Pepper -- URGENT -- LONGTIME RESIDENT

URGENT! Pepper has been at the shelter for over 1 month, which puts her at risk for euthanasia. Pepper needs a safe forever home ASAP!<br/><br/>Pepper is a 2-year and 8-month-old Shepherd mix currently being held at the Kern County Animal Services - Bakersfield Shelter. She has been at the shelter since April 16, 2026, and is ready for her new home.<br/><br/>Shelter staff and volunteers describe Pepper as:<br/><br/>* Energetic and playful<br/>* Comfortable in car <br/>* Great hiking companion<br/>* Smart and engaged<br/>* Walks well on leash <br/>* Knows fetch and loves her ball <br/><br/>Pepper participated in the shelter's Doggy Day Out. Here's what her chaperone had to say about this special girl:<br/><br/>I had the pleasure of taking out Miss Pepper for the Streets of Bakersfield event. Pepper has a lot of energy and makes a good walking/hiking companion. She can be led on the walk or take the lead herself if you let her. <br/><br/>Our day out included a trip to River walk where she walked on the paths and in the grass areas. She does get a little too anxious at times and will express it through cries. She is very good otherwise and enjoys car rides. <br/><br/>She also got to enjoy a pup cup from Starbucks and some pup patties from In n Out. Gave her some Nubbz and she enjoyed those as well. She has no problem being around people and will let kids and adults pet/hug her 🤗. <br/><br/>We threw the ball around and she had little interest at first but eventually got the ball and would bring it back. If taking her on trips in a vehicle I would recommend a doggie seat belt as she like to go between front and back seats. <br/><br/>She didn't show any interest in other dogs and was not in any situations where she was up close with them so I can't comment on how well she would be around other dogs. If you're looking for a high energy pup then choose Pepper. She has a lot of love to give she just needs the right environment and people willing to give her their time. <br/><br/>Photos and description courtesy of Jesse Martinez and Kern County Animal Services. <br/><br/>For more information on Pepper including videos, check out her social media posts:<br/><br/>From Doggy Day Out Chaperone: https://www.facebook.com/groups/174291565419949/posts/952531667595931<br/><br/>From Kern County Animal Services:<br/><br/>https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1387471010078168<br/><br/>From Shelter Volunteer Denise Lynn Smith:<br/><br/>https://www.facebook.com/buzzinismith/posts/pfbid02Z9zPrNoSEQeFsg235ZUwWi8a5YDXJ2Wi8PQBQNNio9YJUFQQdd439xoEpwbYxtqjl<br/><br/>Pet ID: A1246643<br/><br/>ABOUT<br/>Companion Animal Protection Services (CAPS), a national nonprofit based in Thousand Oaks, CA., partners with Kern County Animal Services in Bakersfield to find homes for at-risk dogs. The shelter has more than 300 dogs and puppies in two metal warehouses with no outdoor runs. Dogs and puppies are at high risk for euthanasia because of lack of space and too many abandoned dogs in the community. <br/> <br/>HOW TO ADOPT, RESCUE OR FOSTER<br/>Please contact CAPS if you are interested in adopting, rescuing or fostering, and we will make sure the shelter contacts you. They do not answer phones or respond often to voice messages due to understaffing. The dogs are in Bakersfield, not Thousand Oaks. <br/> <br/>HOW TO CONTACT CAPS<br/>https://caps-web.org/contact<br/>No phone calls, please. Please use our contact form or reach out to us through Petfinder.<br/> <br/>FOSTER HOMES<br/>Fosters must live in Kern County.<br/> <br/>TRANSPORT<br/>CAPS can arrange transportation if you are on the West Coast. Adopters are responsible for transport fees.

URGENT! Pepper has been at the shelter for over 1 month, which puts her at risk for euthanasia. Pepper needs a safe forever home ASAP!

Pepper is a 2-year and 8-month-old Shepherd mix currently being held at the Kern County Animal Services - Bakersfield Shelter. She has been at the shelter since April 16, 2026, and is ready for her new home.

Shelter staff and volunteers describe Pepper as:

* Energetic and playful
* Comfortable in car
* Great hiking companion
* Smart and engaged
* Walks well on leash
* Knows fetch and loves her ball

Pepper participated in the shelter's Doggy Day Out. Here's what her chaperone had to say about this special girl:

I had the pleasure of taking out Miss Pepper for the Streets of Bakersfield event. Pepper has a lot of energy and makes a good walking/hiking companion. She can be led on the walk or take the lead herself if you let her.

Our day out included a trip to River walk where she walked on the paths and in the grass

URGENT! Pepper has been at the shelter for over 1 month, which puts her at risk for euthanasia. Pepper needs a safe forever home ASAP!

Pepper is a 2-year and 8-month-old Shepherd mix currently being held at the Kern County Animal Services - Bakersfield Shelter. She has been at the shelter since April 16, 2026, and is ready for her new home.

Shelter staff and volunteers describe Pepper as:

* Energetic and playful
* Comfortable in car
* Great hiking companion
* Smart and engaged
* Walks well on leash
* Knows fetch and loves her ball

Pepper participated in the shelter's Doggy Day Out. Here's what her chaperone had to say about this special girl:

I had the pleasure of taking out Miss Pepper for the Streets of Bakersfield event. Pepper has a lot of energy and makes a good walking/hiking companion. She can be led on the walk or take the lead herself if you let her.

Our day out included a trip to River walk where she walked on the paths and in the grass areas. She does get a little too anxious at times and will express it through cries. She is very good otherwise and enjoys car rides.

She also got to enjoy a pup cup from Starbucks and some pup patties from In n Out. Gave her some Nubbz and she enjoyed those as well. She has no problem being around people and will let kids and adults pet/hug her 🤗.

We threw the ball around and