*New Video & Notes*
Martina ACCT-A-177748 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to length of stay and lack of space for incoming dogs. Martina must have confirmed placement with an ADOPTER, EXPERIENCED FOSTER, or RESCUE PARTNER by TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH at 10AM. Should Martina's medical or behavioral status change, her urgency and timeline for placement may also change.
Meet Martina, the sweetest little soul with a heart of gold! This shy, gentle girl came to the shelter scared and uncertain, but each and every day she's growing braver and showing her loving side. With a little patience and kindness, Martina opens up and she's even started getting playful! Martina gives the best cuddles and gentle kisses once she feels safe.
Martina is looking for a cozy place to call home where she can blossom into the affectionate, playful pup she's meant to be. As a shy girl, Martina asks that you approach her calmly and go at her own pace, so at this time she'd prefer a home with just grownups (dog-savvy teenagers are OK too!). Martina seems to be a big fan of meeting other dogs, and they definitely help her come out of her shell, so she might feel at home in a multi-dog household! Interested adopters or fosters with pups at home are welcome to bring their resident canines for a meet, to ensure everyone gets along.
Sadly, Martina's shy and reserved nature has caused her to be overlooked in the shelter, and she has yet to find that special someone to take her home. Martina must urgently find placement with an adopter, experienced foster parent, or rescue partner who can give her the second chance she deserves.
VIDEOS
Missy and Martina meet: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/G1WWomG0NxI?feature=share
Martina and Missy dog meet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCAh_ZuGdeY
Martina and Nova Bear meet: https://youtu.be/Z9JXUltr5Kc?si=zLlLm6D1y96fpB7u
Martina and nova bear meet: https://youtu.be/OO0p9dnwjqY?feature=shared
Martina is getting more playful: https://youtube.com/shorts/YXIS4d7-p8A?feature=shared
Martina walks so well on her leash: https://youtube.com/shorts/xIAP57_WUf4?feature=shared
Cuddling with Martina: https://youtube.com/shorts/XTYJ7Lg2KLI?si=gmFqDR3Vs2g8mmOX
Martina in my lap: https://youtube.com/shorts/wopsWD4aY58?si=64OOaSCsLm_Paxjc
Bathing Martina: https://youtube.com/shorts/9d4leYjAMfI?si=JzExGDvimVIMSOnt
Describing Martina: https://youtube.com/shorts/P3CZ-y7IG14?si=s6z4Lak6FgbyHYvD
Playing tug with Martina: https://youtube.com/shorts/qxCqas475xE?si=klJATve5DCT3PUK_
BEHAVIORAL INFORMATION
Per staff 11/1/24: Volunteer was able to lift Martina's lip to view her teeth. They were very white and clean with very minimal tartar on back ones. She is very tolerant to handling around the face
**NEW** 10/31 Per volunteer- Martina has been out of ISO for 2 days now and is living life like a happy confident pup. Her shy days are behind her. I see her front paws on her kennel door now and she is very eager to leave her kennel. She does a happy dance once her feet hit the ground and pulls to get outside where she does more happy, prancing dancing. In her enthusiasm she likes to jump on her handler, but with guidance she can learn not to jump. She plays with toys now, happy to show me what she has - she even plays tug, and she is stronger than she appears. She allows all over handling and is an affection pup, again, still needs to learn some manners with her jumping and a little mouthing. She doesn't seem to know how to sit when asked, but she takes treats gently. And she looks like she has gained a couple of pounds since she arrived as a skinny pup, covered in flea dirt. She is beautiful again. She had 2 very good shelter dog meets and showed us she is social pup. She is ready to leave the shelter and start her best life as someone's forever best friend.
A volunteer noted on 10/31: "Martina was very easy to leash and happy to go outside. She seems to need time to trust new people. She really loved running with me in the cemetery. Martina is very sweet just a bit shy. I was happily surprised when we returned inside to see her tail wag when she saw staff members she knows."
Staff noted on 10/26: "Martina was a super happy and sweet girl. I had no issues with leashing or getting in/out of kennel. Once out she was all about getting pets and affection. Giving her full body pets, Martina soon just lied down and rolled over for belly rubs. Other than her being a little bit wiggly, she had no issues with me restraining her and examining her skin and tail. It appears to me she has come a long way since first being here. She did get subdued as soon as I put her back in kennel, but her tail starting wagging again as soon as I coaxed into coming back over for one last head scratch session. What a sweet girl who's just waiting for the right person who she can give all her love to!"
Staff noted on 10/13: "I tried to take Martina out for a day trip and she took biscuits very well. She was very sweet and allowed some gentle pets but only when she approached me. She would run to gate with a wagging tail but then retreat when I offered her my hand. She did low growl at first but once she had treats she was fine. I wasn't able to get her out of the kennel since I did not want to push her too far. However later I saw her with a volunteer who said she was great outside! She is very sweet girl that just needs a very slow approach."
A volunteer noted on 10/10: "My little skinny friend Martina has a beautiful face and soft eyes, but is scared. She was laying in her bed when I opened the kennel and gave me a low soft growl, but she came forward and gently took treats out of my hand. Using the treats to lure her, I was able to loop her and she came right out of the kennel with her tail tucked. She didn't hesitate to walk outside but was ready to head back inside within minutes of being out. We walked into a yard but just stood there. I offered her treats, which she took gently - the only thing that interested her and I can't blame her in her condition - and she did eventually relax enough to sit. She was a bit too scared to be interested in any toys, and flinched a couple of times when I gave her a few gentle pets. Since she was uncomfortable, we didn't stay outside long, and I returned her to her kennel with no issue."
Staff noted on 10/9: "Martina seems very uncomfortable and conflicted. Understandable considering her emaciated condition, I believe she is especially uncomfortable towards her back end as it seems painful for her to get around and her back legs and hips are muscle wasted. When I approached in kennel she was very nervous and low growling. I went very slow and was able to leash relatively easily, as she kept her head down the entire time trying to avoid me. Once on leash I gave her space, and she exited the kennel slowly. The loud noises in the kennel were intimidating and she is skittish. Once outside she was continuing to be avoidant and was sniffing around, still very nervous. I sat down on the bench and she did choose to approach me but was not interested in anything beyond slight pets. I took her into the office to see how she would do with less stimuli. She took treats gently and at first wanted to hide. When I spoke to her she would low growl to avoid me but then wanted to approach me simultaneously, at first hiding under the desk and then coming back towards me slowly but not in a concerning way. She would then just sit on the other side of the office not moving. I'm hopeful that with time and more slow and respectful handling she can feel more comfortable and confident, and her fearful behavior will subside a bit. Scared to go back into kennel but went in with slight guided pressure. I moved her from sidebanks into TTA G1 so she can have a quieter and calmer environment to acclimate."
Martina was picked up by ACCT's Animal Protection Officers on October 7th. The officer noted: "Picked up one stray sick and injured dog from a parking lot across the street from Belmont Stables. Badly emaciated, wound on her and no energy to even walk. Keeps low growling at me, is food motivated." Upon arrival at ACCT, Martina was placed in a kennel. Staff noted later that day that Martina was observed to be growling and tense in her kennel, likely due to the stress of the new and unfamiliar environment.
MEDICAL INFORMATION
A 10/7 triage exam noted Martina was thin, with fleas and flea dirt throughout her coat. She was noted to be QAR and seemed very subdued. Her ears were noted to have waxy debris. A subsequent veterinary exam on 10/10 noted Martina had a body condition score of 2/9, was BAR and nervous, but had a great appetite.
On 10/15, Martina was noted to have developed an upper respiratory infection. She began antibiotic treatment and has since completed her course of medication.
On 10/26, it was noted that Martina was experiencing issues with chewing her tail. An exam noted: "Pt appears to have self inflicted excoriations on the distal end of tail (approx 3"). Hair loss present on two sides of tail, but not full circumference. Some superficial scabbing on inside of R thigh and very mild/diffuse scabbing on caudal/ventral belly. Hair coat along dorsum is very flaky. Assessment - Pruritus(from flea vs seasonal allergy vs other) vs stress leading vs boredom leading to Pt chewing on tail. Other areas seem to be more likely due to FAD. Plan - Start treatment with Ab's and antihistamine. Adding Eicosa caps for overall skin health. E-collar needs to be placed in order for tail to heal."
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/
Due to being significantly overcapacity with dogs and cats and higher than usual intake, extensions are unlikely to be granted. If you are interested in an animal please contact ACCT Philly immediately. Due to limited space, timestamps may also be proceeded with early so it is imperative to let us know if you are considering adopting or tagging a dog or cat.
Confirmed placement is considered 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.
