Aj

Aj is an adoptable male Australian Kelpie 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 currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with just one day left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Aj, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/23/2026 09/23/26 14:44 Canine has demonstrated low tolerance for handling and other concerning behaviors during their time in care. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/28/26 to facilitate further behavioral evaluation and support. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/29/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/13/2026 09/13/26 16:36 TR: A5171588 AND A5171589 FOUND TOGETHER 9/13/2026 How long have you had the animal? 1 DAY. SOURCE FOUND A5171588 AND A5171589 TOGETHER. SOURCE STATED BOTH DOGS WERE VERY SKITTISH AND IT TOOK QUITE SOME TIME TO TRAP THEM BUT THEY ARE VERY FOOD MOTIVATED AND WITH SLOW AND STEADY APPROACH, THE DOGS WERE WARMING UP. What are the cross streets where you found the animal? W Broadway Rd & S 35th Ave Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? SOURCE STATED DOG HAD SOME DIARRHEA WITH BLOOD IN IT THAT THEY BELIEVE IS DUE TO FOOD IT ATE Is animal spayed/neutered? 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 Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? NO Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO Was this animal around any children? NO, ONLY ADULTS Did the animal interact with other animals? SOURCE FOUND A5171588 AND A5171589 TOGETHER AND BOTH DOGS DID WELL TOGETHER. SOURCE STATED A5171588 AND A5171589 WERE AROUND THEIR LARGE FEMALE DOG HOWEVER A5171588 AND A5171589 LUNGED TOWARD THEIR DOG. Cats? N/A Dogs? 3 DOGS TOTAL Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? N/A Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? N/A Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? SOURCE STATED A5171588 (LARGER) SHOWED SOME RESOURCE GUARDING TOWARD A5171589 (SMALLER) OTHERWISE NO OTHER RESOURCE GUARDING TENDENCIES Can the animal walk on a leash? NO Does the animal know any commands? UNK Where was this animal kept? INSIDE KENNEL AND ALSO FREE ROAM If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? INSIDE KENNEL AND ALSO FREE ROAM If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? 6 FT BLOCK FENCING, CONTAINED DOG Any destruction behavior? If yes, please describe? NO How would you describe the animal’s energy level? MEDIUM ENERGY WHEN COMFORTABLE WITH ENVIRONMENT Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO Any Additional details/notes on behavior? NO Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/21/2026 Handler approached kennel front, dog was laying down on bed facing away from gate. Handler offered a few treats and called dog to front, dog came forward. Handler lowered guillotine behind dog and knelt down by gate. Handler cracked gate open and tried to get dog to take treats from hand. Dog was rounded in posture initially and then settled into a neutral posture with low hanging tail. Handler wasn't able to get dog to take from hand but dog would come forward towards handler if teat was on the ground. Handler tried to lure dog through leash but once leash was introduced dog would retreat. Handler was able to step in and drape leash over head. Handler then tried to lure dog out with treat trail. Dog would not exit from kennel and would immediately pancake with leash pressure. Handler draped towel over dog and was able to lift and carry to PY. Dog struggled with carrying and darted away from handler once placed in PY. Handler tossed out treats and dog approached after a few minutes but still would not directly interact with handler. Handler tried again to hand feed treats dog was not interested. Handler stood up and walked around PY, dog walked around and would sniff, no marking. Handler allowed dog about 10 minutes to decompress in PY and then tried towel wrap and return. Dog thrashed out of towel 3 times. Handler called for taxi to be delivered. Dog was fearful of taxi, handler was able to tip over and use leash pressure to quickly guide dog in and then transported back to kennel. Dog attempted to escape taxi the entire time during transport. Once at kennel handler attached clip leash and tipped taxi over. Dog immediately darted into kennel and allowed leash removal sign clip leash. Dog the ate treats left over in kennel front pull. 9/20/2026 Dog was laying on bed, came forward for treats, neutral, low tail, handler reached in leash and dog backed away, handler tossed treats to the ground and dog slowly came forward again but retreated as soon as the leash touched, would come back for treats with lowered posture but was flighty and warty of handler, retreated to the back of kennel, handler closed divider, approached back of kennel, dog sat in back corner, lowered head, ducking away as handler placed leash, once leash was on dog would not come forward, handler placed bucket at front of kennel, tossed treats, dog slowly came forward to eat treats in kennel, leaning forward as far as possible while keeping back legs toward back of kennel, would not step into the bucket, handler tried using light leash pressure, dog thrashed head back, briefly mouthed at leash, stopped as soon as pressure released, handler moved bucket out of the way and tried to treat trail out of kennel, dog stood at threshold peeking out, handler eventually had to step in and pick up dog as he crouched low against kennel wall, tolerated being carried, once in yard dog was slowly exploring area around catch pen, hesitant, low tail, wide eyes, handler started tossing treats, dog would take treats and gradually come closer to handler, stopped a few feet away from them, would not eat treats from their hand, remained alert, wary of handler movement around yard, but slowly started to wander further into yard, avoidant as handler approached, handler tossed treats and picked up leash, dog began pulling back and sat up against wall, handler moved slowly and picked up dog, carried back to kennel, removed leash by hand while placing dog back in kennel. 9/13/2026 Frozen in fear for all handling and vaccines, used bucket to get to kennel, unleashed by hand. Name: Aj Animal ID: A5171588 Breed: BLACK/TRICOLOR AUST CATTLE DOG/AUST KELPIE Sex: Male Age: 1Y 0M Weight: 31.0 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing S - 199 Intake Date: 9/13/2026 Deadline Date: 9/28/2026