Valley Animal Center: Will you give Santana a chance at love?

Sep 17, 2022 | 2022 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Pets

by Nou Her

Pit Bull/Boxer mix Santana (animal ID: 23391) needs someone to give her a chance to show just how loving she is!

Santana was rescued from Central California SPCA by no-kill animal shelter Valley Animal Center in August of 2020. She was a very pregnant mom, emaciated and full of fleas and ticks. After giving birth to a litter of six, all her puppies quickly found forever homes. Santana, however, still resides at Valley Animal Center.

Santana

“Santana is a favorite with our volunteers,” said Valley Animal Center Dog Trainer, Mariah Prudhume. “She loves people, and I wish someone would give her the chance to show her true personality and how loving she is.”

Despite how loving and favorited Santana is by Valley Animal Center staff and volunteers, it has been difficult to find her a home. The reason? Santana would need to be the only pet in the home with no children. She has shown fear aggression towards cats, other dogs, and children, lunging at them when they come too close to her. With adults, however, Santana is an absolute sweetheart. Any adults who enter her kennel, she will quickly come up to cuddle with as if they’ve been best friends for life.

“She’s a really smart dog,” said Mariah. “She loves her puzzle toys, knows sit, and walks well on leash. It’s just that her social skills are not the greatest.”

Santana will need a special adopter who has had experience with dogs. Mariah does not recommend her for a first-time dog owner due to her reactivity with non-adults and other animals. “It’s possible Santana may one day be ok with children or other pets,” said Mariah, “but it’s not something a shelter setting can help her thrive in.”

Last August marked Santana’s two-year anniversary with Valley Animal Center, and there has been little interest in her. If you are someone who can fulfill Santana’s needs and would love to rescue a dog desperately in want of a loving home, please consider adopting Santana.

To learn more about Santana or to meet her, you can find Valley Animal Center’s adoption information HERE. Their adoption center is located at 3934 N. Hayston Ave., Fresno, CA 93726 and open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As a long-term resident, Santana’s adoption fee has been reduced from $180 to $50.

If you would like to make a donation to help Santana and other animals under the care of VAC you can make a general donation HERE.

Valley Animal Center’s mission is to unite dogs and cats with loving people, but for the dogs and cats who are still waiting for their furever homes, donations go a long way in ensuring they are given quality care during their time in a shelter setting, no matter how long it is. It’s possible Santana will be adopted in the next few days, but it’s also possible she may be at Valley Animal Center for another year. Please share and support her to find a furever home.

Editor’s Note: We recently received this press release from Valley Animal Center and thought it important to include this with this article:

Valley Animal Center needs funds to get through the year
The largest private no-kill shelter in the Central Valley, Valley Animal Center, needs to raise more than $250,000 to get through the year.
In 2022, the adoption rates at Valley Animal Center have decreased. Instead, there has been a significant increase in pet owners seeking to surrender their pets. Many turn to Valley Animal Center because it is a no-kill shelter. The organization always remains close to or at capacity and needs funds to continue to operate.
“The cost of food, medicine, and other supplies has increased,” Valley Animal Center Executive Director Rob Piccolo said. “We don’t receive government funds and rely heavily on donations made by our community. We understand times may be tough for everyone else. All we ask is that if someone has $5 to spare this month, they consider donating it to Valley Animal Center. We need help now.”
Those interested in making a monetary donation to Valley Animal Center, may visit the organization online at valleyanimal.org.
“Our mission is crucial to this community,” Piccolo said. “Any donation made will help us continue to provide a haven to at-risk dogs and cats who would otherwise be in an overcrowded animal control agency or left homeless on the streets. Without Valley Animal Center, many dogs and cats won’t have the second or third chance we’re able to offer them.”

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