Stitch ACCT-A-173602 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to behavioral concerns. Stitch must have confirmed placement with a RESCUE PARTNER or ADOPTER by SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST at 10AM. Should Stitch's medical or behavioral status change, his urgency and timeline for placement may also change.
Meet Stitch! Stitch is the goofiest low-rider who wants to be everybody's friend and is as silly and loveable as his namesake. Stitch is on the smaller side, but has a big heart and a bigger personality. Whether he is holding his leash in his mouth or attempting his best "alien impression, Stitch is sure to keep you entertained and laughing. Stitch has a high level of fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) at the shelter and is displaying behaviors like spinning in kennel, frequently barking, and leash biting, which put him at risk of declining behaviorally the longer he stays here. Due to these behavior concerns, he is urgently seeking placement with a rescue partner or adopter. If you're ready to welcome a goofy, loving, and one-of-a-kind friend into your home, Stitch is here and ready to be your new best buddy.
BEHAVIOR:
9/16 staff notes: I took Stitch out for a dog meet. He took a little bit of time to leash, but then came right out of kennel. He quickly began leash biting, but as we walked through kennel he was mostly just carrying it in his mouth. When we got outside, he started tugging on it and was refusing to walk for a bit, but with some leash pressure I got him through the gate to where we were going. He continued to hold the leash in his mouth for most of the meet, occasionally jumping up on me, but mostly just holding it and chewing it as he did. He did rip my gown and glove with his jumping and leash biting, but I didn't have concerns about him redirecting his mouthiness on me. He did well through the fence so we proceeded to a face meet. The dog we did the meet with had positive meets before, but she was a lot taller than him and a lot more energy, so he was a bit overwhelmed. He was loose and wagging his tail the whole time. He did start tugging on the leash again, which allowed the other dog to sniff his hind end, at which point he dropped the leash. After the meet, he continued with his minor leash biting as we walked through the kennels, carrying it in his mouth. Another dog passed by while we were in the aisle and he remained focused on me and the leash, barely acknowledging the other dog. When we approached his kennel, he put on the brakes and started tugging on the leash, so I had to lift his hind end into the kennel. When I went to remove his leash, he started biting at it again, so I left it on him for a moment. Another staff member brought him a Kong that he could focus on so I could remove the leash without him trying to bite it (my leash did not have a carabiner to use the clip method, so I was trying to be extra careful when pulling it over his head). I did not have any issues with him fence fighting during my time with him. Overall, a fun pup, just needs some training to stop leash biting. Seems like he would do well carrying a rope toy on his walks as he mostly wants to hold the leash in his mouth.
9/13 staff notes: Adult only home preferred due to being a little timid with handling at first, 12+. Not foster eligible due to skin issues and some dog reactivity when walking through kennels.
9/19 Volunteer Note: When I approached Stitch's kennel, I saw the worksheet notes that he liked to leash bite, was jumpy, and difficult to return to his kennel.
I removed him from the back side of his kennel with no issue and once outside he grabbed my leash so I slipped my second one over his head. He was only holding the leashes, there was no pulling or tugging game, while we walked and he walked at a nice pace out in front. I offered him treats and a toy, but he prefered holding the leash, so that's how we walked.
In the yard, he briefly walked around smelling but then put his front paws on me as if asking for pets, so we just stood there, with me petting him and Stitch leaning on me - seems he just wants some loving. When I sat, he came over and snuggled right into me. None of his jumps are aggressive, they seem to be just for attention to pet him.
I tried to get him to sit, but he didn't seem to know that que. He didn't want to play with any of the toys, so I just kept petting him.
On the walk back into the shelter, he again carried the leash. There were times he was right beside and made it difficult to walk, almost leaning in and then doing a zig zag. To return him to his kennel, I tossed in some pepperoni, he went in easily, and allowed me to remove the leashes w/no issue.
9/13 BEHAVIOR EVALUATION
KNOWN HISTORY:
Stray - found on a porch
KENNEL PRESENTATION:
Stitch was standing near the door when I approached. He hopped up on the door excitedly, with soft eyes and a wagging tail. He got down when I opened the door and I was able to leash him easily, but he tried to push out right after I leashed him. He came out on his own once secured, and jumped up on me to say hi with soft eyes and a wagging tail.
LEASH SKILLS:
Stitch pulls minimally but does a very funny "leash bite and likes to hold the leash while he walks with you. He bit the leash and calmly held it in his mouth as he walked right next to me, leash slack. He may "leash bite, but he's not escalating or pulling. When returning to kennel he began to fence fight with other dogs in his row. He was able to walk by multiple dogs on his way out of the building, but when coming back in he was much more reactive, and stiffened with a high tail and erect ears when he saw dogs in their kennel. I was able to pull him away without issue, but he did not want to return to his kennel. He allowed me to pick him up and place him in the kennel with no issue.
HANDLING:
When we got out to the yard Stitch sniffed around curiously. I gave him a minute and went to sit on the bench. As soon as I sat down he trotted over to me and hopped his front paws into my lap and leaning in. He allowed some all over love, but did tense up a bit as I went down to his hind area. After a few minutes of pets he no longer stiffened when his hind was touched, I think I just went a little too fast for him. Stitch was very cuddly and affectionate, and enjoying half laying in my lap. When I tried to get him down with toys he wasn't interested. I forgot to bring out treats, so I wasn't able to give him any. Eventually Stitch got down to sniff around some more, and I tried to engage in some play with him. It took a little convincing, but he began to run around with me. He jumped on me once but did not mouth, and almost seemed to be following me for attention, not to play. When he would catch up to me he would sit and try to lean against me. Stitch wasn't interested in toys at this time, but there was a lot of new stuff for him to check out. He got a little scared of the trashcan in the yard, and sniffed it with a lowered, tense body and flinched away from it when the bag moved. Overall, Stitch is an affectionate guy who's a little timid, but very sweet.
PLAY
Engaged in some play, but appears to be soliciting attention more than engaging in play. Would sit and lean into me whenever he caught up to me.
TOYS:
No interest
COLOR LEVEL & ANY RECOMMENDATIONS:
Blue - due to fence fighting with dogs when returning to kennel
9/9 staff notes: While out for his check in Stitch was very goofy but was also leash biting a lot outside.
9/8 staff notes: Caller found dog sleeping on her porch. Removed stray from location and transported to acct. Dog was roaming the streets eating from trash cans and begging for food in the papi store... Very sweet, friendly, allows all over handling, can pick up.
MEDICAL:
On 9/16, he had a vet check for his skin issues.
Objective: Thinning hair coat diffusely with dandruff. No scabbing or active infection noted.
Assessment: Thinning hair coat, dandruff - r/o allergies (chronic flea allergy, environmental, food) vs parasitic vs metabolic vs other.
Plan: Apply duoxo foam to body once daily for 7 days.
On 9/11, Stitch was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection (URI) or "doggy cold" and prescribed 2 weeks of antibiotics. He tested positive for Coronavirus and Bordetella.
During his intake exam on 9/9, his eyes were red, both of his ears had moderate dirt/wax, and he had moderate staining/tartar on his teeth. His coat had flea dirt and possible flea allergies as he is missing a lot of his fur.
VIDEOS:
Stitch and Sweets:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SIUWTg1wYzk
https://youtu.be/oWde85t7ios
https://youtube.com/shorts/a-I_19d2Y-Q?si=SOUaAHB3tHE1PskF
https://youtube.com/shorts/v2Ggz12xMKg?si=c0RlRltL0akIcRiv
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
