19/10/2024
GONE 😢
RIP.... your life mattered
She’s so filled with anxiety, sadness and fear. SCRUFFLES face, in one of her only two photos, makes you cry. It’s just a face shot, but you see her begging with frightened eyes for someone to save her. We know that this girl is not used to the big world, nevermind the chaotic and scary shelter, and she is simply not acclimating well. She was tail tucked and nervous during her medical, though on intake she allowed all handling. But now, stuck in a windowless kennel with no window and no idea what is going to happen to her next, she is understandably overwhelmed and stressed. This beautiful, big girl needs a hero, and soon! We all know that dogs like Scruffles are rushed to the kill list, and she will be no exception. We need to share her far and wide, crosspost, tag and pledge for Scruffles. Or, if you are an experienced foster or adopter who can give her a quiet, calm, structured home where she can decompress and warm at her pace to her new life and family, please hurry and MESSAGE OUR PAGE for assistance.
I HAVE A MOVIE - LOOK HOW PRETTY I AM!
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1kXGqSpilGE
SCRUFFLES, ID # 210401, 4 Yrs. Old, 68 lbs., Female
Queens ACC, Large Mixed Breed, Brown/White
Surrender Reason: Stray, 9/18/24
Behavior Assessment Rating: New Hope Only
Recommendations:
No Children under Age 13
Place with a New Hope Partner
Medical Behavior Rating: 3. Yellow
AT RISK MEMO:
Scruffles is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Scruffles has been highly fearful and anxious in care since her intake. Scruffles has lunged, growled and snapping at the glass doors when being approached in kennel, and outside of kennel remains fearful with a tense body allowing very minimal handling from select staff despite best efforts to keep her comfortable. Medically, Scruffles is healthy.
Scruffle's arrived at the QACC from the police as a stray. Scruffle's in care has been intensely shutdown, and has escalated in kennel to lunge, snarl and snap at the kennel door glass when handlers initially approach her kennel. Although Scruffle's has improved slightly in care, he still remains highly fearful and anxious despite best efforts to keep her comfortable. As a result, we recommend Scruffle's is placed with one of our New Hope Partners.
INTAKE BEHAVIOR – Date of Intake: 18-Sept-2024
Scruffles was reported to have growled at officers, but upon intake she allowed all handling.
OWNER SURRENDER NOTES – BASIC INFORMATION:
n/a
BEHAVIOR NOTES
Date of intake:: 9/18/2024
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, no prior history
SHELTER ASSESSMENT SUMMARIES - Date of Assessment:: 9/22/2024
Summary:: **10/8/2024 When attempting to do a handling reassessment she displays high hackles and becomes increasingly uncomfortable with the handling. When collared she displays heavy panting, tense body, high flagging tail. When in position for handling Scruffles began to become tense, closed mouth, slowly head whips and hard stare with raise hackles.***
Due to Scruffles's escalation to lunge at the kennel door hard, snarling and snapping when handler approached and overall FAS displayed in care, a handling assessment will not be conducted.
ENRICHMENT NOTES
10/15/24: Scruffles jumped up on kennel door when handler approached. Handler began offering treats which Scruffles sniffed but did not eat. Scruffles stood at front of kennel and was leashed with ease. Her kennel was unsoiled and she pulled moderately on the way outside where she relieved herself upon exiting the building. Scruffles was alert to other dogs passing by on the street below. She would observe them with hackles raised, exhaling audibly while hypersalivating. Scruffles mostly held her tail high with varying amount of curve. Scruffles was returned to kennel with ease and did not display any reactivity towards the dogs in kennel room. Once secured in kennel, handler noticed Scruffles ate the treats from earlier. Handler engaged her in a game of "find it" for some time, marking eye contact with "yes" before tossing a treat over top of kennel. Handler noted frequent urination while outside on the rounds board.
10/08/24 (PM): Scruffles is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral body as handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and once in the hallway, will pull slightly and shake her head. Handler stops and allows Scruffles to settle before continuing the walk to the Canine Behavior Office for assessment. Scruffles displays a high flagged tail and tense body as she explores the room. She does not settle throughout. Scruffles is offered treats but she shows no interest. Handler and assessor attempt to slowly collar her twice, but she becomes increasingly more uncomfortable. On the second attempt, Scruffles side eyes assessor and freezes as the collar makes contact with her neck. Assessor immediately disengages and handler will guide her away to create space. Due to Scruffles' discomfort, an assessment is not attempted. Scruffles is walked back to kennel, returning safely.
(AM): Scruffles is sitting in the middle of kennel as handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and walks with a neutral body out to the play yard. Due to her not being collared, Scruffles is kept on slip lead and handler allows her to explore the yard on her own terms. Scruffles displays a slightly tense body when entering the yard but after a few minutes settles and displays a neutral frame. Handler kneels down and Scruffles will approach and nudge the handler's arm to solicit petting. Whenever handler stops petting, Scruffles will nudge their hand again. After her session in the yard, Scruffles is returned to kennel safely.
10/01/24: Scruffles is jumping up at the front of kennel as handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and walks with a neutral body up to the play yard. Due to Scruffles not being collared, handler keeps her on slip lead and allows her to scent and explore the yard at her own pace. Handler kneels down and Scruffles approaches, allowing light petting with a neutral body. When handler stops petting, Scruffles will nudge their arm with her nose to initiate petting again. After her session in the yard, Scruffles is returned to kennel safely.
09/25/24: Scuffles is sitting in the front of her kennel and will jump up pawing at the glass and will allow handler to leash her as she’s standing up. Scuffles will be brought outside and will led on a loose leash as she demonstrates neutral body as she explores the out doors and explore the environment and relieve herself. Scuffles will be brought back to care center and returned to her kennel safely.
09/21/24: Scruffles is sitting on her kuranda bed as handler approaches. She comes to the front and grumbles at handler. Handler tosses treats into kennel which Scruffles readily eats. She is leashed with ease and pulls moderately while out for a walk. Scruffles spends time relieving herself and scenting along the walkway. She ignores people and other dogs as they walk past. Scruffles is taken up to the play yard and she investigates the yard while on lead. Handler offers treats which she ignores. Scruffles pulls hard back to kennel, returning safely.
(PM) Scruffles greets the handler standing on her cot in the back of her kennel. Scruffles approaches at the handler opens the kennel door. Scruffles is easily leashed and guided out of her pen. Once out of her pen Scruffles mildly pulls untill she is outside on walks. On walks Scruffles walks ahead of the handler scenting her surroundings or taking them in as she scans her environment. Scruffles is escorted back to the care center where she is kenneled and unleashed without any issues.
9/19/24: Scruffles is at the back of his kennel with his hackles raised and high wagging tail when the handler approaches. Scruffles begins to lunge at the kennel door hard, snarling and snapping at the glass towards the handlers hand movements. Scruffles does take high value treats and intermittently growls begins taking treats and seeing the handler. Scruffles is reported to do this multiple times throughout the day.
INTAKE BEHAVIOR:
Date of intake:: 9/18/2024
Summary:: reported to growl at officers, but allowed handling on intake
MEDICAL BEHAVIOR:
Date of initial:: 9/20/2024
Summary:: Nervous and tense, tail tucked. Muzzled for exam
ENERGY LEVEL::
We have no history on Scruffles so we cannot be certain of their behavior in a home environment. However, they will need daily mental and physical activity to stay engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only
Recommendations::
No children (under 13),
Place with a New Hope partner
Recommendations comments::
No children (under 13): Due to Scruffle's fearfulness displayed in care, and kennel precense, we recommend she goes to an adult-only home.
Place with a New Hope partner: Due to Scruffle's fearfulness displayed in care, and kennel precense, we recommend she is placed with one of our New Hope Partners.
Potential challenges: :
Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,
Anxiety,
Kennel presence
Potential challenges comments::
Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Scruffles is observed to high raised hackles and will begin to lunge at the kennel door hard, snarling and snapping when handler approached and overall is very fearful in care. We recommend a slow approach and we recommend ONLY force-free, reward-based training methods for Scruffles. More aversive techniques are likely to increase fear, increase the risk of aggression, and decrease Scruffle's quality of life.
Anxiety: Scruffles is highly anxious in care, we recommend long walks and puzzle toys to help alleviate his anxiety. See handout on Generalized Anxiety.
Kennel presence: Scruffles is observed to high raised hackles and will begin to lunge at the kennel door hard, snarling and snapping when handler approached. While we cannot be certain if this behavior will appear in any other contexts, in highly emotionally charged or stressful environments Scruffles may show behavior similar to what she is currently demonstrating in her kennel. We recommend potential adopters be comfortable managing this behavior and keeping themselves safe in any similar future situations.
MEDICAL EXAM NOTES
24-Sep-2024
Progress Exam
Medical Notes: 8:32 AM
Progress exam: CIRDC signs present on rounds
Subjective: Q-BAR, no S/V. Coughing & Diarrhea present in kennel. F/S:7
Objective:
EYES: Clear, no discharge
LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress
NASAL CAVITY: no discharge noted
MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4
NEURO: Appropriate mentation
ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC
PLAN: Per standing orders
-Proper signage placed on kennel
-Start doxy 10mg/kg PO q24h x14 days. Proviable 1 capsule PO q24h x5days & psyllium husk 3 scoops PO q24h x5days
-CTM, recheck on 9/26
20-Sep-2024
DVM Intake
Medical Notes: 4:23 PM
DVM Intake Exam
Estimated age: 4-6yo based on condition
Microchip noted on Intake? scan neg
History: Agency intake
Subjective: BARH
Observed Behavior - Nervous and tense, tail tucked. Muzzled for exam. Allowed minimal exam with tight leash restrain. Thrashed when attempting blooddraw
Is there evidence of Cruelty? n
Is there evidence of Neglect? n
Is there evidence of Trauma? n
Objective
BCS 6/9
EENT: Eyes clear, mild conjunctival hyperemia OU, no discharge. Ears clean, no nasal discharge noted
Oral Exam: Unable to do due to muzzle/behavior
PLN: No enlargements noted
H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic
ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated
U/G: Female, developed ni***es, suspect intact
MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, stained feet, malodorous coat
CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities
Re**al: Externally normal
Wood's Lamp Exam: NP
Assessment
~4yo FI Pit mix
High FAS
Prognosis: Good
Plan:
routine intake procedures
would benefit from bath if behaviorally allows
Continue trazodone
SURGERY:
Okay for surgery.
20-Sep-2024
Vet Statement Medical Notes: 3:30 PM
Beh request meds due to high FAS in care,
Started p on traz for estimated 50 #, 150mg PO BID x 7 days.
Adjust dosage according at intake.
* TO FOSTER / ADOPT *
If you would like to foster or adopt a NYC ACC dog please PRIVATE MESSAGE our page at https://www.facebook.com/NYCDogsLivesmatter or email us at [email protected] so we can assist and guide you through the process.
PLEASE NOTE: To foster or adopt a NYC ACC dog you need to live within a prescribed range of New York City. States include: NY, NJ, PA, CT, RI, DE, MD, MA, NH, VT, ME or Northern VA. If you are outside of this range, you have the option to “direct adopt” where you must go to the shelter “in person” to complete the adoption process. We can guide you through that process.
Shelter contact information:
Phone number (212) 788-4000
Email [email protected]
Shelter Addresses:
Queens Shelter: 1906 Flushing Ave., Ridgewood, NY 11385
Manhattan Shelter: 326 East 110 St. New York, NY 10029
Staten Island Shelter: 3139 Veterans Road West Staten Island, NY 10309
NYC ACC RATING SYSTEM
Level 1
Dogs with Level 1 determinations are suitable for the majority of homes.
Level 2
Dogs with Level 2 determinations will be suitable for adopters with some previous dog experience.
Level 3
Dogs with Level 3 determinations will need to go to homes with experienced adopters.
Level 4
Dogs with Level 4 determinations will need to go to homes with experienced adopters. It is suggested adopters have prior experience with the behaviors described.
New Hope Rescue Only
Dogs with this rating need to be pulled by a New Hope Partner Rescue. Contact our page or email us for assistance.
