Zero

Meet Zero, a timid but sweet boy. Zero came to ACCT as an owner surrender on 6/26/26 due to owner not having enough room. Zero is fully house trained and crate trained. A slow approach seems to work best for this shy boy and he doesn't like loud sudden noises. So an adult-only home might work best for him.

Videos:

Zero & Cassidy meet: https://youtu.be/BDdh9eNbVlc https://youtu.be/xg1xv8II4qc

Behavioral notes: 7/1 per staff: Zero & Cassidy meet - Good greetings. Soft wide eyes, ears for the side and tail down. Tolerant, moved away on his own.

Per staff on 7/1/26: "I came in to meet zero and take some pictures. He came up to the kennel door and looked to see who I was and what I was doing with soft eyes. He was quiet and watchful. Offered treats and spoke softly, even squatting down to take pictures and make him more comfortable. Eventually left to go retrieve more treats and noticed the ones that I did toss in were gone.

Squatted down again and spoke to him, offering more treats and even some to another dog in the kennel next door. Eventually warmed up enough to begin eating treats right in front of me. Still an anxious boy but definitely needs time to open up and feel safe. Slow movements and quiet talking seems to get through to him.

Once I was getting ready to leave, taking a quick video of us interacting and me sliding his ice treat and other treats under the kennel with no reactions, a loud sudden noise from outside did startle him causing him to jump. Was able to calm him down and he went back to normal self within seconds."

Per staff on 7/1/26: Kennel Presentation: Came up to the front of the kennel and took treats gently. Wide eyes, ears to the side, furrowed brow and tail down.

Leash Skills: Took several minutes to remove from kennel. When leash was presented he moved away and went to the outside run. I attempted a treat lure, however he continued to go to the outside run. The guillotine door is off the tracks so I slowly closed to block the opening. He began pacing and I was able to lightly lasso him. He came out slowly, eyes darting with tense body and tail down. Hesitated to go through the door ways. Exit searching outside.

Sociability: Asocial. Tensed body, side eyed and lip licked when I touched his side. Took a treat and then spit it out.

Play: n/a

Dog Interaction: Met Cassidy. Appropriate greetings and tolerant of Cassidays playful energy.

Return to Kennel: Hesitated to go back through the doors. Needed verbal encouragement. Went right into kennel and I was able to remove leash with hand slowly.

Color Level: Exp Blue

Per staff on 6/27/26: "Zero was trembling on his cot sitting upright when I approached his kennel. I was talking to him in a very soft and low tone. Big, soft eyes looking very sad, ears down, was not interested in any of my Canine treats when I offered before attempting leash. I got eye level while I opened the kennel, I let him smell my leash, he just sat there looking very nervous and still trembling. I placed the leash on him slowly, as soon as it was on, I said come on boy and he came right out. He was looking around sniffing a whole bunch on the way out to dog intake, walking on leash very calmly and beside me.

During intake, we were slow with all handling, and he seemed to really enjoy cream cheese. He was stiff but seeming more shut down and anxious his head was down low. His tail was down and straight, he allowed all consent petting and got a lot less tense. I barely had to restrain him, only firmly holding his leash and he shut down during vaccinations and gave no reaction at all to any poke even the microchip. He allowed pets right after with no issues.

Walking him back he was looking up at me as we walked, more of a loose body but no tail wags still low and straight. He was very good on leash no pulling at all. The adoption lobby was full of people but he was very brave and walked by them (children included) and went right into his kennel and sat back on his cot. He is a very good boy that needs some time to open up."

Per staff on 6/27/26: "Laying on the bed when I approached his kennel. Avoidant of eye contact. Tossed a treat and he sniffed for it however did not get off the bed. I came back later to add a sign on his kennel and the treat was gone."

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