 per staff: "April was in the LS office and I heard growling, snarling and hard barking from my office when a person approached the office. I got up to see what was happening and the rep backed up down the hallway to avoid April. Staff member had to slam the door as she was lunging towards the gate. I looked through the window at her and she locked eyes with me and began whale eyeing, hard barking and snarling at me. I motioned for staff member to get her out of the office ASAP, and she brought April back to her kennel." 4/18 per staff: "BEHAVIOR EVALUATION: April. KNOWN HISTORY: Owner surrender. KENNEL PRESENTATION: April was in her kennel with soft eyes and a stiff body near the front of the door. She was very still and allowed easy leashing. Once secured she came right out without issue. LEASH SKILLS: Pulls minimally. HANDLING: April slowly came into the yard with a little waddle and cute baby eyes. She came right up to the handler asking for treats and took them very gently. She’s just a sweet older lady that likes to chill around. She was very tolerant of all handling but remained stiff and unsure. She slowly moved around but had a little spunk when it came to running. The handler ran around and she followed her with a trot and the cutest pep in her step. PLAY: Interest. TOYS: Loves to play tug of war – she air chomps for toys, loves a squeaker. COLOR LEVEL & ANY RECOMMENDATIONS: Exp. Blue." 4/18 playgroup notes: "Steerable with water, social, overcorrects/ personal space (body sensitive)." 4/17 per staff: "Took April out tonight. This time she displayed zero kennel reactivity, did not even bark, just came to the kennel door with wagging tail. Easily leashed, walked calmly with wagging tail to exit the kennels. On walk, she was calm and walked slowly with a loose leash. We returned to the building and spent some time with two other staff members; April solicited attention from both of them, allowing all handling with no issue. She even rolled over for belly rubs. Unfortunately, the only issue with her is now returning to kennel. She planted herself at the kennel entrance and would not reenter, she was slightly tempted by treats but would only put her front paws in. Would recommend bringing high value treats or having a second handler present to help with return. Evaluated as experienced blue due to previous kennel reactivity (greatly improved, but she may react differently with an unfamiliar handler) and difficulty upon return." Per staff 4/16: "Took April out again around 7pm. She again barked and growled a few times when I approached the kennel, but when I opened it and she saw the leash, she loosened and gave tail wags. She tried to push out of the kennel a bit but was otherwise easily leashed. She walked nicely out of her kennel and we did a quick walk outside. She seemed to be a bit more energetic this time and trotted along with a wagging tail. We came back inside and went to the volunteer office, where we hung out for about 10 minutes. A blue level volunteer was in the office, and April approached her tentatively but then sat right down next to her and allowed pets. She had no issues with this new person petting her chest/back, head, and ears. She did do one lip lick when she was petted unexpectedly, as it seemed to startle her. Otherwise she was neutral and calm. If the person petting her would stop for a moment, she would either paw at us or just move to the other person to keep getting pets! April and I passed by a small dog's kennel before returning to her row, and she seemed very interested in him - big tail wags and whining/pulling towards him. She sniffed him through the kennel and had a loose posture and quick tail wags. When I gave a slight gentle tug on the leash, she easily disengaged from the small dog and returned with me to her kennel. She was slightly reluctant to step back into the kennel, but I think part of that is just due to the high step and her weight that made it more difficult." 4/16 per staff: "Was able to take April out of kennel, she was hesitant and growling at first but once the leash was on she came out willingly. Easy to walk, did not pull on leash. Not overly reactive in kennel either. Outside she was relatively loose and approached me and I was able to pet. She even hopped up on the bench with me and just laid her head down on my lap. Was good returning to kennel, unleashed with no issues. Spent a bit of time in the office as well and was treat motivated and approached staff member taking treats very gentle." 4/16 per staff: "April's kennel presence seems to have improved since yesterday and even from earlier today. Around 3pm I approached her kennel; she was alert and barked a few times. However, as soon as I opened the kennel door she ceased barking and sniffed my leash. She flinched away when the slip lead was placed on her, but then exited the kennel with no issues. She appeared on the tense side and would whale eye a bit on our walk outside, looking back at me warily. Once outside, she walked calmly next to me with a loose leash, no pulling at all, frequently stopping to sniff. We returned inside to staff office, where April immediately sat next to me and solicited attention by laying her head gently on my leg. She allowed all handling of her head, ears, and back. She solicited attention from all other staff members in the room, and was very calm and gentle with each interaction. She was tolerant of a staff member removing her very tight collar. Whenever the person stopped petting her, April would give them her paw to ask for more pets. She was simply the sweetest and gentlest girl, and seems equally comfortable with males and females - she just needs a slower approach, and a careful removal from her kennel due to her earlier kennel reactivity." 4/16 per staff: "April is in H row snarling and growling at anyone that approaches her. She will momentarily stop for baby talk but then goes back to snarling and baring teeth. Moving to TTA in hopes to make her more comfortable." 4/16 per staff: "Moved to TTA. Approaching the kennel still snarling, barking and growling with tail tucked and hackles raised." 4/15 per staff: "Barrier reactive in kennel, will attempt to evaluate and potentially move her into TTA room." MEDICAL INFORMATION April's 4/15 medical exam noted she was BAR and friendly, weighing 67.6 pounds. Her eyes were cloudy and slightly red, and she had moist, yeasty ears. Her nose was noted to be clear. She had some tartar and yellow discoloration of her teeth. April's gait and mobility were fine with no issues. She was noted to be an intact female. April was diagnosed with pneumovirus on 4/24, and was started on a course of medication to help her recover. ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details. If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/ Confirmed placement is considered confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent. All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly’s Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313.

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