Animal Profile

Larry the Lobster is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Larry has not acclimated well to the shelter environment despite best efforts to keep him comfortable. During his intake, he was observed to be fearful - flinching, whale-eyeing staff, and lip licking and was reported to have been growling, hard barking, baring teeth, and snapping at officers when transporting him to the care centers. Larry the Lobster has shown similar behaviors when attempting to remove him from his kennel, even with higher-value treats, making it difficult. Once out of his kennel, Larry has shown attention-seeking behaviors from select staff over a period of time in quieter, calming settings. Medically, Larry the Lobster has dermatitis with secondary pyoderma.

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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. This pet is available only through ACC New Hope partners. To adopt or foster, please complete the pre-screener form below. Inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Larry the Lobster is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Larry has not acclimated well to the shelter environment despite best efforts to keep him comfortable. During his intake, he was observed to be fearful - flinching, whale-eyeing staff, and lip licking and was reported to have been growling, hard barking, baring teeth, and snapping at officers when transporting him to the care centers. Larry the Lobster has shown similar behaviors when attempting to remove him from his kennel, even with higher-value treats, making it difficult. Once out of his kennel, Larry has shown attention-seeking behaviors from select staff over a period of time in quieter, calming settings. Medically, Larry the Lobster has dermatitis with secondary pyoderma. Larry The Lobster was brought to the Care Centers as a stray so his past behaviors is unknown. Larry the Lobster is fearful and was noted to snap when the officers attempted to interact with him. He should go to a New Hope Partner that will manage his behavior.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 54.6 lbs

Medical Notes

8/24/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~1-3 years based on dentition / condition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Agency Subjective: Prior to sedation - BAR Observed Behavior - In crate whale eye and stiffly lying in sternal. When attempting to slip lead P low growling and snapped at leash. When DVM was out of the room dealing with emergency behavior staff was asked to help remove P from crate but were reported to be unable. Sedated in crate for safety. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = WNL (sedated) R = WNL (sedated) BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Clean dentition - limited view due to muzzle being in place PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2s, Lungs clear, eupneic, negative ITC ABD: Soft, nonpainful, no masses palpated U/G: Male - intact, two symmetrical scrotal testicles MSI: Prior to sedation - Plying in sternal, ambulation not witnessed INT: Coalescing dermatitis with superficial pyoderma at cranial and ventral thorax, no masses noted, no ectoparasites seen. P coated in urine and feces on paws and ventrum but no dermatitis in these locations. CNS: Prior to sedation - Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Normal externally Wood's Lamp Exam: Not performed Assessment: High FAS Dermatitis with secondary pyoderma r/o contact allergy (in a pattern of a harness but no harness present) vs atopy vs food allergy vs other Otherwise apparently healthy MI young adult DSH Prognosis: Good Plan: SEDATED --> dexmedetomidine 0.6mL, butorphanol 0.6mL IM --> moderate sedation achieved OK for appropriate intake tasks Dilute chlorhexidine used to clean thorax in areas that had pyoderma Spot cleaned urine and feces from limbs and ventrum Antisedan 0.6mL IM for reversal --> P monitored until sternal / ambulatory START TOMORROW: ADD Trazodone 200mg (~8mg/kg) PO BID TFN for FAS ADD Apoquel 10.7mg PO SID x14d ADD Clavamox 375mg (~15mg/kg) PO BID x10d SURGERY: Okay for surgery

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 8/24/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, No known history

Other Notes:: When officers attempted to secure Larry The Lobster, he was reported to bark, growl, bare his teeth and snap at them.

Date of assessment:: 8/26/2026

Summary:: Larry The Lobster was noted to bark, growl, show teeth, and snap when approached. Due to these behaviors, Larry The Lobster will not receive a handling assessment.

Summary (6):: 8/30/26: Larry is at the front of his kennel sitting down but will back away as the handler approaches. Before they are able to take a slice of cheese out, Larry will come up to the front of the kennel and his collar is clipped. He will then exit kennel quickly and is brought to the office. Once in the office, Larry the Lobster is social with staff members and will play around with toys. When the handler picks up the leash, he will jump up to try and bite it but cannot make it too far off the ground. He is then returned to kennel with no issue and secured safely.

Summary (7):: 8/26/26 (PM walk): Larry is at the back right corner of the kennel, curled up and avoiding looking at the handler. He will take cheese when tossed to him and will follow it closer to the front. He will back away when the handler tries to give him cheese out of their hand so they just toss it. After a while, Larry the Lobster is able to eat cheese through the bars of the kennel door. The handler will then toss a treat away so Larry does not see the handler raise the leash up and hold it up the leash against the kennel door. When he turns back to continue eating cheese through the bars, the handler will slowly place the cheese closer to the leash and he will eat it readily. Once he is readily eating the cheese through the loop, the handler will slowly move the leash further into his kennel and over his head. Eventually the leash is on him and he will come out slowly with a crouched posture. He is brought to the behavior office where he will eat treats off the ground and walk around. He is hypervigilant and will whip around to the direction of any new or sudden noise. He will also stand with his front paws on the couch and continues to listen. He is then returned to his kennel with no issue. 08/26/26 (Trainer Note): Larry the Lobster is sitting in the back right of his kennel with a tense body as handler approaches. Handler starts tossing treats into his kennel and he very slowly approaches with a low head. He lays down on the bed at the front of the kennel and continues eating the treats tossed into his kennel. As soon as the handler presents the leash he retreats to the back corner. He does not come forward for treats, even high value ones. Handler slowly removes the bed from the kennel. Handler attempts to lasso him and he flinches. Handler attempts one more time and he escalates to growling and lip curling. Handler does not attempt to leash him again due to high FAS and escalation. Handler locks the kennel door and continues tossing treats into the kennel. He comes forward and takes treats through the kennel bars. Handler slides leash under the kennel and he retreats to the back. Handler tosses treats inside the leash (still in the kennel), and he apprehensively comes forward. Handler continues feeding Larry treats as he stands inside the loop. As handler attempts to slowly raise the leash from the outside of the kennel, he takes a couple steps back but continues taking treats through the kennel bars as handler holds up the leash. Interaction is ended.

Date of intake:: 8/24/2026

Summary:: Whale eyeing, licking

Date of initial:: 8/24/2026

Summary:: Growl, snap, sedated

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Larry The Lobster 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 addition 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 the behaviors observed, Larry The Lobster should go to a home with older children. Place with a New Hope partner: Larry The Lobster should go to a New Hope Partner that can manage his behavior.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Larry The Lobster was noted to growl, bare teeth and snap at the officers and staff that handle him. Positive reinforcement should be utilized to teach Larry to associate new people with things she likes such as treats and toys. Please see the handout out on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.