Poker - LONGTIME RESIDENT

URGENT! Poker has been at the shelter for over one month. He needs a home ASAP!<br/><br/>Poker is a 2-year and 2-month-old Australian Cattle Dog mix currently being held at the Kern County Animal Services - Bakersfield Shelter. He has been at the shelter since May 30, 2026, and is ready for his new home.<br/><br/>Poker is a staff favorite at the shelter! He also participated in the shelter's Doggy Day Out event. Here's what his chaperone had to say about this special guy:<br/><br/>Our day with Poker was so much fun! He started out a little nervous and unsure of everything, but as the day went on, he relaxed and let his goofy personality shine through.<br/><br/>Poker rides well in the car, although he needed a little help hopping in. He walks great on leash and really enjoyed our walk through the park.<br/><br/>He already knows "sit," and we think he may be potty trained. His playgroup notes say he does well with other dogs but prefers calmer companions. We didn't have an opportunity to test him with cats. He also does well with kids, though he can be a little mouthy during play while still remaining gentle.<br/><br/>We wrapped up our day with a picnic at the park where we shared burgers and took a nap together under a tree. At one point a firework went off, and Poker didn't even seem to notice.<br/><br/>I'm not sure what kind of life Poker had before arriving at the shelter, but he's such a sweet, goofy boy. Once he has the chance to decompress and settle into a home, I know he'll make an incredible companion for one lucky family.<br/><br/>Playgroup: Does well with other dogs but prefers calmer dogs. Shelter cannot test with kids or cats.<br/><br/>For another video and more information on Poker, check out his social media post:<br/><br/>https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1052008631112684<br/><br/>Photos and information courtesy of Shamya Black, Kern County Animal Services, and Poker's Doggy Day Out chaperone.<br/><br/>Pet ID: A1250315<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! Poker has been at the shelter for over one month. He needs a home ASAP!

Poker is a 2-year and 2-month-old Australian Cattle Dog mix currently being held at the Kern County Animal Services - Bakersfield Shelter. He has been at the shelter since May 30, 2026, and is ready for his new home.

Poker is a staff favorite at the shelter! He also participated in the shelter's Doggy Day Out event. Here's what his chaperone had to say about this special guy:

Our day with Poker was so much fun! He started out a little nervous and unsure of everything, but as the day went on, he relaxed and let his goofy personality shine through.

Poker rides well in the car, although he needed a little help hopping in. He walks great on leash and really enjoyed our walk through the park.

He already knows "sit," and we think he may be potty trained. His playgroup notes say he does well with other dogs but prefers calmer companions. We didn't have an opportunity to test him with cats. He also does well w

URGENT! Poker has been at the shelter for over one month. He needs a home ASAP!

Poker is a 2-year and 2-month-old Australian Cattle Dog mix currently being held at the Kern County Animal Services - Bakersfield Shelter. He has been at the shelter since May 30, 2026, and is ready for his new home.

Poker is a staff favorite at the shelter! He also participated in the shelter's Doggy Day Out event. Here's what his chaperone had to say about this special guy:

Our day with Poker was so much fun! He started out a little nervous and unsure of everything, but as the day went on, he relaxed and let his goofy personality shine through.

Poker rides well in the car, although he needed a little help hopping in. He walks great on leash and really enjoyed our walk through the park.

He already knows "sit," and we think he may be potty trained. His playgroup notes say he does well with other dogs but prefers calmer companions. We didn't have an opportunity to test him with cats. He also does well with kids, though he can be a little mouthy during play while still remaining gentle.

We wrapped up our day with a picnic at the park where we shared burgers and took a nap together under a tree. At one point a firework went off, and Poker didn't even seem to notice.

I'm not sure what kind of life Poker had before arriving at the shelter, but he's such a sweet, goofy boy. Once he