Kim is a 8-9 year-old, female mixed breed who was transferred to Charley’s from an overcrowded shelter in the south. Kim is an adorable girl, weighing approximately 50 lbs. She is looking for a quiet, experienced, adult-only home, preferably with a fenced in yard, because she is vision impaired.
The vet for the originating shelter thought that Kim may have cataracts, which possibly could be corrected with surgery. Unfortunately, the eye specialist at the Portland Specialty Veterinary hospital, found that Kim’s vision impairment cannot be reversed. She is currently given daily eye drops to help prevent further damage. We believe that Kim can see shadows.
As you can imagine – the shelter is a scary place for Kim. We would love to see her go to an adoptive home as soon as possible, to help her relax and feel more at ease. This poor girl has been through a lot. Found as stray in the south. Brought to an overcrowded shelter. Put on transport to Maine to go to another shelter. All without being able to see. She would benefit greatly from going to a quiet home where she could decompress.
Because Kim cannot see – she is fearful of anything and anyone that is new to her. She expresses her fear by growling but has not tried to bite. Once she feels at ease and recognizes a person, or gets used to a routine, she is very sweet. She just needs someone who understands that she needs patience. For this reason, it is important that anyone interested in adopting Kim come to the shelter for multiple visits so that she can acclimate and relax. If you have a dog, bring your dog to the shelter to meet Kim as well.
The ideal home for Kim:
1) Quiet home with patient adult(s). NO children.
2) Home with another calm, friendly dog to help show Kim the way. Having another dog to guide Kim would be a great help.
3) First floor living/stair-free living helpful.
4) Fenced yard preferred.
5) One that will leash walk outside of fenced areas. Due to her vision impairment, Kim cannot be outside without being leashed unless she is in a fenced yard.
6) Experienced dog guardian would be wonderful.
Kim is reported to get along well calm, well-mannered dogs. She was in playgroups with mellow dogs at the originating shelter. Not a good match for high energy dogs. Being in a home with another calm dog may be help Kim feel at ease. As part of the foster/adoption process, any resident dog(s) will be asked to come to the shelter for a meet and greet.
We have no information on how Kim reacts to cats. As a result, a cat free home, or one that can initially separate cat from dog to do slow introductions, is required.
Kim is up to date on vaccines. She tested negative for Heartworm and is on monthly prevention.
*** IMPORTANT!***
As a “southern” dog and due to the high rate of heartworm infection in the warmer climates, it is critical that Kim be kept on monthly heartworm prevention ALL YEAR LONG not just in the summer months. It takes 6 months for heartworm larva to turn into adult worms that then are visible on a heartworm test.
Monthly prevention will kill any larva. Adoptive parents must commit to this prevention schedule as well as heartworm testing every 6 months for the first year and annually after that.
Heartworm prevention costs about $120 a year. Compare that to treating a dog for heartworm (a deadly disease) an expense of thousands of dollars for a treatment that is dangerous and difficult for the dog.
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