ASPCA Pet of the Week: Playing for Keeps

If ever there was a pit bull on a mission to prove the world wrong about the breed’s bad rap, it’s Ava. Our six-year-old sweetie thinks life is one big love fest—and everyone’s invited to the party!

“Ava is a favorite of the staff and volunteers,” boasts ASPCA Manager of Shelter Behavior and Training Victoria Wells. Ava is deaf, but Wells insists that dogs who can’t hear are just as easy to train as ones who can. “As long as you have treats, that’s all that matters!” And because of her deafness, the rest of Ava’s senses are heightened, especially her seventh sense—you know, the sense of play.

Ava’s got plenty of energy, and is happy to burn it all with her human buddies. Just give her a simple rub and she’ll roll over in ecstasy! Watch our video below—if you want to be the lucky parent who gets to watch this extreme cuteness on a daily basis, please call the ASPCA Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. To see other animals who are waiting for homes, please visit the ASPCA Adoption Center online.