Animal Profile

Popcorn is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Popcorn arrived at the Care Center as a stray with no known history. Upon his arrival Popcorn was note to be highly fearful and defensive. During his intake medical exam, Popcorn had to be sedated due to baring teeth at staff. Despite efforts to keep Popcorn comfortable, Popcorn has remained highly fearful and has only tolerated minimal handling. When being taken for walks Popcorn is consistently avoiding being leashed up by moving away from staff while in kennel. Popcorn is also noted to be fearful of loud sounds, making him thrash on leash. Popcorn has at times been responsive to soft talk from staff to redirect him and encourage him on walks. Medically, Popcorn is noted to have Cryptorchid, Dental Disease, is Geriatric, and have a Heart Murmur.

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 Popcorn is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Popcorn arrived at the Care Center as a stray with no known history. Upon his arrival Popcorn was note to be highly fearful and defensive. During his intake medical exam, Popcorn had to be sedated due to baring teeth at staff. Despite efforts to keep Popcorn comfortable, Popcorn has remained highly fearful and has only tolerated minimal handling. When being taken for walks Popcorn is consistently avoiding being leashed up by moving away from staff while in kennel. Popcorn is also noted to be fearful of loud sounds, making him thrash on leash. Popcorn has at times been responsive to soft talk from staff to redirect him and encourage him on walks. Medically, Popcorn is noted to have Cryptorchid, Dental Disease, is Geriatric, and have a Heart Murmur. Meet Popcorn! Popcorn is medium mixed-breed who arrived at ACC as a found stray. He's a gentle senior who's been through a lot and is looking for a calm, understanding foster or adopter through one of our New Hope partners. Brought in to ACC severely matted, our medical team gave him a nice bath and shave. Originally flagged for cruelty, the NYPD determined the case would not move forward. My Ideal Home A quiet, adult-only home with low noise and a steady routine. Popcorn is sensitive with handling and new spaces; he'll do best with patience, gentle introductions, and plenty of decompression. Soft beds, cozy nooks, and slow, positive reinforcement are his love language. Good with Kids? Recommended adult-only (no children under 13) due to handling sensitivity and fearfulness. Good with Other Pets? Limited info. In a brief meet, he greeted neutrally at the gate and then chose space. Slow, structured introductions to calm, respectful dogs only. Cats: unknown. Leash Manners Currently staff-walk only. Outdoors he may freeze, pull toward parked cars, or panic with loud noises. Short sniffari breaks in quiet areas and harness/force-free handling will help him feel safer. Overall Health ~27 lbs. Senior with a heart murmur and elevated cardiac biomarker; follow-up with a primary vet/cardiology is recommended.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 27 lbs

Medical Notes

9/15/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 12-15 years based on the condition of teeth and eyes Microchip noted on Intake? Negative History: Stray; abandoned at front of MACC Subjective: QAR pink Observed Behavior - head shy; bearing teeth Evidence of Cruelty seen - YES Evidence of Trauma seen – No Evidence of Neglect- YES Objective P = post sedation 60 HR R = panting BCS 5-6/9 EENT: Eyes- NSOU, severely matted Oral Exam: 3/4 dental issues PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, 3-4/6 systolic murmur, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI cryptorchid; left appears abdominal; right testicle descended MSI: Ambulatory x 4, severely matted; soiled (urine and feces); dermatitis on dorsal tail (r/o tail gland hyperplasia) CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment -geriatric with suspect chronic conditions -severe matting -heart murmur r/o MI/TI vs other -cryptorchid (left side appears abdominal) Prognosis: Fair Plan: Intake procedures Dog sedation: Using 0.5 ml dexmedetomidine at 500mcg/m2 (500mcg/ml) and 0.5 ml butorphanol at 0.4 mg/kg (10mg/ml) IM additional 0.25 dex and 0.25 needed to be given Reversed with Antisedan-0.5 ml IM medical grooming flagging for cruelty CBC/CHEM/T4/ Cardiopet proBNP- pending recommend heart work up Trazodone- 100mg (5 to 10 mg/kg po q 12 hrs) Sig: 1 tab po q 12 hrs Surgery: permanent waiver due to age and heart murmur

9/15/2025

[Spay/Neuter Waiver - Age] It is the policy of ACC not to perform surgery on any animal over the age of 8-10 years due to the higher risks incurred in a shelter setting. The veterinarian is hereby issuing a permanent spay/neuter waiver, from the spay/neuter requirements of the City of NY due to the estimated age of this animal. ACC does recommend you consult with your veterinarian to determine if surgical sterilization is appropriate.

9/16/2025

Pet ate today. RESP: RE & RR wnl CBC wnl chem wnl T4 2.6 ug/dl wnl cardiopet probnp 1,085 pmol/l high Abnormal clinically significant heart disease is likely present Plan Advise placement

9/24/2025

SO: Senior dog in adoptions with handling challenges QAR, laying down in kennel, food untouched, treat foods with meds untouched. Small amount of bile vomit on bedding eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, repeated coughing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: cryptorchid heart murmur suspect CIRDC/pneumonia P: 150ml LRS sc SID x5d 1.2ml enrofloxacin 100mg/ml diluted with equal volume sterile water sc SID x5d 1.2ml cerenia sc SID x5d

9/28/2025

Issue List: - has had CIRDC - heart murmur - cryptorchid QAR eating EENT: no nasal or ocular discharge noted H/L: eupneic; h/o heart murmur U/G: MI; cryptorchid MSI: Ambulatory x 4 CNS: Mentation quiet - no signs of neurologic abnormalities A) h/o cirdc-like signs heart murmur P) switching to oral enrofloxacin Enrofloxacin- 136 mg sig: 1 tab po q 24 hrs x 5 d's

9/30/2025

Pet not eating oral medication. EEN: Clear nasal discharge and sneezing. RESP: Eupneic MSI: Ambulx 4 NEURO: BAR A: Eats sausages readily Plan Enrofloxacin 100mg/ml 1ml diluted to 2 mls with sterile water sq sid x 3 days

10/2/2025

Recheck CIRDC, last day of injectables S: QAR with tense body on walk, periodically coughing O: EENT: Eyes clear, no nasal discharge noted RESP: Eupneic at rest, coughing on walk MSI: Ambulatory x 4 CNS: Mentation appropriate/ alert A: CIRDC resolving Residual viral cough P: Monitor Not extending medication

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 9/15/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 9/18/2025

Summary:: In the Care Centers, Popcorn is fearful, with handling sensitivity. He was observed to bare his teeth, and tenses up before moving away when staff try to interact with him. Due to these behaviors, Popcorn will not receive a handling assessment.

Summary:: 9/20/25: Popcorn greets another dog at the gate with a neutral body. off leash, he approaches the other dog quickly then moves away.

Summary (6):: 10/01/25: Popcorn is at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is offered treats and accepts them gently but begins retreating further into kennel and circling around in kennel. Popcorn dodges the leash multiple times before being finally leashed. Once leashed, Popcorn exits kennel and walks with handler out to the street for his walk. While outside Popcorn is tense and his tail is tucked, he walks with handler and begins making exaggerated circles around handler at random points in the walk. He also stops walking at one point when handler steps over a grate on the floor but continues walking when coaxed forward and around the grate. Popcorn stays away from people passing by and shows no reaction to dogs passing. Popcorn uses the bathroom while outside and after walking for a while he is brought back to his kennel. He is returned to kennel and interaction is ended shortly after.

Summary (7):: 9/25/25: Popcorn is lying down in his kennel when the handler approaches. He moves the other side of the kennel, and as the handler attempts to leash him, he moves to the back, dodging the leash. He eventually is leashed and brought out of his room. During the walk, Popcorn walks on the right side of the handler with tension on leash, as he’s at the far end. He stops and flails, but the handler uses a baby voice to encourage him. He continues to walk the same. The handler clips their leash and returns Popcorn with ease. 9/19/25: Popcorn is fearful on street walks. Loud noises make him thrash on leash. 09/17/25: Popcorn is at the center of his kennel as handler approaches. He is laying down and stares at handler who crouches down and faces away while slowly offering treats. Popcorn investigates the treats for a while but does not accept any. He dodges the leash multiple times but is eventually leashed and taken to the street for his walk. While outside he is tense and will frequently stop walking and attempt to pull toward parked cars and attempt to jump on them and sniff their tires. Handler patiently waits for Popcorn to continue walking which he eventually does. He uses the bathroom outside and once finished walking is brought to the behavior office for an assessment. Once complete he is returned to kennel and a hook is used to remove his leash.

Date of initial:: 9/15/2025

Summary:: Bared teeth, sedated

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Popcorn 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 additional 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 Popcorn's fearful behavior, Popcorn should go to a home with adults only. Place with a New Hope partner: Popcorn is highly fearful and has shown handling sensitivity. Popcorn should got a home through a New Hope Partner.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: During his exam, Popcorn was observed to bare his teeth. This can be due to his matting but can be displayed during other handling such as grooming. Positive reinforcement should be used to help Popcorn feel comfortable with handling. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity and Fearful/potential for defensive aggression