Artichoke Mixed Breed Wallingford, CT

Artichoke, aka Artie, aka Artie Farty, aka Artie the Heckin Smarty is sadly our loooooongest shelter resident at this time. We are often asked why. Well, Artichoke is much like his namesake… he’s got some layers that have to be peeled back before ya get to that soft, tender heart!

What that really means is just that our super sweet guy has a bit of the ol’ “stranger danger”. He’s reluctant to interact upon first meeting folks and requires a few visits filled with some tasty treatos, calm energy, and patience before he feels confident and comfortable enough to become friends. All of the staff and all of the volunteers were once strangers to this fella, and now we are all the very best of buds!

Due to that tendency to be untrusting at first, we strongly feel that kids are going to be too overwhelming for Artichoke. He has been introduced to a few dogs that he’s gotten along really well with. He’s potentially alright with cats, but we always recommend slow integration into the home!

This boy is SMART! He learned sit, down, paw, and spin in just a couple of quick sessions. He seems to really enjoy learning tricks… for the right treats! He turns his nose up at a lot of dog treats, but we discovered through sharing our lunches that he loooves kiwi and blueberries. He really loves freeze-dried treats and chicken jerky! He’s otherwise a very mellow guy and just enjoys hanging out! He is the ultimately coach potato and the perfect companion to lounge around with. He enjoys a nice stroll or sniffing around in the yard. He loves to watch squirrels through the window. We estimate Artie to be around 6-8 years old.

Bottom line? If you’re looking for the BEST, MOST LOYAL companion, you’ve got a home on the quieter side, you like teaching new things to pups, and maybe have some yummy fruits to share… well, heck, have we got the guy for you! Though we love this handsome babe like our own and he’s been pretty content here with us, it’s time to get Artichoke into a home of his very own. Please help us find that home by sharing his profile with someone you know who sounds like they may fit the bill! Artie deserves it!

THE BASICS:

Breed: Total mutt! Couldn’t begin to guess.

Age guesstimate: 8ish years old

Approximate weight: 65-70 lbs

Energy level: Medium! Super playful sometimes, super chill other times.

Fill out that app if you think you may have the perfect home for this wonderful, very loved guy!

ARTIE’S ADOPTION FEE IS SPONSORED BY KNUCKLEHEADS! They’re also going to hook his adopter up with some gifts!


**ADOPTION PROCESS - PLEASE READ**

The very first step of our current adoption process is to fill out our online adoption application. However, you don’t necessarily have to be interested in a specific animal in order to apply! Feel free to submit an app that includes whatever desired criteria (size, breed, age, energy level, coat type, etc.) and we can keep it on file to contact you in the event an animal comes in who fits the bill!

Our pet adoption application can be found here, or you can request one via Petfinder: https://www.wallingfordanimalcontrol.com/pdfs/WAS-Adoption-Application.pdf

You can submit your app using whatever method works best for you, whether that be faxing it to 203-294-2181, mailing it to Wallingford Animal Control at 5 Pent Rd, Wallingford 06492, dropping it off in our mailbox at 5 Pent Rd, or attaching it to an email and sending it to info@wallingfordanimalcontrol.com. All necessary information for any of these methods is also located right at the top of the application. Easy peasy lemon squeazy!

Please keep in mind that animal control duties and animal care are our primary responsibility and, depending on our general workload at any given time and how many other applications we have to process, it could possibly take up to a couple of weeks for us to get to it. We do try to process apps in a timely manner so that we can get our animals the heck out of dodge and into loving homes! We know that adopting a new pet is super exciting and that you’re probably very eager to get the ball rolling, but please try to be patient with us!

Please also note that we operate on a *best fit for the animal basis*, not a *first come first served basis*. As such, you may apply for one animal, and we may instead suggest an animal we feel would better suit your lifestyle, household, etc. Our goal isn’t so much to get every animal out the door as quickly as possible as it is to ensure a permanent and successful placement that is in the best interest of both the adopter and the adoptee!

Once your application is approved, WE WILL CONTACT YOU to schedule an appointment to come and meet the animal(s) of interest! There may be more than one animal we feel could mesh quite well with your household, so you could end up meeting multiple potentials during your appointment. We do require that all members of the household come in to ensure compatibility. If this takes multiple appointments to accommodate all of your family members’/roommates’ schedules, that’s okay with us! If you are adopting a dog with an existing dog or dogs already in the household, they will of course have to come meet your potential new pup too! It’s often best for just the humans to come first, and to then schedule a second appointment for dog introductions, assuming you choose to move forward with the adoption. Sometimes, multiple dog interactions will be necessary prior to us sending your new dog home.

Please also note that we do not have the time or resources to contact every single applicant if the application was not approved or the animal you applied for was adopted by another applicant. Feel free to call and check in if you do not hear from us in a couple of weeks.

So it’s great match, everyone is in love… now what?!

Before we send your new best friend home, they will need to be spayed or neutered! This could take an additional couple of days up to a week or so, all depending on our vet’s availability. If the animal has already been fully vetted, it may be possible to take them home the same day as your meet and greet! Though this is decided on a case by case basis, we’ll certainly make sure you’re prepared for this prior to coming in for your appointment that day. The adoption fee is determined by whether the animal came to us previously altered, we had them altered at some point during their stay, or they are altered just prior to adoption using the state’s spay/neuter voucher, and will either be $50.00 or $150.00. For animals needing to be altered as part of the adoption process, additional payment to the veterinarian may be applicable. All animals leave up to date on core vaccinations, microchipping, FIV/FeLV testing for cats, and screening for heartworm disease and tick borne illness for dogs. Senior animals will also get a senior work up, much thanks to our wonderful pals, the Friends of the Wallingford Animal Shelter, for making that possible!

Though our entire process could *potentially* take up to a few weeks total and sometimes longer (granted it doesn’t always!) we have found over the years that this truly does ensure the absolute best match and the most successful and permanent adoption possible, which is of course what we want for all of our animals, and for your family too!