Valley Animal Center: Bonded Buddies Seek Furever Home … Together!

May 6, 2023 | 2023 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Pets

by Alisia Sanchez, VAC Marketing Manager, &
Juan Guitron, VAC Marketing Volunteer

Rocco (25553) and Rosie (25554) have many things in common. For one, they are brother and sister and have been in the care of Valley Animal Center since they were rescued from Fresno Humane Animal Services in 2022. They are both two years old, Chihuahua and Dachshund mix pups, and are very, very shy. They are also considered a “bonded pair.”

Rosie and Rocco

Bonded pairs share a special and unique connection, which can oftentimes be formed between siblings or during stressful times. A bonded pair of dogs or cats do everything together: they eat together, play together, and sleep together. When separated, a bonded pair can experience strong emotional distress which could lead to displaying anxious behavior. For these reasons, many shelters make every effort to find one home for bonded pairs.

At Valley Animal Center, staff members believe Rocco and Rosie deserve to be adopted together. Adopting a bonded pair does not always mean double the work. In some cases, it can make the transition into a new home easier.

“Taking on a bonded pair isn’t as hard as people think,” Valley Animal Center Dog Care Specialist Jessica Silva said. “Sometimes, it can even help a dog adjust into a home.”

Bonded pairs find comfort in one another, and in the case of Rocco and Rosie, this could not be more apparent.

Rocco

When Rocco was first welcomed by Valley Animal Center, he had a hard time acclimating to his new environment. He was very shy and refused to interact with other dogs. In the company of his sister, Rosie, he relaxed. Likewise, when Rosie had meet-and-greets without Rocco, she, too, had a hard time expressing her true self.

“Rosie hides in the corner wanting nothing to do with other dogs,” Silva said. “She becomes more stressed and begins panting way more when she is separated from Rocco.”

Rosie

Both Rocco and Rosie were adopted in March but returned only six days later for being too fearful. With any shelter animal, Valley Animal Center encourages adopters to give them at least three months to adjust to their new homes. However, it can be difficult to find adopters who are truly patient and committed to caring for the animal its entire life, and with bonded pairs, the idea of adopting two makes adoption that much harder.

“Dogs like Rocco and Rosie just need time,” Silva said. “Rocco is little, but mighty. He acts like a big dog but is the silliest boy who loves to wiggle and get all the attention. Rosie is shy but such a sweet girl. She wants all the love, even though she doesn’t know how to receive it. When she warms up, her personality is so loving.”

Rocco and Rosie’s adoption fees have been reduced to $25 each and include neuter/spay, up to date on vaccines, microchip ID, and one free dog training consultation with Valley Animal Center’s certified dog trainer, Mariah Prudhume. Valley Animal Center’s dog adoption center is open Wednesday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For those unable to adopt but would love to sponsor Rocco or Rosie’s care for as little as $10 a month, can do so at valleyanimal.org/sponsor.

Check out more animal rescue stories in our Pet Perspective section & watch for more stories from Valley Animal Center every month, and we would love to have you join our KRL Pets Facebook group.