Meet Aspen, the Golden Retriever! Aspen came into the Shelter as a stray with an unregistered microchip. Shelter staff did their best to track down an animal owner but were unsuccessful in finding the previous owner. Aspen’s stray hold is complete and he is ready to meet his new adoptive family. Staff have observed that Aspen is vocal in his kennel for adoption. He is easy to leash up and eager to go out and walk (despite being a little slow getting up from resting). He leans in for pets and gives full body wags when interacting with people. Aspen has met dogs at the Shelter and says hi but then disengages to interact with humans again. Our clinic team has observed that he is significantly overweight. Adopters should plan to work with their veterinarian after adoption to ensure that Aspen is on a controlled weight loss and exercise plan. Not only will this help to get Aspen at a healthier weight but will lower his risks of diseases associated with obesity such as diabetes. Aspen has also received treatment for a moderate ear infection in both of his ears. Adopters should follow up with their veterinarian about this after adoption as well. From Friday, May 1st through Sunday May 10th, the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is participating in Empty the Shelters. The adoption fee is reduced to $50 for all cats, dogs and rabbits in our care. Empty the Shelters is the nation’s largest funded adoption event centered around helping homeless pets find families by making adoption affordable for prospective pet owners. The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation is now offering “Pawsitivity Bucks” with every dog adoption. This $200 training voucher is a way for newly adopted canines and their guardians to connect with local positive reinforcement based behavior consultants and get their relationship started off on the right paw! Please note: Our Santa Cruz location’s Shelter hours are 11-6pm, 7 days a week! Although clients can walk through and see any animals in their kennels during open hours, we end “meet and greets” (aka meeting an animal out of the kennel) at 4:30pm every day. If you’d like to meet an animal out of the kennel, please arrive before 4:00pm to allow for time to discuss individual animals and meet them.