Fermata Australian Shepherd & Retriever Mix Lenoir, NC

Fermata will sustain the notes in her love song for her new family. She's praying they hurry to choose her!

With a guesstimated birthday in Mary 2020, Fermata weighs 50 lb as an adult in good condition.

Fermata was timid when she arrived. She had recently weaned puppies and hadn't yet regained her figure. She was turned into Animal Control as a stray.

Although warming up to the shelter volunteers, Fermata will regard strangers with suspicion and may move away from the kennel gate. During her initial exam, she was amenable to all the team asked from her and showed no signs of adverse behavior. She's leash-savvy.

Fermata has acclimated well to her kennel and the caregivers in the shelter. They engage with her several times a day and she's become comfortable with the routine. She's a calm girl and is quiet in the kennel - even when the pups on either side are barking their heads off :)

Fermata was spayed on July 7th. She stayed with a foster family during surgery recuperation. They reported she acclimated easily and bonded with the wife, behaving with some fear of the quiet, calm husband. As she learns that men are respectful, not harmful, this behavior should extinguish. Any men in her forever family should recognize this as a learned behavior and that it isn't a personal rejection.

Her foster mom reported, "She is very sweet, was my shadow for the 9 days we had her. The first few days she had no clue about toys, gradually would pick one up and go to her "spot" and chew on it. Started to be more playful. She was comfortable meeting other dogs when we went on walks. Great on the leash, didn't pull. House broken. The only concern,,,, she is wary of men, not just my husband who is known as the dog whisperer, but others that she met on our walks. Although when my husband laid down on the floor she did approach him cautiously. She was good about going in her crate. She did prefer getting up on the bed."

Fermata rides calmly in a car and is comfy in a 42" crate. She sleeps all night long without a peep and is able to wait for walks to potty & poop if provided several times a day and on a regular schedule so she can predicct how long she needs to wait.

When meeting strange, polite dogs, Fermata behaves with quiet assurance. Her people should advocate for her if an impolite dog approaches her space. Dogs should be introduced on a walk, maintaining at least 3 feet distance for several car lengths before being allowed to greet.


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Whether dogs / puppies come in as strays or owner surrenders, we usually have to make our best guess as to birthdate and breed.

If adopted into a home with other animals, particularly cats, your new pet should be crated or secured when you're not available to supervise to insure a harmonious relationship.

A vet reference is required to confirm responsible pet ownership. Requirement is a minimum three year vet history documenting current / previous pets are spayed / neutered, kept up to date on core vaccinations, and on heartworm prevention. We suggest first time pet owners without a vet history look for an adult dog for companionship and to gain experience. Other rescues or your local government-run animal control agency may have different adoption requirements.

Adoption fee covers two vaccinations plus spay / neuter if using our local low-cost spay/neuter clinic (overnight stay required) and surgery occurs as agreed upon in the adoption contract. Convenience fee equal to refundable spay/neuter deposit may be required if, using our veterinarian or same-day surgery, service is scheduled through our organization. Additional fees for 3rd puppy vaccination, refundable spay/neuter deposit, etc. may apply.

Some fosters can be seen most Saturdays at Tractor Supply (360 Blowiong Rock Boulevard) in Lenoir, NC from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We recommend interested parties contact us to pre-qualify for adoption so their new furry family can go home once paperwork is complete. Fees are required in cash. For more information on our organization, our website is www.FoothillsCanineRescue.org.

We are an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue with a few of our sweet ones in our shelter located next to Waggin' Tail Resale & Marketplace (220 Joyceton Church Road) in Lenoir. We receive no funding from agencies.