Pig News

Debo is a healthy, handsome, enthusiastic young Doberman pinscher mix, with the classic black & brown coloring and tall, lean stature they're known for. He also happens to be this week's this week's Pets of the Week at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.

Debo started out a bit nervous at the shelter, but he's gaining confidence for meeting new people and is learning more about socializing with other dogs. He lived with teenagers and had some exposure to younger kids in his previous home and did well with them. There were cats in the home, but Debo only saw them through a glass doorway - he didn't have direct contact with them. With slow, thoughtful introductions and plenty of positive training, he'll probably do well with a variety of other members of the household.
Debo was crate-trained and house-trained in his previous home. Every dog needs retraining in a new home environment, and he's likely to pick up the rules of a new household quickly with consistent positive reinforcement training and plenty of opportunities to practice proper potty habits. Debo is always excited to meet other dogs, but he's a little inexperienced, so his social skills can be a little awkward and conflicted - not surprising for an adolescent dog, but something to be aware of. High traffic areas like dog parks are not recommended for Debo in the very near future - they'll likely be a bit overwhelming for him.

Debo is a PERFECT candidate for some training sessions with a skilled, credentialed trainer, which will be easier because the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation provides "Pawsitivity Bucks" with every dog adoption - that's a $200 training voucher for use with a local positive-reinforcement trainer, so adopters can get some help getting to know and learning to communicate well with their new dog.

Once he gets to know a new person, Debo leans in for petting and attention, and Dobies are known for the strong emotional bonds they form with their families. Our adoption fee for adult dogs is normally $150, and always includes spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations, and a microchip. And this Saturday, all adoption fees are WAIVED thanks to NBC and Telemundo's "Clear the Shelters" campaign!!

Upcoming Shelter Events

• Saturday, August 22, 8 - 11am: GOAT Fitness in Live Oak will host "Pilates for Dogs" a fundraising class, and adoptable dogs and puppies from the shelter will be there
• Sunday, August 23, 12 - 2pm: Shelter volunteers will bring dogs to Sante Adairius Brewing in Capitola after a fun group hike to meet potential adopters
• Wednesday, August 26, 5:30 - 8:30pm: "Paint and Sip" at Steel Bonnet Brewing in Scotts Valley - where you can paint a picture of a pet with help from artist Suzy Rad 
• Thursday, August 27, 4 - 5:30pm: Bring your own dog and meet adoptable shelter dogs while you enjoy Yappy Hour at the Museum of Art & History in downtown Santa Cruz! They'll have fun, creative pet-centered art activities, cocktails for the human adults, and Bark-tinis for the dogs. Grab your friends and join the fun in the Kincentricity Garden at the MAH.
• Friday, August 28, 10:00am-1:00pm: FREE Healthy Pets for All vaccination clinic for low-income pet owners at Franich Park in Watsonville. Come prepared with some water for yourself and your pet, and pets safely secured - wait times can be long...

For more info, listen to Pet-O-Rama at 11am Thursdays here on the pig or visit the shelter, located at 1001 Rodriguez St. in Santa Cruz and open from 11am to 6pm every day.

» Back to Pig News