Max Shepherd & Australian Shepherd Mix Bend, OR

Meet Max! I'm part of another lucky group of dogs that arrived in Bend, OR thanks again to our rescue partner and fellow non-profit Dog is My Copilot who will be providing the much needed air transport from Norman, OK.

This sweet boy, Max, has not had an easy life. He was rescued from a hoarding home in Oklahoma where he was found living in complete filth with 60 other animals. Our rescue partner said it was the most horrific case she had ever scene.

Foster Update:
"Max is a goofy boy who loves people and loves to be included on all of the action. He is happy to be your little shadow around the house, whether that includes playing with rope toys or lounging around. He is very food motivated despite his restrictions, and appears to be smart and eager to learn! "

Max also suffers from a walled-off bone cyst in his left lower jaw and calcified damage around the joint, which means he can't even open his jaw to eat (he has to slurp mushy food up through his teeth.)

The vets in Oklahoma did an examination on Max and concluded that for him to ever regain functional ability to open his mouth, he would need significant reconstructive surgery. The estimated cost of this surgery is $5,000. The shelter could not afford to provide this medical care and sadly, he was at risk because of it. So the shelter asked if we could take Max in, and we couldn't say no.

So we are asking for your help. Max is now safe with us and we are planning to do whatever we can to provide him with this reconstructive surgery but we need to be able to raise the funds to make it happen.
Please help us provide Max with the lifesaving-care that he needs.

To donate:
Donate through the Central Oregon Gives link here: https://bit.ly/4fEVy4a

He is able to slurp food that is a soupy consistency (and we're not going to lie, it's pretty messy) but otherwise, he is a happy boy who has so much love to give! He is very friendly with other dogs and people but will need to be in a mellow home while he's dealing with these medical issues.

You guys, this boy has a heart of gold and we can't wait to see him on his recovery journey. He is worth it and we will do everything we can to get him to his happily ever after. We just need your help to get him there.

If you'd like to learn more, please submit your online adoption application through our website today and don't miss this opportunity to bring him home for an extended adoption trial at home towards making him an official member of your family and pack! Will you be his hero?

***IMPORTANT HOLIDAY UPDATE!***

Don't miss our 12 Days of Christmas Adoption Specials!

Adopt your new best friend between December 12 and December 23 and you'll receive $120 off their adoption fee! To qualify, you must be approved by our Adoptions Manager during this timeframe to adopt a specific dog, but your adoption trial does not have to begin during this timeframe.

And as a bonus, if you are approved to adopt a dog during our 12 Days of Christmas - December 12-23 - you will also have the chance to participate in our Santa's Sleigh Delivery Service! For a $100 donation to SDH (in addition to your dog's adoption fee), you can have your pet delivered to your home on Christmas Morning, December 25. What better present for you and your loved ones than to bring your new family member home on Christmas! Participation in Santa's Sleigh is subject to location and availability.

steps to adopting

(OUR ADOPTABLE DOGS ARE IN SEPARATE TEMPORARY FOSTER HOMES BETWEEN BEND/CENTRAL OREGON AND THE GREATER PORTLAND AREA. THEREFORE, MEET AND GREETS ARE NOT DONE AT OUR FACILITY. TO LEARN MORE, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR ADOPTION APPLICATION ONLINE AND OUR ADOPTION PROGRAM MANAGER WILL REACH OUT TO YOU WITH FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MEET YOUR NEW PUP!)

The first step to adopting a dog from SDH is to complete the adoption application. First click on the "OUR DOGS tab up above, and then click on the orange colored "Fill out an Adoption Application here" button to start the process). Once submitted, please expect 3-5 business days or sooner for processing and to hear back from us. Once you are pre-approved, your adoption application will remain on file with us for 1 year and it can go towards multiple adoptions within that 1 year time frame before it expires.

To finalize an adoption you must sign the adoption contract and pay the full adoption fee of $300. The adoption fee helps cover our costs. On average, per dog, it costs SDH between $500-$700 for vetting/medical/sterilization, transport and other rescue related expenses. All dogs are rescued and do not transport to SDH until they are healthy and ready to be adopted. All dogs are examined by a veterinarian before they fly, which includes sterilization whenever possible, given standard vaccines and rabies (if age appropriate). Most dogs are sterilized before they come into our program, however if this is not the case we will spay/neuter them once they arrive at our cost.

Upon their arrival, all dogs are seen for a wellness exam by SDH's medical team. Once the adoption is finalized, any further medical care or treatment will not be covered by SDH, unless discussed prior with our medical team. All known issues are disclosed to the best of our ability prior to finalizing the adoption.