Age on intake:  7 months

Breed:  American pit bull terrier

Gender: Spayed female

Are you looking for a constant, devoted companion? Maybe a Therapy Dog to do community service? A fun dog to train for the sport of Agility? Ava can be any of those things and more!  She is a beautiful blue fawn girl with a joyous exuberance for life!  Ava is playful and smart and needs someone who will be able to devote time to training her as well and give her a lot of attention. Despite her energy, she has a wonderful “on/off switch.” She is a compact little girl, which is a good thing because she could easily become a couch and bed hog!

Ava was first found running as a stray at 7-months old; it’s hard to imagine that no one missed her.  She has captured the heart of volunteers and has become the official greeter at PetSmart adoption clinics. If someone wants to play, she’s all for it! But she is just as happy to plop herself on a lap. She will literally flop into your arms and then roll over on her back for belly rubs. Her tail and her tongue are both dangerous weapons that never stop. When she gets excited from all the attention, her ears and muzzle flush pink!

In additional to her wonderful disposition, Ava is also very smart. She accepted a head collar without a fuss and walks beautifully with it. She has been trained with a clicker and is now beyond learning basic commands and moving on to higher levels of training. Ava thrives on human interaction and is eager to please. Ava is also a lover of children. She interacts very well with kids of all ages, and seems to seek them out. It isn’t uncommon to find a pile of children on the floor, and Ava right in the middle of them. Despite being beautiful inside and out, Ava has been overlooked in the kennel for months due to a misunderstanding of her breed. However, she is a true example of what this breed really is like- loving, loyal, and devoted family dogs. Ava loves everyone and everyone loves her, but she is still waiting for that special person or family to share her love with forever.

Ava when she first came to the shelter.

Age on intake:  2 years

Breed:  American Staffordshire Terrier

Gender:  Neutered male

Simeon was brought to the shelter as a stray, but he thought he had a place to go home to.  However, his previous owner didn’t want to go through the effort of redeeming him, so he was left homeless. Simeon knows how to sit like a real gentleman and will extend his paw for a handshake. He is a soft soul that is full of love, and Simeon is anxiously awaiting the day that someone will love him back in the very same way he loved his previous owner. Simeon has a great personality, so there must be other plans in store for him. His eyes say it all- please come take me home!

Age on intake:  2 years

Breed:  American Staffordshire Terrier

Gender: Spayed female

Chablis was found running loose in the city and brought to the shelter. She is a happy, happy dog who loves to go for long walks. Chablis was recently adopted but then returned because the family said that although she is a wonderful girl, they didn’t have time for her. Like all dogs, Chablis would benefit from training and would most definitely enjoy the bonding time with her new owner. When she went home a few weeks ago, she thought she was starting a new life. Chablis loves people and just doesn’t understand why the love wasn’t returned. Now she’s ready to go home for good.

Age on intake:  3 years

Breed:  American Staffordshire Terrier

Gender: Spayed female

Hope was rescued from the streets of Schenectady just in time. She was brought to the shelter by animal control- weak, emaciated, dehydrated, and fighting to stay alive. She weighed only 21 lbs; her feet bore the sting of sever urine burns, and ulcers and open sores covered her body. The biggest concern was what kind of damage may have been done to her organs. What kind of neglect this poor door endured to become in this condition, no one will ever know. But someone is responsible for allowing her to reach this state, until she was either abandoned, or she escaped in order to survive.

From the day she arrived, Hope held no grudges against people, even though she had every right to. Less than a month later, Hope has been pronounced in good heath by the vet. She is now a healthy 42 lbs. She could still gain a few more pounds, and she always has room for more love. Throughout her ordeal, Hope spent a number of overnight “vacations” with one of the shelter’s amazing volunteers. She appears to be housebroken and does extremely well in a home. She loves to “de-fluff” toys, but only her own; she won’t touch other belongings. She is very loving and trusting with all people. She is also good with cats and other dogs, but can be dominant around other females. Like all dogs, Hope would benefit from training, but will make a great companion to a very lucky person or family.

Age on intake:  2 years

Breed:  American Staffordshire Terrier

Gender: Spayed female

Monet is more of an observer, than “one to be heard,” as her name suggests. She is a sweet girl that was picked up from the streets. Like all dogs, she would benefit from obedience training, but even now she is a well-mannered dog. She gets along well with other animals and behaves nicely when taken to off-site adoption clinics.  Monet‘s gentle temperament compliments her drop-dead-gorgeous appearance. She is a prime ambassador for her breed and would make an excellent addition to any family.

Age on intake:  2 years

Breed:  American Staffordshire terrier

Gender: Neutered male

Greezer is a large, gentle boy that would make an excellent addition to any family. His blue brindle coat is the unique fine coat typical of the “Old World” pit bulls, but much less common today. He learned how to sit right away, is very food motivated, and his gorgeous, brown eyes have fabulous focus which will make training a breeze. Don’t make him wait too long for a treat though, or being the diplomatic gentleman that he is, Greezer will try to hurry up the process by letting loose some drool from each corner of his mouth. Greezer was found wandering as a stray, and it is hard to imagine why no one claimed him. A wonderful boy with a true gentle giant temperament, he is great with people, kids, dogs, cats, you name it– a dream! He has stolen the hearts of everyone he has met and is going to make one special family very happy!

Age on intake:  2 years

Breed:  American pit bull terrier

Gender: Spayed female

Avalon is a sweet girl with a gentle disposition and a preference for long quiet naps on the couch. No one can be sure what her journey was, but it was likely a long and hard one in a neglectful home. She has had many litters of puppies and is very timid and shy. She was found wandering the streets, most likely tossed aside once she had finished her sole purpose of producing puppies. Despite having every reason to not trust people, she is learning very quickly and is full of love to give back. She is fine with other animals and although submissive, very affectionate with people. Avalon does not ask for much; she loves to be with her people, could use some TLC and will do well in a gentle, loving home.

Age on intake:  1 year

Breed:  American Staffordshire terrier

Gender: Neutered male

Despite his rough start as a stray, Oasis is a happy-go-lucky glass half full sort of guy. He has already started to learn some basic obedience since coming to the shelter, and is good with other dogs and cats. When get gets excited, his entire body wiggles. Oasis always has a huge grin on his face  and is anxiously awaiting the time when he can make someone, or an entire family, the center of his world. He has enough love to go around!

Age on intake:  3 years

Breed:  Retriever mix

Gender: Spayed female