HSS is a 501(c)(3) Charity
Organized Nov. 4, 1998
Number of
Shelties Rescued by HSS since 1998:
873
total /
51
in 2009 / 160
in 2005, our record year
due to intakes from Hurricanes Katrina & Rita
Ways to Help HSS Fund Raising
Please mail your tax-deductible check or money order to the address in the sidebar. Encourage your friends, families, and co-workers to make us one of their charities. We will send a note and tax receipt for donors' records.
Have your Randall's Card programmed to our charity number 8533.HSS has been approved for Kroger's new share program. Go to: www.krogerneighbortoneighbor.com and click on "Find Your Organization." Type in Houston Sheltie Sanctuary, print out the letter with our barcode and present to the checker, along with your Kroger Plus card. HSS will then be linked to your Kroger card.Additionally, when you shop on line through IGive, a percentage of your purchase is paid directly to Houston Sheltie Sanctuary. Click on the graphic below and look for your favorite merchants; then click through to them from IGive, and you will automatically be helping our Shelties while you enjoy your shopping.
Houston Sheltie Sanctuary, Inc.
PO Box 840235
Houston, TX 77284-0235
Updated
06/26/09 12:26 AM
"The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog . . . . He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world . . . . When all other friends desert, he remains." ~ George G. Vest
2008 Houston Sheltie Sanctuary Events:
Fall Picnic (10th Anniversary Gala!) is scheduled for November 8th at the Rover Oaks Pet Resort in Katy. Watch for more exciting news about this very special event!
As always, time is from 11am-4 pm, and picnics are for HSS members and adoptive families only.Additional HSS Adoption Events are being Coordinated for this coming Fall Season -- Watch for new announcements coming soon!
Our Shelties
Available for Adoption
Or Going Through Rehabilitation
Page 1
To completely understand how HSS works, be
sure
to carefully read about our rescue
Program
Before you make an adoption decision, please read
Connie's brief article about special needs
Shelties
and Joan's article about
senior Shelties.
[Sheltie Standard from the AKC Page]
The Shetland Sheepdog
Coats
One of the most beautiful, intelligent, active dogs in the canine world, Shelties can have "coats of many colors" and thicknesses, though the AKC Standard is double-coated, dense, and flowing. The coat needs thorough brushing at least once a week. Due to their thick double coats, our Shelties must live indoors in Houston's hot, humid climate. Color Codes: S/W (sable [tan] and white; usually just called a sable; there are many variations such as mahogany sable and white, shaded sable and white, golden sable and white, etc.; this is the color most people regard as 'like Lassie'; the shaded and mahogany sables are not Tri's); TRI (black, white, and sable; many people confuse this color; the dog is mostly black and white with a bit of tan, usually on the face and forelegs); BI-BLACK (black with white markings; there is no sable in a bi-black); BLUE MERLE (usually called a 'merle': 'blue'/silvering pattern on tri or bi-black genes, some tan; often with blue eyes or one blue and one brown eye); SABLE MERLE (mostly sable with merling effect); DOUBLE MERLE (two merling genes; lots of white with the rest of the colors diluted); BI-BLUE (no tan); WHITE FACTORING (more than 50% white); CHW (COLOR-HEADED WHITE) (body is white-factored; head is 'colored'). See Athro Limited for explanations of genetics and examples; Kyleah's Sheltie Coat Page and Dogpatch's The Sheltie Photo Album for more variations, information, and beautiful full-color examples.
Size
As one of our veterinarians once remarked, Shelties can be "gazelles or tanks." These differences are not necessarily because of breeding but of genetics: the Collie, Sheltie, Border Collie, and Australian Sheepdog all descend from the same working dog in the Shetland Isles; then there were many breeding experiments to produce the breeds we see today. The AKC Standard for American Shetland Sheepdogs is 13-16" tall at the top of the shoulder. The correct way to judge the height is with a wicket. The AKC does not specify weight, but most in-size Shelties are 15-30#, though we've seen them as small as 8-12# and as much as 40+#. Most Shelties fall in the taller range, though some are certainly smaller. The smaller Shelties, though adorable, are under-sized. There is no such dog as a 'miniature' , 'mini', or 'pocket' Sheltie. Any breeder claiming to breed 'miniature' or 'pocket' Shelties would not be recognized by the AKC or ASSA and is undoubtedly contributing to genetic and health problems in this kind of breeding. Over-size means the Sheltie grew out taller than 16"; and some Shelties do approach the size of a small Collie, but Shelties are not 'miniature Collies.' The best way to tell the difference is to note that the Sheltie's head is more wedged-shaped, the muzzle is shorter, the stop (point where the muzzle meets the crown of the head) is more pronounced, the body is more compact, the legs shorter.
Temperament
Shelties are sweet, gentle, alert, extremely intelligent, loyal, eager to learn and please; they are also very comical: enjoying fun times and jokes, followed by their famous "Sheltie Spins and Smiles," floor pats, leaps, and requests for tummy rubs. They can also be shy with people they do not know and should never be forced as they will warm up in their own time. If they don't to a particular person, then there may very well be a good reason! Most Shelties adore children and get along well with other pets; sometimes they delight in herding family members and cats, but it's all in fun, as one sees in the bright eyes and famous grin. Some descriptions of our breed claim they are not 'guard dogs,' but many Shelties are extremely protective of their families and terrific 'alerters' to anything they don't feel should be in their territory. This is why they are frequently regarded as 'barkers,' but they were originally bred as herding dogs: hence the barking and protection instinct, which we in our program regard as pluses in their behavior. Most Shelties can be trained to quiet on command after being praised for alerting the family.
NB: Prospective adoptive homes, please remember that the nature of Shelties is to be shy with people they don't know; most warm up quickly, but adoptive homes should be aware this can take 2-3 weeks, especially with rescued Shelties, many of whom have been through abuse, neglect, trauma, and medical problems. Owner relinquishments can also be vulnerable to shyness because they are going through enormous changes in their lives; they do not understand why they have lost their homes and often need special understanding. We always keep our Shelties in foster care for at least two weeks to assess their temperaments and behavior. Because our Shelties are rescues needing special understanding and care, to protect both our dogs and very young children (the coordinators are parents as well as dog lovers), we do not adopt to homes with children under age five. After adoption, patience and TLC will bring your Sheltie out, and you will be rewarded with a wonderful companion dog. Also, a lot of applicants want youngsters and the newest dogs as soon as they come in. Please remember that all our dogs, including the delightful seniors and special needs Shelties, are wonderful and need loving homes.
If you are unfamiliar with Shelties or would just like to learn more about the breed, see The American Shetland Sheepdog Association, The American Kennel Club, Commonly Asked Questions about Shelties, and Beverly Miller's Sheltie FAQS.
Summer in Texas: Please read about Leaving Dogs Alone in Cars
PET THERAPY
Shelties makes great Therapy dogs! Pet Therapy is a wonderful volunteer program training owners and their dogs to work in hospitals and assisted living environments to bring a little sunshine to the lives of patients and senior residents. This one offers free CGC [Caninc Good Citizen] training classes to prepare them to take the test required for Pet Therapy.
Faithful Paws Pet Therapy Group [Church's
Web Page]
http://www.umtv.org/archives/faithful_paws.htm
Vickey Willard's webpage for the group [Vickey is an HSS volunteer and trainer]
http://www.geocities.com/vwillard61/FaithfulPaws_Pet_Therapy.html
Paws4Love/hphp
www.paws4lovehphp.com
[See the side bar of the
main page
for more links to boarders, groomers, trainers, etc.]
Prospective adopters must carefully read about our program, have the application completed, and the home visit done. For the reasons we explain in the program description, we do not adopt out of state.
Codes Below: OR (Owner Relinquishment to our program); OTI (Owner Turn In to area shelter); Vetting/Clinicals (dog is in one of our clinics for work-ups); UTD (dog is Up to Date on vaccinations and heartworm preventive); HW+ (dog tested positive for heartworm disease and is going through treatments; should have a re-check 4-6 months after adoption); HW- (dog tested negative for heartworm disease and is on preventative; should have a re-check 4-6 months after adoption); Split Treatment (HW treatment injections are being split over a month in a severe case of the disease--a bit easier on the dog who is 'loaded' with heartworms or otherwise medically compromised); URI (Upper Respiratory Infection); UTI (Urinary Tract Infection); Hooks and Whips (worm infestations); PB (the Sheltie is a purebred; all our Shelties are PB unless otherwise indicated); Sheltie X (the Sheltie is a Mix, which we determine as best we can with our veterinarians); yo (year old; example: 3yo); mo (month old; example: 6mo).
Shelter Abbreviations: HCAC (Harris County Animal Control--Houston), BARC (Bureau of Animal Regulation and Control--Houston), CAP (Citizens for Animal Protection--Houston), SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), MCAC (Montgomery County Animal Center--Conroe), VAP (Volunteers for Animal Protection--Kingwood), TF (Twyla's Friends--Kingwood), TLAC (Town Lake Animal Center--Austin)
Before adoption, all HSS Shelties are vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and treated for initial ailments as much as possible within the scope of our rescue program.
Sometimes we have dogs that cannot be adopted due to major medical issues or advanced age complicated by medical issues. We keep them in permanent foster care as program dogs as long as they need us. See Sheba's wonderful story of a shelter and volunteers who were determined to help her at http://www.houstonsheltiesanctuary.com/Program_Dogs.htm
Most of our rescued Shelties are older. Please read about the joys of adopting these wonderful dogs at http://www.houstonsheltiesanctuary.com/In_Praise_of_the_Older_Dog.htm and think about giving your home and heart to a senior dog who needs you and will give back so much.
We have a lot of males right now: even if you had always thought you wanted a girl, please consider one of these wonderful, affectionate boys as your companion dog. Visit them and talk with their foster homes.
Note about the popular small, young females: In the last few years, we've been taking in ~100 dogs/year. Of these, about 40 will be female - we tend to get more males. Of those 40, perhaps 12-15 will be 4 years old or younger - we tend to get older dogs. Of those 12-15, perhaps 6-7 will be on the small side of standard, or smaller - Shelties are notorious for going oversized. Of those, perhaps half will be temperamentally suited for a home not actively engaged in agility or a similar performance sport. 3-4 dogs out of 100, and "small young female" is our most often requested category of dog. Please understand that the more narrow your requirements, the fewer dogs that you may have to choose from. And there are so many males and older dogs of both sexes and all sizes who need loving homes.
   |
Ready For
Adoption!
Bert was found as a stray in Pearland. He is ~7-8 years
old, 14 inches, 24 pounds, neutered, HW and fecal negative.
Bert came into the Program with a severe cough and has been
diagnosed with chronic airway disease. This condition could
have been caused by chronic, untreated allergies or by
living with a smoker. Our clinic has prescribed some
medications which are already easing the cough
considerably. We will monitor this condition over the next
few weeks.
An update from Bert's foster mom:
Bert is housetrained and crate trained (but prefers
not to be crated!) He will sometimes whine for petting
or attention. He likes to be petted, and is content to
sit at your feet. He likes his food, and will bark to
advise us that it is time to be fed. He is good with the
kitty-cats, curious, but doesn't chase them. Bert gets
along with our resident Shelties, Jake and Max, as long
as they don't get close to his food or toys when
playing. He doesn't mind if I put my hand in his food
bowl, however. Bert will play tug with toys with me, but
is still learning to "drop it" or "bring me the toy". He
wants to play with Jake and Max, but is not quite sure
how to get them to play. He was probably an only dog,
focusing all of his attention on his people. He loves
men. He is very obedient, knows "sit" and "shake".
Bert will bark at us if he wants to go outside or to let
you know that he is ready to go back inside! He will
come when called and he follows us around in the yard or
sits next to us on the patio. He is a very sweet little
guy who deserves a loving home.
Please check back for further updates.
Prospective adopters must carefully read about our program, have the application completed, and the home visit done. |
After the rescue: May 2009:   |
Ready For
Adoption!
Andy was returned to HSS when his
owner passed away. He is 8-9 years old, 17-18 inches, 45
pounds, UTD, neutered, HW and fecal -.
Andy was a devoted companion to his elderly owner, and the feeling was mutual. He is understandably confused and a little wary right now, but at heart he is a love sponge, and he responds to a slow, gentle touch and a soothing voice. He never wants to be far away from his human, even preferring that he/she accompany him outside for potty breaks, and would do best where someone is home much of the time, as in his previous setting. Andy had been shaved for ease of care, but had a lovely coat before the shave. Andy's foster home writes: Andy would make a very loyal and loving companion. He is easy to get along with, is very low key and adapts quickly to different environments. He has never had an accident in the house. He is a cat chaser, so he will need a home without cats. He loves walks and loves to be a part of whatever I am doing. He is shaved but still is a beautiful boy. He will devote himself to whoever chooses this wonderful man. He is very gentle and will make you his number one in a heartbeat. If you are looking for a dog that will show as much appreciation for you as you do for him he is your guy! If you're ready for a dog who wants to make you the center of his universe, Andy is ready for you. Please check back for further updates. Prospective adopters must carefully read about our program, have the application completed, and the home visit done. |
  |
Ready For
Adoption!
Chrissy is a 17 inch Tri sheltie, D.O.B.
4-11-98. Originally coming into the program at
49# (!), she's working her way down to a svelte
figure, currently weighing 42# (needs to lose
about 7 more pounds). Chrissy and Gracie's
owner passed away and family members placed
these 2 with HSS so that we could find them
loving homes. Both shelties have been indoor
dogs and well cared for their whole lives. Both
girls have been fully vetted, HW & fecal
negative and we've had their teeth cleaned.
Both do well with other dogs and cats. They are
completely housebroken and crate trained,
although they certainly don't need to be
crated. Both ride well in the car and have
already started to enjoy short walks. We will
increase the length and frequency of their walks
as they lose weight.
From her foster mom:
As Chrissy has lost weight, she's gotten
more active, with sheltie spins and happy barks
when you arrive home, and running and playing
with the rest of the gang. She loves petting,
hugs, brushing and just about any time spent
with humans. She and Gracie both love
to roll over on their backs and kick their legs
in the air for belly rubs. It is really cute to
see these amazon women in such a display. They
are doing very well on their walks. They know
the route by heart now and it tickles me as they
make the correct turns at the right time and
then that gallop when they see we are
getting close to the house. She and Gracie are
really the sweetest fosters we've ever had!
Together their entire lives, it would be nice to
adopt these 2 out together though not required
since both girls do seem to do well
independently from one another.
Please check back for further updates. Prospective adopters must carefully read about our program, have the application completed, and the home visit done. |
  |
Ready For
Adoption!
Gracie is a 17.5 inch Mahogany sable and white,
D.O.B. 10-20-97, now down to 44# on a program of
diet and exercise (needs to lose at least 7 more
pounds). Gracie and Chrissy's owner passed away and
family members placed these 2 with HSS so that
we could find them loving homes. Both shelties have
been indoor dogs and well cared for their whole
lives. Both girls have been fully vetted, HW &
fecal negative and we've had their teeth cleaned.
Both do well with other dogs and cats. They are
completely housebroken and crate trained, although
they certainly don't need to be crated. Both ride
well in the car and have already started to enjoy
short walks. We will increase the length and
frequency of their walks as they lose weight.
From her foster mom:
So far Gracie is a quiet non-barker though I did
see and hear her get excited and trot across the
yard barking with the other dogs for the 1st time.
Gracie loves to follow you from room to room to be
near her humans. She loves petting, hugs brushing
and just about any time you spend with her. She and Chrissy
both love to roll over on their backs and kick their
legs in the air for belly rubs. It is really cute
to see these amazon women in such a display. They
are doing very well on their walks. They know the
route by heart now and it tickles me as they
make the correct turns at the right time and then
that gallop when they see we are getting close to
the house. She and Gracie are really the sweetest
fosters we've ever had!
Together their entire lives, it would be nice to
adopt these 2 out together though not required since
both girls do seem to do well independently from one
another.
Please check back for further updates. Prospective adopters must carefully read about our program, have the application completed, and the home visit done. |
  |
Ready For
Adoption!
Precious was returned to the program due to
family circumstances. She is 6-7 years old,
16 inches, 26 pounds, UTD, spayed, HW and
fecal -.
From her foster mom:
She doesn't seem to know how to play and looks at me like I am insane when I try to show her a toy. She will play fetch the treat, but hasn't transfered that to toys.
Precious has a bit of a persistent cough which our vet
is attributing to allergies.
Please check back for further updates.
|
|
Rescue Day:  In Foster Care:   |
Ready For
Adoption!
Devin is beautiful 14", 25# tri-colored Sheltie, thought
to be about 2-3 years old. He was found as a stray in the
Woodlands, where he had been seen wandering for
approximately 2 weeks before deciding to come in from
the weather. HW-, and in good condition, he has been
brought up to date on vaccinations and is neutered.
From his foster home:
Devin came into our home surprisingly well cared for
as a stray and is perfectly house trained. He is most
happy to be sitting close to people getting lots of
attention and will follow us around the house from room
to room to be close by. Devin also likes to play with
toys, take walks, and run at the dog park to get out his
energy. He has been very smart in picking up our home
routines and remembers directions. He goes in his crate
when asked too, and never makes a sound. He will
make some lucky family a great companion, as he is truly
a happy, playful, loyal pet.
Please check back for further updates.
|
Rescue Day: In Foster Care:   |
Ready for
Adoption!
Alana is a sweet 7 year old, 14", 22# Sheltie that was
rescued from an Arkansas puppy mill by the HSUS.
http://www.hsus.org/press_and_
Now up to date on vaccinations, she is being treated for erlichia, a tick-borne disease, and will be ready for adoption when she has been medically cleared and spayed in early May. She had to be shaved due to the matted condition of her coat (see rescue day picture), but you can see a hint of how pretty she will be when her coat comes back in.
Alana is the best-socialized of the Arkansas Shelties,
and readily comes to greet her human. She has just
moved into foster care, where we will be working on
learning to become a house companion. With a little
confidence, she will be a wonderful addition to her new
home.
Please check back for further updates.
|
Rescue Day:  |
At only 1 to 2 years old, Rory is the youngest of the
Arkansas mill Shelties.
http://www.hsus.org/press_and_
14" and 21#, he is now up to date on vaccinations and being treated for erlichia, a tick-borne disease. He will be ready for adoption when he has been medically cleared and neutered in early May. He had to be shaved due to the matted condition of his coat (see rescue day picture), but he will be a gorgeous boy when his coat comes back in.
Rory appears to be the most reserved of the Arkansas
Shelties. When stressed, he turns his back on the
activities around him, and pretends it's just not
there. In foster care, he has already shown hints of
coming out of his shell, however. He will need a kind
and patient home willing to bring out his best.
Please check back for further updates. Prospective adopters must carefully read about our program, have the application completed, and the home visit done. |
|
Rescue Day:   |
Ready For
Adoption!
Zack is an OR due to family circumstances. He is 9 years old
(DOB 3/17/00), is 16 inches, 35 pounds (needs to lose a
few), UTD, neutered, HW and fecal - and house-trained. He
gets along with the resident dogs, but doesn't interact much
with them.
While in foster care, his foster parents noted that he wasn't moving comfortably and was protective of his right side. A trip to the vet revealed arthritis. He now gets Rimadyl twice a day and he is a much happier boy. He loves to go for walks, now that it doesn't hurt. He has some trust and fear issues which his foster parents are working on. He doesn't like to be groomed on the right side, where the vet said he may have had a knee injury in the past, or around his feet. His nails were allowed to grow way too long, which caused them to hit the ground and splay his toes. Again, we are working on gradually trimming the nails (don't want to cut the quick) to the proper length. We are moving slowly to show him that grooming doesn't hurt. Zach has a gorgeous, thick soft coat that is a pleasure to pet. He comes up for loving, sticking his head under my hand for caresses. He is a chow hound and would happily eat all that you care to give him - hence his weight problem. You can't give in to his big brown eyes which beg for more. Zach needs a patient, (adult only) family, where he will learn that he will be safe, loved and not hurt. Please check back for further updates. Prospective adopters must carefully read about our program, have the application completed, and the home visit done. |
 |
More Shelties on Page 2 |
HSS Coordinators
Houston Sheltie Sanctuary, Inc.
PO Box 840235
Houston, TX 77284-0235
SHELTIE LINE & FAX: (281)-859-0146
E-Mail: Connie / Linda / Joan
