12/29/2024
Senior shepherd at risk due to length of stay and no space at the shelter. Owner passed away he’s a good boy and doesn’t deserve his life cut short because he has nowhere to go. Foster -adopt -pledge -donate saves lives.
Mago has confirmed rescue placement!
‼️URGENT‼️👉 For the most up-to-date notes, please check the bio located in the comments👈
Mago ACCT-A-176923 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to length of stay and lack of space for incoming dogs and medical concerns. Mago must have confirmed placement with a RESCUE PARTNER or ADOPTER by FRIDAY, JANUARY 3RD at 10AM. Should Mago’s medical or behavioral status change, her urgency and timeline for placement may also change.
Meet Mago, formerly named Rexo, a sweet yet cautious 6-year-old shepherd looking for a safe place to call home. Mago originally came to the shelter as a police intake in September. After a few weeks, he was reclaimed by his owner, but came back on December 12th when his owner unfortunately passed away. Though he came into us a bit unsure, Mago quickly shows his friendly side, especially when he get some head rubs and ear scratches! He's starting to warm up to people he trusts, especially if they let him come to them first. Mago already knows sit and takes treats, though he's still figuring out how to be a bit gentler when grabbing them. While he's not interested in toys or play right now, he's a thoughtful, curious pup just waiting for a cozy spot where he can relax and feel secure. Mago previously lived with a small dog and some cats, so if you have a dog at home, please bring them along for a meet. He would do best in a home where any children over the age of 10. Mago is ready to find his forever family who will give him the love and patience he deserves! Mago currently has an upper respiratory infection with concern of it being pneumonia, so he isn’t feeling his best. Due to his length of stay and medical concerns, Mago is urgently seeking placement with a rescue partner or adopter.
BEHAVIOR:
Per volunteer 12/21: Heard that Mago might have bad/painful hips so took him for a walk to check out his gait. He has a typical German Shepherd gait and while he didn’t seem like he was in any pain, there was the occasional hip weakness when he was jumping up. He did great on a walk and checked in regularly when he was feeling a little more anxious by the noise. He did have good dog meets but he’d be best with a calm dog after seeing how his more active/reactive kennel neighbor has been stressing him out.
Mago's walk sheet as of December 17th:
Mago was taken for a walk twice on December 14th, once on December 16th, and twice on December 17th. During their first walk on December 14th, Mago was noted to be medium energy and 'sweet, excited to go out'. There is a small warning that Mago may try to escape his kennel if extra care isn't taken ("careful, he will try to escape kennel"). During Mago's second walk on December 14th, they were noted to be low energy, and their handler noted that they had a 'good dog meet with Bing'. For their walks on December 16th and 17th, no interaction notes were listed, but their energy was medium on the 16th and low on the 17th.
Per staff 12/16: Allowed all handling but was resistant to manipulation of the left back leg. Unable to get radiographs due to temperament.
Per volunteer 12/14: Took Mago outside for some scritches and treats. He’s the same sweet guy with an even more heartbreaking story. He’s still pretty skinny but better than when he was last here. He was doing some anxious panting. He was pretty smelly/dirty so we gave him a bath. He tolerated a full body scrub even inside of his ears (we heard his ears were dirty and he wasn’t letting staff touch his ears). He got lots of treats which made it easier. He has a very gentle tail wag that made the occasional appearance. It’s nice to see him again but really sad for how he’s returned to ACCT. Mago deserves a steady, loving home.
Per staff 12/14: Nervous and slightly avoidant but allowed most of exam, very food motivated.
12/13 BEHAVIOR EVALUATION:
KENNEL PRESENTATION:
Mago was sitting at the front of his kennel with soft eyes. He sat and waited patiently for leashing and came right out once secured.
LEASH SKILLS:
Pulls minimally,but slipped a lot due to his hips which are quite bad
HANDLING:
Mago was sweet and social in the room with us. He sat and waited patiently for treats and took them gently. He was low energy and just wanted to hang out near us and get pets and attention. He allowed all handling with no issues and allowed us to get his harness and collar off without issue. Mago is a very sweet senior that just needs a soft, quiet palace to land and spend the rest of his days.
PLAY:
Did not try due to hips being very bad and appearing painful
TOYS:
No interest
Per volunteer 10/19: Mago continues to get stronger every week I see him. This handsome guy has been brushed. This week he showed how much he likes ear scratches. He was playing more with squeaky toys but mainly likes to receive treats and beg for them.
Per volunteer 10/12: Mago is becoming stronger, more coordinated, more confident, and EVEN MORE SWEET (how is that possible????) he is taking treats gently and playing with toys now. He has this loping run that's pretty slow but such a joy to observe. He still looks into your heart will soul filled eyes. He allows himself to be groomed and gets attached at the hip to whomever brings him treats. Staff call him "Ziggy because he used to zig zag on walks with discombobulation and anxiety but he's gotten a lot better. He is so easy to love, he makes my heart ache.
Per volunteer 10/6: Mago can fill your heart and break it at the same time. This easy going, handsome shepherd is so skinny he sometimes has difficulty moving around from muscle atrophy in his hind legs. He's a little anxious as he walks around but once he knows you've got some treats, he noses his way through your entire bag and gives you the softest, most pleading eyes. Mago shows some interest in toys but has no idea how to play. He knows how to sit. He would love someone patient and kind to give him lots of pets, treats, and food while he builds muscle to be able to be fully coordinated. He is a really good boy and will win your heart right away.
9/28 BEHAVIOR EVALUATION:
KNOWN HISTORY:
APO pickup
KENNEL PRESENTATION:
Mago was sitting by the door with semi soft eyes. When the handler reached in with the leash he dodged a couple times so he was lasso'd and came right out.
LEASH SKILLS:
Pulls minimally
HANDLING:
Mago came into the eval room with a lowered body but was friendly. His tail was pretty lowered and was pretty uncomfortable with pets on his side as he is so skinny and gave some whale eyes and whipped around scowly. He loves ear scratches and head rubs and wants to solicit but is a little confused with his surroundings and who everyone is. He is an older shepherd who does not recognize where he is and looks around and sniffs trying to figure out where he can feel safe. He finds a little comfort in people who he can go up to rather than people coming to him. He knows sit and takes treats pretty snatchy.
PLAY
No interest
TOYS:
Looked at the ball as it went by him but no further interest
Per staff 9/27: Bright, alert, and responsive, sweet and calm.
Per staff 9/27: Very sweet senior dog.
MEDICAL:
On 12/26, Mago was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection (URI) or "doggy cold" and started on medication. He tested negative for pneumovirus. He was noted to have rapid breathing and appeared to be short of breath throughout the morning into the afternoon. During his exam, he was nervous and dull on presentation, with rapid breathing and increased chest effort. His respiratory rate was 72 and his pulse ox was 87%.
On 12/16, Mago received a vet exam for leg issues and diarrhea. He had some muscle wasting on his hind end, was scuffing his nails of his left back leg, and was reactive to manipulation of the stifle and hip of his left back leg. This could be IVDD, arthritis, a soft tissue injury or partial CCL tear, or of another cause. They were unable to get radiographs due to his temperament, so he was prescribed a week-long course of carprofen.
During his intake exam on 12/14, staff were unable to examine his ears as they were very sensitive. His coat was dirty, with flea dirt but no live fleas. He weighed 69 pounds. They noted that he “seems to have painful hips, slipping when walking, struggling to sit properly.”
On 10/3, Mago was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection (URI) or "doggy cold" and started on medication.
On 10/1, Mago received a vet exam due to his age and weight. Staff noted “Patient is very thin but otherwise appears to be in good condition, based on dentition and eyes estimate less than 7-8 years, estimating at 5-6 years of age. Suspect that patient will increase in strength and body condition with consistent feeding but should be monitored for adequate increase in body condition, if not gaining reevaluate.”
During his intake exam on 9/27, Mago had waxy ears, clear discharge from his nose, and red eyes with some discharge. He was dirty and covered in p*e. He weighed 50 pounds.
Per staff 9/27: Long nails and very thin. wobbles when he walks
VIDEOS:
Rexo gets pets: https://youtube.com/shorts/xnr4TytCMmM?feature=share
Rexo likes to fetch: https://youtube.com/shorts/eh-tnf653SU?feature=share
Rexo knows sit: https://youtube.com/shorts/8oOs0IM1__g?feature=share
Sweet Rexo: https://youtube.com/shorts/QgSuZi2mp_8?feature=share
Rexo likes treats: https://youtube.com/shorts/94DDYolkZb8?feature=share
Rexo and Joy: https://youtube.com/shorts/OYLHfR3EjD8?feature=share
Rexo sits for a treat: https://youtube.com/shorts/0aafkElQId0?feature=share
Bing and Mago (FKA Rexo): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsqAi22HH30
Due to being significantly overcapacity with animals and higher than usual intake, extensions are unlikely to be granted. If you are interested in an animal please contact ACCT Philly immediately. Due to limited space, timestamps may also be proceeded with early so it is imperative to let us know if you are considering adopting or tagging an animal.
ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details.
If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/
Confirmed placement is considered a confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent.
All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open-intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly's Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313.
