Animal Profile

Nala is at risk due to behavioral concerns in the previous home. Nala is reported to have had two bite incidents - one with a stranger and the other with the resident child. Neither bite was reported to break skin, but both reportedly occurred very suddenly and with little warning from Nala. In care, Nala has been shut down and will not easily move over in kennel for staff to clean her area. Medically, Nala is mildly overweight but otherwise apparently healthy.

Let's get to know each other a bit more...

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 Nala is at risk due to behavioral concerns in the previous home. Nala is reported to have had two bite incidents - one with a stranger and the other with the resident child. Neither bite was reported to break skin, but both reportedly occurred very suddenly and with little warning from Nala. In care, Nala has been shut down and will not easily move over in kennel for staff to clean her area. Medically, Nala is mildly overweight but otherwise apparently healthy. A staff member writes: Nala is a 5-year-old spayed mixed-breed dog seeking placement with an experienced rescue partner. She previously lived in a home for several years and is reported to be house-trained, medium-energy, and social with familiar canine companions. She enjoys her walks, has generally manageable leash manners, and is familiar with living in a home environment. Nala is a sensitive dog who appears to struggle with fear and anxiety, particularly around unfamiliar people, children, loud noises, and other stressful situations. She has a reported history of two incidents involving people, and due to these concerns, she is not currently considered a candidate for general adoption. Since arriving at the shelter, Nala has presented as overwhelmed and shut down rather than outwardly reactive. She tends to keep to herself, remaining quiet and observant, and has been able to be leashed and moved by staff without issue. Shelter observations suggest that she may be more comfortable avoiding interactions when she feels uncertain. Nala would benefit from a calm, predictable environment with experienced caregivers who can allow her time to decompress and build confidence at her own pace. An adult-only placement, thoughtful management, and force-free, reward-based behavior support will be important to helping her succeed. With the right rescue placement and guidance, Nala may have the opportunity to feel more secure and comfortable outside of the shelter environment.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 67.6 lbs

Medical Notes

6/20/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 5 years Microchip noted on Intake? Positive History: Owner Surrender Subjective: QAR MM pink, moist, CRT <2 sec Observed Behavior - Yellow; Frozen, laying on bed, curled up, full body trembling, fixed stare observed in kennel. No notable reaction to sedation injection. Sedation and muzzling needed for Intake Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? - No Objective: P = 60 hr (sedated) R = 12 rr (sedated) BCS 6/9 Wt = 67.6 lbs EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: NSF PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, no apparent murmur, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: FS (spay scar and green spay tattoo observed) MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: Apparently healthy Mildly overweight Prognosis: Good Plan: Standard Intake Procedures for Dogs Performed Sedation protocol: Dexmedetomidine (0.52 mL) and Butorphanol (0.52 mL) IM, reversed with Atipamezole (0.52 mL) IM. Trazodone 300 mg (10 mg/kg) PO BID, ongoing. SURGERY: N/A - surgery not needed; already altered

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake Nala was growling at counselors. Due to Nala's bite history, she was taken straight back to medical to be vaccinated and placed in her kennel. All done without any concerns.

Date of Intake: 6/23/2026

Spay/Neuter Status: Spayed

Basic Information:: Nala is a 5-year-old, female (spayed), gray/white large mixed breed dog. Nala was bought by her previous owner and kept for 5 years before being surrendered due to her owner being elderly.

Previously lived with:: 1 adult, 1 child and 1 other small dog

How is this dog around strangers?: Nala has no experience round strangers and will actively avoid visitors.

How is this dog around children?: Nala will actively avoid children.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Nala is friendly and outgoing around familiar dogs. Nala will hard bark/growl at unfamiliar dogs on a leash. She has no experience around unfamiliar dogs off of a leash.

How is this dog around cats?: Nala has no experience around cats or any other animals.

Resource guarding:: It is unknown if Nala resource guards as it has never been attempted to take an item she deems valuable away from her while it is in her possession.

Bite history:: Client stated there has been two bite incidents, both in which did not break skin. The first bite was in 2024 which Nala got loose off of the leash and proceeded to approach a random man in which she lunged and bit at the man's leg. Client expressed she doesn't believe Nala made contact as she didn't see ripped pants or blood. The second incident was on June 3rd of 2026. The incident was with client's daughter and Nala. Client expressed Nala is very protective of her and her daughter went to walk through her mom's room to get to the living room when Nala got up lunged and bit at the daughter's left thigh. Client expressed the bite made contact only ripping the pants of the daughters' jeans but not bruising or breaking skin.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Nala will use the bathroom outside on walks (grass, cement, dirt, etc.). It is very rare if Nala uses the bathroom inside of the home - her previous owner stated it is only if her schedule is interrupted. She is fearful of loud noises (ex: storms/thunder, fireworks, arguments). She will react to strangers that approach her owner/family member as well as children. She will react by growling or hard barking as her previous owner expressed, she is protective. She is not bothered when her paws are touched or when her collar is grabbed/touched. It is unknown how she will react when held/restrained, startled and when her collar is grabbed/touched as it has never been attempted.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: Nala has no known medical concerns.

For a New Family to Know: Nala is known to be a social/affectionate, vocal, very active and playful dog. She enjoys spending most of her time in the bedroom. She will not allow her family/owner to bathe her due to being fearful and/or uncomfortable. She is also fearful of getting in the tub so her previous owner used dry shampoo. She is a level 2 when out for a walk meaning she has very little to mild pulling. She goes out for 3-4 walks a day for the time period of about an hour each walk. She is crate trained and will do well for up to 6-8 hours. She loves going for car rides. She knows the following commands - sit, stay, don't move, no barking, backup, be easy, come, lay down, excuse me, move, eat and paw. Her previous owner stated their favorite things about Nala are when they used to come home, she will run to greet you with a toy so you could pet and play with her. Her favorite things are playing tug of war with a rope, loves affection, needs reassuring constantly, a back yard and treats.

Date of intake:: 6/17/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (5 years)

Previously lived with:: 1 adult, 1 child and 1 other small dog

Behavior toward strangers:: no experience round strangers and will actively avoid visitors

Behavior toward children:: actively avoid

Behavior toward dogs:: social, outgoing with familiar dogs; hard bark/growl at unfamiliar dogs on leash

Behavior toward cats:: unknown

Resource guarding:: Owner has not attempted to take anything from Nala before

Bite history:: There have been two bite incidents, both of which did not break skin. The first bite was in 2024, when Nala got loose from the leash and proceeded to approach a random man in which she lunged and bit at the man's leg. The owner expressed that she doesn't believe Nala made contact as she didn't see ripped pants or blood. The second incident was on June 3rd of 2026. The incident was with the owner's daughter and Nala. The daughter walked through her mom's room to get to the living room when Nala got up, lunged, and bit at the daughter's left thigh. The bite made contact, only ripping the pants of the daughters' jeans, but not bruising or breaking skin.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Nala is reported to have a medium energy level

Other Notes:: Nala will use the bathroom outside on walks (grass, cement, dirt, etc.). It is very rare if Nala uses the bathroom inside of the home - her previous owner stated it is only if her schedule is interrupted. She is fearful of loud noises (ex: storms/thunder, fireworks, arguments). She will react to strangers that approach her owner/family member as well as children. She will react by growling or hard barking as her previous owner expressed. She is not bothered when her paws are touched or when her collar is grabbed/touched. It is unknown how she will react when held/restrained, startled and when her collar is grabbed/touched as it has never been attempted. She will not allow her family/owner to bathe her due to being fearful and/or uncomfortable. She is also fearful of getting in the tub so her previous owner used dry shampoo. She is a level 2 when out for a walk meaning she has very little to mild pulling. She goes out for 3-4 walks a day for the time period of about an hour each walk.

Date of assessment:: 6/22/2026

Summary:: Nala was surrendered by her previous owner due to the owner being elderly and not being able to care for Nala. In 2024, Nala was reported to have bitten a stranger's calf. Nala had gotten loose from her leash and approached a stranger, then escalated to lunging and biting their leg. The owner did not know if this bite broke skin/drew blood, as their pants were not torn, and no blood was seen. There was a recent incident on 6/3/26, which prompted the owner to bring in Nala for surrender. The owner stated that the daughter went to walk through the owner's room to get to the living room when Nala got up, lunged, and bit the daughter's left thigh. The owner expressed that the bite made contact, only ripping the pants of the daughter's jeans, but not bruising or breaking skin. Upon intake, Nala was low growling at counselors, but did not lunge or snap/bite at counselors. Due to Nala's concerning levels of escalation and willingness to close the distance between herself and a trigger to bite, the behavior team does not feel that Nala is a safe candidate for a handling assessment.

Summary (7):: 6/21: ACS staff report that Nala does not move to the other side of her kennel during cleaning. Due to it being heavily soiled, she is removed from the kennel. Nala is in her bed when 2 handlers approach. She remains quiet and does not take treats. Nala is easily leashed and brought to the behavior office while her kennel is cleaned. In the office, she ignores handlers, body tense, tail low, ears pinned as she explores the room. Once her kennel is cleaned, she is returned to kennel without issue. 6/20/26: Nala is at the back of her kennel laying down and will stiffen as the handler approaches. She will look at the handler as they offer her a treat but will remain on her bed as the handler exits

Date of intake:: 6/17/2026

Summary:: leashed by ownern, reluctant to walk, pulls back

Date of initial:: 6/20/2026

Summary:: Frozen, laying on bed, curled up, full body trembling, fixed stare observed in kennel. sedated

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Nala's bite history and behavior concerns reported in the previous home, we recommend that she be placed in an adult-only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to all noted concerns displayed in a home environment, the behavior department recommends Nala be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow her to acclimate comfortably to her new environment; force-free, reward-based training only is advised when introducing Nala to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior Nala presents with outside of the care centers.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity: Nala was reported to not allow her family/owner to bathe her due to being fearful and/or uncomfortable. She is also fearful of getting in the tub so her previous owner used dry shampoo. Please see handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression | Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression | Bite history (human): Nala has been reported to escape from her leash and approach a stranger before escalating to biting. She also bit the owner's daughter as she was walking through the home. It is unknown if the first bite broke skin or drew blood; the second did not. She is also noted to be fearful of loud noises (ex: storms/thunder, fireworks, arguments). Due to rapid escalation and willingness to close the distance between herself and a potential stressor or trigger, Nala will need careful management to work toward reducing triggers for her and reducing the resulting bites. Please see the handout on earful/potential for defensive aggression and Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Nala is reported to growl and bark hard at other dogs, strangers, and children during walks. Please see handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration.