19/10/2026
🐾 MEET EVIE — LOOKING FOR HER FOREVER HOME ❤️
Breed: Shar-Pei Cross
Age: Almost 2 years old
S*x: Female
Size: Small to Medium
Adoption Fee: $350
❤️ Evie is a beautiful, affectionate and energetic girl with a big personality and an even bigger heart.
Evie has had a difficult start in life, but through patience, consistent training and rehabilitation, she has made wonderful progress. We are now looking for a special person who understands her needs and can offer her a safe, loving and permanent home.
🐕 EVIE'S STORY — A SECOND CHANCE
Evie was surrendered to Aotearoa Animal Refuge by her 73-year-old owner, who had originally received her as a companion.
Evie was bred to be sold as a small Shar-Pei cross. Unfortunately, her early life lacked the training, boundaries and socialisation she needed.
We were informed that Evie had also experienced mistreatment and had spent considerable time confined to a crate.
As she grew, her behaviour became increasingly difficult for her elderly owner to manage. She displayed intense hyperactivity, anxiety, protective behaviour and aggression towards other animals and moving objects.
Rather than see Evie potentially face euthanasia because of her behavioural challenges, we decided to give her another chance at life. ❤️
🌱 EVIE'S REHABILITATION JOURNEY
When Evie first came into our care, she was extremely reactive towards cats, chickens, other dogs, cyclists and motorbikes.
We began working with her using a harness and lead, structured exercise, close supervision and consistent commands.
Evie gradually learned boundaries, impulse control and how to respond to direction.
Today, she has made remarkable improvements.
She can now live peacefully around chickens, rabbits, cats and other dogs when appropriately supervised. She still needs occasional reminders to leave other animals alone, and introductions must be gradual and controlled.
Her rehabilitation is ongoing, but she has shown that she is capable of learning and improving with the right guidance.
🧬 UNDERSTANDING EVIE'S BREED AND PERSONALITY
As a Shar-Pei cross, Evie may have inherited some of the natural characteristics associated with the breed, including:
🐾 Strong loyalty and attachment to her person
🐾 Protective instincts
🐾 Independence and intelligence
🐾 Alertness towards unfamiliar people and situations
🐾 A preference for familiar surroundings and trusted companions
Her other breed ancestry is unknown, so we cannot say exactly which traits she has inherited.
Her high energy, reactivity and anxiety may also have been influenced by her early experiences, limited socialisation and lack of training.
Evie is not simply an aggressive dog. She is a dog with a history of reactivity who has learned better behaviours and still needs support.
❤️ EVIE'S LOVING PERSONALITY
Once Evie feels comfortable with you, she becomes an incredibly loving and affectionate companion.
She absolutely loves being close to her favourite human and will happily follow you around the house.
She enjoys:
❤️ Plenty of cuddles and affection on her terms
🚗 Going for car rides and adventures
🐕 Daily walks and exploring outdoors
🧠 Mental stimulation, games and training
🏡 Relaxing close to her favourite person
✨ Keeping her living space clean and tidy
Evie is full of personality, curious, intelligent and always ready for her next adventure.
🎓 COMMANDS EVIE HAS LEARNED
✅ Sit
✅ Come
✅ Go to bed
✅ Don't touch
✅ Let's go in the car
✅ Let's go to the park
She responds best to calm, confident handling, positive reinforcement and consistent boundaries.
🏡 WHAT IS EVIE'S IDEAL FOREVER HOME?
We are looking for an experienced, active and patient owner who understands that Evie needs more than affection — she needs structure, exercise, boundaries and continued training.
Her ideal home would be:
✅ An active adult or couple who enjoys walking, outdoor adventures and spending quality time with their dog.
✅ An adult-only household, preferably without children, where she can feel relaxed and secure. Evie is not suitable for a home with young children because she may nip when uncomfortable, particularly if touched around her face.
✅ Someone experienced with reactive or protective dogs, ideally familiar with Shar-Pei characteristics or similar breeds.
✅ A calm and stable environment with predictable routines and minimal unnecessary stress.
✅ A securely fenced property where Evie can exercise and explore safely.
✅ Someone who can provide daily exercise and enrichment, including walks, structured play, training and activities that engage her mind.
✅ An owner committed to ongoing training using positive reinforcement, patience and appropriate behavioural support.
✅ Someone who has time for companionship. Evie forms close attachments and loves being near her person.
🐶 CAN EVIE LIVE WITH OTHER ANIMALS?
Evie has successfully learned to live around dogs, cats, chickens and rabbits during rehabilitation.
However, because of her previous chasing and aggressive reactions, our preference is a home where Evie is the only pet, allowing her to receive individual attention while continuing to build her confidence.
A home with other animals may be considered for an experienced adopter following careful assessments, controlled introductions and a suitable management plan.
Her progress does not mean she should be left unsupervised with smaller animals.
⚠️ IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
We believe in responsible rehoming and being transparent about every animal's needs.
Evie can still become anxious, overexcited or protective of her person.
She may react when startled, overwhelmed or approached in ways that make her uncomfortable.
She does not enjoy young children touching her face and may nip if she feels threatened.
New people and animals must be introduced slowly, and her boundaries should always be respected.
Evie needs someone who will recognise her warning signs, manage situations safely and continue reinforcing the progress she has made.
She is not suitable for an inexperienced dog owner or someone wanting a low-energy, low-maintenance companion.
🩺 HEALTH AND CARE
✅ Desexed
✅ Vaccinated
✅ Microchipped
✅ Worm treated
✅ Flea treated
✅ Basic obedience training
✅ Clean and tidy in the home
💛 ADOPTION INFORMATION
Adoption Fee: $350
All potential adopters will need to complete an adoption application.
A meet and greet, suitability assessment and adoption approval are required before Evie goes to her new home.
We want to ensure the right match for both Evie and her future family.
🐾 REGISTER TO MEET EVIE
https://tally.so/r/yXZAr8
❤️ EVERY DOG DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE
Evie came to us as a frightened, overstimulated and reactive little girl who had never been given the proper opportunity to learn.
Today, she is affectionate, intelligent, playful and eager to be loved.
Her journey hasn't been perfect, and she still has things to learn, but the progress she has made reminds us why rehabilitation and responsible rescue matter.
Evie doesn't need a perfect home. She needs the right home.
Someone patient enough to understand her past, experienced enough to guide her future and loving enough to give her the security she deserves.
We gave Evie a second chance. Now we're hoping someone special will give her a forever home. 🐾❤️
💛 Aotearoa Animal Refuge Team
Rescue • Rehabilitation • Responsible Rehoming
