Baxter

Baxter is an adoptable male Australian Shepherd looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - East in Mesa, Arizona. He is fully grown and medium in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 3 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Baxter, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/13/2026 10/13/26 14:38 Canine is becoming increasingly difficult to manage safely while in care, with behavioral concerns escalating over time. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 10/18/26 to ensure the dog has access to appropriate behavioral support in a different environment. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/19/26 or sooner if warranted. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/13/2026 updating level to NHO status 10/8/2026 Handler approached front and greeted dog; Dog was at kennel front alert; soft staring up at handler; Handler approached back to pull; Dog was standing at door ready; neutral bodied and tail aligned; Handler held leash in crack and dog came forward with ease; no dogs in passing; Walked right up to yard; calm demeanor; didnt jump on handler at all; allowed handler to secure leash and handler dropped leash; Dog explored the entire evaluation; Handler would call by name; gesture over; Dog walked yard first marking multiple spots; Shortly later defecating; Dog would allow hander to pet dog in passing but didnt stop to greet or solicit pets on his own; dog would pace fence line briefly as handlers walked by or hearing dogs barking nearby; Dog had body alert; tail up and flagged as he explored yard; remained this way until the end of evaluation; handler would toss treat scatter down; dog would eat one treat and leave the rest to explore more; Handler would continue to try and coax over and dog was unphased as if handler wasnt in yard; continued to explore remained alert; When time to go dog stood near exit; handler stood up and grabbed leash; added clip leash for precaution; Dog walked with mild to loose leash pull to back of kennel; dog walked right into kennel handler used clip leashes to remove leash; 10/6/2026 Placing orange card due to incident at off-site event. Will enter notes. 10/6/2026 Canine was chosen to attend event. Handler was able to get canine out of kennel and into the car with ease. Canine's body was wiggly and excited to be out. Canine jumped into the car and went straight into the car kennel. Handler then went to the event and was able to leash the canine. Canine jumped straight out and body was still wiggling. Handler walked canine into event and went over to event kennel. Canine originally pulled away from kennel. Handler walked away from kennel and canine was happy to follow. Handler tried again with treats leading up to the kennel as well as some inside. Canine ate treats near kennel, but would not go in. Handler was able to get front two paws in but canine started to back up. Handler stood up again and started to walk the canine around again. Canine was happy to walk away. Handler then approached the kennel again for a third time. Canine followed. Handler went to try and grab the front paws again to get canine in. Canine then freaked out and started to snap in handlers face. Canine did not make contact due to handlers quick reaction. Handler was able to back up and canine settled down. Handler then walked around with the canine. Canine went back to a wiggly body. Allowed for all petting, walking around, and treat giving. Field services came to event to pick up canine due to handlers uncertainity about canine going back into the car kennel. 10/6/2026 walked to kennel on a leash, took off leash inside the kennel with no issues 10/4/2026 Avoidant, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels 9/26/2026 , I went on a Hope Whispers walk today 9/25/2026 Dog approached handler with soft body and wagging tail. Easy to leash and move to new kennel, ignored kenneled dogs, easy return, allowed handler to remove leash by hand. 9/20/2026 Dog was in front half of kennel on approach. Leashed without issues. Walked with a moderate pull to PY. Would explore with nose to ground, stopping to urinate several times. Approached handler on own briefly, allowed petting then would quickly return to exploring. Handler would offer treats, was not interested in treats. Called dog over, dog would come, allow more petting then return to exploring. Not interested in toys. Picked up leash without issues, able to pet along spine without issues then up towards neck & head with no reaction. Walked back to kennel with a moderate pull on leash. Was not reactive towards reactive dogs in kennels. Entered into kennel & removed leash by hand. *Interested parties should be made aware of all medical notes. Interested parties should be counseled on providing this dog with proper decompression time in a new home.  Allowing time to adjust is important for their comfort and well-being.  Adopters should be counseled on proper dog-to-dog introductions, which should only occur after the dog has fully decompressed. 9/19/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels 9/18/2026 Handler found k9 non-weight bearing on RF paw. Tech opened kennel door and k9 was upfront of kennel, eager to get out. Easily placed slip lead. Once leashed, k9 pulled some out of kennel and immediately began sniffing surroundings. Did not solicite attention from handler. Stop and go often on leash. Ignored other dogs and people when walking past. Brought k9 to clinic to grab assistance checking his paw. When second handler approached to look, k9's body went still with a straight, unmoving tail. Handler applied muzzle wrap restraint, and when second handler approached and touched k9's RF paw, k9 began growling and thrashing head. Handler let the muzzle wrap restraint unravel and gave k9 space. After a minute, second handler attempted to place soft muzzle on k9, and when handler got closer to k9's face, k9 again growled and whipped head. K9 continued to be distant of handlers, not soliciting any attention and was more interested in sniffing and exploring around. K9 was easily walked back to kennel. Walked into kennel with no issues and easily unleashed by hand. 9/10/2026 Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Appears potty trained - went multiple times, enjoys sniffing yard, approaches for treats, food motivated, allows pets on body when walking by. 9/3/2026 Handler approached k9 to give meds and dispensed eye ointment to Left eye. k9 took treats gently from handlers hand, k9 allowed leash placement (placed leash on as precaution), once k9 finshed eating treats from handlers hand and soft pets on head; k9 allowed eye ointment into left eye. Handler removed leash and closed kennel with no issues. 8/30/2026 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Played with toys, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Calm, Appeared interested when walking past kennels, Pulled to exit, Sit 8/20/2026 Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, walked well to yard. Met female dog at fenceline, body and tail remained loose, tail wags. No neg reaction by either dog. In and out of pool to drink water. Allowed pets but more interested in exploring. Walked well back to kennel. 8/10/2026 Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Enjoyed exploring. Had multiple stools and urinations - appears house trained. Not super affiliative but allowed petting all over and took treats gently - just appeared more interested in exploring the yard. 8/9/2026 Dog moved into adoptions. The dog approached the front of the kennel with a loose body as the handler approached and was leashed without issue. The dog walked well with the handler between kennel buildings, entering kennel without issue and allowing for easy leash retrieval. 7/30/2026 Dog was standing at front of kennel; soft; tail wagging; took treats gently; allowed for easy leashing; exited; moderate pull; stop and go to sniff kennels; tense; tail flagged; continued walking. In yard, dog explored for several moments; walked past handler; reached out to pet; allowed for petting; more interested in exploring yard; tried verbally coaxing; would continue to sniff ground; allowed handler to approach; allowed for petting; tossed treats; not interested; picked leash up; handler sat on bench; briefly whined; sniffed nearby; allowed for petting; dropped leash; continued to explore; approached yard fence when staff walked past with a dog; flagged tail; briefly vocal; continued to explore. Picked leash up; walked over to yard gate; walked back with moderate pull; stop and go to sniff other kennels; continued walking with light leash pressure; did not enter kennel; handler stepped a foot in; dog followed; allowed for leash removal. 7/27/2026 No intake eval entered. Requesting full evaluation. Name: Baxter Animal ID: A5168994 Breed: TRICOLOR GERM SHEPHERD/AUST CATTLE DOG Sex: Neutered Age: 7Y 3M Weight: 51.6 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing B - 107 Intake Date: 7/26/2026 Deadline Date: 10/18/2026