POCKET

American Pit Bull Terrier | East Haddam, CT

Age : 2 Years 3 MonthsAdultMaleSmallBrown/Chocolate

About

Meet POCKET

Do you have what it takes to give Pocket his best life? Pocket needs a hero, he can be in public around other dogs as he is leash trained and easily distracted with toys - Pocket's owner will need to be on point to keep Pocket safe at all times while in public, or someone who will be ok with Pocket staying at home and chilling while they go on adventures. OTHER PETS: Pocket was intense with another male dog, avoidant and uncomfortable with a female dog. He was easily distracted with a toy and happily refocused his attention. Pocket will do best as an only pet. [Should Be Only Pet]OWNER EXPERIENCE: Pocket is going to need someone to advocate for him to ensure that others respect his space while out in public - his best fit would be with an person who will ensure that he is not put in a position where he feels he has to defend himself. [Some Experience]KIDS: Pocket is indiscriminately mouthy while playing; while not malicious he could unintentionally injure someone, especially as he does become highly aroused while playing. [Adults Only]ACTIVITY LEVEL: Pocket has a good amount of energy, this can be a challenge for brachycephalic breeds because of the risk of overheating that goes hand in hand with the breathing difficulties they have. He enjoys walks, but will need to be monitored while walking on wamer days to ensure he does not overheat. Pocket does enjoy play, he becomes highly aroused while playing but does settle somewhat; he also self soothes after play which helps him calm further. He can be distracted from toys with other toys and while he will destroy blankets and stuffies, he does not eat the fluffy filling. Pocket would do best with a mix of walks and play sessions that will keep him active but won't let him get overheated or overstimulated. [Good Walking Buddy] VETERINARY CARE: Brachyceplalic dogs have a greater likelihood of developing breathing difficulties over the course of their life, they are also more apt to overheat in hot weather and are prone to eye infections. Care needs to be taken to ensure that their wrinkles are cleaned, neglected wrinkles can become irritated or infected, and skin irritation spreads quickly throughout their body. A strong relationship with a vet is recommended to ensure that Pocket ages gracefully. [Above Average] LEVEL OF TRAINING NEEDED: Positive reinforcement training will help Pocket bond with his new owner, as well as perfect his basic cues. [Minimal]{Behavior modification (overseen by licensed, positive professional) could be helpful in increasing Pocket's ability to safely be in the company of other dogs - it is something that will be a sizeable investment of time and patience and should never be forced.}GROOMING: [Minimal]

Adoption Process
The first step is to fill out an adoption application, answering some basic questions about yourself and your household. This will help the adoption counselors facilitate the matchmaking process. Most adoptions take at least 45 minutes to one hour to complete. The Adoption Center is a busy place, so please be patient and allow yourself enough time for our process. THANK YOU! What we will need to know when you adopt a new companion: If you own your home, please bring some item of verification (tax bill, water bill, or mortgage statement.) Please also be sure to check your homeowner’s insurance policy. Some policies restrict coverage for certain dog breeds. If you DO NOT own your place of residence, please be sure the property owner will consent to have a pet on his/her property. We will verify with landlords over the phone before sending a new companion home, so please have the appropriate name and phone number available. Other pets already living with you will need to be up-to-date on vaccination. This is to decrease the risk of spreading infectious disease from one animal to another. It is important to understand that your new companion will be a member of your family. This can mean a 10-15 year commitment from you! Please bring along family members so we can make sure it will be a good match before you make a commitment. Also, if adopting a second dog, please bring your current dog with you---we can let them spend some time together and give you some suggestions on surviving the adjustment period. Please be sure you have considered the financial obligation involved in caring for a companion animal. This includes routine veterinary and emergency care, in addition to food, supplies and training. The adoption counselors can give you an idea of basic costs involved for each type of animal. Many animals adopted from shelters can require an immediate visit to the veterinarian. Because of the volume of un-vaccinated animals entering a shelter’s care, the risk of transmissible contagious diseases can be quite high. Kennel cough in dogs, and upper respiratory infections in cats are the two most common diseases that your newly adopted companion may experience. You must ask yourself if you have the financial means to care for your new friend, beyond the initial adoption costs. BEFORE YOU COMMIT!!!!! Please be honest with yourself about the actual time you have to train, groom, and exercise the companion animal you have chosen. Some things to consider: Do you work long or erratic hours? Do you like outdoor activity? Who will care for your pet while you travel? Will your pet be the appropriate size when he or she is full grown? When adopting into a home with children: Are you adopting to teach your child responsibility, or are your adopting because you have a responsible child? Are your children comfortable around the animal you’ve chosen? Will YOU still remain committed to this animal when the children lose interest? Take the time now to consider these things and find the best match for your lifestyle! We thank your for offering your home to a “pre-loved” companion. We hope he or she will be a wonderful addition to your family and your home!

Contact
Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center
(413) 781-1484
[email protected]
http://www.tjoconnoradoptioncenter.com