Rookie

In the summer of 2025, a woman showed up at the door with a tiny dog that she claimed was running in the middle of a busy street and she was worried he would get hit by a car. We scanned him for a chip (he did not have one) and took him in, confident we’d find an owner in a few days. <br/><br/>We poured over all of the local missing pet pages and within a couple weeks realized no one was going to come looking for him. Our theory is that he belonged to someone who was no longer able to care for him and a “caretaker” turned him out on the street. <br/><br/>So loveable little Rookie worked his way into the volunteers’ hearts and we treated him like royalty, giving him the run of the building and all the love we could offer. We could not believe such a sweet little boy could have been dumped and left to fend for himself. <br/><br/>One of our volunteers took him home over Christmas break to foster him. She thought it might work out to eventually adopt him. But his tolerance of other pets at the shelter did not translate as well to a home. Our foster noticed him becoming particularly possessive and protective of her to the point that her own cats were afraid to venture downstairs anymore. He did not harm anyone but growling and posturing were his forms of communication towards her cats. <br/><br/>Rookie has made it clear that, while he is extremely loyal and loving, he should be the only pet in a household. He will bond tightly to his new owner (he seems to prefer females) and be the best little companion. I can tell you after spending the night at the shelter during the January blizzard, Rookie is an excellent little snuggler! <br/><br/>He was tolerant of the other small breed dog at the shelter but it is unknown how he would do with another dog in a home. <br/><br/>Rookie is neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped. Please consider making an appointment to see if he could be the companion you are looking for. <br/><br/>*Must be 21 or older to adopt <br/>**Our shelter has a policy to only adopt within a 50 mile radius so that if problems arise the pet can easily be returned to the shelter.

In the summer of 2025, a woman showed up at the door with a tiny dog that she claimed was running in the middle of a busy street and she was worried he would get hit by a car. We scanned him for a chip (he did not have one) and took him in, confident we’d find an owner in a few days.

We poured over all of the local missing pet pages and within a couple weeks realized no one was going to come looking for him. Our theory is that he belonged to someone who was no longer able to care for him and a “caretaker” turned him out on the street.

So loveable little Rookie worked his way into the volunteers’ hearts and we treated him like royalty, giving him the run of the building and all the love we could offer. We could not believe such a sweet little boy could have been dumped and left to fend for himself.

One of our volunteers took him home over Christmas break to foster him. She thought it might work out to eventually adopt him. But his tolerance of other pets at the shelter did not translate as well t

In the summer of 2025, a woman showed up at the door with a tiny dog that she claimed was running in the middle of a busy street and she was worried he would get hit by a car. We scanned him for a chip (he did not have one) and took him in, confident we’d find an owner in a few days.

We poured over all of the local missing pet pages and within a couple weeks realized no one was going to come looking for him. Our theory is that he belonged to someone who was no longer able to care for him and a “caretaker” turned him out on the street.

So loveable little Rookie worked his way into the volunteers’ hearts and we treated him like royalty, giving him the run of the building and all the love we could offer. We could not believe such a sweet little boy could have been dumped and left to fend for himself.

One of our volunteers took him home over Christmas break to foster him. She thought it might work out to eventually adopt him. But his tolerance of other pets at the shelter did not translate as well to a home. Our foster noticed him becoming particularly possessive and protective of her to the point that her own cats were afraid to venture downstairs anymore. He did not harm anyone but growling and posturing were his forms of communication towards her cats.

Rookie has made it clear that, while he is extremely loyal and loving, he should be the only pet in a household. He will bond ti