Volunteer Information for Dogs

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What is this page?

The information on this page helps MLAR volunteers see which animals on the website need additional information added to their profiles. If you are interested in becoming a MLAR volunteer, please check the www.mlar.org/volunteer web page. Thanks!

Andy photo 1
Andy photo 2
Andy photo 3

Meet Andy

Andy is a 2 years old male Miniature Poodle/Mix who weighs 6 pounds.

He is currently in a foster home.

Andy is a tiny 2-year-old poodle/mix weighing just about 6 pounds, but his story carries the weight of a much harder life. Rescued from a puppy mill, Andy has spent his early years in confinement, without affection, comfort, or the chance to just be a dog.

Because of his traumatic beginnings, Andy is what's known as a "shut down" dog. He's quiet, timid, and often unsure of how to engage with the world around him. Sudden movements or loud noises can overwhelm him, and he tends to retreat or freeze when approached. He's afraid and learning how to feel safe for the very first time. Because of this, we suggest a home with older kids.

Despite his fear, Andy is incredibly gentle and has a soft presence that speaks to his resilience. With time and patience, we believe he will begin to trust and slowly come out of his shell. He needs someone who understands that healing from trauma doesn't happen overnight - and that love, stability, and consistency are the most important tools for his recovery.

Andy would do best in a quiet home with a patient, experienced adopter - ideally someone familiar with shut down or mill dogs. A confident, calm dog companion would be a wonderful support for him, helping to model what a safe, loving life looks like.

Andy doesn't need a hero - just someone with a kind heart who sees the beauty in a broken soul and is willing to walk slowly beside him as he learns to trust. If you're ready to offer love on Andy's terms and help him discover the simple joys of being a dog, he's waiting for you.

Let's give little Andy the quiet, loving home he's never had - but so deeply deserves.

Andy is currently in a foster home so please apply at www.mlar.org/adopt-application and we can set up a meet with his foster parents!

Additional Information
  • Site: MLAR
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Photography tips

Having photos for each of our animals is a priority! It is difficult to get a prospective adopter who is sitting at home surfing the web to get enthusiastic about a new pet that they can’t even see, so we want to get photos on the website as early as possible. Sometimes, though, the photos available are photos of the animals in their prior shelter homes (lots of chain link and concrete) or from a clinic setting (lots of hands wearing blue gloves). We want to replace these with happy photos of the animals as quickly as we can!

The following is some guidance about how to create the best photos

  • No photos of dogs in their runs. Preferably, no photos of dogs indoors at all. We want green grass and blue skies! When outside, think about background objects (trash cans, etc) and frame your photo to keep the distractions to a minimum.
  • Photos you submit do not have to be square, however the photo will appear square (cropped, not stretched) in many places on the website(s). Therefore, make sure that if your photo isn’t square that the animal is centered in the photo so that important details aren’t lost if the photo is shown cropped.
  • We can put three photos on the website for each animal*. At least one of those photos should be a “full-body” photo so that prospective adopters can get an idea of the size and shape of the animal.
  • Preferably, the animal is off-leash for the photo, but if that’s not possible, at least ensure that the leash is slack. Think about the prospective adopter, who has no idea how the animal is being treated, and make sure that the photos do not give them the wrong impression that a particular animal is difficult to control or that they are not being treated gently.
  • Get low! You’ll get a better photo if you’re down at the animal’s level than if you’re shooting down on them from five feet above.
  • It is better to have the sun behind you than behind the animal. Your color fidelity will be better if you can avoid shadows or shaded areas.

* PetFinder supports six photos (or five photos and a video), so we can post additional photos there.