Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with dogs,
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Wella ACCT-A-241928 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to length of stay and lack of space for incoming dogs. Wella must have confirmed placement with an EXPERIENCED ADOPTER or RESCUE PARTNER by FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27th by 10:00 am. Should Wella’s medical or behavioral status change, her urgency and timeline for placement may also change.
Due to being significantly overcapacity with animals and higher than usual intake, extensions are unlikely to be granted. If you are interested in an animal please contact ACCT Philly immediately. Due to limited space, timestamps may also be proceeded with early so it is imperative to let us know if you are considering adopting or tagging an animal.
Wella first came to ACCT Philly after a caller found her outside an apartment complex, whining and curled up in a corner. It’s clear this beautiful Cane Corso girl has been through a lot of change in a short amount of time. Despite a confusing start and time spent feeling unsure in the shelter environment, Wella has shown remarkable growth and resilience.
Wella is a sensitive, intelligent, and deeply affectionate dog who forms strong bonds with her trusted people. In the beginning, she was understandably nervous with new handlers and in open yard spaces, sometimes needing encouragement and patience. With consistency and positive experiences, she has made immense behavioral improvement. Her fearful waiver has been removed, she has been leveled down due to progress, and volunteers describe her as their “favorite, most perfect girl.” She now eagerly waits at the door to go outside, plays with a ball in the yard, and is easy to walk on leash. She takes treats gently, even while underweight, which speaks to her soft, thoughtful nature.
Wella has been working on training and already knows “sit,” is learning “down,” and can identify her favorite toy by name. She is described as a big snuggle bug who will happily try to sit in your lap if you let her. She has had a positive meet with another dog in the shelter, showing friendly interest in play.
Wella is looking for a home with experience handling fearful dogs; someone who understands canine body language, can move at her pace, and will continue building her confidence through patience, structure, and positive reinforcement. She would do best in an adult-only home that can provide a calm, predictable environment where she can continue to blossom. With the right person, Wella has all the makings of a loyal, devoted companion.
BEHAVIOR NOTES:
On 2/22 per staff: Due to behavioral improvement this dog is being leveled down to experienced gold
On 2/21 per staff: Removed fearful waiver due to behavioral improvement.
On 2/21 per volunteer: Of course I had to send an email about my favorite, most perfect girl, Wella! She has shown IMMENSE improvement in the shelter and is feeling better now that she is gaining weight and no longer sick/out of ISO.
I’ve taught her sit and we’re working on down (she knows the gesture to the floor). She is incredibly smart and knows which toy is “lamby” when outside. She is the BEST girl and is beyond deserving of a loving home or wonderful rescue to get her there ! Attached are a few pictures from today-as we played in the yard and then sat there sunbathing together !
She is a big snuggle bug and will attempt to sit in your lap if you let her! She is gentle taking treats , which is HUGE as she is still underweight, however has such a gentle demeanor!
On 2/9 per volunteer: Wella was at the door, ready to go out tonight. She was so happy to go out and played with a ball in the yard. Easy to walk. She appeared interested to play with Mallow in a friendly way.
On 2/3 per staff: removing the “bad dog meet attribute” and related waiver- She was growling and stiff at times but I would say while it was not good, it’s not necessarily bad either.
Needs further testing
On 1/31 per staff: Per Aca, may avoid some people, took into an office, was affiliative with the handler and female Aca. Met her in kennel with a handler familiar to her, took treat gently, tail pasted down, soft eyes, pet on neck and under chin.
Needs breed experience and experience with fearful dogs
On 1/30 per volunteer: Needed encouragement to come out. Lovely on leash and took treats gently. Out in the play yard she decided to run around on the hard snow and then would not come for treats or let me get near enough to grab her leash. I called for help and we were able to get her back in. Seems nervous. Manager changed her to blue and followed up with dog behavior.
On 1/30 per staff: Volunteer called for assistance stating that she could not catch Wella in the yard. I went out to assist and Wella was exit searching and avoiding her handler. I went into the yard and she immediately darted towards the open gate (was able to shut in time) and had a tense and stiff body, froze a foot away from me and was intensely whale eyeing me while completely still, tense bodied and tail tucked. I was not comfortable grabbing her leash due to her body language, so I went to grab the furthest end of the leash from her that was in the snow and as soon as I did, she darted again but I was able to catch it and the volunteer took possession of the leash and walked her back into the building. She froze a few times, but was able to be led back to kennel.
I followed up with the volunteer afterwards and she said that Wella dodged the leash a few times in kennel and needed some coaxing to come out but walked fine. She also allowed petting and accepted treats (took gently) on the walk but as soon as they got in the yard, she ran to the far end and would dodge her handler. She noted that Wella pooped while running from her. She then called for assistance with getting her back in kennel.
Moving her from exp gold to blue
On 1/29 per staff: Kennel Presentation: Laying on the bed when I approached. Wide eyes, furrowed brow with ears forward. Tossed a treat in and she ate it.
Leash Skills: She was still laying down when I opened the door and presented the leash. She turned her head, I tossed another treat and was able to loop her. Once leash was one she walked out of kennel. Walks right next to you on a loose leash.
Sociability: Sensitively social. I knelt down and she was standing next to me, I reached out and was did a consent pet. When I stopped she moved closer to me, her head was low with soft eyes and ears to the side.
Play: n/a
Dog Interaction: Brought Honey girl into the eval room when she entered wella's ears went back with pressed lips and a low growl along with hackles raised. Honey girl turned away and wanted no issues.
Return to Kennel: Went right into kennel without issue.
Color Level: Exp Gold
On 1/25 per staff: Finder called saying they found dog outside apartment complex whining and balled up in corner.
MEDICAL NOTES:
On 2/21 per exam: Finished doxycycline, but URI signs remain
Assessment: Persistent URI
Plan: Azithromycin 250 mg PO SID x 10 days
On 2/10 PCR test taken & came back negative for pneumovirus.
On 2/2 per exam: Wella has been observed to have shelter acquired upper respiratory infection (URI), or a "doggy cold". They have been started on medication, and will be monitored for resolution of the respiratory infection. PCR test taken & came back positive for pneumovirus. Placed into ISO.
Plan: Start Doxycycline 100mg at 10mg/kg SID x 14 days per Doctor’s orders
On 1/29 per exam: Passing round worms
Plan: Drontal once
On 1/26 per intake exam:
Weight- 76 lbs
Body Condition Score- 3, Thin
Age- 6y
Urogenital- female
Altered- unknown
Eyes- clear
Ears- left dirty
Nose- clear
Coat/Skin- clean
Teeth- stained with tartar
Gums-pink and moist
Musculoskeletal-very thin
Behavior- QAR timid but friendly especially with food
VIDEOS:
Meebus and wella leash and drop leash: https://youtu.be/KRfLfCAtgm0?si=SZWq8PVUdDlT_Aqc
ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details.
If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/
Confirmed placement is considered confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent
All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly’s Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313
