Squirtle

Squirtle is an adoptable male Cairn Terrier looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. He is fully grown and small in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 5 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Squirtle, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 8/28/2026 08/28/26 15:36 Canine is exhibiting heightened sensitivity to handling, resulting in concerning responses. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/2/26 to provide support and reduce the likelihood of behavior progression. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/3/26 or sooner if warranted. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 8/23/2026 Sitting in middle of kennel with neutral body, no interest in coaxing but high interest in treats offered, grabby with treats, will become stiff and lip curl when hand is placed in front of kennel after offering treats. Wary of leash, will come forward and follow treat trail to front of kennel but retreats quickly/erratically when leash is presented, closed divider and able to lasso dog with no issues, dog was hard staring and stiff bodied but tolerated leash placement. Stiff bodied and whale eye when extending hand out to pet, did not attempt to pet, very grabby with treat offered, bit thru tip of finger of PPE glove but did not break skin on finger. Draped towel over and when attempting to lift dog would begin to flail, head flip, stiffens up body, let dog settle, able to slowly lift out of kennel and carry to m&g room with no issues, dog was stiff bodied. Placed dog in middle of room, wary of handler but would eat treats tossed near, some pacing around room, body will stiffen up when extending hand out to pet but will come forward for treats offered. Sniffs near m&g door, will evade handler when approached. Able to pick up leash as dog ate treat, draped towel over and carried back to kennel with no issues, stiff bodied, head flipped when removing leash before placing into kennel but able to remove leash once placed into kennel as leash loop was made larger, dog flinched back heavily. 8/22/2026 Dog was standing at front of kennel, neutral body language, tail down. Accepted treats through gate. As handler was unlocking kennel, dog came forward, brief tail wag, then stepped back once gate was open. Dog was nervous of leash, whipped head away from it, bared teeth once. Handler was able to secure leash with large loop after a couple attempts. Dog remained in back of kennel, tense body, stoic face. Handler applied safety gloves as precaution, offered treats by hand. Dog was very grabby with treats, snapped forward for them, teeth made contact with gloves. Handler continued giving treats, dog became gentler when taking them. Tensed when reached for. Handler applied blanket wrap, attempted to lift, dog head-flipped under blanket, scurried forward. Handler waited for dog to settle, petted over blanket, then was able to lift. Uncovered dog's face while carrying to M&G room. In room, handler removed blanket, sat on chair nearby. Dog stood in place briefly, approached handler, stoic face, slight tense body. Treat-motivated, accepted them eagerly. Recoiled away from attempts to pet, eyes squinting, lip licking. Handler did not force interaction. Dog explored room, appeared interest in people passing outside, returned to handler when called but kept some distance. Walked on leash back to kennel room, mostly loose leash, slow, needing some encouragement. Handler used blanket wrap to pick dog up, removed leash by hand, returned to kennel. 8/21/2026 Would come forward for treats; opened kennel door; stayed at front for treats; backed up when trying to pet; sat in back corner; lip licking. Requesting full eval based on intake and kennel presence. 8/19/2026 walked on leash briefly then began thrashing and flailing (no biting or growling), settled easily then began carrying in blanket, allows all petting, allows all handling, nervous of handler, whined during vaccines, solicited attention from male and female handlers, carried to kennel, leash removal by hand Name: Squirtle Animal ID: A5170216 Breed: WHITE/TAN CAIRN TERRIER/MIX Sex: Male Age: 5Y 0M Weight: 15.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing K - 451 Intake Date: 8/19/2026 Deadline Date: 9/2/2026