05/30/2026
ADOPTED
💛 Caramel is one of those dogs whose sensitive heart is being completely overwhelmed by shelter life.
She came in as a stray with no known history, and while the shelter environment has been difficult for her, there are already so many signs of the beautiful dog she’s becoming. Caramel is social with staff, enjoys other dogs, and has been working incredibly hard in her training sessions to build confidence and trust.
This sweet girl is enrolled in the Shelter Scholar program and making progress every day. Through patience, positive reinforcement, and gentle encouragement, Caramel is learning that the world can feel safe again. That matters.
Like many fearful dogs, she struggles most when she’s overstimulated or anxious. The noise, constant movement, and pressure of the kennel environment can be incredibly hard on sensitive dogs who simply need time and consistency to settle in.
Beneath the stress is a shy, thoughtful dog who wants connection on her own terms and blossoms with kindness and understanding.
Caramel would thrive in a calm adult-only home with patient adopters who can continue helping her grow at her own pace. Puzzle toys, quiet walks, predictable routines, and gentle guidance will go a long way in helping her confidence bloom.
💛 Sometimes the dogs who need the softest approach end up forming the deepest bonds.
📩 Please message to foster or adopt Caramel.
Meet Caramel! As a long-stay pup, my adoption fee has been reduced! Visit me today to find out how you can take me home!
Caramel came in as a stray with an unknown history. She's a timid, sensitive dog who is still learning to trust. She may show signs of fear like trembling, a tucked tail, and whale eyes when stressed, and needs a quiet, calm environment where she can build confidence at her own pace.
My Ideal Home Caramel needs an adult-only home with a patient, experienced adopter who understands fearful dogs. She thrives with gentle handling, predictable routines, and gradual introductions. Enriching activities like scent work and puzzle toys will help her feel secure.
Good with Kids? No. Caramel is not suitable for homes with children under 13 and needs a calm, structured adult household.
Good with Other Pets? Caramel has shown to be very social with dogs in the care center.
Leash Manners Caramel is still developing her leash skills and can be nervous on walks. Quiet routes and positive reinforcement will help her build confidence.
Behavior Level: 4 Caramel requires an experienced adopter to help her work through her anxieties in a low-stress, adult-only home.
Other Fun Facts Caramel is a sweet, shy girl who enjoys connecting with her humans on her own terms.
Caramel is enrolled in our Shelter Scholar program and is making wonderful progress every single day. She is working through resource guarding around food, and with every training session she is learning that mealtime is a safe and happy experience. Through positive reinforcement and a whole lot of encouragement, Caramel is building the trust and confidence she needs to relax and thrive.
CARAMEL 240565 QUEENS ACC
Estimated to be 2 years 6 mos 3 weeks old, 57.2 Lbs
SPAYED FEMALE, MEDIUM MIXED BREED
STRAY FROM NY
MEDICAL BEHAVIOR EVALUATION:
BEHAVIOR RATING: LEVEL 3
INTAKE DATE: 10/30/2025
PET PROFILE
Stray, no known history.
ASSESSMENT NOTES
Date of assessment: 4/30/2026
Summary: 04/30/26:
Leash Walking
Strength and pulling: Loose
Reactivity to humans: None
Reactivity to dogs: None
Leash walking comments:
Sociability
Loose in room (15-20 seconds): social- seeks attention, soft body
Call over: Readily approaches- seeks attention, loose body
Sociability comments:
Handling
Soft handling: Allowed- loose body, wags tail, sits
Exuberant handling: Allowed- loose body, wags tail
Handling comments:
Arousal
Jog: Follow- bouncy
Arousal comments:
Knock: Approaches- soft, wiggly
Knock Comments:
Toy: Hover, grips the toy, walks away
Toy comments:
***01/09/26: Behavioral assessment upon request****
****11/28/25: behavior assessment upon request.***
11/4/25: Caramel is taken to the behavior office for a handling assessment. She displays a tucked tail and is avoidant of the handler. She began to seek an exit and display a tucked tail and low body. Due to this, a handling assessment will not be conducted at this time.
11/1/25: Caramel is taken to the behavior office for a handling assessment. She displays a low body, tucked tail and begins to shake. Caramel ignores the treats offered to her and stays near the exit door. Due to this, she is given more time to decompress.
Summary: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded.
Caramel has displayed social and playful behavior with both male and female dogs at the care center. She often approaches other dogs with loose, wiggly body language, play bows, and bouncy movement, readily engaging in interaction. Caramel has participated in reciprocal play involving chase, mouthy play, cheek grabbing, body contact, and role reversal while also taking natural breaks throughout interactions. She has demonstrated the ability to re-engage appropriately after pauses and has successfully interacted with a variety of play styles. At times, Caramel can become highly aroused during play and may become physically exuberant, including engaging in excessive body contact, jumping onto other dogs, or attempting to mount during play. In some interactions, particularly when another dog disengages or becomes uncomfortable, Caramel has shown frustration and brief tension before being redirected successfully by handlers. Despite these moments, she has also demonstrated the ability to soften, continue social interaction appropriately, and regulate with support and management. Earlier in her stay, Caramel displayed fearful behavior during one introduction, appearing nervous and avoidant around another dog. Since then, she has shown increasing confidence and comfort during dog-to-dog interactions. Overall, Caramel appears to be a social and playful dog who enjoys active interaction with other dogs. She would likely do best with appropriately matched dogs that enjoy energetic play and with adopters who can continue supporting polite social skills and arousal regulation during interactions, especially when disengaging.
Caramel's dog to dog notes are available in detail upon request.
Summary (2): 5/20: on the white board it is reported that Caramel is less interested in toys, fixates on people and treats more.
05/12/16 (Trainer Note): Caramel is standing at the front of her kennel with a loose body as the handler approaches. She is easily leashed and pulls mildly to the canine training room. Caramel is loose and social with the handler. The handler works with her on the leave it cue and is able to throw multiple treats on the ground. Caramel is easily leashed and returned to kennel without issue.
Summary (3): 05/09/26 (PG): Caramel is lying at the back of kennel when handler approaches. She comes forward and is leashed with ease. Immediately upon exiting kennel, Caramel vocalizes while pulling hard towards her neighboring kennel. Handler quickly guides her away and Caramel will jump up eye-level and bite at handler's leash once. Handler ushers her out of the room and Caramel will pull hard while heavy panting on her way to the yard for playgroup. After her interactions, Caramel returns to kennel without issue.
05/07/26 (PG note): Caramel is standing at the front of her kennel and allows the handler to clip her harness with ease. She is brought to the play yard to meet a male playmate. While waiting for her playmate to arrive, Caramel displays a loose, wiggly body, socializes appropriately with handlers, and responds to sit cues for treats. Upon the playmate’s arrival, both dogs engage in a nose to nose greeting at the gate while maintaining soft, loose body language. Once the gate is opened, Caramel begins bouncing around and initiating body to body play contact, demonstrating affiliative and playful social behavior. See Dog to Dog note for more information.
5/6/26 (pg): Caramel is at the front of her kennel stretching as the handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and will pull hard to the play yard where her collar is clipped with a drag leash. Caramel will meet a few dogs and will play with one of them. She is then returned to her kennel where she will baulk very briefly before being lured into kennel with a treat. (see dog-dog notes for more information)
05/06/26 (Trainer Note): Caramel is at the front of her kennel with a neutral body as the handler approaches. She is easily leashed and pulls moderately to the canine training room. She is loose and social with the handler and engages readily in training. The handler is able to drop treats on the ground and Caramel would leave them until release. She is easily leashed and returned to kennel without issue.
5/3/26: Caramel is on her kuranda bed sleeping as the handler approaches. Her harness is clipped with ease and she will exit the kennel with a soft frame. In the hallway, Caramel will jump up parallel to the handler twice and is given a treat scatter to refocus her attention on the ground. She will then pull moderately out to the play yard where her collar is clipped with a drag leash and she is free to roam around., She will play with and meet a few dogs and is then returned with no issue. (see dog- dog for more info)
5/3/26: Caramel is noted to leash bite and drop toys on the whiteboard.
5/3/26: Caramel was observed to back out of her harness and thrash while being put into kennel, having to be helped by two ACS staff to get her back into kennel.
Summary (4): 4/29/26 (playgroup): Caramel is sleeping in her kennel on her side as the handler approaches. Her harness is clipped with no issue and she is brought to the play yard where her collar is clipped with a drag leash. She will then approach the gate and play bow. (see dog to dog for more information) She is then returned to her kennel with no issue.
4/27/26 (PG): Caramel greeted handler with a loose and wiggly body at front of kennel. She was easily leashed and pulled from kennel. Caramel was taken to the play yard for a D2D. Caramel was very playful with the male dog that she was partnered with. After her play session Caramel was returned to kennel with no issue.
4/25/26: Caramel is laying down on her bed as handler approaches her kennel. She comes forward to the front with a loose body and wagging tail and is able to be leashed and clipped to her harness with no issues. She then pulls hard on the way to the yard for play group. In the yard, she greets the other dog at the gate with a loose and wiggly body and is able to play and interact with the other dog. Please see dog to dog notes for more details. She balks to the ground when being retuned back to her kennel and is able to enter when treats are tossed inside.
4/23/26: Caramel is standing at the front of her kennel as handler approaches. She is able to be leashed and clipped to her harness with no issues. She then pulls hard on her hind legs on the way to the yard for play group. In the yard, she greets the other dog at the gate with a loose and wiggly body and is able to play and interact with the other dog. Please see dog to dog notes for more details. She is able to walk back to her kennel with no issue and enter when treats are tossed inside.
Summary (5): 04/20/26 (Trainer Note): Caramel is at the front of her kennel as the handler approaches. She is easily leashed and pulls moderately to kennel. The handler is able to get Caramel to engage with the leave it cue. The handler can introduce the word "ok" as a release for her to get the treat. The handler is able to use this with treats in their hand, on their knee and then uncovered and placed on the floor. Caramel is able to leave them with ease. After multiple successful repetitions, the handler give Caramel a toy to play with. She will hop around the room and shake the toy. Caramel is easily leashed and carries her toy back to kennel. She baulks at the door and drops the toy. The handler throws a treat scatter and she follows it half way. the handler is then able to safely move the toy into her kennel and she follows it in.
4/19/26: Caramel is observed to be leash biting significantly, but is able to be refocused with toys and treats although Caramel has to be refocused persistently by staff.
4/17/26: Caramel was reported to be leash biting and said to only have clipped the front of her leash. In the middle of that the ACS switched to her to the slip lead as she was leash biting. She then pancaked when going back into kennel, and had to be led back into the kennel with treats by behavior staff.
04/15/26 (Trainer Note): Caramel is standing at the front of her kennel as the handler approaches. She is easily leashed and pulls moderately to the canine training room. Caramel is able to leave treats on the ground and waits for the handler to say "okay" before going to pick up the treat. She leans into contact and is returned to kennel without issue.
04/06/26 (Trainer Note): Caramel was at the front of her kennel as the handler approached. She backed aways asv they opened the door, but would then walk forward to be leashed. Caramel walked calmly to the Live Room and shook off as soon as she was clipped to a drag leash. the handler continued work on a leave it cue for Caramel using lower and higher value treats. The handler was able to insert the verbal cue "leave it" and Caramel could leave treats in the handler's closed fist, on their knee and covered on the floor on cue with ease. caramel was then marked and rewarded with higher value treats. The handler gave caramel a snuffle mat as a break and Caramel would then engage with a toy. Caramel was re leashed and would baulk at her kennel door. the handler tossed a toy and some treats into her kennel and used light leash pressure to guide her in.
Summary (6): 03/31/26 (Trainer Note): Caramel is jumping at the front of her kennel as the handler approaches. She is easily leashed and pulls strongly to the Live Room. When inside she is clipped to a drag leash and immediately starts to counter surf. The handler engages Caramel in some Doggie Zen. She will sit and wait for the handler to give her a treat. After a couple of repetitions, Caramel will mouth and paw at the handler's hand. Caramel will move away from the handler's hand to be marked and rewarded. Caramel will find a ball under the bed and begin to play with it. The handler gets a second balls and begins some polite exchange to encourage impulse control. Caramel will jump twice to get the balls, almost reaching the handler's head. The handler will cue Caramel into a sit, she will oblige, and is marked and rewarded with the new ball. After multiple successful repetitions, Caramel is beginning to sit automatically after dropping the ball and waiting for a new one. Caramel is easily re leashed and returned to her kennel.
03/18/26 (Trainer Note): Caramel is sitting on her bed as the handler approaches. She easily follows a treat through the leash. Caramel is loose and social with the handler but maintains a moderate pant and dilated pupils. She is able to sit still as the handler drops treats, but as soon as she is reinforced, she attempts to lunge for the treats on the ground. The handler works with Caramel on duration and she improves over time. She is easily leashed and returned to kennel without issue.
3/19/26: Caramel is standing at her kennel door as handler approaches. She begins to jump at the door with a loose body and is able to be leashed with ease. She then pulls hard on the way to the live room. In the room, she has a loose body as she engages in a puzzle feeder and a snuffle mat. She would approach the handler and jump up with a loose and wiggly body. She is comfortable receiving a few pets. She chases around a tennis ball and would lay down on the snuffle mat to chew on it. She tries to pull the handler back to the tennis ball when it rolls away and is able to be distracted with treats when exiting the room. She pulls hard on the way back to her kennel, and then baulks to the ground when she reaches the front of her kennel. She is able to enter her kennel when treats are tossed inside. The handler then gives her a toy to chew on before walking away.
Summary (7): 03/18/26 (Trainer Note): Caramel is sitting on her bed as the handler approaches. She easily follows a treat through the leash. Caramel is loose and social with the handler but maintains a moderate pant and dilated pupils. The handler works with her on the leave it cue. Caramel is able to ignore treats as they are both placed and dropped on the ground. She is easily leashed and returned to kennel without issue.
3/15/26: Caramel is reported to jump up at the handler and mouth at them as she exits the kennel. Toys are reported to help refocus her attention upon exit. "Walk Me with Toys" signage is added.
03/12/26 (Trainer Note): Caramel is sitting at the front of her kennel as the handler approaches. She backs away from the leash initially, but follows a treat lure through. Caramel attempts to pull towards the other kennels, kicking off of the handler as she does so. The handler works with her on the leave it cue. Caramel participates readily and the handler is able to leave a treat on the ground by the end of the session. She is easily leashed and returned to kennel without issue.
03/04/26 (Trainer Note): Caramel is sitting at the front of her kennel as the handler approaches. She is easily leashed and pulls moderately to the canine training room. She pants moderately with dilated pupils throughout the interaction. The handler works with her on doggie zen and she participates with mild interest. Caramel is easily leashed and returned to kennel without issue. -
02/15: (Late entry): Staff reports that Carmel has exhibited kennel reactivity when passing other kennels.
2/12/26: Caramel is siting at the front of her kennel as handler approaches. She is able to be leashed with ease and she pulls hard on the way outside for a walk. On the walk, she would jump up on the handler with a loose body to demand for treats. She would sit for treats and chase after treats that the handler would toss ahead on the ground. She has no reactions to people and tries to pull towards dogs in their kennels. She pulls hard on the way back to her kennel and has to be muscled inside due to baulking in front of her kennel and not wanting treats.
Date of intake: 10/30/2025
Date of initial: 10/31/2025
Summary: timid, tail tucked, needed to be muzzled and distracted with food, whale eyes
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: Level 3
Recommendations: No children (under 13)
Recommendations comments: No children (under 13): We recommend Caramel is placed in a home with No children (under 13).
Potential challenges:
Resource guarding,
Fearful,
On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,
Strength/leash pulling
Potential challenges comments:
Resource guarding: Caramel is noted to guard her kong filled for food and began to hover/tense when handler was past her. Training should focus on trade-up exercises, predictable handling around high-value items, and reinforcing voluntary disengagement to reduce guarding responses. Please see the handout on Resource guarding.
Fearful: Caramel displays trembling, whale eyes, and tucked tail and will seek exit. Use low-stress handling and avoid sudden movements or loud environments. Provide calming enrichment like scent work, soft music, and puzzle toys to help her decompress. Gradual desensitization to triggers, paired with high-value rewards, can help build confidence. Walks should be in quiet areas with minimal stimulation, and handlers should use slow, predictable body language to reduce hypervigilance and prevent escalation. Please see the handout on Decompression period.
On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Caramel is noted to kennel fight in the care center.
Strength/leash pulling: Caramel is noted to hard pull on the lead. Loose-leash walking practice, rewarding engagement, and supportive walking equipment can help improve control. Please see the handout on Strength/leash pulling.
MEDICAL EXAM NOTES
10/31/2025
DVM Intake Exam
Estimated age: approx 1-3years
Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative
History: agency
Subjective: QAR
Observed Behavior - timid, tail tucked, needed to be muzzled and distracted with food, whale eyes
Is there evidence of Cruelty? N
Is there evidence of Neglect? N
Is there evidence of Trauma? N
Objective
T = np
P = wnl
R = wn;
BCS 5/9
EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted
Oral Exam: visible dentition appears clean/white
PLN: No enlargements noted
H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic
ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated
U/G: F suspected intact
MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat
CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities
Assessment
APH
Prognosis: good
Plan:
intake exam
starting on traz approx 8mg/kg PO BID (200mg)
awaiting sort
SURGERY:
Okay for surgery: Y
11/18/2025
Worms noted in stool several times on rounds board, no reports of diarrhea, no other health concerns.
A: Endoparasitism - ro dead worms in stool from dewormer given at intake vs persistent infection
P: Repeat deworming (2-3 weeks post initial deworming). Panacur PO SID x 3 days.
12/10/2025
Cage side exam: BARH, MM pink, clear OU, no nd, no c/s/v/d. ok to proceed with surgery
Was this dog in heat, pregnant or have a pyometra? yes, in heat
Ventral Midline Incision
Ovaries Ligated with: 0-0 PDS two circumferential ligatures on left, three on right
Uterine Body Ligated with: 0-0 PDS two circumferential ligatures
Abdominal Closure: 0-0 PDS simple continuous
Skin closure: 0-0 PDS intradermal
Green Linear Tattoo Placed near Midline
Surgeon: 990665
Additional Comments:
12/11/2025
post op exam noted D+
S/O
BAR, no c/s/v, FS6 present in kennel, food eaten
EENT: no ocular or nasal dc
HL: eupneic
MSI: amb x 4, ventral midline inc CDI, small amount of dried blood visible
A.
D+
Incision appears to be healing well aTT
P.
Leave monitoring log
re-deworm with panacur SID x 3 days
check log in 4 days
12/15/2025
Brief recheck: FS:4/5 noted on log, no stool present in kennel. QBAR, no c/s/v/d, no nasal/ocular discharge. CTM on daily rounds
4/17/2026
Progress exam - long stay dog
Observed Behavior - very skittish, will retreat and pull back after any level of touch. Will eat some treats but will not stay distracted enough to allow touch. Visual exam only due to behavior
BCS 5/9
EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted
Oral Exam: NP
H/L: Eupneic
ABD: No abdominal distension
U/G: Female spayed
MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat
CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities
Assessment:
~ 2.5 yo FS large mixed breed
Apparently healthy
High FAS
Prognosis: Good
Plan:
CTM while in care
Recommend foster care to work on fearfulness/touch sensitivities
4/24/2026
Behavior staff requesting update in behavior modification medication plan due to kennel stress (leash biting and reluctance to enter kennel). P on trazodone 8mg/kg PO BID.
INCREASE Trazodone to 250mg (10mg/kg) PO BID TFN
ADD Clonidine 0.8mg (0.032mg/kg) PO BID TFN
TO ADOPT DIRECTLY FROM THE SHELTER - please download the NYC AC app from the App Store and fill out the adoption application there.
Dogs with NH ONLY rating cannot be adopted directly from the ACC, so please message our page for assistance .
TO ADOPT or FOSTER: If you cannot get to the shelter in person to adopt, or want to foster, please message our page (Must Love Dogs - Saving NYC) Must Love Dogs - Saving NYC Dogs)
OR email [email protected] for guidance and assistance.
PLEASE NOTE: To foster, you have to be within prescribed range of NYC ACC approved New Hope rescues you are applying with,
and to adopt you will have to be in the general NE US area; NY, NJ, CT, PA, DC, MD, DE, NH, RI, MA, VT & ME (some rescues will transport to VA).
Shelter contact information:
Phone number: 212-788-4000 (automated only)
Email: [email protected]
Manhattan Animal Care Center
326 East 110th Street
New York, NY 10029
Staten Island Animal Care Center
3139 Veterans Road West
Staten Island, NY 10309
Queens Animal Care Center
1906 Flushing Ave
Ridgewood, NY 11385
Adoption hours:
Monday through Friday: 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
(Closed on all Holidays and Training Days, as listed on their website www.nycacc.org)
Adoption fees depend on dog's age. Please email the ACC for more info. Fees include pre-adoption medical care and vaccines, deworming,
spay/neutering and one free follow-up visit to specific veterinarians.
Open for donation drop off:
Monday – Sunday (10am – 6pm)
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* NYC ACC RATING SYSTEM *
All adopters/foster go through screening process set by NYCACC, which involves submission of pertinent documents, an interview with ACC adoption counselors, to determine if dog is suitable for the home. Dogs can go beyond Northeastern States as long as the adopters go to the ACC in person to pick up the dog.
Level 1
Dogs can go to homes with little dog experience, with children no younger than 5 years old.
Level 2
Dogs can go to homes with some previous dog experience, and with no children under 5 years old.
Level 3
Dogs can go to homes with more experience, and with no children under 13 years old.
Level 4
Dogs can go to ADULTS ONLY homes with very experienced adopters or fosters
NHO
Dogs need to be pulled by a New Hope Rescue, homes would be screened by a New Hope rescue and by the ACC, for suitability. Adopters, fosters need to be highly experienced, and have no children below 18 years of age.
