11/16/2025
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BRNX4djDu/
*Adopted
Pepper
TIMESTAMPED for WED 11/19
ANIMAL ID ACCT-A-235440
BREED Terrier, Pit Bull
S*X Female
WEIGHT 45.5 lbs
AGE 1Y/6M/3W
LOCATION Large Dog Kennel, C2
Pepper ACCT-A-235440 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to length of stay and lack of space for incoming dogs. Pepper must have confirmed placement with a RESCUE PARTNER, or ADOPTER by Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 at 10AM. Should Pepper’s medical or behavioral status change, his urgency and timeline for placement may also change.
Pepper is a lovable mixed breed girl found as a stray in October, and she’s ready to steal your heart! This sweet and silly girl is full of personality — goofy, playful, and super affectionate once she warms up. She LOVES treats, head rubs, and leaning in for cuddles, and her gentle nature makes her an absolute delight to be around.
Pepper enjoys walks, car rides, and sniffing around outside. She’s still building confidence and can be a little shy at first, especially around new dogs or if someone gets too close to her face, but she’s already had positive dog interactions in the shelter, proving she can make furry friends with the right guidance. With patience, love, and plenty of treats, she blossoms into the sweetest companion you could imagine.
If you’re looking for a loyal, goofy, and treat-loving pup who will melt your heart, Pepper is the one! Could you be the lucky person to give her the forever home she deserves?
Videos:
Pepper loves to sniff for treats
https://youtu.be/KwBr5rx84ts?si=PSbvQPbrRjnxO2qu
Pepper loves the puzzle toy
https://youtube.com/shorts/cv8o1eXau2A?si=c6RS8HU0kTuDPqp_
Dexter and Pepper Meet: https://youtube.com/shorts/-ERIvBfDAA0?feature=share
Pepper and Meadow Fence Meet: https://youtube.com/shorts/tVYviNlRZTY?feature=share
Meet Pepper: https://youtube.com/shorts/XQLGobDYGgw?si=MWbF_h272ceXJtKv
Behavior Notes:
Per day trip foster 11/8: Pepper is a very sweet and goofy girl. She did so well in the car and was very behaved on her leash for a walk! She was good with cuddles/pets and treats and definitely enjoyed being outside! She was fine when she saw other dogs and people in the vicinity too!
Per staff 10/27/25:
Kennel Presentation: Pepper was sitting next to her bed with wide eyes and a lowered head. i tossed some treat for her to eat and she came forward to eat them. i spoke to her i na baby voice and she gave me some low wags. she allowed me to easily secure her and came right out.
Leash Skills: pulls minimally - lowered body and ears pinned back on walk - nervous
Sociability: in the room i gave her some space to walk around and sniff. she was hesitant to move but with some times walked around sniffing. i offered her some treats and called her over, with a slow walk she came up to me. she took treats very gently and did not seem to know sit. i sat on the bench and she came up, sitting right next to me. i did see head and neck handling which she allowed. i was able to touch all over her. she then walked away and would come back now and again.
Dog Interaction: n/a
Return to Kennel: walked slowly towards her kennel, needed some encouragement
Per volunteer 10/26/25:
Meet Pepper! This sweet girl is a beautiful brown mix of Terrier and Pit Bull, with a heart full of potential!
Pepper is still learning about the world and building her confidence. She can be a little hesitant at first, especially when meeting new dogs or having people approach her face too quickly. But don't let that fool you, Pepper is highly motivated by treats, and with a little patience and positive reinforcement, she warms up quickly. She's shown to be very gentle when taking treats, and loves a good head and neck rub once she's comfortable. Pepper is responsive on leash, though she may need some encouragement to get started. She also loves to lean into pets and be close to her people once she trusts them!
She's looking for a patient and understanding adopter who can help her continue to blossom. Her adopter should be willing to continue working with her on socialization and confidence-building, especially around other dogs and having people approach her face. With consistent positive reinforcement and a loving environment, Pepper is sure to become a loyal and devoted companion.
Could you be the one to give Pepper the loving forever home she deserves? Meet Pepper any day from 10am-6pm!
Per staff 10/26/25: When I approached the kennel, she was standing in the middle of it and looked up at me, licking her lips. I opened the door and she backed up slightly then I closed the door to get my hotdogs out, and she came forward with a slightly wagging tail. Dropped a few hotdog pieces and she ate them right up with her tail still wagging. Put the leash near her and she backed away, so I dropped more hotdog pieces and then leashed her as she ate them. Needed coaxing to get out of her kennel as she didn’t want to take the step down. Walks hesitantly to get out of the shelter and is responsive on the leash. She takes treats out of my hands very gently and seems to be quite treat motivated. Very loose body language the whole time. Didn’t solicit any pets at first then came over to me after a few minutes and rubbed against me, took pets all over her head and neck. She’s clearly very itchy along her back and tail. She gave soft grumbles when she was waiting for treats. Body language and tail remained loose and wiggly when grumbling. Pancaked when we went to go back into kennel. Grabbed a second handler who just walked behind us, which was enough to get her to go inside.
Per owner 10/23/25: when attempted to give bordetella instranal (she was distracted while eating food) she barked and growled, was able to give bordetella in mouth with cream cheese around it. ACA also noted that she barked at APO when they got too close to her face also.
does not like you to be too close to her face/hands in face but was able to do everything due to her being food motivated
Per owner 10/23/25: Pepper appears very dog reactive; was barking at every dog she saw, tail tense.
Per finder 10/23/25: Good around strangers, doesn’t look bad around other animals, overall good. Overall sweet and playful
Medical Notes:
URI 11/4/25: This dog has been observed to have shelter acquired upper respiratory infection (URI), or a "doggy cold". They have been started on medication, and will be monitored for resolution of the respiratory infection.
10/31/25: Recheck skin and see if can evaluate mouth/teeth. Loves cheese.
Subjective:BAR, very affectionate and energetic, allowed handling with loose body posture
Objective: Normal oral exam, clean teeth
Skin has improved and pruritis and scabs are localized to lumbosacrum and tail so at this time did not start Apoquel but may need it if not improving; scheduled recheck in 7 days
10/24/25: hair loss on back end + base of tail + scabbing, hair loss patch near butt area, flaky, red eyes
Assessment: ddx dermatitis - topical irritant vs atopic dermatitis/flea allergy vs immune mediated vs open
Intake 10/23/25:
Body Condition:6 - Stout
Age- 1 1/2 yrs
Urogenital- female, ni***es raised
Altered- no
Eyes- both red
Ears- clean
Nose- clear moist
Coat/Skin- clean, hair loss on both hind legs + dry spots, hair loss + scabbing on lower back + base of tail, hair loss patch near butt area, flaky
Teeth- clean white
Gums- pink moist
Musculoskeletal- no lameness
Behavior- BAR, very food motivated, barked + growled when you got close to her face while going to give bordetella ended up giving in mouth..ACA said she did the same thing to APO when you got too close to her face
Due to being significantly overcapacity with dogs and cats 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 a dog or cat.
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 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.
