NYC Pet of the Week: Meet Benge

This five-year-old cocker spaniel may be small for his breed, but he carries his weight in affection. “Benge is truly remarkable,” says his foster mom, who took care of him until he was ready for adoption. “He’s so sweet and loving. He's fully housebroken, he gets along very well with cats, dogs and babies―and he's smart. You couldn't ask for better qualities in a dog.”

Unfortunately, this little guy didn't have the best start in life. “Benge came to the ASPCA as the result of a cruelty case," says Gail Buchwald, ASPCA Senior Vice President, Adoption Center & Mobile Clinic, "but with lots of TLC, he has healed beautifully."

Given all that Benge has been through, it's no surprise that he might become a little bit anxious when his human family leaves him, but this youthful pooch is learning how to separate. His latest challenge is eating peanut butter out of a Kong while learning to spend time away from his "person."

Come meet Benge at our Adoption Center at 424 East 92nd St., or call the Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. To see some of the other animals at our shelter who are waiting for homes, please check out our Available Animals list.

NYC Pet of the Week: Meet Marge

GIVE PEACE—AND PURRS!—A CHANCE
Even though she is a bit shy, Marge, a 2 1/2-year-old kitty currently at the ASPCA Adoption Center, is very sweet and enjoys socializing. “She likes to be picked up inside her bed, like a taco!” says Kat Miller, ASPCA Senior Behavior Counselor, describing Marge’s peaceful approach to playtime.

Marge came to the ASPCA as a young cat and was quickly adopted. But upon being diagnosed with moderate inflammatory bowel disease, she was soon brought back. Unable to afford Marge’s treatment, her owner wanted the cat to be in a loving home that could.

Marge is now on medication and a low-fat, high-fiber diet, and is available for adoption. The ideal home for her a kitty with her mellow personality and health needs? A quiet household with kids age 10 and up.

Come meet Ms. Tranquility for yourself at our Adoption Center at 424 East 92nd Street, or call the Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. To see some of the other animals at our shelter who are waiting for homes, please visit our Available Animals list.

NYC Pet of the Week: Meet Maddie!

At just 2 1/2 years old, Maddie, a pit bull mix currently awaiting adoption at the ASPCA, is the complete package. Not only is she playful, sweet, affectionate and loyal, she is an extremely intelligent girl who has had a lot of obedience training.

“Maddie needs a lot of exercise and mental stimulation, and loves obedience training,” says the ASPCA’s Trish McMillan, Senior Manager, Animal Behavior. “It would be great if her future owner took her to classes so she can show off what she knows.”

We gave Maddie medical rehabilitation and loving care after our Humane Law Enforcement agents rescued her from neglect. She is now ready to find a caring household where she can be the only pet, enjoy a good game of fetch and receive mental stimulation with clear direction and boundaries.

Come meet this girl who’s got it all at our 92nd Street Adoption Center, or call the Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. To see some of the other animals who are waiting for homes, please visit ASPCA.org.

NYC Pet of the Week: Meet Jazzy Joyce!

Looking to make a faithful friend? Meet Jazzy Joyce—she’s all that. Sweet and calm, this four-year-old tortie-colored Norwegian forest cat will climb up onto your lap for some quality time. Like other members of her breed, this feline likes receiving quiet, calm attention from people.

“Jazzy Joyce doesn’t have that crazy kitten behavior, yet is still young enough to be active and play,” says ASPCA Cares’ Allison Cardona. “That’s the nice thing about adult cats—they are loyal but less boisterous companions.”

In addition to providing love, it will be important for Jazzy Joyce’s new owner to ensure that she receives regular medical attention, since she has a hyperactive thyroid gland and needs periodic blood tests. This long-haired lady will also need daily brushing (our medical staff gave her a shave, as you can see in the photo, to remove some mats), and we recommend that she be the only pet in a home with kids ages 12 and up.

Please stop by the ASPCA’s 92nd Street headquarters and experience this sweet girl for yourself. You can also learn more about Jazzy Joyce by calling the Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. To see some of the other animals at our shelter who are waiting for homes, please visit ASPCA.org.

NYC Pet of the Week: Meet Diva!

Diva the Rottweiler mix is already a star at our 92nd Street adoption facilities—and very soon the entire world will see her shine, too. Just ask ASPCA’s Victoria Wells, Manager of Shelter Training and Behavior, who handpicked the five-year-old canine to appear on VH1’s Ego Trip’s White Rapper Show.

Although this canine ingénue is new to the biz, we weren’t at all surprised to learn that Diva performed like a true pro during the recent taping, where she was made up and modeled with one of the show’s rappers. “Not only is Diva sweet, she is very smart,” says ASPCA Cares’ Allison Cardona. “She picks things up quickly, and is so easy to train.” And of course, she looked simply smashing in the pretty pink bow she wears on the episode.

Read more about Diva and learn how you can adopt her!

ASPCA Pet of the Week: Meet Gravy

OK, so he hasn’t yet learned to wave—but energetic, enthusiastic Gravy will be delighted to meet and greet you when you visit him at our 92nd Street adoption facilities.

That’s saying quite a bit, since this three-year-old Australian kelpie mix had a rough start in life. “It’s a sad story,” explains ASPCA Cares’ Allison Cardona. “Gravy was seized by our Humane Law Enforcement officers last January. His muzzle was bound with a cord, and he had also been stabbed over his left eye.” Thanks to tender loving care at our ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, Gravy recovered and rebounded—and his wonderful personality is really starting to come out.

“He’s an all-around goofy, young, eager-to-please dog,” says Allison. We also must point out that he’ll pretty much do anything for a treat, and has already mastered his basic manners. “He’s a herding dog, so it’s important for him to have a job and keep busy,’” says Allison.

If you’ve got time to continue Gravy’s training, we think the sky’s the limit for this smart cookie. To find out more about this sweet chocolate-colored boy, please call the Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120.

To see some of the other animals at our shelter who are waiting for homes, please visit ASPCA.org. As such, this smart cookie would really blossom with an owner who has time to continue his training.

NYC Pet of the Week: Meet Artichoke!

ROLL OVER, BEETHOVEN
Are you listening, potential adopters? Artichoke, our super-smart, super-sweet seven-month-old Border Collie mix, will play your heart strings as he shows you how quickly he learns and understands, even without being able to hear very well. “He’s a regular maestro of the dog world, and we can’t get enough of him,” says David Benson, ASPCA Cares.

Although we aren’t sure of the extent of his hearing impairment, our ASPCA Behavior staff can show Artichoke’s new family some simple techniques used to train a hearing-impaired dog. Soon, you’ll have him reading hand signals like notes on a page.

Yes, he’s that intelligent—just ask volunteer Lisa Terezakis. “Look how smart he is,” she says. “And sweet, too!”

Adds Benson, “His quick brain and eagerness to learn make him a perfect fit for anyone looking for an energetic boy with a world of potential. So crank up that Ninth Symphony on your stereo—Artichoke won’t mind—and come on down to meet the maestro.”

If you’d like to know more about this special guy, please call the Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120, and come on in and meet Artichoke.

NYC Pet of the Week: Meet Ritz Carlton, World's Most Handsome Cat

Looking for the ultimate people cat who’ll greet any and all visitors to your home? We present Ritz Carlton, our resident feline host with the most. The UPS man’s at the door? He’s all over him. Your friendly neighbor? He’ll demand a hearty top-of-the-head scratch. And you, his number-one fan? You’re perfect for leaning up against during grooming sessions and for cuddling with on chilly fall nights.

Like his namesake, this four-year-old flamepoint Siamese mix is majorly accommodating.

“Ritz is very energetic, social and charismatic,” says Dr. Kat Miller of the ASPCA Behavior department. This loving, gentle boy maintains his Hollywood heartthrob looks with lots of exercise, including running, jumping, and fetching. (Get your pitch and arc just right and he’ll leap to snag it mid-air with a Derek Jeter flourish.)

Of course, Ritz’ll need a lot of space for his big personality, and an adopter who’ll spend ample time playing with him. Potential pet parents will need to know that, although Ritz adores people and well-behaved dogs, he’s not a fan of other felines, and must live in a single-cat household.

Can you handle such an unbelievable amount of feline charisma? Of course you can! Please call the Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120, and come on down to meet Ritz.

NYC Pet of the Week: Meet Jacob

“Jacob is a very special dog,” says the ASPCA Behavior department’s Trish McMillian of the eight-year-old Lab/mastiff mix currently on the lookout for his forever home. After a rough start in life, the gentle golden oldie is ready for his retirement. “He would love to just curl up on the couch with you,” says McMillian.

But don’t let Jacob’s age and well-developed “cuddle gene” fool you—our elder statesman hasn’t lost and get-up-and-go. “He would be great on long, leisurely walks,” says McMillian.

Sweet, in shape…and smart, too? Yup, Jacob’s got it all. He knows Sit, Stay, Shake, Come and Down and, reports McMillian, “Being as motivated to learn as he is, we’re sure he can learn even more commands.”

Looking to add a gentle and gallant canine friend to your home? Please call the Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120, and come on down to meet Jacob. To see some of the other animals at our shelter who are waiting for homes, please visit ASPCA.org.

NYC Pet of the Week: Meet Diamond

Searching for a dog who’ll help you get in touch with your inner diva? Meet Diamond, a golden girl with plenty of sparkle to add to your home.

“This mellow lady is looking for a couch to curl up on and a human friend to cuddle with,” says the ASPCA’s David Benson of the nine-year-old Lhasa Apso. She may be low-maintenance in terms of exercise (no frenzied sessions of fetch or marathon runs necessary for this dainty canine!), but is demanding of something you’ll have to give a lot of—attention and love. “She likes petting,” explains Benson, “and prefers the surroundings of a soft bed to an open field.”

This smart girl knows how to sit and will work for a tasty treat, and would do best as the only dog in the household. Could you be that special someone with whom she can spend her golden years? “If you think you’ve got the stuff to let this Diamond shine, come on down to the ASPCA and meet this terrific lady,” urges Benson.

To find out more about Diamond, please call the Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. To see some of the other animals at our shelter who are waiting for homes, please visit ASPCA.org.

NYC Pet of the Week: Meet Harley and Big Ben

GOOD HOMES NEEDED, ON THE DOUBLE

Abbott and Costello, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Thelma and Louise, Butch and Sundance…Harley and Big Ben?

Yup, you heard it here first—Harley and Big Ben! “They’re a natural pair,” says the ASPCA’s Barbara McDonald of the two tabby boys currently waiting for adoption at the ASPCA’s 92nd Street headquarters. Although they didn’t come in together, the cats quickly became best friends.

“We were a bit worried about them at first,” says McDonald, who is in charge of Feline Enrichment at the “A.” “But once they paired up, it’s remarkable how much they’ve both come out of their shells.” And together, they’re loving, bonded, sweet and affectionate to people—times two!

If you’re looking to adopt two cats, you certainly won’t have to worry about these guys getting along with each other—or with you. As ASPCA Cares’ David Benson explains, “We all need somebody to lean on, and these two bring out the best in each other. Come on down and meet this dynamic duo. You won’t be sorry!”

To find out more about Harley and Big Ben, please call the Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. To see some of the other animals at our shelter who are waiting for homes, please visit ASPCA.org.

NYC Pet of the Week: Cody

HI, CHIHUAHUA!

“Our sweet boy Cody had a rough start in life,” says ASPCA Cares’ David Benson of the little Chihuahua who was recently rescued by our Humane Law Enforcement agents. “He was very badly physically abused by his owners, and with all that happened to him, you’d think he’d have a grudge against people. But nothing could be further from the truth.”

A favorite among staffers at our 92nd Street headquarters, Cody has impressed everyone with his loving spirit. He tends to be a bit shy at first, explains Trish McMillan of the Animal Behavior department, “But once he knows you, you’re in his club—and that means he’ll let you rub his tummy and he’ll give you kisses in return!” In addition to his human buddies, Cody does well with other dogs his size—and loves kitties, too.

Our behavior team says Cody will do well in a home with another dog who is confident. Explains Benson, “This would help Cody continue the remarkable progress he’s made coming out of his shell and becoming the dog we all know he can be.” Additionally, Cody is a little frightened of walking on the street, but is more than happy to climb into a bag to be close to his person.

NYC Pet of the Week: Erica

Jumping up on people? Pulling you down the street during walks? Our beautiful lady Erica has no time for funny stuff like that. She’s figured out that looking gorgeous and acting sweet are far better ways to get the attention of her human friends.

“Erica is fluffy, huggable and calm,” says Dr. Kat Miller of the ASPCA Behavior department. The pretty flat-coated retriever/Chow Chow mix prefers long strolls through the park to running on the sidewalk, and would love to curl up and watch a movie on the couch with her new owner.

New York City Pet of the Week: Meet Baxter

FIRST CHOICE FOR A SECOND CAT

“Baxter’s sweet little face has seen a lot in his first year of life,” says ASPCA Animal Placement’s Cherylyn Washington.

After his owner died in his apartment, Baxter went to live with his owner’s sister. When she became homeless and unable to care for him, Baxter was brought to the ASPCA’s 92nd Street headquarters. Strongly bonded to his owner, the handsome boy was very shy with us at first. “But thanks to the great work of our volunteers and staff,” says Washington, “Baxter’s made great progress—and our animal behaviorists believe he’ll bond again with someone in the right home.”

Click here to learn more about Baxter...