Zephyr

Zephyr is an adoptable female Belgian Shepherd Malinois looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. She is fully grown and medium in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 4 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Zephyr, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/23/2026 09/23/26 14:34 Canine has shown over-arousal and is difficult to manage safely while in care, also has displayed elevated reactivity and focus on other dogs in shelter and in previous environment. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 9/28/26 to allow for behavioral support and assessment in a different setting. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/29/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/15/2026 What is the reason for surrender? OWNER IS FACING MEDICAL ISSUES. OWNER CANNOT PROVIDE LONG WALKS/EXERCISE AND PET IS VERY STRONG/PULLS OWNER. How long have you had your pet? 6.5 MONTHS. Where did you get this animal from? ACS OLD. Is your pet spayed/neutered? YES. Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? NO. We offer resources such as low-cost veterinary care, trainers, food/medication coupons, and financial assistance. Would you like any resources instead of surrendering? NO. Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO. Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? NO. Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? N/A Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? N/A Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? BARKS AT NEW PEOPLE WHEN THEY APROACH OWNER. THIS PET BARKS AT OTHER DOGS, STARES AT OTHER DOGS AND PULLS TOWARDS/LUNGES OTHER DOGS WHEN OUT ON A WALK. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO. How is the animal around children? THIS PET HAS MET CHILDREN WHILE OUT WALKING RANGING IN AGE FROM 8-13. Please describe behavior around children? THIS PET IS VERY FRIENDLY WITH ALL CHILDREN THAT SHE HAS MET. ENJOYS ALL PETTING/HANDLING FROM CHILDREN. Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? PET IS VERY FRIENDLY, LOVING WITH OWNER. SEEKS ATTENTION FROM OWNER. WANTS CUDDLES AND LIKES TO PLAY WITH OWNER. PET IS MORE AMENDABLE TO MEETING/CALMING DOWN WHEN MEETING FEMALES. PET IS MUCH MORE REACTIVE AROUND MEN. THIS PET TAKES MUCH LONGER TO WARM TO MEN AS OPPOSED TO WOMEN. Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? Cats? BARKED AT CAT WHEN OUT ON WALK. Dogs? THIS PET BARKS AT OTHER DOGS, STARES AT OTHER DOGS AND PULLS TOWARDS/LUNGES OTHER DOGS WHEN OUT ON A WALK. Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? NO. Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? NO. Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? NONE OBSERVED WITH PEOPLE. NO OPPORTUNITY AROUND OTHER DOGS. Is the animal house-trained? YES. Is your pet potty trained? YES. Familiar with a dog door? NO. Crate trained? YES. PET WILL CHOOSE TO GO INTO CRATE AS A SAFE SPACE. Leash trained? YES. PULLS. SOMETIMES PULLS HARD AT OTHER DOGS. Knows commands? SIT, LAY DOWN, SPIN AND KENNEL Where was this animal kept? INSIDE. Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? EARLY ON, CHEWED A PAIR OF SHOES AFTER ESCAPING KENNEL Last vaccinations / last vet visit? ON FILE. How would you describe your pet's energy level? VERY HIGH. Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? STRANGERS, VACUUM, BLOW DRYER, NEEDS SOMEONE IN SHOWER WITH HER FOR BATH, What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? SOFT FLUFFY TOYS, TREATS, BLANKETS Any escapist behavior? ESCAPED FROM KENNEL ONE TIME, OWNER IS UNSURE HOW. ONLY HAPPENED ONE TIME. Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO. Any Additional details/notes on behavior? OWNER STATED PET IS PROTECTIVE AND WILL BARK AT STRANGERS THAT TRY TO APPROACH. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/20/2026 Outside for AM cleaning, alarm barking quickly as handler approached but settled quickly, wiggly body and loose tail wag, began demand barking at handler while jumping on kennel door for attentions. Paws and jumps onto door more when attempting to leash, had to wait for dog to settle enough to place leash quickly. Exited kennel erratically, repeatedly jumping onto handler before becoming reactive towards dogs in passing with barking, lunging towards kennels, once away from kennels dog would continue to jump up onto handler, pawing at handler, had to redirect with leash and walk quickly to yard for dog to settle. Once in yard dog was erratic, eyes wide, wide mouth panting, ears pinned back, repeated jumping up onto handler, able to distract with treats, mouthy with treats. Would follow handler around yard and accept pets all over but resulted in dog jumping onto handler. Dog would place front paws onto handler if handler sat on bench, when directed off will jump back onto handler, loose tail wag and some tense body when accepting pets while constantly scanning environment. Began alarm barking at dog in neighboring yard, hackles raised, tense bodied, will settle when called over by handler but continued to bark while leaving yard. Jumped up onto handler when walking back to kennel before becoming reactive towards dogs in passing. Walked into kennel on own, able to remove leash by hand. 9/19/2026 Closed out for AM cleaning. At front of kennel; jumping up; repetitive barking; settled with treats; would continue jumping up once treats were not present; opened kennel; lured with treats; able to get dog to settle with treats; placed leash into kennel; lured with treats; leashed; exited; barking while walking past kennels; hackles raised; continued walking with little to no leash pressure; jumped up on handler once. In yard, dog approached handler; tried jumping up at handler; handler would place arms out; dog started exploring; light pant; would come back to handler and jump; tossed treats; lured into sit; took treat gently; constantly would check in with handler and tried jumping up. After some time, dog began to settle; would approach handler; lean in; allowed for all petting; handler would stop petting; dog would nudge & lean into handler; took treats gently; handler stood up; dog followed; picked leash up; jumped up at handler continued to walk; startled by reactive dogs on the way back; cowered away; entered wing; began barking at dogs in passing kennels; entered kennel; allowed for leash removal. 9/15/2026 met owner outside, dog was alert barking, growling at handler, was able to get leash on dog and dog calmed down, walked in room, dog got nervous when seen second handler, then would settle, allowed petting, wagging tail ,jumping on handler and grabbing handler with front legs multiple times, walked to kennel, very reactive to all dogs, jumpy on handler, needed to call second handler to help assist getting dog in kennel. 3/1/2026 Solicited attentions, Moderate to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Sit, Sweet girl, leans in for pets, gentle, friendly, nervous with dogs barking at us by sick yard, likes to stay close to handler, leans in for pets, was calmer when not by barking dogs. 2/24/2026 Did not eat. 2/22/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, please reeval for green level, no jumping, no barking, loose leash, did go circles around handler with leash initially but as we walked she was able to go more straight, walks slowly then trots, super sweet, pressed body into handler for pets, very sweet pup 2/16/2026 Greeted handler at front of kennel with wiggly body, heavy panting, high energy, did accept treat gently. Began jumping on door as handler presented leash, did settle to allow for easy leash placement. Strong pull to lower play yard, zig zag walking pattern throughout, did stop to jump onto handler to solicit attentions before opening door leading to lower play yard (soft body, wagging tail, easy to direct off) no issues walking to lower play yard. In yard dog had high energy throughout, stayed close to handler aside from going potty and soliciting attentions throughout allowing petting all over. Jumped onto handlers lap when handler sat on chair, soft eyes, ears back, accepted pets and easy to direct off. Knows \"SIT\", accepted treats gently, not interested in toys in yard. Towards end of eval dog started heavy panting, some pacing around yard but came running to handler when called over, picked up leash and exited with strong pull back to kennel, very zig zag walking pattern, walked to kennel and into kennel with no issues. Started jumping up onto kennel door but allowed handler to remove leash by hand. 2/14/2026 Soft face on approach, wagging tail. Dog put front paws up on gate and began panting hard, rythmic demand barking, appearing highly anxious. Requesting full evaluation. 2/11/2026 walks on leash, light restraint for vaccines, allowed all handling and petting, might prefer women handlers over men, was not interested in treats at time of intake, seeks out attention, would not settle; looked as though she just wanted to run around (anxious) Name: Zephyr Animal ID: A5159712 Breed: BROWN/BLACK WASH BELG MALINOIS/MIX Sex: Spayed Age: 4Y 7M Weight: 56.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing E - 133 Intake Date: 9/15/2026 Deadline Date: 9/28/2026