Harley

Harley is an adoptable female Maltese looking for a home at Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control in West Palm Beach, Florida. She is a young adult and small in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with just one day left, listed due to other. Adopting Harley, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Intake Info: Harley A2346000 was found as a stray in West County. No microchip was found. Medical: Harley is heartworm negative, parvo negative, and fully processed. At intake, she was observed to be dirty and heavily matted. At time of her sterilization she was groomed and shaved down for her matting. Staff Notes: Harley tends to hide in the back of her kennel and may attempt to bite when approached for handling or leash removal. Staff were able to safely remove her leash using a towel and bite gloves. Once leashed, she walks well and appears more comfortable outside her kennel. During a recent outing, she initially avoided interaction and bared her teeth when approached for petting. A squeaky toy helped encourage her to approach, and she gradually allowed gentle touch, although she remained sensitive and flinched at times. She showed no interest in other dogs during the walk. Behavior Notes: Harley initially displayed fear-based behaviors, including barking, retreating, growling, and biting when she felt uncomfortable or experienced leash tension during handling. With patient interaction, gentle petting, and the use of squeaky toys, she gradually became more comfortable. She eventually approached people voluntarily, tolerated multiple handlers petting her, and sniffed a bare hand when offered a treat. Her comfort level improved when handlers gave her time to settle and allowed her to approach at her own pace. Request to Rescues: Harley is in urgent need of a rescue that can provide her with time, patience, and a calm environment that she needs to decompress. Her fearfulness can lead to defensive behaviors, including biting when she feels pressured, so she will need an experienced handler who can use a low-stress approach and provide continued behavioral support. Harley has shown that she can begin to build trust when given patience and space. She deserves the opportunity to feel safe and learn that human interaction can be a positive experience. Animal ID\tA2346000 Color\tWhite Sex\tSpayed Female Size\tSmall Weight\t7 lbs. 6 oz. Age\t1 Year 6 Months