ELVIS

American Staffordshire Terrier | Three Rivers, MA

Age : 5 Years 10 MonthsAdultMaleLargeTricolor (Tan/Brown & Black & White)

About

Meet ELVIS

Elvis is not actually a rock singer, nor is he a hound dog, but his goofy smile is more dazzling than blue suede shoes. He is full of love, wiggles, and drool and can't wait to to have his own humans to love him tender.OTHER PETS: Elvis is a goofy boy who might be a bit too excitable for some dogs; to ensure a good fit he should meet any dogs he would be living with prior to adoption. And while a slow and careful introduction is still strongly encouraged, he has previously lived with cats, so he could potentially be a good house-mate for your feline friends! [Case-By-Case (Must Meet First)]OWNER EXPERIENCE: Someone who has experience positively with strong dogs would be a great match for Elvis - he is strong and still learning how to walk on a leash appropriately with positive reinforcement. [Some Experience] KIDS: Elvis is wary of and uncomfortable with handling, he needs an home where his humans will respect his space and let him lead how long and how often handling happens. Elvis enjoys interacting with humans on his terms, and he can be jumpy when excited around people he feels safe with. [12+ (Must Meet First)]ACTIVITY LEVEL: Elvis enjoys running in our fenced outdoor area, longer daily walks will ensure he gets exercise and mental stimulation. Multiple shorter walks would be an option, and with positive reinforcement training, Elvis might enjoy weight pulling with a vet's approval. [Good Walking Buddy] VETERINARY CARE: [Routine] LEVEL OF TRAINING NEEDED: Positive reinforcement training will help Elvis bond with his new owner as well as help him learn new skills. Elvis is wary of handling, and improving his confidence and his bond with his new owner will help him feel more at ease. He might be a good candidate for weight pulling (vet approved), if he has the support of his owner to engage in more advanced positive training once a solid bond is formed.[Moderate] 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