MAX

12/22/25: Update. Extending until 5pm on 12/27/25. MW12/15/25 16:16 Max was brought in as a stray 9/25 with a wound noted on his right flank. It remained nonhealing despite antibiotics. A biopsy, culture and ultrasound were performed for further investigation. While the wound did respond to antibiotics, once he is off of them, the wound continues to reopen. Max needs follow up care with a specialist which could include repeat ultrasound and/ or MRI to explore the continued wound on his right flank. Max needs rescue by 12/22*******************Max is available for adoption with waiver or rescue only ********************MW11/26/25 18:03Max's behavior continues to improve in the shelter. We will continue to monitor his progress, but he has been removed from the final list for the time being. MAX (A1290628) was placed on final on 11/20/2025.Summary of Behavior:Max displays a combination of social engagement, handling sensitivity, and dog reactivity. He is typically at the front of the kennel with a wagging tail and can be leashed and returned without issue. In neutral interactions, he often presents with a loose body, seeks contact, and tolerates general petting. However, across multiple observations he consistently shows discomfort with restraint or more invasive handling, responding with stiffening, low growls, head flips, or turning toward the handler when pressure increases, posing a potential safety risk.While his general handling tolerance had improved, subsequent evaluations continued to show sensitivity specifically to restraint attempts. Additionally, he exhibits high arousal in the environment, with strong external focus and limited handler engagement. Most recently, he demonstrated significant dog reactivity, immediately lunging, barking, and growling at nearby dogs with minimal provocation. He also showed intense fixation on a ball, becoming hyper-focused to a degree that was noted as a potential bite risk.Overall, the dog presents with ongoing handling sensitivities, pronounced dog reactivity, and emerging concerns around object fixation posing a safety risk. We do not have the resources available to care for this pet with these specific needs at this time.Path Forward:Rescue or Adopter must commit and *pull* Max by 5 PM on 12/01/2025, or Max will be humanely euthanized. Rescue or adopter will also need to have a waiver signed and submitted prior to leaving with the dog.EXTENSION REQUEST PROCESS:A Rescue Group (RG) may request an extension of an animal’s Needs Rescue Final Date no later than 10:00 a.m. on the noted ‘final date’ via email to the [email protected] with a cc to a Division Manager or Shelter Operations Supervisor.Extension requests must be from the RG interested in in the animal, include specific information as to delays in rescue commitment, specific care arrangements, or other time-based mitigating factors that warrant an extension. A one-time extension up to 72-hour may be granted to accommodate RG, but are not guaranteed based on capacity or condition or other constraints.11/01/25 15:46Max is a 5-year-old neutered German Shepherd mix who arrived at the shelter on 9/25/25 after being found as a stray with a large wound on his right side that subsequently became infected. He has completed several rounds of antibiotics, and diagnostics indicate marked, chronic cellulitis with suppurative and histiocytic inflammation extending to tissue margins. Behaviorally, Max initially presented as friendly and social, greeting at the front of the kennel and tolerating handling and lifting without issue. Over time, he has shown some handling sensitivities, particularly when restrained, occasionally emitting a low growl or turning his head toward the handler but relaxing once released. Max would greatly benefit from rescue.