ORION

Siberian Husky | Agawam, MA

Age : 8 MonthsYoungMaleMediumGray

About

Meet ORION

Orion is a typical husky puppy-- mouthy, energetic, and willing to yell about all his opinions! As a young dog, he still has a lot to learn about the world and will need someone with a sense of humor and a lot of patience to help him adjust. Orion does already know sit here at the shelter, but he can get mouthy and jumpy when overexcited. Similarly, he can be intense when meeting other dogs, and tends to guard toys from them when they show an interest. Because of this, he would likely do best in a home as an only dog as to avoid any unnecessary sense of conflict.OTHER PETS:Orion has a tendency to guard his toys from other dogs, and so would do best in the home as an only pet. Someone that has extensive experience in managing resource guarding in a multi-dog household could possibly be an exception at the discernment of staff on a case-by-case basis. [Only Pet]OWNER EXPERIENCE:Huskies are notorious for finding ways out of things meant to contain them. Someone who has experience with huskies--or a lot of experience providing a combination of exercise and mental enrichment -- would be best suited to provide the patience and positive support that will help Orion thrive. [Experienced]KIDS:Orion has some mild resource guarding over bones and toys specifically around other dogs. Because of this and how mouthy he can be, Orion would do best around older kids who can both handle him when he's excited and understand when to let him have his own space. [15+ (Must Meet First)]ACTIVITY LEVEL:Orion is a very energetic puppy, and will absolutely find his own entertainment if he's left to his own devices. Huskies are high energy dogs that need a combination of physical exercise and mental stimulation daily. With the benefit of positive reinforcement training, Orion could become an amazing adventure buddy! Multiple walks, possibly doggy daycare, plenty of mental enrichment, and adventures as often as possible will make sure that he has positive ways to release his energy. [Good Walking Buddy / Olympic Athlete]VETERINARY CARE: [Routine]LEVEL OF TRAINING NEEDED:As he is still a puppy, Orion is just starting to get the hang of how to navigate the world and will do best with someone who can offer both patience and confidence while he adjusts. Positive reinforcement training will help Orion not only learn his basic cues, but also open up opportunities for more adventurous activities like hiking and dog sports! It will provide a good opportunity for him to bond with his new owner as well. [Moderate / Intense]GROOMING:Huskies need routine brushing in order to maintain their coats, they shed a lot and blow their entire coats twice a year. If their coats are not maintained properly, Huskies will get matted and will need professional grooming in order to keep them healthy and happy. [Routine Brushing]

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