Meet Ava! Ava is a 4-year-old German Shepherd mix who came into us as a surrender from a commercial breeding facility (aka Puppy Mill) in Lancaster County. Ava had a very difficult life before coming to us, being used as a mill mama her entire life. Despite this, she is a very outgoing girl and loves to explore! We are confident she will make a wonderful family member for a very lucky family, who understands her past and gives her the time she needs to trust them and her new surroundings. Ava is bonded to Andy and ideally they will be adopted together. Adopting a puppy mill survivor is life-changing-for you and them. For these dogs, everything is new and often overwhelming: people, houses, stairs, leashes, food bowls, collars, toys, TVs, ovens, doorways, pavement...the list goes on. They need adopters who can move slowly, be patient, keep expectations reasonable, and provide the understanding and tools they need to grow into happy, confident companions. Patience, positive reinforcement, and understanding are key! We promise there is nothing that compares to gaining the love and trust of a mill mama, but it requires intentional effort and commitment from their new family. With the right guidance, puppy mill survivors can blossom into well-socialized, joyful dog- so our goal is always to ensure every adopter is fully prepared to give them the life and environment they need to truly thrive! If you are interested in being considered for them please apply on our website at www.angelsretreat.org Angel's Retreat West Chester, PA PA Kennel License 17335