09/20/2025
PLEASE SHARE IN PHILA HIGH KILL SHELTER
Sergio found rescue!
‼️URGENT‼️
👉 For the most up-to-date notes, please check the bio located in the comments👈
Sergio ACCT-A-230464 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to length of stay and lack of space for incoming dogs. Sergio must have confirmed placement with a RESCUE PARTNER by WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH at 10AM. Should Sergio's medical or behavioral status change, his urgency and timeline for placement may also change.
Sergio was found abandoned and brought to ACCT Philly on August 30th. His finder described him as friendly and good. Since arriving, he has been shy and fearful in the busy shelter environment, often tucking his tail and avoiding new people, but with patience he has started to show signs of trust. Sergio has taken treats gently, checked in with handlers during walks, and even began to relax during dog meets where he was tolerant and responsive. He is a sensitive soul who feels safest when things move slowly, and he blossoms most when paired with calm dogs or experienced handlers who give him space. With consistency, reassurance, and a quiet home environment, Sergio has the potential to grow into a loyal companion. He just needs someone willing to see past his nerves and help him feel secure. Due to his length of stay, Sergio is urgently seeking placement with a rescue partner.
VIDEOS:
Meeting Esco: https://youtu.be/5eNHB7VM1bE?feature=shared
Sergio & Nemo Leashed Meet 1: https://youtube.com/shorts/-_4eaG_rhBc?si=cq-JvnlBZKbY-0SC
Sergio & Nemo Leashed Meet 2: https://youtube.com/shorts/4fxCAY4ikJU?si=-S9_-EJaMihFv0go
Sergio & Nemo Drop Leash: https://youtube.com/shorts/rwZkFh790iw?si=6LYoMcznsVnbD3y4
Meeting Nemo: https://youtube.com/shorts/B7moEYqpQkY?feature=shared
Meeting Nemo: https://youtube.com/shorts/Upz5f1hl6Ps?feature=shared
BEHAVIOR:
Per volunteer 9/18: Medium energy. Pulls some on leash, otherwise sweet.
Per volunteer 9/15: Low energy. Was really easy, sweet.
Per staff 9/14: Recognized me from days prior. Wanted to sit on my lap.
Per staff 9/8: Leashed at the back of the kennel easily, walked on a loose leash. Less darting and exit searching than other days. Walk along with Nemo and then was off leash in pen (well, dragging a long line). Tolerant of Nemo, middle tail, ears back, engaged often, gave a firm correction when Nemo starting jumping on him and trying to crawl under him. In the pen he would come to me when called and during the whole time out he checked in with me often. I removed his harness, averted gaze, ears back, stress panting. Easy to go back in kennel. Moving off of “behavior staff only” to experienced blue.
Per staff 9/3: Sergio was at the front of his kennel with wide worried eyes, tucked tail and hunched over body. His eyes got wider as I flashed him. Once secured he darted out and pulled very strongly towards each exit. Once outside he was exit searching and pulling towards the drive way and in the yard he tried hopping the fences. We did an on leash meet which he was tolerant of. His eyes were more focused on the other handler holding Nilla Jilla (the other dog). He would jump back and flinch whenever the other handler came "close" to him. On our way back he had his tail tucked still and body lowered. he was curious of people paying by, pulling towards them to sniff. in the hallway i tried some handling since it was quieter. He was pretty tense with a tucked tail and tight mouth. he was becoming more nervous the more i attempted, pulling away from me and pulling his backside more in.
Per volunteer 9/2: Moderate issues getting out of kennel, significant issues on leash and with shyness. Nervous.
Per staff 9/1: Very nervous/timid, move slow, likes cream cheese.
Per staff 9/1: Very tense and scared during intake exam. He seemed ok the the handler but once I approached he would tense up and try to hide his head. Tried hiding under chair after vaccines. Go slow.
Per staff 8/31: At the back of the kennel sitting. Trembling. Head low, mouthed closed and averting gaze. Tossed in treats and he got up to eat them as I walked away. Went to the back side and was able to leash, he walked with a hunched body and eyes darting. He was avoidant of me with tail down, stress panting and ears pasted back and began exit searching and frantically pacing in the pen. Called another ACA to assist. Went back into kennel easily once we caught him, he was evading us and we had to
corner him to leash him
Per staff 8/31: Gave him disposable enrichment to shred. Sniffed it and had not interacted with it right away.
Per staff 8/30: When I went to the front after dealing with the other dog, the ACA holding Sergio asked me to hold the leash as they weren't comfortable with his body language and after he snapped at her. I took the leash and he sat there with a tucked tail and worried eyes. overall he seemed very fearful and was avoidant. He would dart behind the desk, the finder and behind the doors. I was able to bring him back to the kennels slowly but he was very nervous. We stopped at the front of the back of the kennels and i tossed some fresh pet in but he ignored it. I stepped in and he walked in with me. I turned around and unclipped him easily. Per ACA: Went to go scan for the microchip and tried overhead, he whipped around and air snapped towards the ACA.
MEDICAL:
On 9/10, Sergio was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection (URI) or "doggy cold" and started on doxycycline. He tested positive for pneumovirus and retested negative on 9/18. He is scheduled to be on doxycycline until 9/23.
On 9/9, it was noted that Sergio’s behavior had improved while on gabapentin and trazodone, so the medications were discontinued.
On 9/1, Sergio received a vet exam due to having a honking hack a few times during his intake exam. It was a minimal exam due to his high FAS, but there was no cough elicited on tracheal palpation and his lungs auscultated within normal limits. They noted, “Consider additional behavioral meds (clonidine and/or increasing gaba/traz dose) if not adjusting with time. Continue Trazodone and Gabapentin. CTM for respiratory signs.”
During his intake exam on 9/1, Sergio’s eyes were red, his ears were a little waxy, and he had yellow teeth. Otherwise he appeared to be in good health, but was noted to be scared.
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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.
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 a 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.
