Saffy: A Loyal, Treat-Loving Sweetheart
Location: Auburn, Alabama at CARE Humane Society
Breed: Mixed Breed
Age: Approximately 3 years old
Gender: Female
How to Adopt Saffy
Saffy is available through CARE Humane Society, formerly known as Lee County Humane Society, in Auburn, Alabama.
View Saffy’s Shelterluv Profile
Review CARE Humane Society’s Adoption Information
Complete the Dog Adoption Application
Address: 1140 Ware Drive, Auburn, AL 36832
Email: care1140@carehumane.org
Phone: 334-821-3222
Most of CARE Humane Society’s available animals can be visited at its main campus. Some animals may be living in foster homes or housed away from the general adoption kennels, so prospective adopters should contact the shelter to confirm Saffy’s current location and arrange a meeting.
Applicants should bring a photo ID. Those who rent must provide documentation showing that their landlord or property manager permits the pet. CARE also welcomes meet-and-greets with current dogs and asks families to email the shelter to arrange one.
Saffy’s Shelterluv profile currently lists her adoption fee as $0 because her adoption has been sponsored. Applicants should confirm that the sponsorship remains available when applying.
Her adoption includes spay surgery, microchipping and registration, age-appropriate vaccination, deworming, a physical examination, heartworm testing and prevention, and one waived office fee at participating veterinary clinics within seven days of adoption. Review CARE’s current adoption policies and benefits.
About Saffy
After more than 150 days in CARE Humane Society’s care, Saffy has become one of the shelter’s longest-waiting residents.
The question everyone keeps asking is simple: How has this sweetheart not been chosen yet?
Saffy is approximately three years old and currently weighs around 40 pounds. She is still filling out after everything she has experienced and is expected to weigh closer to 50 pounds once she reaches a healthy condition.
That makes her a wonderfully versatile medium-sized companion—large enough to join her family on adventures, yet small enough to curl up comfortably beside them. Given the opportunity, she may decide that curling up directly in someone’s lap is even better.
Above everything else, Saffy is a people dog.
She wants to be wherever her humans are, whether that means relaxing on the couch, following someone from room to room, helping supervise household activities, or soaking up every bit of affection available.
Saffy is also a major food enthusiast. Treats are one of the quickest ways to earn her attention, making her a promising training partner. She enjoys having something to do and will happily work for a tasty reward.
She can play with other dogs, although she is particular about choosing her friends. Saffy generally prefers easygoing dogs that are not overly dominant. Once she feels comfortable, her playful side begins to shine.
After waiting so long, Saffy is ready for someone to recognize what the shelter already sees: a loving, loyal companion who simply wants to belong.
Characteristics
People-Oriented: Saffy’s favorite place is wherever her humans happen to be.
Affectionate: She eagerly accepts love and may be perfectly happy snuggling beside—or directly on top of—her person.
Loyal: Saffy wants to become a genuine companion who participates in everyday family life.
Food-Motivated: Treats quickly capture her interest and can make training especially rewarding.
Trainable: Her love of food and desire for engagement give her excellent potential for continued learning.
Playful: Once she feels comfortable with another dog, Saffy enjoys interacting and having fun.
Dog-Friendly with Preferences: She tends to do best with easygoing, less-dominant canine companions.
Medium-Sized: Saffy offers a comfortable balance between an adventure companion and a couch-side snuggler.
Resilient: She has endured health challenges and a long shelter stay while remaining loving and hopeful.
Heartworm Survivor: Saffy previously tested positive for heartworms and has completed treatment.
No Cats: Her permanent home should not include cats.
Sponsored: Her adoption fee is currently covered, allowing an approved adopter to focus on welcoming her home.
A Dog Who Wants to Be Part of Everything
Some dogs enjoy spending much of their time independently. Saffy would prefer to participate.
She may follow her person through the house, settle nearby while they work, join them for an evening on the couch, and supervise routine tasks as though her assistance is essential.
Her adopter should be prepared for a dog who values closeness and connection. Saffy is not looking for a home where she will remain alone or isolated for most of the day.
A fulfilling routine could include:
Morning walks
Time outside to sniff and explore
Short training sessions
Food puzzles
Supervised play
Relaxing near her family
Appropriate chew toys
Treat-searching games
Calm evening walks
Couch time
Plenty of affection
Predictable rest periods
Saffy does not need constant entertainment. She needs a healthy balance of exercise, mental enrichment, companionship, and quiet time.
Including her in ordinary routines will help her feel secure and show her that she is finally a permanent member of the family.
Training
Saffy’s enthusiasm for treats can be a major advantage during training.
Food rewards can help her understand exactly which behaviors her adopter would like her to repeat. Training should remain positive, consistent, and enjoyable rather than relying on punishment or intimidation.
Helpful skills to practice may include:
Responding to her name
Loose-leash walking
Recall
“Sit”
“Down”
“Wait”
“Leave it”
“Drop it”
Door and gate manners
Calm greetings
Settling on a mat
Checking in with her handler
Walking past distractions
Taking breaks during play
Cooperative handling
Relaxing when visitors arrive
Short training sessions throughout the day will likely be more effective than one long, repetitive lesson.
Her adopter can also incorporate learning into daily life. Saffy might practice waiting before going through a door, sitting before receiving her dinner, checking in during walks, or settling on a mat while her family eats.
Everyone in the household should follow the same basic rules. Consistency will help Saffy learn more quickly and reduce confusion while she adjusts.
Exercise and Enrichment
Saffy would benefit from regular activity, but her permanent exercise routine should be developed with her health, physical condition, and previous heartworm treatment in mind.
Once medically cleared, she may enjoy:
Daily neighborhood walks
Sniffing walks
Exploring quiet trails
Backyard play
Fetch
Long-line adventures
Food puzzles
Treat searches
Scent games
Learning tricks
Durable chew toys
Stuffed enrichment toys
Hide-and-seek
Supervised play with a compatible dog
Relaxing beside her person after an active day
Mental activity is particularly valuable for a dog who loves food and enjoys having a job. Her meals can sometimes be offered through slow feeders, puzzle toys, snuffle mats, or simple training exercises.
Because Saffy is still gaining weight, her family should balance treat-based training with her overall diet. Small training treats or pieces of her regular food may help prevent unintended weight gain once she reaches a healthy condition.
Life with Other Dogs
Saffy is listed as dog-friendly, but she does not necessarily enjoy every dog she meets.
She tends to prefer easygoing, less-dominant dogs. Once she becomes comfortable, she enjoys playing and may appreciate having a well-matched canine companion.
A good potential match may be a dog who:
Has a calm or moderate play style
Communicates appropriately
Respects personal space
Is not excessively pushy
Does not guard food or toys
Can take breaks during play
Is comfortable with thoughtful introductions
Any resident dog should meet Saffy at CARE Humane Society before an adoption decision is made. The shelter encourages families to schedule these introductions so staff can help evaluate compatibility.
If Saffy moves into a home with another dog, the family should initially provide separate areas for:
Meals
Treats
High-value chews
Favorite toys
Sleeping
Resting
Decompression
Unsupervised time
Interactions should be supervised while the dogs learn one another’s communication styles. Toys and food should be introduced carefully, and both dogs should have opportunities to rest separately.
Saffy could also be perfectly happy as the only dog. Her love of people means she does not require a canine sibling to enjoy a fulfilling life.
Life with Cats
Saffy is currently listed as not cat-friendly.
Her permanent home should therefore have:
No cats
No kittens
No expectation that she interact closely with community cats
Secure leash handling around roaming animals
Carefully managed doors, gates, and fences
Appropriate distance from cats encountered during walks
Her adopter should not attempt to test her with a resident cat without CARE Humane Society’s direct guidance.
A cat-free home will give Saffy the best opportunity to relax without creating unnecessary risk or requiring permanent separation between animals.
Life with Children
Saffy’s profile recommends an age-appropriate home but does not specify an exact minimum age.
Families should discuss each child’s age, size, personality, and experience with dogs directly with CARE Humane Society. A supervised meeting may help the shelter determine whether Saffy and the children are comfortable together.
Children living with Saffy should understand how to:
Approach her calmly
Avoid climbing on or hugging her
Leave her alone while she eats
Respect her resting area
Avoid taking toys directly from her mouth
Allow her to walk away
Keep doors and gates securely closed
Avoid overwhelming her with loud or physical play
Let adults manage introductions to other animals
Participate appropriately in her training
Adult supervision remains important with any dog, especially during the adjustment period.
Helping Saffy Adjust
After spending more than five months in shelter care, moving into a home will be a major transition for Saffy.
Even though the change will be positive, she may initially feel overwhelmed by unfamiliar rooms, sounds, people, schedules, and expectations.
A thoughtful transition may include:
Establishing regular feeding times
Maintaining a predictable bathroom schedule
Showing her where she will sleep
Limiting visitors at first
Keeping early walks quiet
Introducing rooms gradually
Providing a calm retreat
Offering appropriate toys and chews
Practicing simple cues
Giving her uninterrupted rest
Supervising all animal interactions
Avoiding crowded outings
Watching for signs of stress
Allowing her personality to emerge naturally
Saffy may follow her new family closely, sleep more than expected, struggle to settle, or need time to understand household routines. These behaviors do not necessarily predict how she will act once she feels secure.
Her adopter should avoid overwhelming her with immediate trips to busy stores, restaurants, dog parks, parties, or large family gatherings. A quiet start will give her time to understand that this new environment is safe.
Health and Vetting
Saffy is:
Spayed
Approximately three years old
Around 40 pounds
Expected to reach approximately 50 pounds at a healthy weight
Previously heartworm-positive
Finished with heartworm treatment
Sponsored for adoption
Ready to meet potential adopters
CARE Humane Society’s adoption package includes:
Spay or neuter surgery
Microchipping and registration
DA2PPV vaccination
Deworming
A physical examination
Heartworm testing and prevention
One waived veterinary office fee at participating clinics within seven days of adoption
Because Saffy has completed heartworm treatment and is still filling out physically, prospective adopters should request her complete veterinary records and ask:
When her heartworm treatment was completed
Whether follow-up heartworm testing is needed
Whether she currently has any exercise restrictions
What prevention she is receiving
What food and portion size she currently eats
What her ideal weight should be
How quickly she should gain weight
Whether she takes any medications
When her next vaccinations are due
Whether any additional follow-up care is recommended
Her permanent family should continue providing:
Annual veterinary examinations
Monthly heartworm prevention
Flea and tick prevention
Balanced nutrition
Healthy weight management
Dental care
Regular nail and coat care
Appropriate exercise
Mental enrichment
Positive-reinforcement training
Prompt attention to health or behavioral changes
Ideal Home
Saffy is searching for a loving and dependable family ready to end her long shelter wait.
Her ideal home will:
Include her in everyday family life
Provide plenty of companionship
Enjoy having an affectionate dog nearby
Offer regular walks and playtime
Provide mental enrichment
Use food thoughtfully during training
Continue positive-reinforcement training
Give her time to adjust
Have no cats
Potentially include an easygoing, compatible dog
Complete a shelter-supervised dog introduction
Include children only after discussing their ages with CARE
Maintain her heartworm prevention
Follow any remaining medical recommendations
Help her reach and maintain a healthy weight
Provide clear and consistent routines
Keep her securely managed outdoors
Appreciate her desire to stay close
Commit to making her a permanent family member
Saffy has already spent more than 150 days waiting for someone to notice her.
During that time, she has shown the shelter exactly who she is: an affectionate people dog, an enthusiastic treat lover, a playful companion, and a resilient sweetheart who still believes her family is coming.
She does not need anything extravagant. She needs people to follow from room to room, a comfortable place beside them, treats to earn during training, and the security of knowing that she finally belongs.
For someone searching for a loyal best friend who will offer companionship, affection, playful moments, and plenty of kisses, Saffy may be the dog they have been waiting for.
Now she just needs them to realize she has been waiting, too.
