My name is Sonya 31816!

Meet Sonya, a charming Lab mix with an irresistible spirit. Her sweetness is as palpable as her energy, always ready to spread joy with her playful antics. Sonya's friendly demeanor makes her a perfect companion for those seeking a loyal friend. Her goofiness is a delight, often leading to bouts of laughter and happiness in those around her. She loves playing fetch, going on walks, and most importantly, spending quality time with her human friends. Adopt Sonya and let her bring a spark of joy and companionship into your life.

Dogs are generally tested with dogs of their size in a group setting, and dog meet-and-greets with the adopter's dog(s) are always encouraged. A cat test may be conducted at the adopter's request but should only be used as a general-purpose screening to rule out overt aggression. We always recommend caution when introducing dogs to cats in the home. Recommendations on the suitability of placement with children by their ages are based on behavioral observations including energy level and response to body handling. We never recommend leaving young children unsupervised with dogs, and we cannot guarantee the behavior of dogs with children, other pets, or cats.

Behavioral observations in the shelter environment should be considered as a snapshot of the behavior of the dog at a given point in time and may not be indicative of a dog's overall mental health. The Joplin Humane Society believes all adopters need to be prepared to invest time and energy into working with their new dog, as animals arrive at the shelter from a variety of situations and scenarios and may have had little to no prior training. Dogs should never be fed together unless it is known that they do not possess resource-guarding tendencies. We always encourage adopters to research the breeds or mixes of breeds before adoption as many can have unique characteristics that may or may not fit into their families.

Keep in mind that the transition from the shelter to a home environment is stressful for dogs, and the Rule of 3 should be used as a rule of thumb when introducing a dog to their new surroundings. For the first 3 days, fear, anxiety, and stress levels are at their highest; and dogs may appear lethargic, remain hidden, are easily excitable, or have a loss of appetite. In the next 3 weeks, dogs will be actively developing a routine, and new personality traits may appear as stress levels decrease. During this period, it is recommended that adopters limit the dog's exposure to new people and places as they adjust and keep them in a crate or designated quiet room when left alone. Time outside of the home should be short, and crowds or loud noise should be avoided. After 3 months, a bond has developed between the dogs and their new family, and the animal should appear more comfortable in unfamiliar situations. For more information about this dog or any others at our Shelter, please visit www.joplinhumane.org. We are the Joplin Humane Society in Joplin, Missouri. 417-623-3642.