Meet Rouse Mouse

Meet Rouse Mouse, the mini Australian cattle dog! This 16ish pound little gal came into the Shelter as a stray after her previous guardian was unable to continue caring for her. She has been a little nervous since her arrival but with some patience, climbs into the laps of staff and volunteers and quickly steals their hearts. Rouse Mouse is looking for an adopter that will focus on decompression to help her transition into her adoptive home. Her previous guardian reports that she can get a little mouthy and vocal when she is excited. She will put people’s hands in her mouth lightly, but not apply any pressure. Cattle dogs are known for using their mouths in interactions, as they were breed to herd cattle! Potential adopters are recommended to do some breed research prior to adoption. Rouse has lived with another dog who she generally got along with. She is known to guard her favorite things (toys, treats and people) from other dogs. A home with another dog may be a fit after a meet and greet at the Shelter and careful management of high value resources. Rouse Mouse was not recommended to live ina home with kids. She does well riding in the car. The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation is now offering “Pawsitivity Bucks” with every dog adoption. This $200 training voucher is a way for newly adopted canines and their guardians to connect with local positive reinforcement based behavior consultants and get their relationship started off on the right paw! Please note: Our Santa Cruz location’s Shelter hours are 11-6pm, 7 days a week! Although clients can walk through and see any animals in their kennels during open hours, we end “meet and greets” (aka meeting an animal out of the kennel) at 4:30pm every day. If you’d like to meet an animal out of the kennel, please arrive before 4:00pm to allow for time to discuss individual animals and meet them.