** $385 in pledges for the rescue that pulls **
** EXTENDED **
**NEW NOTES**
Balsam ACCT-A-208128 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to length of stay and lack of space for incoming dogs. Balsam must have confirmed placement with a RESCUE PARTNER, EXPERIENCED FOSTER, or ADOPTER by THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26TH at 10AM. Should Balsam’s medical or behavioral status change, her urgency and timeline for placement may also change.
Meet Balsam, the sweetest “potato” you’ll ever meet! Found as a stray on 11/30, this plump, cuddly girl is super friendly, affectionate, and full of joyful wiggles. She adores people, belly rubs, and soaking up all the love and attention she can get. Balsam is as cute as can be and deserves a family who will shower her with care and affection. She met another dog while at the shelter and seemed like she wanted to play. Balsam is looking for a home without children under the age of 15. We can’t wait to learn more about this adorable girl—could she be the perfect fit for your home? Due to her length of stay, Balsam is urgently seeking placement with a rescue partner or adopter.
BEHAVIOR:
NEW Per foster 12/24: I had the pleasure of having Balsam for the night. She was a bit anxious to be in a new place, and wanted lots of snuggles for reassurance. She’s a very cuddly girl. Balsam slept in a crate for the night and did well, settled within about 15 min. She is house trained and will paw the door when she wants to go outside. Balsam pulls slightly on leash and does great with a harness. She will sit for treats and she loves pumpkin. Balsam likes toys especially chew toys, she also knows fetch and you can take the ball from her mouth.
NEW!
Per staff 12/16: Did a meet with interested adopter and their dog. It overall went very well. Appropriate sniffs and walk along was great. She seemed to really like their dog, but she did give two very small quick growls if he got too close to her face.
NEW!
Per staff 12/16: A very sweet girl!!!! She is gentle and leans in for pets and is really awesome. Love me some Balsam!!
Per staff 12/15: I took Balsam out for her dog meet today. I had no issues removing her from kennel or putting her back when we were done. She pulled a little on leash because she wanted to explore and was also interested in the other dog. She was a bit too much for the other dog, so they didn’t get any good greetings in, but I think she could potentially do well with another dog who can match her energy.
Per volunteer 12/14: Took Balsam out to see how she’s doing with her cold. She is not overly sick and is still her same friendly and happy self. She sat for treats and explored the run. Balsam is a great walking buddy so I like to take her on longer walks which she loves, as she is a big sniffer. Balsam met several people while out today, she is super friendly and immediately leans in to solicit pets from new friends. She is quite polite, does not jump or pull strongly on leash.
Per volunteer 12/3: Leans in for pets, very good girl.
Per volunteer 12/9: Balsam was sleeping soundly on her bed when I approached then immediately woke up when I called her over. She tried to push out of the kennel when I opened the door, then easily allowed me to leash her. Walks very well on leash with minimal pulling! Took pets all over, very chill and laid back in the play yard. Not super treat motivated but she has a URI so probably doesn’t have much of an appetite right now. No issues returning to her kennel
Per volunteer 12/8: This is my second time meeting this sweet girl. She has relaxed quite a bit, either she’s feeling a little under the weather or she’s just starting to feel a little down about her continued stay at the shelter but she still remains her wiggly, loving self. Balsam really enjoys getting pets and belly rubs. She allows all over handling and will lean against you for comfort and for attention. She knows sit and she likes hot dogs. I was outside with her talking to a staff member for quite some time and she patiently sat and watched the other dogs and people walking by. I crouched down and snuggled her and she really just seems to enjoy attention. I walked her for a couple laps in the parking lot and she walked pretty well on the leash too. She is a really lovely girl and I hope she finds a new family soon.
Per volunteer 12/7: Love this girl! Such a sweetheart. Previous notes say Balsam can be wild but she behaved herself today, did not jump on me. She was very happy to prance around the run and check out smells. No interest in toys but sat nicely for treats. I decided to take her on a long walk and she did good, pulls moderately but very manageable. Balsam is super affectionate and loves people. Very good girl!
Per staff 12/6: Very good girl, pulls slightly.
Per staff 12/5: She's a little strong but is playful.
Per staff 12/3: Bright, alert, and responsive. Very excited, extremely friendly.
12/2 BEHAVIOR EVALUATION:
KNOWN HISTORY:
Stray
KENNEL PRESENTATION:
Balsam was in her kennel with a loose body and wiggly body and a wagging tail. She was very excited to be leashed and came right out once secured.
LEASH SKILLS:
Pulls strongly
HANDLING:
In the room, Balsam was extremely wild and like a loose bull in a china shop. She tried to knock me over plenty of times and had so much fun bouncing around like a balloon. She is very jumpy and doesn't seem to care about your personal space, pushing her body into you and almost knocking you out. I tried to get her to calm down for some treats but she wouldn't sit, stay still, or take any from me. She is a bit stubborn as well, not wanting to do any trick or get down from me. Balsam is just an extremely playful and high energy girl. Once she does calm down she is very cuddly and can be relaxed and calm. She pushes herself into you and licks your hands for more.
PLAY:
Engages in play – very wild and jumpy
TOYS:
Interest
Per volunteer 11/30: Balsam was so wiggly and excited in her kennel I had to take her out. We went outside in the run and it did seem like she was exit searching for her people a bit. But she kept coming over when called, to solicit pets. I took her inside where she showed us she loves attention, including belly rubs. She was in the volunteer office with several people and continued to greet everyone. She surprisingly wasn’t real interested in treats. Trying to get a good picture of her was a challenge because this girl does not sit still for long! She enjoys all over pets and giving kisses, she is a love. I really enjoyed my time with her, she was such a joy!
Per staff 11/30: Bright, alert, and responsive. So sweet and friendly.
MEDICAL:
Per an exam on 12/16: "Last day of antibiotics today but still sneezing a lot with clear nasal discharge. Complicated URI. Started on enrofloxacin."
On 12/3, Balsam was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection (URI) or "doggy cold" and started on medication. She tested negative for pneumovirus and will finish her medication on 12/16. She also received a vet exam for her skin issues. Her right ear canal was moderately inflamed and pruritic with moderate brown debris. She had moderate, superficial, scabbing dermatitis on her back and tail and a small area of superficial scabbing near her left eye. The skin on her stomach was red and she had saliva staining between her toes. She was also noted to be overweight. Her itchiness could have been caused by an allergy and resulted in infections of her skin and ears. Her ears were cleaned and she was given EKT, a long lasting medication, in her right ear. The irritated areas of her skin were cleaned with Chlorhexidine and she was prescribed Duoxo mousse to be applied topically to those areas. She was prescribed a short course of Prednisone and later was prescribed Neo-Poly-Dex for the irritated areas around her eyes. She has completed her courses of these medications.
During her intake exam on 11/30, her eyes were very red and she had an old scar with crust and some type of irritation on her left eye. Her nose was dry, her teeth were clean, and she had broccoli ear on her right ear. Her skin had a rash, irritation, and dandruff.
VIDEOS:
**New** Jonesy Blue meets Balsam https://youtube.com/shorts/gj6NqrHlJN0?si=Ah9SuLdDL_lEllAS
Balsam loves getting pets: https://youtube.com/shorts/KUPaf_c0um0?si=OJv96SSqY0Lpc0Un
Balsam gets belly rubs: https://youtube.com/shorts/I4DBEyv0Bz4?si=cjjivu0CWBpBfZ2n
Petting Balsam: https://youtu.be/JdH7D8fsToI
Balsam sleeping in her kennel: https://youtu.be/Ai99N8ETKB8
Balsam loves attention: https://youtube.com/shorts/JCjOtTdhfnA?si=UWswOPQ_Hoha9a8t
Balsam and Chyna Meet: https://youtube.com/shorts/Wd4QeBGs7w8?feature=share
Due to being significantly overcapacity with animals 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 an animal.
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.
