Adopt

My name is Jerry!

Posted over 3 weeks ago | Updated 1 day ago

Adoption process
1

Submit Application

2

Interview

3

Meet the Pet

4

Sign Adoption Contract

5

Pay Fee

6

Take the Pet Home

Adoption fee: $75

This helps Hamilton Animal Shelter with pet care costs.

My basic info

Breed
American Pit Bull Terrier
Color
Red/Golden/Orange/Chestnut - with White
Age
Adult
Size
Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg) (when grown)
Weight
51 lbs (current)
Sex
Male
Pet ID
59778310

My details

Checkmark in teal circle Purebred

My story

Here's what the humans have to say about me:

**Rescue Placement Needed: Meet Jerry**

Jerry is a social, people-oriented dog who is struggling in the shelter environment and urgently needs placement with a qualified rescue organization experienced in managing and modifying serious dog-directed aggression.

In the kennel, Jerry is excited and intense—he jumps up, approaches readily, and is eager to get out. While he may be a bit wary of the leash initially, he allows handling and comes out willingly. Once out, he pulls very hard on leash and has difficulty regulating his arousal level.

With people, Jerry shows many affiliative and affectionate behaviors. He enjoys body handling, frequently jumps into laps, seeks close contact, and displays soft eyes, relaxed ears, and wagging tail. He allows handling of his paws and muzzle, though he can be evasive or physically strong during these interactions. He is sensitive about rear-end handling and may stiffen or resist in that context. During play and engagement, Jerry is enthusiastic and physical, jumping up and booping, but he does settle when interaction ends.

Jerry does well around food. He allows bowl movement and petting while eating, remains loose-bodied, and shows no concerning food guarding behaviors. With toys, he is playful and highly motivated—especially by squeaky toys and tug. While he does not show stiffness or growling, he can be resistant to relinquishing high-value toys and benefits from trade-based handling and structure.

Jerry is social and confident with strangers, immediately approaching, jumping up, sniffing, and welcoming petting with relaxed, friendly body language.

**Significant Behavioral Concern – Dog Aggression:**
Jerry presents with **severe dog-directed aggression**. During dog-to-dog testing, he showed extreme arousal, fence running, physical crashing into barriers, and sustained lunging. In a controlled assessment with a fake dog, Jerry immediately rushed, grabbed, and shook the “dog,” maintaining his grip for an extended period before releasing. These behaviors indicate a high risk around other dogs and are not manageable in a typical shelter or adoptive home setting.

* Rescue-only placement
* No children
* No other dogs
* No cats
* Secure handling protocols
* Experienced behavior team required
* Commitment to structured behavior modification, impulse control, and leash management

Jerry is not a candidate for public adoption at this time. However, with
Shelter

Contact info

Pet ID
59778310
Contact
Address
2100 Sylvan Ave., Hamilton, NJ 08610
Donation

Their adoption process

1.

Submit Application

2.

Interview

3.

Meet the Pet

4.

Sign Adoption Contract

5.

Pay Fee

Adult dogs: $ 75.00 Puppies: $100.00 Adult cats: $ 45.00 Kittens: $60.00

6.

Take the Pet Home

Additional adoption info

Potential adopters who already own a dog and would like to adopt another dog, must do a meet and greet to make sure the dogs get along.

Adoption application

Go meet their pets

2100 Sylvan Ave. Hamilton NJ 08610

Monday-10:30 am-3:30pm
Tuesday-10:30 am-3:30pm
Wednesday-10:30 am-3:30pm
Thursday-10:30 am-3:30pm
Friday-10:30 am-3:30pm
Saturday-10:30 am-3:30pm
Sunday-CLOSED
Holidays-CLOSED

Other pets at this shelter