Cruz

Cruz is an adoptable male Labrador Retriever looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - East in Mesa, Arizona. He is a young adult and medium in size. He is listed on the shelter's euthanasia list, listed due to behavior, and that date has now passed. Shelters often move these dates, so Cruz may still be waiting. The shelter can confirm.

Memo 9/8/2026 09/08/26 12:36 Canine is showing high levels of anxiety and stress around handling and is not thriving behaviorally in the shelter environment despite extra time being given due to hope of improvement. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/13/26 to prevent behavioral decline and provide support in a more appropriate setting. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/14/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 8/18/2026 08/18/26 13:37 A. Muckerman Found together: A5170178 A5170179 Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/8/2026 Updating color due to NHO status. 9/7/2026 Dog was laying curled on bed on approach, handler called to dog and crouched down, dog had pinned ears, squinting eyes, got up slowly but remained low, handler opened door and dog stepped forward but stepped back onto bed and laid back down, tossed hot dog, dog ate, would not follow treat trail forward, handler stepped in and was able to place leash loop, dog would not move forward, placed head back down, handler pet dog gently, picked dog up and carried to training room, dog allowed all handling and stayed frozen, placed in room and dog had low tail wag, began soft whining, handler walked to table and dog stayed in place and laid down where handler placed dog, handler had licki mat and snuffle mat, dog was whining and got back up and walked around one side of room, sniffing, then went to other corner and laid down and began shivering, handler gave dog some space, dog continued to whine and stayed laying there in place for a few minutes, handler tried tossing treats but dog was not interested, noticed members of public looking in and dog ignored, handler went to dog and picked up and brought away from glass door and to table with snuffle/mat, held onto leash, dog began sniffing and began licking pb from mat, then went to snuffle mat and began snuffling for treats/hot dogs, dog engaged in enrichment for a continuous five minutes, wouldn't take treat from hand but ate from floor, let go of leash and dog walked around room then went and laid back in corner, handler went to dog and was petting dog all over to which dog allowed, rolled over on belly, on and off whining, handler tried calling dog to door with light leash pressure, dog stayed frozen in place, handler picked up dog and carried back to kennel, placed in kennel and removed leash by hand, placed licki rest of pb licki mat in kennel and dog got up and began licking. 9/6/2026 Dog was resting on bed, stood up as handler approached kennel, gave a brief low tail wag, coming closer to the front, handler attempted to drape leash and dog backed up, retreated to back of kennel, handler was able to coax forward slightly, dog had lowered head, short low tail wags, but retreated again as handler presented leash, laid down in back of kennel, handler closed divider, opened back door, dog was at front, low body, allowed leash placement and took a few hesitant steps out of kennel then retreated, handler picked up, body was tense, handler carried to room, dog laid down in front of door, stayed there, slightly shaking, furrowed brow, handler knelt next to dog, dog would look away with wide eyes, allowed petting, lowering head and blinking, did not solicit attention or engage with handler, would continue shaking, handler moved an enrichment item closer, dog turned head and stared at wall, handler moved item, softly pet dog for another minute then sat down in a nearby chair, dog would stay in place, looking around room with wide eyes, whining, slowly stood up, looked around and walked to corner, continued to whine, handler softly pet dog then walked to door, dog came forward to exit, allowed handler to pick up and carry back to kennel, removed leash by hand, dog shook off. 9/4/2026 Handler approached dog from kennel front; Dog was laying down soft stare ; tail wagging as he stretched; retreats to back; handler closed guillotine; re approached; dog was pancaked to ground with soft stare; handler places leash overhead with no issues; tries slight pressure; dog remained pancaked; pet dog gently and picked up; dog allowed petting and handling to yard; Once in yard handler dropped leash and dog walked very briefly; walked enough to urinate and defecate; took like 10 steps; after done urinating and defecating dog walked over by door and pancaked down; soft stare; whinning; handler spoke softly tried coaxing over; Dog remained pancaked; whining; handler walked over and knelt down near dog; dog allowed all petting along back and head; soft stared at handler; whined; Handler opened up catch pin and dog walked out; handler was holding onto leash holding open door; dog decided to pancake; wouldn't walk further; handler used slight leash pressure guidance and dog remained pancaked; handler picked up again carried back to front of threshold; handler set dog down to put on booties; handler opened door and opened kennel door; Dog stood up and walked right into kennel with no issues; unleashed by hand; laid back down on bed with soft stare and tail wagging; 8/31/2026 In sick yard with kennel mate, dog was laying on bed, assistant picked up kennel mate and put in bucket, handler went to leash this dog, dog retreated to back of kennel, handler went around to back, dog sat with lowered head, rounded body, tolerated leash, laid down and pancaked, handler carried to bucket, sat at bottom of bucket with kennel mate, walked into yard once bucket was tipped, would stand at exit gate, stayed in front corner of yard, mildly tense with low tail, shifting eyes, stopped to defecate, stayed in corner and laid down as handler walked up to clean, dog stayed in same spot for rest of time, other dog was engaging with handlers and taking treats, this dog would watch, frequently coughing and hacking, no interest in treats tossed nearby, motionless. Handler went up after a few minutes, dog shifted uneasily in place, then laid head down flat on ground, handler softly pet dog for a minute, dog was softly blinking eyes but no other movement, handler stayed next to him for a minute then gave space, resumed engaging with other dog, after a while handlers picked up both dogs, carried to bucket, dog stood with paws up on side of bucket, peeking out, once outside of sick wing dog would attempt to jump out of bucket, handler picked up dog and placed back into kennel, removed leash by hand, dog shook off and walked away. 8/30/2026 8/30/2026 AM Rounds: Canine was bright, alert, responsive upon approach, canine solicited attention from handler through kennel door, and licked handlers hand. 8/30/2026 Handler prepared M&G room with enrichment activities for dog, activities including a snuffle box with snuffle ball, a lick mat and pupsicles. Handler was able to call kennel mate to opposite side of kennel, close and then reapproached front where dog was. As handler prepared leash dog stood up and walked away from gate, towards guillotine. Handler was able to step in drape leash over head and carry dog to M&G room. Handler placed dog in room and sat on chair. Dog walked over to corner and sat down, then laid down and began trembling. Handler gave dog some time and then tried introducing prepared enrichment. Dog would sniff or briefly interact and then turn away with wide eyes. Handler was able to get dog to walk around play treat toss game briefly and then dog returned to corner of room. Handler spend about 15 minutes with dog, dog whiled and trembled majority of time and was avoidant of interaction. Handler picked up dog and carried back to kennel, kennel mate was excitable and affiliative when dog returned to kennel. 8/29/2026 Handler approached kennel front; Dog was asleep with kennel mate; Handler tried coaxing this dog forward; this dog stood up and had slight tail wagging; handler took of leash and showed leash; dog retreats to back; Handler closed guillotine separating from kennel mate; Handler stepped in to leash; dog allowed leashing; remained pancaked to ground; light shaking; handler spoke softly and pet for few minutes; dog remained laying down; Handler slowly picked up and carried to M&G room; dog walked around room for less than a minute; handler gave treats and dog ate them; then went to eat treat scatter and pancaked to ground; remained laying down shaking; handler spoke softly and sat with dog petting dog all over; dog allowed all petting and handling; Dog remained laying down; timid; light shaking; ears down; tail and body neutral; didn't move from spot; handler tried light leash guidance pressure with no luck; Handler had tried treat trail with no luck; Handler decided to pick up and carry back to kennel; dog allowed remained in handlers arms; no more shaking just neutral in arms; soft stare; handler set in kennel; unleashed by hand; Dog walked to other side and pancaked down on blanket; 8/25/2026 AM Rounds: Canine had a soft, wiggly, body upon approach, with a low tail wag. Canine came to the front of the kennel and licked handlers hand through the door. 8/23/2026 Both dogs kenneled outside for AM cleaning, handler opened divider and kennel mate came forward, this dog remained in back, furrowed brow, lowered head, handler closed kennel mate inside and brought bucket around to back of kennel, handler opened kennel door as dog turned to face divider, tucked tail, whining, cowering as handler placed leash, as soon as leash was on dog exited kennel with low posture, moving toward spaces with lots of clutter to hide behind, handler would prompt dog to walk other way, eventually dogcrawled closer to yards, then found another space and attempted to hide, handler would pull up bucket and tilt it, prompting dog to enter,dog pulling back toward kennel, handler approached, dog urinated, tolerated handler picking up and placing in bucket, sat at bottom for ride to training room, once in the room dog easily exited bucket, stood at window watching from underneath a table, dog would not come forward for treats or luring, walked to another table and laid down under it, handler approached, dog would turn head, widen eyes, handler knelt next to dog and softly pet, dog would tolerate all handling, handler just spent a few minutes next to dog, petting them and speaking softly, dog would slowly blink and squint eyes, feigning sleep, body remained neutral, motionless. Handler would adjust position, dog would open eyes, shift slightly, but for majority of evaluation stayed in same position under table. Handler pet along side and dog slightly shifted away, otherwise had no reaction to any touch. After a few minutes handler stood up, picked up leash, prompted dog to follow, dog remained under table, handler would slowly move table out of the way, dog would crawl to stay under table, handler was able to pick up dog, body tense as lifted, placed in bucket, stood at front of bucket, no attempts to jump, bucket couldn't go all the way to the kennel front due to a curb, would not walk back into kennel, handler had to carry, removed leash by hand. 8/22/2026 Handler approached kennel front; Dog was laying down with kennel mate; handler tossed treats outside ands kennel mate went outside; this one remained laying down; Handler closed guillotine and attempted coaxing dog forward; dog remained pancaked; handler stepped in and placed leash over head; Dog remained pancaked; handler opened up door fully and dog slowly walked out as handler walked behind; slow stop n go to yard; pancaked to ground near yard; didn't like leash guidance; would pancake; Handler pet gently and picked up; dog allowed handler to carry to yard; once in yard handler pet gently and allowed dog time to explore; Dog walked yard with caution ; wary of environment; Dog walked around urinated and defecated shortly later; didn't come over and greet handler at all; remained near exit; nervous whined walking around yard; ears pinned; eyes squinty if handler approached; timid; unsure; tail tucked; Handler opened up catch pin and used body pressure and dog walked into catch pin; Handler grabbed leash and dog pancaked; handler had to pick up and carry inside building threshold; Handler put dog down to see if he would walk; he just remained pancaked to ground nervous; Handler picked up again and carried to kennel front; Dog walked in and allowed unleashing by hand; went back to blanket and pancaked to ground; ears pinned; eyes squinty as handler closed door; 8/20/2026 Laying in bed would not approach handler after attempts of verbal coaxing and opening gate. Avoidant of handler. Requesting Full evaluation. 8/18/2026 Came in in bucket with kennelmate, allowed all handling, pets, scanning, vaccinated using no restraint, does not walk on leash, taken to kennel in bucket, moderate leash pressure used to lure into kennel, leash removal by hand. Name: Cruz Animal ID: A5170179 Breed: BROWN/WHITE LABRADOR RETR/MIX Sex: Male Age: 1Y 1M Weight: 28.8 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing A - 030 Intake Date: 8/18/2026 Deadline Date: 9/13/2026