Pumpkin

My story

Pumpkin was found tied to a tree at the entrance to Graffiti Pier Trail with no collar or microchip, abandoned and alone. An ACCT officer gently brought her to the shelter, where it quickly became clear that the noisy, bustling environment is overwhelming for this timid soul. Though nervous and skittish at first, Pumpkin has shown she has a soft and gentle heart. On intake, she allowed herself to be leashed and handled with care, even as she trembled. Volunteers who have spent time with her describe her as incredibly sweet, with a shy demeanor and the saddest eyes. She’s most comfortable with slow movements, soft voices, and a quiet environment. She finds comfort in stuffies and cozy blankets, and begins to blossom when outside in calmer spaces—offering small tail wags and seeking closeness. Pumpkin is searching for a calm, patient home where she can build confidence at her own pace. Her light is just beginning to shine. Come meet her today – ACCT is open 10am-6pm every day! Videos: Playgroup 6/28: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcnvoGYrJkIZbYt_5lQ5zjwxSl3FwuVP Playgroup 6/27: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcnvoGYrJkIaYXiD4s4ADWMjSsi9Ze3KA Bukbuk Meets Pumpkin! https://youtube.com/shorts/K1gx9mYJibA?feature=share Pumpkin Meets Momma! https://youtube.com/shorts/uJwoiD8fy64 Pumpkin Meets Thing 2 Through A Fence: https://youtube.com/shorts/7dAIy2foDQ4?feature=share Behavioral Notes Volunteer 7/2/25: this was my first time meeting pumpkin. She’s in the TTA room. She was leaning up against her kennel door when I came in but she took treats from me and was relatively easy to leash ( a little dodging). She walks well on a leash, she likes to stop and smell new things! In the dog run, she did exploring but once she realized I had cheese, we were best friends. She took it nicely and allowed pets on her back, chest and head. She seemed to get excited when we saw other dogs and would open up some more ( cute paw stamps, play bows). Sweet gal! I moved her down from experienced blue to blue. Play group notes 6/27/25: Pumpkin was fearful at the gate but curious of the dogs. she was avoidant at first and with time would engage in play. she needed more timid dogs and that allowed her to approach them. she remained pretty neutral in the yard and stuck to her own. Per staff 6/26: “Took Pumpkin out for a dog meet. She was trembling in her crate but took treats very gently, she loves cheese. She was hesitant to put her head through the leash so we lasso'd her and once secured she came right out. I spent some time sitting in the room with her out of her crate before walking outside since it was quiet in there. She kept coming up and leaning on me and then moving away. When I pet her, she would freeze and whale eye once I stopped petting her she would lean into me, have softer eyes again and then walk away again. Walking outside she was very fearful with a tucked tail and whale eyes. Outside her tail untucked and we walked around. She never pulled on the leash and opened up so much when meeting other dogs. Her tail was untucked and wagging at mid level to high and she had a loose wiggly body. Walking back she went back into her crate with no issue!” Per volunteer 6/25: Sweet girl pumpkin is so shy. She has the saddest eyes. She allowed me to add another soft blanket to where she was hiding in the back of her crate, and snuggled up with a stuffie. Per volunteer 6/25: sweet pumpkin made me so sad seeing how scared she was in her crate. She was sitting all the way in the back, shaking with wide eyes when I approached her. She does best with slow movements and soft voices so she knows that she can trust you. She allowed me to leash her and she came out of her crate slowly. Her tail remained tucked during our walk but when we were outside in the bigger yard, she would occasionally give me some low tail wags and loosen up. I can tell she has a bright light inside her her waiting to shine. She just needs a loving home to bring that out. 06/25/2025 Per staff: Needs a slow approach, very nervous and skittish but warms up with time. She tried to bolt when I approached but was tied to a tree. I was able to grab the leash and sat with her and she calmed down and let me pet her but was very tense and nervous. Allowed me to put her in the truck and remove her without issue. Was very scared but allowed all handling during check in. Placed her in behavior room because the shelter is very overwhelming for her Medical Notes Per an exam on 6/26: -Ears have slight wax -unable to check if intact due to behavior -QAR - shy, will flinch if reached from above. So slow. 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 a 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 Pumpkin, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.