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Meet Stella Bella! This delightful pocket-sized gray pittie is a one year old female who arrived at the shelter on 6/11. Poor Stella was found abandoned, pregnant, and tied to a pole with a leash. Stella was understandably stressed and fearful from these circumstances, and initially in the shelter was displaying pronounced levels of fear, anxiety, and stress. She received a pregnant spay procedure on 6/13, and is slowly but surely warming up!
Stella is a shy, submissive girl who needs a slow approach while meeting new people. She would benefit from a calm, supportive environment, with a loving caretaker who can meet her where she is and help her get back to thriving!
Behavioral Information -
Per staff on 6/16: Stella is my little office buddy and I am completely in love with her. Stella is one of those very shy, submissive dogs who needs space at first, but once she opens up to you, she's a total Velcro pup who wants to be by your side all the time. Stella can be anxious when new people enter the office and will often growl or bark, but she stays on her bed and doesn't attempt to close the distance between herself and the new person. It's definitely a warning to make sure they give her enough space. Outside of the office, though, Stella is much more receptive to meeting new people outside of her safe space in our office, and will greet them cautiously and carefully, sniffing them and giving a few tail wags, before retreating back towards her handler. With the people she trusts, Stella is super cuddly and will solicit lots of attention!
Per staff on 6/16: Stella is finally warming up to me! She approached me slowly and licked my hand. She let me pet her for a minute before I stopped. She went back to hiding behind a staff member.
Per staff on 6/15: Stella Bella went outside for activity time today. When I went into the office she was laying down in her bed and perched her head up to see me. I immediately talked to Stella in a baby voice, attempting to gain her trust. I went down to her level and she began lip licking, lip raising and low growling at me. I inched closer and closer but still keeping a distance. I tried to give Stella some treats and she ignored them and kept turning her head away from me. I grabbed my leash and showed it to her and got small tail wags with some more lip raising. I slowly put the leash over her and she got up even slower and walked over, pausing at moments and pulling back. I got Stella out and to the lobby where the amount of people frightened her and she froze. I had to crouch down and slowly get her out the door. Stella walked better once we were outside and went to the bathroom. When we got to the yard she sniffed around and avoided me with pinned back ears and a tucked tail. After maybe 7-10 minutes Stella Bella came up slowly to me with her head lowered and eventually let me pet her body but walked away right after. With more time Stella laid her head on me and let me cuddle her and hold her with tucked tail wags. Stella Bella is very scared and very nervous but warms up into a angel. On our walk back to the office she had a neutral tail and walked a little bit more confidently. When I put Stella back in the office she gave me some tail wags and came up on me for some kisses. Stella Bella allowed all handing and even came up for more pets.
Notes prior to spay:
Per staff on 6/12: Needs a new dog meet once she is no longer heavily pregnant. At this time she is extremely uncomfortable due to pregnancy so may react differently after surgery and recovery.
Per staff on 6/12: Stella's behavior has greatly improved over her first day at the shelter! Initially fearful and trembling, as of 8pm Stella was loose, wiggly, soliciting attention from me, giving kisses, and allowing all handling. She went from curling up in a corner to greeting me at the office door with a wagging tail! She likely still needs a slower approach from strangers, but is super affectionate towards the people she knows a bit more.
Per staff on 6/11: Staff member (D) came to office. Stella initially growled and backed away, with ears back and low posture. However, D entered the office and crouched down. Stella slowly approached her and sniffed her hand and leg. D then offered some Fresh Pet in her hand. Stella sniffed it but was reluctant to eat from her hand. When D placed the food on the floor in front of Stella, she ate the food readily. Stella also approached me giving low but enthusiastic tail wags, then laid down right by my side after D exited the room.
Per staff on 6/11: Loves hot dogs and Fresh Pet! Will eat Fresh Pet from your hand, just go slow.
Per staff on 6/11: Was growling a bit in police vehicle but was able to leash. In hallway outside dog intake room, Stella laid down and allowed gentle pets on her head and back, and would approach me and another staff member to sniff cautiously. Was reportedly very sweet during her intake exam. Was brought to office after check-in. Initially was shy but approached us for sniffs. During meeting we had four people in the office, and she seemed to get scared and growled a couple times. After the meeting she allowed people to walk right past her to exit the office with no issues, and allowed leashing without issue. She also ate a hot dog that was tossed to her, and then curled up for a nap on a puppy pad.
Medical notes:
On 6/13, Stella Bella received a pregnant spay.
During an intake exam on 6/11, staff found Stella Bella to be in good general health, pregnant, and fearful, shy, and BAR.
Meet Stella Bella! This delightful pocket-sized gray pittie is a one year old female who arrived at the shelter on 6/11. Poor Stella was found abandoned, pregnant, and tied to a pole with a leash. Stella was understandably stressed and fearful from these circumstances, and initially in the shelter was displaying pronounced levels of fear, anxiety, and stress. She received a pregnant spay procedure on 6/13, and is slowly but surely warming up!
Stella is a shy, submissive girl who needs a slow approach while meeting new people. She would benefit from a calm, supportive environment, with a loving caretaker who can meet her where she is and help her get back to thriving!
Behavioral Information -
Per staff on 6/16: Stella is my little office buddy and I am completely in love with her. Stella is one of those very shy, submissive dogs who needs space at first, but once she opens up to you, she's a total Velcro pup who wants to be by your side all the time. Stella can be anxious when new people enter the office and will often growl or bark, but she stays on her bed and doesn't attempt to close the distance between herself and the new person. It's definitely a warning to make sure they give her enough space. Outside of the office, though, Stella is much more receptive to meeting new people outside of her safe space in our office, and will greet them cautiously and carefully, sniffing them and giving a few tail wags, before retreating back towards her handler. With the people she trusts, Stella is super cuddly and will solicit lots of attention!
Per staff on 6/16: Stella is finally warming up to me! She approached me slowly and licked my hand. She let me pet her for a minute before I stopped. She went back to hiding behind a staff member.
Per staff on 6/15: Stella Bella went outside for activity time today. When I went into the office she was laying down in her bed and perched her head up to see me. I immediately talked to Stella in a baby voice, attempting to gain her trust. I went down to her level and she began lip licking, lip raising and low growling at me. I inched closer and closer but still keeping a distance. I tried to give Stella some treats and she ignored them and kept turning her head away from me. I grabbed my leash and showed it to her and got small tail wags with some more lip raising. I slowly put the leash over her and she got up even slower and walked over, pausing at moments and pulling back. I got Stella out and to the lobby where the amount of people frightened her and she froze. I had to crouch down and slowly get her out the door. Stella walked better once we were outside and went to the bathroom. When we got to the yard she sniffed around and avoided me with pinned back ears and a tucked tail. After maybe 7-10 minutes Stella Bella came up slowly to me with her head lowered and eventually let me pet her body but walked away right after. With more time Stella laid her head on me and let me cuddle her and hold her with tucked tail wags. Stella Bella is very scared and very nervous but warms up into a angel. On our walk back to the office she had a neutral tail and walked a little bit more confidently. When I put Stella back in the office she gave me some tail wags and came up on me for some kisses. Stella Bella allowed all handing and even came up for more pets.
Notes prior to spay:
Per staff on 6/12: Needs a new dog meet once she is no longer heavily pregnant. At this time she is extremely uncomfortable due to pregnancy so may react differently after surgery and recovery.
Per staff on 6/12: Stella's behavior has greatly improved over her first day at the shelter! Initially fearful and trembling, as of 8pm Stella was loose, wiggly, soliciting attention from me, giving kisses, and allowing all handling. She went from curling up in a corner to greeting me at the office door with a wagging tail! She likely still needs a slower approach from strangers, but is super affectionate towards the people she knows a bit more.
Per staff on 6/11: Staff member (D) came to office. Stella initially growled and backed away, with ears back and low posture. However, D entered the office and crouched down. Stella slowly approached her and sniffed her hand and leg. D then offered some Fresh Pet in her hand. Stella sniffed it but was reluctant to eat from her hand. When D placed the food on the floor in front of Stella, she ate the food readily. Stella also approached me giving low but enthusiastic tail wags, then laid down right by my side after D exited the room.
Per staff on 6/11: Loves hot dogs and Fresh Pet! Will eat Fresh Pet from your hand, just go slow.
Per staff on 6/11: Was growling a bit in police vehicle but was able to leash. In hallway outside dog intake room, Stella laid down and allowed gentle pets on her head and back, and would approach me and another staff member to sniff cautiously. Was reportedly very sweet during her intake exam. Was brought to office after check-in. Initially was shy but approached us for sniffs. During meeting we had four people in the office, and she seemed to get scared and growled a couple times. After the meeting she allowed people to walk right past her to exit the office with no issues, and allowed leashing without issue. She also ate a hot dog that was tossed to her, and then curled up for a nap on a puppy pad.
Medical notes:
On 6/13, Stella Bella received a pregnant spay.
During an intake exam on 6/11, staff found Stella Bella to be in good general health, pregnant, and fearful, shy, and BAR.
Older adult cats (over 7 years): Pick your own donation towards Stella Fund towards medical care. Includes FAQ handout.
Cats with Kitty Colds: Pick your own donation towards Stella Fund toward medical care. Includes FAQ handout and medication.
"Fraidy" Cats (TTA Program): Donation your own donation towards Kneady Cat Fund towards cat enrichment. Includes FAQ handout.
Puppies (under 6 months): $100
Adult dogs (over 6 months): $25
Pen Pal dogs: $20
Benefactor dogs: $150
The adoption fee includes your new pet’s spay/neuter surgery, age appropriate vaccinations, deworming, and an offer for 30 days of free pet health insurance.
Dogs: Microchip included with adoption fee
Cats: Microchip only $10 more!
Cats and kittens can always be adopted two for the price of one through our Adopt-A-Buddy program.
Dog licenses: $16 if you live within Philadelphia city limits
**Please bring photo ID with your current name and address**
Kittens (under 6 months): $100
Adult cats (over 6 months to 7 years): $50
Older adult cats (over 7 years): Pick your own donation towards Stella Fund towards medical care. Includes FAQ handout.
Cats with Kitty Colds: Pick your own donation towards Stella Fund toward medical care. Includes FAQ handout and medication.
"Fraidy" Cats (TTA Program): Donation your own donation towards Kneady Cat Fund towards cat enrichment. Includes FAQ handout.
Puppies (under 6 months): $100
Adult dogs (over 6 months): $25
Pen Pal dogs: $20
Benefactor dogs: $150
The adoption fee includes your new pet’s spay/neuter surgery, age appropriate vaccinations, deworming, and an offer for 30 days of free pet health insurance.
Dogs: Microchip included with adoption fee
Cats: Microchip only $10 more!
Cats and kittens can always be adopted two for the price of one through our Adopt-A-Buddy program.
Dog licenses: $16 if you live within Philadelphia city limits
**Please bring photo ID with your current name and address**
INTERESTED IN FOSTERING?
Email: foster@acctphilly.org
Visit: http://www.acctphilly.org/foster
Foster care hours:
Monday - Friday: 1pm - 8pm
Weekends: 10am - 5pm
We are located at:
111 W. Hunting Park Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19140
More about this shelter
The Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia (ACCT Philly) is the region’s largest animal care and control service provider. ACCT Philly is an independent, 501c3 nonprofit organization, contracted by the City of Philadelphia to provide animal control services. Our animal control officers provide service over 142.6 square miles to the city’s more than 1.5 million residents and ACCT Philly’s facility in North Philadelphia handles more than 17,000 of the city’s animals, from dogs and cats, to small animals, reptiles, birds and wildlife, annually.
In addition to animal control and sheltering, ACCT Philly is open 365 days a year for pet adoptions. ACCT Philly also supports a foster care program where community members provide temporary homes for sheltered animals and one of the (if not THE) most extensive rescue partnership program in the country where approved rescue partners accept ACCT Philly animals into their adoption programs. Under contract ACCT Philly’s Animal Control Officers provide animal control services and code enforcement. Other exciting ACCT Philly programs include a food pantry for low-income pet owners, a vibrant volunteer program, trap-neuter-return for community cats, a unique Pen Pal program to assist dogs at risk … and so much more!
The Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia (ACCT Philly) is the region’s largest animal care and control service provider. ACCT Philly is an independent, 501c3 nonprofit organization, contracted by the City of Philadelphia to provide animal control services. Our animal control officers provide service over 142.6 square miles to the city’s more than 1.5 million residents and ACCT Philly’s facility in North Philadelphia handles more than 17,000 of the city’s animals, from dogs and cats, to small animals, reptiles, birds and wildlife, annually.
In addition to animal control and sheltering, ACCT Philly is open 365 days a year for pet adoptions. ACCT Philly also supports a foster care program where community members provide temporary homes for sheltered animals and one of the (if not THE) most extensive rescue partnership program in the country where approved rescue partners accept ACCT Philly animals into their adoption programs. Under contract ACCT Philly’s Animal Control Officers provide animal control services and code enforcement. Other exciting ACCT Philly programs include a food pantry for low-income pet owners, a vibrant volunteer program, trap-neuter-return for community cats, a unique Pen Pal program to assist dogs at risk … and so much more!
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