My name is SAFFRON*!

Meet Saffron- small breed staffie mix dog that looks like a puppy but is in fact a full grown adult!

We don’t know about her life before the Shelter but have observed that she is fearful with new people and in new environments. She is currently hanging out in a foster home so we can learn more about her. Her foster reports: “Saffron was completely shut down and wouldn`t even come out of her kennel at the shelter. She began her stay with me extremely fearful and anxious and hyper aware of everything around her; cowers and runs from loud noises and fast movements; frightened to go in the house and cowers when I reach toward her to put on leash. I used lots of positive reinforcement and she came out of it VERY quickly…… once she feels safe in her setting and you’ve established trust, she becomes a very loving and playful pup. Gets the zoomies! She doesn`t like being left alone and cries and tries to get out of her enclosure; so I leave her free to roam the house and she is fine. Even slept on couch all day when I had to work. Not destructive in the house and other than counter surfing and checking garbage cans, she understands basic boundaries; good mouthing skills and not bitey; good with cats; EXTREMELY responsive to my dog. She will go wherever my dog goes and we take her on long walks. She slips into my dog’s bed with her every chance she gets. So she would do VERY well with another dog; especially one that can teach her.”

Saffron is required to go to a home with another dog as that is a key to her feeling confident in the world around her and will help her to transition into her next home. The resident dog is recommended to enjoy having a puppy hang with them as their shadow as Saffron seems like she wants to be someone’s BFF – following them around and even sleeping in a cozy bed with them. She is still perfecting potty training and leash walking.


Please note: Our Santa Cruz location’s Shelter hours are 11-6pm, 7 days a week! Although clients can walk through and see any animals in their kennels during open hours, we end “meet and greets” (aka meeting an animal out of the kennel) at 4:30pm every day. If you’d like to meet an animal out of the kennel, please arrive before 4:00pm to allow for time to discuss individual animals and meet them.