Partners in Animal Care & Compassion

Resumé Highlights Include Dream Walker, Ball Catcher and More! You'll tell us whether you see Black Lab and Border Collie in this fellow. So far no one refutes the Border Collie hypothesis. We know the BC's have a following, so we are talking to you! Leo is that coveted "medium" size dog at 43 lbs. He is ~15 months old, neutered, light on his feet, and can catch even the most poorly thrown balls. His dream day would entail waking up on the early side, a predictable meal, a breath of fresh air in the form of ball chasing in an EMPTY dog / fenced park, or if the loud boisterous dogs are already hogging the yard, a 30-40 min walk will hold him off till you actually can throw the ball. In the back yard is fine. Leo is not picky about his ball retrieving location. He is picky about his friends though. He very much enjoys the company of calm, stable, lower energy dogs - so if you have one or even two of those, thumbs up. He is considerably less comfortable (read overwhelmed) by loud, boisterous dogs. Introverts out there might relate - Leo prefers small, intimate, gatherings with a few low key friends. Lots of strange visitors stress him out (not fun for you or him). If you are looking for a dream walking companion, look no further. Leo has a vested interest in keeping that throwing arm in mint condition - so he doesn't pull on the leash. He's a quiet curious observer as dogs pass by unless they are making a scene, in which case he requires a bit more distance to watch and want no part of. Given Leo's preference for calm, structured, predictable routine - children under 10, and families sprinting to keep up with them, are not recommended. If Leo sounds like a good fit with your situation please fill out the PACC application below and we will contact you once it's received. P.S. Leo is a superb co-pilot in the car. He will instigate play with mellow dog and cat buddies. He also knows how to ring a bell to be let outdoors. PACC cannot take credit for this skill. We do know a dog with great potential though, and for us, Leo fits that bill.

Introducing Clancy. Through no fault of his own this kind hearted boy needs a new forever home. His owner is in a facility and it has become permanent so he has decided to let him go. Clancy is sweet boy that is just about perfect. A purebred Cocker Spaniel that is very healthy. He has good eyes, ears and one fatty tumor that is just that. He loves people, other dogs and animals (except raccoons, he hates raccoons) he loves children and he is even great for the groomer. He loves his walks and greeting people, and he enjoys the rest of the day lounging on the couch cuddling with someone. His happiness is contagious! He loves to ride in the car and go new places. His only fault is that he does have separation anxiety so it needs to be managed. His current foster works 8-10 hour days and manages it fine. Clancy would do best in a home that has a contained yard and preferably someone that stays home with him, or can offer him a safe place while they are out and understands separation anxiety. Clancy is 11 years young, up to date on everything, and about 30#.

Meet Rico! This gorgeous roughly 1.5 yr old, 65 lb, neutered male, Shepherdy / Heinz 57 is great with big humans, little humans and dogs of all sizes. Rico has also adjusted quickly to his foster family's cat. He has exceeded all expectations on camping trips, beach outings, coastal trail walks and visits to cafés where he's become a favorite among the human Puppuccino makers. Rico loves to swim, and run...or rather lope. To watch Rico lope, with his beautiful coat flying in the wind, is a thing of beauty. It's just a matter of time before Rico's adopter has a phone full of Rico pics and running videos! Rico is looking for an active home that can meet his needs for daily exercise, and where he will be a central part of the family. Walks, runs, hikes, swims - he's pretty much up for whatever you are! He came to us with separation anxiety, but his fabulous foster Derek has helped him figure out, his family does return and he can now be left alone for 3-4 hours which will increase over time. Rico would likely cue well off of a family dog who doesn't get nervous when his/her people leave, so factor that in if you are interested! Rico is up to date on vaccinations, is microchipped and has a clean bill of health.

Meet Jora, the newest member of our PACC! If you like your huskies but aren't up for the size they bring - consider this cute featherweight! At only 34 lbs (don't let the fluff fool you) Jora was NOT the full size husky we were expecting when we met. But she does come with those signature blue husky eyes. We fell in love with her instantly and suspect you will to. At roughly 2 yrs old Jora is spayed, microchipped and can produce her vaccination card upon request. PACC's foster family reports that she's a sheer delight to be around, and we have to concur. She is housetrained and that rare combination of active but not bouncing off the walls (this girl doesn't need the Iditarod to calm her down, a long walk or hike once a day and she's content). Jora is super cuddly but not needy, she is known for lying on her bed tossing toys in the air while the family cooks or works in the other room. She will ask for permission before jumping on the couch to snuggle up. She's also a spectacular co-pilot content to look out the window, with no backseat driving, which cannot be said for everyone (right honey?!) Jora can be wary of some, but not all strangers. That said, she warms up quickly once she realizes they mean no harm. And like some princesses, she doesn't always prefer to share her toys. She is happy (read thrilled) to share her toys with big and little humans alike - but she doesn't feel the need to be so generous with her doggy friends who can find their own toys to play with. Her family will need to do a little toy management and PACC can show you the ropes on that front. Despite the toy thing, Jora has many doggy friends who love to hike and play with her so she will fit well into an existing dog household and PACC will help to make sure it's a good fit. Jora's foster family has a cat that Jora is not much interested in but they are kept separate, so cat's are a possibility but cat lovers would have to go in eyes wide open on the acclimation front. PACC gets a lot of requests for that difficult to find *medium* size dog - not too small, not too big

Chunky Munkey Guaranteed to Brighten Your Home PACC is pleased to introduce Smokey: roughly 5 years old, neutered, male, Heinz 57 brindle - believed to be an Am Staffie / Pittie boy with at least a few splashes of other stuff. We had the pleasure of working with Smokey at the Berkeley Animal Care shelter where he stood out as a guy who would fit nicely, and undramatically into an easy going home. Smokey's owner has repeatedly fallen on hard times and PACC is dedicated to supporting him in re-homing the dog he loves deeply but cannot adequately care for. Smokey is highly house trained meaning he's first on the list to go out in the morning cause otherwise he'll hold it (longer than is good for him). Once out and about he's a slow, sniff, waddler - which will frustrate speed walkers who have places to be. Smokey's a no hurry, no pulling kinda guy. He will teach you how to be in the moment and smell the grass...or clover...or flowers... Smokey's not much bothered by trail traffic - chill with passing dogs, horses, kids, strollers, bikes. You name it. He appears to enjoy the company of calm stable dogs - a few of which he's met and they definitely brightened his day. He's a dog we think would cue nicely off of a calm yet playful, confident canine who might show him the ropes. Additionally, "the Smokes" is a trail and hiking buddy extraordinaire. Like most dogs he appreciates the great outdoors but not to the point where it's the who's walking who conundrum. He's content to have you lead and will sit nicely on command, content to wait for whatever it is you want him to wait for. We can easily imagine him making any camping trip more fun and safe. Smokey's secret skill is catching treats out of the air. To date he hasn't missed any. The one we thought he DID miss can be found in a close up of one of the attached pics (for the curious among you). Children recommended 10+ (or beyond the age of running around and being unpredictable - since we have not seen Smokey around wee ones). He is not kitty tested yet but given, to date, he has not tried to chase small animals on the trail, he may be fine - kitty owners should go in eyes wide open on the patience front.

Adoptable Rae of Sunshine! Rae (as in Little Miss Ray of Sunshine) earned her name from the lovely family who found her and took care of her for over a month before she came to us - they adored her, but weren’t in the position to keep a dog permanently. She’s now a PACC pup, has been with one of our fosters for several weeks (many thanks to Kristi and her family for doing a great job and making her feel she's part of the family), and is ready to find her forever home. She’s adjusted well, going from somewhat timid (who wouldn’t be, after being abandoned) to a more confident little girl who’s discovered that walks on the coast are pretty hard to beat. Rae gets along great with kids and other dogs (even when she’s yapped at by other small dogs), loves her stuffies (specifically she loves shredding them), and will ask to go outside when she needs to do her business. She’s about 3 years old, small but solid at 20 pounds, up to date on her vaccinations, has a clean bill of health and will be spayed soon. Rae thinks pillows make the perfect bed, is especially fond of men, and is generally quiet unless she hears something outside that the family should know about. She has a deeper bark than you’d expect from a girl her size so there’s no high pitched yapping that sometimes comes with small dogs. If you’re looking for an easy going girl who doesn’t take much room, will entertain you as she hunts down hidden stuffies, and give you lots of love in return - Rae just might be your girl.

A HUGE thank you to our fabulous fosters Nick & Taylor for having Zena's back when she needed you most. Calling all Rottie Lovers! Zena is basically a life size teddy bear who checks all of the dream companion boxes: Family friendly (adults and kids), dog friendly (small, medium, large), cat (and we are told bird) friendly; cute (that goes without saying), cuddly, connected (this girl bonds BIG), and quiet. Pretty hard to beat right? Unless you're a runner or long haul hiker. Zena is not built for running nor long haul hiking. She prefers reasonably distanced sniff walks (a mile or so is plenty). At 8 years old, 80 lbs, spayed, and up to date on vax, Zena is ready for her 2nd and final home. Zena's family love her deeply but due to a set of circumstances none of us would ever want to experience, they were forced to ask for help rehoming her. PACC stepped in promising no one would ever hurt her (their biggest fear). For you work at homers, Zena is pretty much the perfect Zoom companion. She does have initial separation anxiety until she knows she is settled. Also Zena does have one issue she asked us to share, so here goes. She is not a fan of kibble. She didn't grow up with it and finds it "disgusting". She prefers home cooking, and is not beyond the hunger strike or two to get her point across. So if she stops eating, no she is not sick, she just isn't going to eat kibble unless...well...there's no kibble in it. So if you are interested in this girl, be prepared to break out a doggy cookbook or two. While she's very understated about most things, when the leash appears for her walk, prepare for the cutest twirl ever. You read that right, those things that ballerina's do. And while she's no ballerina, we give her twirls a 10.5 on the cuteness scale. If Zena sounds like a good fit with your situation, please complete the application below and we'll be in touch once it's received.

Here at PACC we do love our F2Fs! What better way to ensure the perfect fit? Leo couldn't agree more. PACC got a call for help from the Santa Cruz SPCA. Mr. Boogie (now Leo) was originally brought into Monterey County Animal Services as a stray, and from there was transferred to the Santa Cruz SPCA. PACC reached out to Mona, Bob and resident dogess Ella (pictured above center) - and YES they were happy to foster Leo! Not only did they save his life (and get him the grooming he desperately needed!), they ended up providing Leo the extraordinary home he now finds himself in, with a very bright future ahead. PACC couldn't be happier to have facilitated the perfect match. Leo and Ella have become besties and he is learning the ropes with Blue the feline dog wrangler in the house.

Technically Sammie was not a PACC dog, as she was rescued by A Girls Best Friend, but to us, she is and was. Board member Chris Guio and her family opened their hearts and their home to Sammie, doing everything imaginable to save her from the severe case of diabetes that left her emaciated, and unable to gain the weight needed to be a healthy, happy dog. As a result of the diabetes, Sammie lost her sight - first in one eye, then in the other. Despite moments of joy, especially on the short "walkies" that she loved, but that overly tired her, we could see Sammie's zest for life fading. In part on the advice of the vets who treated her, and our own experience watching Sammie decline, the excruciating decision was made to free Sammie from her body and finally give her the wings she needed to fly. Rest in peace Sammie, we love you deeply. You will always hold a place in our hearts little angel. Meet Sammie - as in she, not he. This 3-5 year old, spayed female pittie will soon be on the motivational speaking circuit sharing how to turn lemons into lemonade. Abandoned in a backyard, Sammie landed at a shelter emaciated and literally on her last legs. Slated for euthanasia - A Girl's Best Friend rescue stepped in to give this girl the chance every dog deserves. Turns out Sammie is diabetic, and as a consequence is gradually losing her sight. Happily though, she is receiving excellent care with PACC Board member Chris Guio. ​ Sammie's figure is filling out, she's gaining energy to play and can increasingly enjoy her favorite activities, in the following order: cuddling, cuddling, and cuddling. Sammie loves humans of all ages, and while she can be a happy member of a multiple big and/or small dog household - she is in need of a calm, huge hearted medical foster / home, ideally with only one or less other animals so she can adjust to losing her sight while her diabetes is brought under control (this entails a pin prick now and then, and a quick insulin shot twice a day.) If you feel you can help complete this angels set of wings so she can fly, please contact: agirlsbestfriendrescue@gmail.com or Chris Guio, cguio1@yahoo.com, (650) 438-0617 c

Star Running Back Looking For All Star Team Sheldon's DNA results are in! If you guessed Shepherd and Husky you get a C+ (that's what we guessed so we're not being any harder on you). If you also guessed the ubiquitous breeds of Lab and American Staffordshire Terrier, you get a B+. If you went even further and saw dashes of White Swiss Shepherd and Bichon Frise, well then you get an A. And if you have ever heard of and suspected Nederlandse Kooikerhondje too, well then you're a genius and get an A++. DNA test aside, we know a fantastic dog when we see one, and Sheldon fits that bill. Roughly 1.5 years old, neutered, up to date on vaccines with a clean bill of health Sheldon is ready to be recruited! His list of attributes is too long to cover here but the short version includes: Quick (both physically and intellectually :-), fun, and affectionate. Sheldon is one of those guys who actually listens, so if you are talking to yourself, just know there's a brain in the background trying to process what you are saying. Sheldon has stellar "sit, wait, watch me'' and the coveted "come" skill (admit it, a dog that reliably comes when you call him is pretty awesome :-). While Sheldon is wary of some, but not all strangers (read alarm barks) - he warms up quickly with treats and assurance this is not an intruder! If it is an intruder, Sheldon will admittedly make such a loud racket, said intruder, will quickly retreat. It likely goes without saying that there are very few encounters where the subject of Sheldon's eyes does not come up. The aforementioned DNA test results predicted "this dog may have blue eyes," and well...yes!!! He's a joy to walk on the coastal trail, is a great hiking buddy, and fits well into spontaneous off-leash dog romps cause he's great with dogs big and small, and has a special skill of making besties everywhere he goes. Any children in the home should be 11+ as Sheldon likes to run at high speeds and is fond of steeplechase type games (which you and your little ones just don't need). Cats are not recommended as he strikes us as a little too interested in our feline friends.

Shitake (now Ninja) wormed his way into his foster family's heart so fast we never got to do a photo shoot. He comes from the Contra Costa Shelter in Martinez where he was set to be euthanized for being too frightened to come out of the kennel (we kid you not). Contra Costa is behind the times but we didn't let that stop us from grabbing this little guy who perked up by the time we got to the parking lot. Given how much we loved him INSTANTLY we predicted an immediate F2F, and couldn't be happier that we were right. Thank you Kristi and family for giving this Ninja the great life he deserves!

Lover, Leaner, Lounger! Meet Tucker, the newest member of our PACC! Rescued from the San José shelter in the nick of time, this guy oozes gratitude and love. ~6-7 years young, Tucker was listed as a Rhodesian Ridgeback *blend* which is lucky for us because he caught the eye of Kathryn and is being fostered alongside her two very accommodating Rhodesians (they aren't sure he's a Rhodesian but he ain't saying anything)! Tucker is neutered, microchipped and up to date on vax. Weighing in at 73 lbs, his is a REAL, not a sissy lean (weighted blanket lovers take note). He came to us needing his ears checked out by a vet, which we have done and got the all clear. Past ear conditions that went untreated resulted in a thickening of Tuckers ears - which only add to his teddy bear charm. No need to worry, he hears just fine which you'll find out when you break out the treat bag! A quintessential gentleman, over the moon with the simple things in life - Tucker pays you back 10-fold in cuddling currency. He loves his toys and balls, visits the toy box everyday and will play retrieve with you too! This guy's big heart will break yours wide open. Oh, and don't let the gray around the muzzle fool you (some of us go gray early and Tucker falls into that category), he's an active boy that loves his walks in the great outdoors. This morning he logged 3 miles, no problem! Tucker likes the company of calm, quiet dogs who lounge around like he does. If you have one or two of those, PACC will help to make sure it's a good fit, but he would also do fine as the only dog in the home - he's flexible!