Maddie

Maddie is an adoptable female Shih Tzu looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. She is fully grown and small in size. She is listed on the shelter's euthanasia list, listed due to behavior, and that date has now passed. Shelters often move these dates, so Maddie may still be waiting. The shelter can confirm.

Memo 9/9/2026 09/09/26 16:35 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 9/14/26 to prevent behavioral decline and provide support in a more appropriate setting. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/15/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 8/19/2026 These dogs were found and brought in together A5170232 A5170233 8/19/2026 How long have you had the animal ? LITTLE OVER A WEEK. SOURCE SAW THE DOGS RUNNING AROUND IN THE GILBERT REGIONAL PARK. SOURCE STAYED AROUND THE AREA WAITING TO SEE IF AN OWNER WOULD COME BACK FOR THEM. WHEN SOURCE APPROACHED, DOGS RAN AWAY. SOURCE THEN OFFERED FOOD AND DOGS APPROACHED. What are the cross streets where you found the animal? QUEEN CREEK RD AND HIGLEY RD Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? NONE Is animal spayed/neutered? NO Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? BARK AT STRANGERS Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NONE Was this animal around any children? YES, 8-14 YEARS OLD. FRIENDLY WITH CHILDREN. ALLOW PETTING FROM CHILDREN. Did the animal interact with other animals? YES Cats? NO Dogs? YES, WAS INDIFFERENT TOWARDS SOURCE'S LARGE DOG. Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? NONE Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? NONE Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? NONE Can the animal walk on a leash? NO Does the animal know any commands? NONE If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? FREE ROAM IN SECTIONED OFF AREA If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? N/A How would you describe the animal’s energy level? SHY/UNSURE Any escapist behavior? YES Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? WHEN THE FRONT DOOR WAS OPENED, DOG WOULD TRY TO GET OUT Any Additional details/notes on behavior? SKITTISH AROUND STRANGERS Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/9/2026 Dog would quickly retreat to corner of kennel on approach. Would not come forward with treats or verbal coaxing. Placed leash onto dog while dog would be sitting up in corner, trembling body with whale eyes. Slowly picked up & carried to M&G room. Placed dog onto lap, dog would tremble body while licking lips. Would not settle while handler would continue to pet & speak softly for a few minutes. Placed onto ground, dog would quickly retreat to corner of room. Sat down while continuing to tremble. Would not come to handler with verbal coaxing or treats. As handler would approach dog, dog would lift front paw up while licking lips with ears pinned back & whale eyed. Slowly picked up dog & carried to kennel. Placed onto soft bed & slowly removed leash by hand. Once handler closed kennel gate, dog would stand up & start to pace in & out of kennel divider while licking lips. 9/5/2026 Cowering in back of kennel, lip-licking. Handler opened gate, offered dog high-value enrichment treat; dog refused treats, cowered away from handler. 9/2/2026 Dog was hiding behind bed; sitting in back corner; whale eyed; allowed handler to placed leash over; placed blanket over; picked up wrapped in blanket; allowed assistant handler to administer vaccine; no issues; easy return. 9/2/2026 Sitting in back of kennel; behind bed; trembling; whale eyed; offered treat by hand; took treat gently; did not eat; remained sitting in back corner; placed leash over head; tolerated light petting; placed blanket over; picked up; blanket wrapped; trembling while being carried. In room, handler sat on bench; kept dog in blanket on lap; not interested in treats; continued to trembling; held in lap for several moments; tolerated light head petting. After a few moments, handler placed dog in chair on right next to handler; dog placed paw on handler's lap; handler tried verbally coaxing; dog pulled paw back; stood in chair; trembling; did not move; whale eyed; tolerated very light petting. Handler picked dog up in blanket; placed blanket down first; then placed dog on floor; dog shook off; stood on blanket for a moment; handler crouched nearby; dog was panting; ran under chair; came out under chair; then went back under chair; sat; watched handler; dog sniffed nearby; would not approach; remained under chair for entire time; handler extended hand out; dog reached head forward; sniffed; pulled away. Handler moved chairs; dog remained in place; placed blanket over; picked up; carried back to kennel; removed leash; placed in kennel. 8/29/2026 Dog was curled up behind bed, trembling, would not look at handler or come forward, refused treats. Handler placed leash without issue, used blanket wrap to carry dog out of kennel. Took to quiet indoor room, sat with dog on lap, still partially wrapped in blanket for dog's comfort. Dog trembled hard, lip licked, did not settle. Handler offered high-value treats, dog would not take, turned face away. Dog was easily, intensely startled by new noises or movements. Tolerated petting, would occasionally side-eye handler while lip-licking. Carried back to kennel in blanket, removed leash by hand before returning dog. 8/23/2026 Dog was in back of single kennel on approach, cowering behind pillow bed. Began trembling hard as handler spoke. Could not be coaxed. Handler opened gate, dog remained in place, began hiding face behind bed. No interest in offered treats. Handler was able to place leash, gently pet dog on top of head. Dog lip licked, continued trembling. Handler used blanket to lift, carry dog from kennel. Took to quiet M&G room; handler sat on chair, held dog on lap for a few moments. Dog did not stop trembling, lip licked frequently. Tolerated petting but was tense. Handler slowly placed dog onto floor, dog immediately bolted underneath nearby chair. Remained in corner, would not come out, no response to coaxing. Easily startled by most ambient sounds, flinched hard when handler moved. Ate one hot dog tossed nearby, refused any more. After a few more minutes, handler crouched nearby, spoke softly, able to pet dog on top of head; dog appeared very uncomfortable, hard trembling and lip licking, head lowered. Handler was able to carry dog back to kennel in blanket wrap with head exposed. Remained still in handler's arms for a couple extra minutes as handler cleaned kennel. Removed leash by hand, returned dog into kennel. Dog retreated behind bed as handler closed gate. 08/28/26 06:22 updating to pink level 8/22/2026 Dog was lying in bed, stoic, wouldn't approach with verbal coaxing, took treats gently from hand, allowed light petting, lowered head when handler presented leash but would not move from bed, allowed handler to gently maneuver leash around head, dog took more treats, able to slowly pick up and carry to M&G room. Dog was tense and trembling on lap, eyes wide, allowed pets, placed dog on floor, dog retreated to corner underneath chair, trembling, scanning room, lip licking, handler sat on floor, dog would not approach with verbal coaxing, ignored high value treats tossed nearby, remained frozen in corner. Able slowly move chair, dog allowed light petting, able to slowly pick up and carry back to kennel, removed leash and returned with no issues. 8/21/2026 laying on bed, tense body, trembling, unable to coax forward, pushed body against back of kennel and averted gaze when door opened. requesting full eval based on kennel presentation. 8/21/2026 Sat on bed, leaned back when handler tried to interact, would come forward to eat dropped hotdogs after handler moved away. 8/19/2026 nervous but allowed dall petting, seeks attention, wagging tail, vaccinations given, carried to kennel Name: Maddie Animal ID: A5170233 Breed: BLACK/WHITE SHIH TZU/MIX Sex: Female Age: 4Y 1M Weight: 7.8 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing X - 517 Intake Date: 8/19/2026 Deadline Date: 9/14/2026