Thinking about bringing home a new furry friend? As you walk through our shelter, you’ll notice kennel cards on each pet’s kennel or cage. These cards are more than just a name tag – they’re packed with valuable information to help you find the perfect match.
This page is your go-to guide to understanding what the icons, stickers, and details on the kennel cards mean.
All adoptable dogs and cats six months and older have a handler level.
Green level dogs are easygoing companions who show no concerning behaviors. They’re relaxed, friendly, and generally well-mannered, making them a great fit for most homes. Adopters don’t need specialized experience to meet their needs, and these dogs typically won’t require significant training or management.
All adoptable dogs and cats six months and older have a handler level.
Blue level dogs may need a bit of extra patience and guidance. They might pull on the leash, be shy or nervous, or need help learning manners. While they’re not aggressive, they could display behaviors like reactivity, guarding, or being mouthy. Some dogs are made blue level because of their size.
All adoptable dogs and cats six months and older have a handler level.
Orange level dogs typically need experienced handlers who can confidently manage challenging behaviors. They may have strong prey drive, severe reactivity, or a history of guarding or fearfulness. Some of these dogs require extra care, training, and possibly homes without small children or pets.
This sticker lets our staff know that this dog gets a daily kong for enrichment. This is great for dogs who are displaying kennel stress or are a long shelter resident.
This sticker lets our staff know that this dog gets an extra tough kong for enrichment. We use these for dogs who are displaying kennel stress or are a long shelter resident who are extreme chewers.
This sticker communicates to our staff that this dog should get a wobbler smeared with peanut butter and filled with kibble. This is great for a dog who likes to have a variety of in-kennel enrichment items.
This sticker lets our staff know that this dog enjoys playing with stuffed toys. We will ensure that the dog has a toy as a form of in-kennel enrichment.
This sticker lets our staff know that this dog should not get any stuffed toys. They may be prone to ingesting the stuffing, so we will provide other forms of in-kennel enrichment.
This sticker lets our staff know that this dog will benefit from multiple forms of in-kennel enrichment. We will provide toys, Kongs, wobblers, NylaBones, and more to ensure the dog is relaxed as possible.
This stickers let our staff know that this dog may have an inclination to shred or ingest their bedding. We will make sure to keep them comfortable without blankets or sheets.
This sticker lets our staff know that this dog does not like to go potty in their kennel. We will prioritize this dog for extra walks from staff and volunteers.
This sticker lets our staff know that this dog enjoys snacking on cheese. This helps us ensure the dog gets their daily medications.
This sticker lets our staff know that this dog enjoys snacking on hot dogs. This helps us ensure the dog gets their daily medications.
This sticker lets our staff know that this dog enjoys snacking on vienna sausages. This helps us ensure the dog gets their daily medications.
This sticker signifies that this dog participates in our shelter training class. Dogs in training work with a staff member or volunteer multiple times per week to learn basic obedience.