Alfie

My story

PLEASE VISIT THIS WEBSITE TO FIND THE ADOPTION QUESTIONNAIRE: http://www.homewardtrails.org/adopt-a-pet/adoption-forms/ HOW TO MEET THIS ANIMAL: Fill out the application and we will follow up with you! We will connect you to his foster! LOCATION: Foster home ADOPTION COORDINATOR: Sue B (sueb@homewardtrails.org) ADOPTION FEE: The adoption fee for this dog: $595 ESTIMATE WEIGHT FULL GROWN: 16 lbs ESTIMATED AGE: Approx 3-5 years old KNOWN WITH DOGS: Sweet Alfie likes other dogs. He would likely do very well with another dog to keep him company and give him some more confidence so we would love to prioritize that for him. We will however consider adopters without other dogs if the right fit. KNOWN WITH CATS: Alfie came to us having shared outdoor space with almost 150 cats. Yes, you read that right. So he seems totally fine with cats of all sizes, ages and attitudes. KNOWN WITH KIDS: Alfie is under-socialized but has not shown any aggression at all towards any humans. So we think he will do fine with kids but would do best with older children – so those over 10 years of age. He may get easily spooked by loud noises or too much energy. KNOWN COMMANDS: He has not had any formal training that we can see, as he was abandoned 3 years ago to fend for himself. He knows his name and is VERY food/treat motivated, which helps any dog learn additional commands and training. We think that as his confidence builds he’ll enjoy learning lots of new commands and training tricks. KNOWN HOUSEBREAKING AND/OR CRATING: He is crate trained and learning housebreaking. Because he was forced to live outside on his own for three years, we can understand how he got used to going where he wanted and when he wanted. But him having access to a yard is allowing him quickly to learn that the outdoors are for the bathroom and the indoors are not. KNOWN LIKES: Treats and nice pets on his head. He likes to follow his humans around and find nice soft places to lie and nap. KNOWN DISLIKES: Loud scary noises. ABOUT THIS ANIMAL: Poor Alfie was abandoned in a trailer park almost three years ago. It seems clear that he did have a home at one point, as he has transitioned into a foster home quite nicely and truly loves being with humans and having soft things to cuddle on. Alfie lived outdoors with almost 150 cats, just wandering the trailer park through the coldest and wettest of days to the hottest and driest, relying people to toss him the occasional meal. His water came from puddles and the occasional water bowl that might be put out for him. He was likely so confused when he was dumped here and he shows signs everyday of how happy he is to know where his next meal is coming from. Alfie is not great yet at walking on a leash so his ideal home will have a secure back yard or patio for him to take his time learning to leash walk and get to know more urban/suburban sounds. HT ADOPTION INCLUSIONS: Spay/Neuter First 3 distemper series vaccines and de-wormings Microchip - lifetime with no registration fees Current on heartworm preventative Current on flea/tick preventative EXCLUSIVE ADOPTER BENEFITS: Free first exam with: - Caring Hands Animal Hospital, Palisades Veterinary Clinic, Jermantown Animal Hospital and Clarendon Animal Care and all VCA Animal Hospitals (VCA offers $250 coverage - details provided) - Free online workshop with a professional dog trainer at Fur-Get Me Not within the first 30 days of adopting (in DC/Arlington/Alexandria only) - Best Paws Forward Training Program – HT adopters ONLY ***A portion of EVERY ADOPTION fee supports spay/neuter for animals in under-resourced communities ***BE A FOSTER: Save a life: http://www.homewardtrails.org/foster-a-pet/dog-and-cat-foster-program.

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