Animal Profile

Thunderbird is at risk due to behavioral concerns. In the Care Centers, Thunderbird is fearful and has previously been observed escalating to growling and baring her teeth. Over time, she has warmed up to select staff members but continues to require significant coaxing to engage. Most recently, she growled when walking by an unfamiliar person. Around familiar people, Thunderbird will take treats and solicit attention, although she continues to display a tucked tail, indicating ongoing apprehension. Medically, Thunderbird has allergies, and alopecia.

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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 Thunderbird is at risk due to behavioral concerns. In the Care Centers, Thunderbird is fearful and has previously been observed escalating to growling and baring her teeth. Over time, she has warmed up to select staff members but continues to require significant coaxing to engage. Most recently, she growled when walking by an unfamiliar person. Around familiar people, Thunderbird will take treats and solicit attention, although she continues to display a tucked tail, indicating ongoing apprehension. Medically, Thunderbird has allergies, and alopecia. Thunderbird came into ACC as an agency stray. During her stay at the care center, Thunderbird has been very fearful at times, presenting with a tight body frame and tucked tail. Thunderbird is noted enjoy baby talk and treats. When attempting to leash her for her medical exam, she was observed to be running back and forth to the front and back of the kennel, hard barking and baring teeth; due to her behavior prior to the medical exam, she was given more time to decompress before the medical exam is attempted again. Due to behavior in the care center, we recommend placement in an adult-only home through a New Hope partner. We recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 42.2 lbs

Medical Notes

8/31/2026

Medical staff attempted to take P out of run for intake exam but P running back and forth to front and back of kennel hard barking and baring teeth. Starting behavior modification medication due to FAS. P not currently on any behavior modification medications. Estimated weight ~45lbs based on visual exam only, recheck dose at time of intake exam. ADD Trazodone 175mg (~8mg/kg) PO BID TFN

9/2/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3-5 years based on dentition and conformation Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: agency Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - CB brought in after walk, initially fearful, warmed up with food motivated, solicits attn Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? N Objective: T = np P = wnl R = wnl BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: mild wear and staining to visible dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: F suspected intact MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, thinning patch of hairlessness to the dorsal neck region, hairs raised in hive pattern along the trunk CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: Suspected allergies Alopecia/thinning hair coat Prognosis: good Plan: intake exam and tasks start apoquel ~0.6mg/kg PO BID x 2 days (10.8mg) nexgard skin recheck in 2 weeks awaiting sort SURGERY: Okay for surgery: Y

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake, she was fearful with a tight body frame and tucked tail. She accepted treats from staff and was easily leashed. Staff were able to place ACC collar and scan for M/C. While waiting for kennel space she remained in the room with admissions where she warmed up to staff more with baby talk and treats. Whenever someone approached the door or knocked, she would alert bark but was easily redirected with treats. She was placed into her kennel without issue.

Date of Intake: 8/30/2026

Date of intake:: 8/30/2026

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

Date of assessment:: 9/1/2026

Summary:: Upon intake, Thunderbird was noted to be fearful with a tight body frame and tucked tail. When staff attempted to take her for the medical exam, she was running back and forth to the front and back of the kennel hard barking and bearing teeth. Due to her high levels of fear and reluctance to leave the kennel, a handling assessment was not attempted.

Summary (6)::

Summary (7):: 09/06/26 (PM): An ACS staff member is asked to walk Thunderbird with Behavior. The ACS handler is able to clip a leash to Thunderbird's collar and take her out of kennel. Outside, Thunderbird frequently looks back at other dogs. She does not have a reaction to other shelter staff members outside-even unfamiliar staff. When passing a stranger, however, Thunderbird pulls towards the stranger and growls. She continues walking and ignores the stranger after he passed. When returning to kennel, she stops outside of the kennel again, but the handler is able to get her in with leash pressure and treats. The handler has no issue unclipping her collar. 09/06/26: Thunderbird is laying on her bed as the handler approaches. She stands up and comes to the front, allowing the handler to clip her collar. She is brought to the office. She explores and frequently returns to the handler for treats and attention. When another handler exits and reenters the room, Thunderbird tenses, but loosens shortly after when the handler gives her treats. When returning to kennel, she stops in front of the kennel. The handler is able to guide her in with treats and some leash pressure. 9/5/26: Thunderbird is laying down on her bed as handler approaches. She begins barking as the handler unlocks the door and she is able to be lassoed with no issue. She is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, she has a neutral body frame as she walks ahead of the handler. She is comfortable approaching the handler to receive treats and has no reactions to dogs or people. She is able to return back to her kennel with no issues. 09/01/26: Thunderbird is laying on her bed as the handler approaches. She does not get up to be leashed. The handler has to lasso her, and she is brought outside to the play yard. In the yard, Thunderbird is first tense, then loosens up as she roams around on her own. She is later returned to her kennel without issue. 08/31/26: Thunderbird is laying on her bed as the handler approaches. She does not get up to be leashed and the handler has to make multiple attempts to lasso her as she ducks away from the leash. She is brought to the office where the handler and a second handler are eventually able to collar her. When another staff member enters the room, Thunderbird barks and growls, but her attention can be directed by calling for her. She remains relatively tense with a tucked tail for her time in the office. She is returned to her kennel without issue.

Date of intake:: 8/30/2026

Summary:: Fearful but allows handling

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Thunderbird so we cannot be certain of her behavior in a home environment. However, she is a young, enthusiastic, social dog who will need daily mental and physical activity to keep her engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in addition to physical exercise, to positively direct her 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 Thunderbird's fearfulness, we recommend an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Thunderbird has not acclimated to the care center and has shown high levels of fearfulness. The behavior department recommends placing Uno with a New Hope placement partner who can provide an experienced adult-only foster home.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Thunderbird has been noted to have a tense, tucked body during intake. She also would alert bark and growl at staff approaching the door.