Sally: A Sweet Coonhound
Location: Columbiana, Alabama at Shelby Humane
Breed: Treeing Walker Coonhound Mix
Age: Approximately 6 years old
Gender: Female
How to Adopt Sally O’Malley
Sally O’Malley is available through Shelby Humane in Columbiana, Alabama.
View Sally’s Shelterluv Profile
Complete the Adoption Application
Adoption Email: adoptions@shelbyhumane.org
General Email: info@shelbyhumane.org
Phone: (205) 669-3916
Address: 381 McDow Road, Columbiana, AL 35051
Shelby Humane’s adoption hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon until 5 p.m., with the last animal pulled at 4:30 p.m. Adoptions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Shelby Humane
About Sally O’Malley
Meet Sally O’Malley, a beautiful six-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound mix whose foster family has given her the opportunity to show what life with her could truly be like.
Sally was found along Highway 25 in Calera, Alabama, on January 9. Calera Animal Control picked her up and brought her to Shelby Humane. She had no way of explaining where she came from or how she ended up beside the highway—only that she needed somewhere safe to go.
By July 7, Sally had been in Shelby Humane’s custody for approximately 180 days. Thanks to foster families, however, she had spent only about 15 of those days inside the shelter. Shelby Humane’s Sally update
That means nearly her entire shelter journey has taken place in a home, where she has been able to enjoy comfort, individual attention, and the everyday experiences that help an adoptable dog’s personality shine.
Now Sally needs someone to make that temporary experience permanent.
Characteristics
Sweet: Sally’s supporters describe her as a lovely girl deserving of a permanent family.
Expressive: She has reportedly perfected the art of giving her foster family an unforgettable side-eye.
People-Oriented: Time in foster care has allowed Sally to enjoy regular companionship and become part of a household routine.
Resilient: She adjusted after being found beside a highway and has continued moving forward through shelter intake, foster care, and medical treatment.
Treat-Loving: Treats can be a wonderful way to reward Sally and strengthen her relationship with a new family.
Classic Coonhound: As a Treeing Walker Coonhound mix, Sally has the long ears, soulful expression, and distinctive hound appearance that make the breed so recognizable.
Foster-Experienced: Because Sally has lived in a foster home, prospective adopters may be able to learn more about her routines and behavior in a household directly from Shelby Humane.
Patiently Waiting: Sally has already spent approximately six months in the shelter system without finding her permanent family.
Sally’s Foster Journey
For many dogs, moving from a home into a busy shelter can be overwhelming. The unfamiliar noises, smells, people, and routines make it difficult for them to relax and reveal their true personalities.
Foster care gave Sally an important alternative.
She has been able to rest in a comfortable home, receive individual attention, and participate in normal family life. Her foster experience also gives Shelby Humane valuable insight that can help determine which adopter will suit her best.
Although Sally has avoided spending most of her journey inside a kennel, foster care remains temporary. Her foster family is helping her today, but Sally still needs a family who can promise that she will never have to wonder where she belongs again.
Health and Heartworm Treatment
Sally recently completed treatment for heartworm disease.
Heartworm treatment requires time, careful activity restrictions, medication, veterinary appointments, and committed caregivers. Finishing that process is an important milestone in Sally’s journey.
Her adopter should speak directly with Shelby Humane about:
Her current medical status
Any follow-up testing she may need
Exercise recommendations following treatment
Monthly heartworm prevention
Her vaccination and spay records
Any other ongoing health needs
Continued heartworm prevention will be essential to help protect Sally in the future.
Life with Other Animals and Children
Publicly available information does not clearly specify Sally’s compatibility with dogs, cats, or children.
Interested families should ask Shelby Humane about her most recent evaluations and foster-home experiences. Any resident dogs should meet Sally under the shelter’s guidance before adoption.
Families should also discuss cats, children, activity level, house training, and time alone directly with the shelter rather than making assumptions based solely on her breed or age.
Ideal Home
Sally needs a family ready to replace the uncertainty of shelter custody with the security of a lifelong home.
Her ideal adopter will:
Give her time to settle into a new environment
Provide affection and everyday companionship
Maintain her monthly heartworm prevention
Follow any remaining veterinary recommendations
Offer regular walks, enrichment, and opportunities to explore
Use positive reinforcement when teaching household expectations
Ask her foster family and shelter staff about her established routine
Arrange appropriate introductions to resident animals
Appreciate her expressive personality and soulful hound charm
Make a genuine lifelong commitment to her
Sally was found alone beside a highway and has now spent approximately half a year waiting for someone to choose her.
Her foster family has protected her from a lengthy kennel stay and helped her complete an important medical journey. What they cannot give her is the one thing only an adopter can provide: a permanent place to belong.
Sally O’Malley is ready to trade temporary foster care for a home and family of her own.
