Megan's Paws & Claws - City of Smithville, Missouri Dog Pound

07/18/2025

🎉🐾 We’ve got the happiest “Pupdate” to share! 🐾🎉

Who remembers Frank the Tank? This tough guy came to us on January 1st, all banged up — with bite wounds, a broken toe, and even his gums torn from his jaw.

Fast forward 7 months, and just look at him now! Frank is thriving, living his best life with the most amazing parents a pup could ever wish for.

He may not think he’s spoiled… but between pup cups, turkey sausage treats, and snuggling in bed every night, we know the truth — he’s living the dream! 🐶❤️

And today was extra special — Frank’s wonderful parents invited all of us out to their home to visit him and see just how happy and loved he is now. 💕 A huge thank-you to them for welcoming us to their home and letting us love on our special boy again!

Way to go, Frank — you truly deserve every ounce of happiness! 🐾✨

🐶 Want to help make another happy ending like Frank’s? Adopt, foster, or donate today — and change a life forever!

07/17/2025

🌟 Meet Benny — Your New Best Friend! 🌟

Benny is a charming 4–8 year old shepherd mix weighing in at just 45 pounds — the perfect size for cuddles! Don’t let his small stature fool you — this happy little guy is packed with energy and even more love to give.

Benny lives to make his people smile. He’s always grinning himself and would love nothing more than to be your personal lap warmer. He enjoys meeting new friends but can be a bit picky about his dog buddies, so a meet-and-greet is a must. We’re not sure how he feels about cats yet.

If you’re looking for a fun-loving companion who’s equal parts playful and affectionate, Benny is your guy!

📞 Call us at 816-532-0070 to schedule a meet-and-greet with Benny today — he can’t wait to meet you!

07/16/2025

🌟 Meet Nova — our resident fence-fixing supervisor! 🌟

Nova was a huge help overseeing the fence repairs today — making sure everyone stayed on task (and gave her plenty of pets in between). If you’re looking for an adorably sweet helper to supervise all your home projects, Nova’s your girl!

🐾 Nova loves people — everyone she meets is instantly her best friend. She also gets along great with other dogs!

🐱 We did test her with a cat and found she was a little too interested, so we recommend a kitty-free home just to be safe.

If you’re ready to add the most lovable project manager to your family, come meet Nova! 💕

Give us a call at 816-532-0070 or send us a message here to set up a time to meet Nova!

Next project: Painting!

07/15/2025

🎉LUNA HAS BEEN ADOPTED!🎉

Luna is joining a family of kiddos and a doggy brother named Chance! She loved Chance and we think they'll be bestest friends!!

Happy tails sweet girl! We ❤️ you!!

07/15/2025

Still looking for this guys owners. He came in last week after being found on 92 Hwy near 169 Hwy. We heard that people saw him further west near Hornback Rd at one time, so he may live out between Smithville and Platte City. .
If he belongs to you, call 816-532-0070.

07/15/2025

These three had fun playing together this morning. They're all available for adoption! Please reach out if you're interested in meeting them!
816-532-0070

07/11/2025

📸 Don’t ask how we got them all to pose like this… we’re still not sure ourselves! 🤷‍♀️

Benny, Luna, and Nova are still waiting patiently (and photogenically) for their forever homes! 🐾❤️

If you’re looking to add some love, laughter, and maybe a little chaos to your life, consider adopting one (or two!) of these adorable pups. They’d love to meet you!

🐾 Nova
This sweet 1–2 year-old Pitbull mix is as mild-mannered as they come. She loves everyone she meets, enjoys playing and wrestling with other dogs, and absolutely adores kids. She just wants to love and be loved! (Unknown with cats.)

🐾 Luna
Luna is a gorgeous 1–2 year-old Shepherd mix with a heart of gold. She’s a little shy at first, but with some treats and a nice walk, she’ll be your best friend for life. She loves playing with other dogs, though her enthusiasm can come off a bit strong at first. She’s great with kids, but no cats, please.

🐾 Benny
Our mystery man! Benny’s age is estimated anywhere from 4–8 years old, but his energy level says “young at heart.” He’s full of s***k, loves playing with other dogs (though he can get a little rough), and adores his people. He’s good with kids and just loves being part of the action. (Unknown with cats.)

✅ All three are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and ready to go home today!

📞 Call us at (816) 532-0070 to set up a meet-and-greet.
Let’s find these sweet pups the homes they deserve! 🐶❤️

07/11/2025

Still searching for this guys owners. We've heard he was seen further west down 92 Hwy running in and out traffic earlier, near Hornback Rd yesterday and ended up near 169 and 92. He got a bath this morning and he has a burnt paw pad we are tending to. Hopefully his owners see this soon! This friendly guy wants to go home!
Call us if he belongs to you 816-532-0070.

07/11/2025

If you're looking for a kitty, check out these babies at Gladstone Animal Shelter!
There are some super cute ones, but I'm a softie for black kitties! I met them last week and they are all so sweet, very talkative and reach out for your attention.
Please help out our friends!

Hello friends! We have 11 cats that have been up for adoption for some time now and are looking for a place to call home. 🚨 Our shelter is at capacity as we’ve had a huge influx of kittens come in that are still too young to adopt out 🚨. If anyone needs a feline friend, please send them our way! We would also love it if this post was shared so we can get these babies into homes.

•Alvin, 4.5 months old, intact male, domestic short hair. He does well with other cats and dogs. This little guy loves to talk and cuddle. He has been at the shelter for 76 days and his adoption fee is $154.20 ADOPTED

•Eve, 4 months old, intact female, domestic short hair. She does well with other cats and has not been around dogs. She still hisses when approached but will let you pick her up and pet her. She seems to be rather independent and hesitant towards people. When the treats come out, she’s a completely different cat! She has been at the shelter for 62 days and her adoption fee is $154.20 ADOPTED

•Fisher, 3 years old, neutered male, domestic short hair. He does well with other cats and has not been around dogs to our knowledge. He is a super affectionate cat as he loves to be held and pet. He’s also the biggest talker! He has been at the shelter for 38 days and his adoption fee is $69.20 ADOPTED

•Onyx, 3.5 months old, intact male, domestic long hair. He loves to play with his brother and his people. He has been at the shelter for 25 days and his adoption fee is $154.20

•Raven, 3.5 months old, intact female, domestic long hair. She can be a little shy but doesn’t mind being held or pet. She has been at the shelter for 25 days and her adoption fee is $154.20

•Cosmo, 3.5 months old, intact male, domestic long hair. He loves to play with his brother and his people. He has been at the shelter for 25 days and his adoption fee is $154.20

•Inky, 3.5 months old, intact female, domestic long hair. She can be a little shy but doesn’t mind being held or pet. She has been at the shelter for 25 days and her adoption fee is $154.20

•Eclipse, 2 years old, neutered male, domestic short hair. He loves his food and treats! He likes to lounge around and get some pets. He has been at the shelter for 24 days and his adoption fee is $69.20 ADOPTED

•Mimi, 3.5 years old, spayed female, domestic short hair. She does well with other cats, dogs and kids. She loves to be pet and likes her treats. She has been at the shelter for 15 days and her adoption fee is $69.20

•Simba, 3.5 years old, neutered male, domestic short hair. He does well with other cats, dogs and kids. He loves to loaf around and keeps to himself. He has been at the shelter for 15 days and his adoption fee is $69.20

•Harley, 5.5 years old, spayed female, domestic short hair. She can be a little shy but doesn’t mind getting pet. If she’s got a bed, she’s set! She loves to lounge around and be a couch potato. She has been at the shelter for 15 days and her adoption fee is $69.20

07/10/2025

This guy was found near 169 and 92 Hwy after being seen running in and out of traffic. If he belongs to you, please call us at 816-532-0070.

07/09/2025

Have you heard of LITTERMATE SYNDROME? If not, keep reading!

We see the comments often. People asking us to adopt out bonded siblings together. We understand the intention behind it. It feels right, even loving, to want dogs who grew up together to stay together forever.

But in reality, keeping sibling puppies together can do far more harm than good.

There is a behavioral phenomenon called littermate syndrome that can happen when two puppies, especially from the same litter or close in age, are raised together in the same home. Despite the heartwarming idea of lifelong companionship, littermate syndrome often leads to serious emotional and behavioral issues for both dogs.

So what is littermate syndrome?

Littermate syndrome refers to a pattern of developmental and behavioral problems that can occur when two puppies are raised in the same home. This can include:
🐾 Extreme attachment to each other and difficulty functioning when separated
🐾 Lack of individual development, which leads to poor socialization with humans and other dogs
🐾 Increased fearfulness and anxiety, especially in new situations
🐾 Difficulty in training, as the dogs focus more on each other than their handler
🐾 Aggression or conflict as they mature and develop different personalities

These issues can begin as early as 8 to 10 weeks of age or may not appear until adolescence. The effects can be long-lasting and very difficult, if not impossible, to reverse.

What does this mean for adoption?

Veterinarians, trainers, and behaviorists strongly advise against adopting sibling puppies, or even two unrelated puppies close in age, at the same time. Many reputable rescues and shelters, including ours, follow this guidance and do not adopt littermates out together. This is not a rule based on convenience. It is based on real experience and our desire to set each dog up for long-term success.

Puppies are kept together in foster when young, but as they grow, allowing them both to flourish on their own is what is best for everyone! Our goal is not to separate loving siblings. It is to prevent them from becoming overly dependent on each other and missing out on healthy development.

But what about kittens?

This is an important distinction. Kittens are very different from puppies. In fact, kittens thrive when adopted in pairs. They learn social skills from each other, burn off energy through play, and are far less likely to develop behavioral problems when they have a feline companion. For kittens, being adopted together is often the healthier, more compassionate option.

What is best for the dogs?

The best path forward is for each puppy to be adopted into a loving, committed home where they can:
🐾 Form a strong bond with their human family
🐾 Build confidence and independence
🐾 Be properly socialized with a variety of people, animals, and environments
🐾 Receive individual attention and training

Dogs are incredibly adaptable. Within days or weeks of settling into their new homes, they form new bonds and begin to thrive. In many cases, puppies that were separated from their littermates go on to live happier, more emotionally balanced lives than those who stayed together.

We know it’s hard.

We love these animals deeply. We want what is best for them, not just what feels right in the moment. And in this case, what is best is helping each puppy grow into a confident, well-adjusted dog on their own.

Thank you for trusting us to make decisions based on the dogs’ long-term well-being. That is always our priority.