Animal Profile

Ava is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Ava displays fearful behavior, including a low body, tucked tail, shaking, and avoidance of handlers, often staying near exits and not readily approaching at times. She may bark on approach but remains fearful and hesitant during some interactions. Ava is able to walk outside, explore her environment, and will approach handlers on her own terms when given the choice to, but struggles to acclimate in the care center environment. Medically, Ava has Bilateral otitis externa and Significant dental attrition and is being treated for pneumonia currently.

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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 Ava is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Ava displays fearful behavior, including a low body, tucked tail, shaking, and avoidance of handlers, often staying near exits and not readily approaching at times. She may bark on approach but remains fearful and hesitant during some interactions. Ava is able to walk outside, explore her environment, and will approach handlers on her own terms when given the choice to, but struggles to acclimate in the care center environment. Medically, Ava has Bilateral otitis externa and Significant dental attrition and is being treated for pneumonia currently. Ava came into the care ceneter as a stray due to this her behavioral history, in a home environment is unknown. Ava has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has allowed only minimal handling since intake and shown fearful behavior. 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. A volunteer writes: For the last 3 weeks, Ava's world has been a crate in the shelter's overflow room, invisible to adopters missing out on meeting this chill gal. As I approach, she perks up and walks up to meet me. I find her easy to leash, and she calmly walks out of the room, ignoring dozens of barking dogs. On our walk, I find Ava similarly non-reactive, whether to dogs, pigeons, or traffic. In the yard, she enjoys sniffing, then calmly approaches and accepts gentle pets with a loose body and a gentle tail wag, even though she's only just met me. I have since walked her a couple more times and she's become my "I need a break" dog; she is that chill to walk & interact with. Bonus: she's been housebroken with us. Ava has been nervous at the shelter, having previously spent 2 days at an NYPD precinct, and who knows what she'd been through before then. In a dog intro just 2 days after her arrival, she appeared curious, but was cautious and withdrew after a greeting. At the perfect age of 5, this mama is ready for a new beginning, but due to her initial fearfulness at the care center, she needs support of a rescue. If you're looking for a peaceful walking partner, Ava is your girl. She is incredibly chill and non-reactive on leash, strolling right past dogs and birds without a second thought. Ava is a "low-pressure" friend who appreciates a gentle approach. In the yard, she loves to explore and sniff, but she'll frequently wander over for soft pets and quiet connection. While she isn't "in-your-face" social, multiple volunteers have found her to be sweet and relaxed with handling; she simply enjoys affection on her own terms.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 69.2 lbs

Medical Notes

3/11/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 5 years Microchip noted on Intake? Negative History: Agency QAR, very nervous, fearful MM pink, moist, CRT <2 sec Observed Behavior - Blue; Able to examine, nervous, body tense, frozen Muzzled for exam and procedures Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? - No Objective: P = 110 hr R = 28 rr BCS 5/9 Wt = 67.6 lbs EENT: Moderate amount of yellow-brown, dry debris in both ears with mild erythema and swelling. Oral Exam: limited exam d/t muzzle; Severe, advanced attrition of incisors, worn to gingival margin. Caudal dentition not assessed. PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, no apparent murmur, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: FI 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, except for: -Bilateral otitis externa -Significant dental attrition Prognosis: Good Plan: Standard Intake Procedures for Dogs Performed Ear cleaning Simplera AU Gabapentin 300 mg PO BID x 2 weeks for anxiety, then if needed SURGERY: Okay for surgery

3/20/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC signs noted on rounds Subjective: BAR, no C/V/D. Sneezing/sniffling noted. Nose licking Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: mild clear serous discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC-mild PLAN: Per standing orders -Move to iso, monitor log & sign placed on kennel -Start doxycycline PO SID x10 days -CTM, recheck as scheduled

3/20/2026

patient was noted by staff to be straining to urinate. S/o: BARH, nervous when handling but tolerated exa, ABD: small and thickened bladder on palpation U/G: Hematuria noted AFAST: No stones noted in bladder. Subjectively thickened walls. A. Hematuria and dysuria r/o UTI P. Attempted to collected free-catch urine but patient urinated on floor. Start amoxicillin 450mg PO BID x 7 days Recheck in 7 days - consider send out UA to confirm clearance

3/26/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC day 7 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D noted. AS:3 per log Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM, recheck in 3 days

3/27/2026

Progress exam S/O: BARH - nervous, shaking but tolerant. Muzzled for cystocentesis out of precaution but P tolerated well. pink moist mm at distance AFAST bladder - NSF - wall thickness WNL, no snow globe or shadowing, hypoechoic lumen --> cystocentesis showed light yellow translucent urine with no noted hematuria or debris Mild serosanguinous discharge from vulva A: HX susp UTI empirical tx with amoxicillin 500mg PO BID x7d - clinically resolved Serosanguinous vulvar discharge r/o in heat P OK to monitor while at QACC - consider UA if stranguria recurs while in care

3/30/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC day 10 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:3 per log Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge noted MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC appears resolved PLAN: Per standing orders -CIRDC signage removed from kennel -CTM on daily rounds while in QACC

4/3/2026

Behavior team reports persistent fearfulness in care. Start trazodone 10 mg/kg PO BID.

4/3/2026

Progress exam: Coughing noted on rounds board. Subjective: BAR, no S/V/D. Coughing present. Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: bilateral clear serous discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -Move to iso, ppe sign & monitor log placed on kennel -Start doxycycline 10mg/kg PO q24h x10days -CTM, recheck in 3 days & consider enrofloxacin if no improvement

4/6/2026

Progress exam - CIRDC worsening despite treatment S: QARH - nervous / hesitant but tolerant of all medical handling pink moist mm, CRT <2s Hyporexia reported Spontaneous wet non productive cough O: EENT: Moderate mixed crusted and active mucopurulent yellow nasal discharge from bilateral nares. Audibly congested. No ocular discharge. Positive ITC. Ear canals not examined PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: No HMA, SSPPs, moderately increased BV sounds bilaterally (L>R) - loudest cranioventrally dissipating caudodorsally no crackles or wheezes, moderate RUAS. RR / RE WNL. ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities A: CIRDC with suspect pneumonia P: Move into Med ISO Enrofloxacin 300mg (~10mg/kg) diluted 1:1 with sterile saline given SQ at time of exam ADD (start tomorrow 4/7) Enrofloxacin 306mg (~10mg/kg) PO SID x14d --> 4/20 ADD Clindamycin 350mg (~11mg/kg) PO BID x14d --> 4/20 ADD Entyce 3mL (~3mg/kg) PO SID x3d --> 4/9 ADD Nebulize / coupage BID x7d --> 4/13 DVM recheck 4/7

4/7/2026

Recheck possible pneumonia, started clindamycin and enrofloxacin yesterday S/O: BAR, standing and wagging tail when approached, two empty dishes in kennel, coughed once during exam, no v/d/s noted EENT: Mild mucoid nasal discharge, no ocular discharge LUNGS: Eupneic CNS: Appropriate mentation A: CIRDC +/- pneumonia Hyporexia - improved P: D/c doxycycline and continue enro/clinda Okay to d/c entyce after today - appetite improved! CTM on rounds and recheck in 2 days

4/9/2026

Recheck CIRDC +/- pneumonia S/O: QAR-BAR, great appetite, no c/s/v/d noted today EENT: Mild mucoserous nasal discharge, no ocular discharge LUNGS: Eupneic CNS: Appropriate mentation A: CIRDC +/- pneumonia P: Okay to d/c clindamycin and nebulization Continue enrofloxacin CTM on rounds and recheck CIRDC as scheduled Okay to leave med iso and return to regular iso

4/10/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC day 7 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D present. Coughing noted on log, AS:3 empty bowls in kennel, ate medications. Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no active discharge. dry/crusted dc in nares MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM, recheck in 3 days

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 3/10/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray(Unknown History)

Date of assessment:: 3/13/2026

Summary:: ***3/25/26: Ava is taken to the behavioral office for a reassessment, where she displays a tucked tail, low body, and doesn't approach handler; she stays by the exit shaking. Due to this, a reassessment will not be condcuted a this time.*** 3/13/26: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Loose Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: Ignores dogs in crates Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Fearful- shaking, lip licking, low body Call over: Approaches then freezes- low body, lip licking, tuck tail Sociability comments: Takes treats from assessor after assessment Handling Soft handling: Tolerant- lip licking, whale eyes Exuberant handling: Tolerant- stiff body, lip licks Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow- low body, lip licks Arousal comments: Knock: Lip licking, whale eye Knock Comments: Toy: Sniffs walks away Toy comments:

Summary:: Due to Ava entering the facility as a stray, there is no known history of interactions with other dogs prior to intake. 03/12/26: Ava was introduced to a novel male dog. She approached cautiously, with ears held low, a straight-down tail, and shaking. During mutual greetings at the gate, she displayed slow tail wags and checked in with the handler before disengaging to engage in displacement scenting. Ava did not return to the gate, and the interaction was concluded.

Summary (7):: 3/17/26: As the handler gets closer, Ava, who is in the front of the crate, begins to bark. She is easily leashed, and when she leaves the kennel area, she will lower herself and walk carefully out of her enclosure before pulling moderately through the hallway to exit. She will relax and smell while walking gently in the playpen and on dragleash, but she will stay far away from the handler when they try to get her to approach them. Without forcing it, she approaches handler and acknowledges them with some kisses on her own terms. She ignores the handler's attempts to get her to participate in the cheese-sprayed lick mat and snuffle mat with rewards. Without any problems, she is brought back and securely placed in her crate. 3/17/26: Ava is at the front of the crate and starts barking as the handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and will walk out of her crate slowly with a crouched posture out of the kennel room and will then pull moderately through the hallway. Out on the walk she will loosen up and sniff as she walks slowly but remains aloof to the handler despite them coaxing her over to them. She is returned with no issue and secured safely in her crate.

Date of intake:: 3/10/2026

Date of initial:: 3/11/2026

Summary:: nervous, body tense, frozen

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We reccomend Ava be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner:Ava came into the care cneter as a stray due to this her behavioral history in a home environment is unknown. Ava has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has allowed only minimal handling since intake and shown fearful behavior. 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.

Potential challenges: : Fearful,Anxiety

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/Anxiety: Ava is noted to display fearful behavior in care lip licking, whale eyes, tucked tail , shaking and will freeze not appoaching the handlers.Training should focus on slow, confidence-building exposure, reinforcing voluntary movement, and maintaining low-pressure transitions to help reduce avoidance and build trust. Please see the handout on the decompression period and generalized anxiety.