These middle-aged sweethearts have a lot to offer their prospective new families, including: the promise to catch on to housebreaking quickly, the ability to recognize the difference between their toys and your shoes with just a little guidance and most importantly, unconditional love and gratitude for saving them!

Pete is a 5-10 year old American Bulldog mix who was surrendered to the shelter because his owner fell ill and could no longer care for a pet. Pete isn’t letting his new life in the shelter phase him too much, mainly because he’s getting lots of attention from his new staff and volunteer friends. Pete is a big, tall guy, weighing around 80 pounds, but it appears as though his big, kissable head accounts for a fair amount of that weight.

Pete has quickly become a favorite at the shelter because of his low-key, easy-peasy demeanor. Despite his size, he’s pretty easy on the leash. While he loves to spend time with his human friends, Pete also did well when meeting other dogs at the shelter. He was tolerant of pushy, goofy play styles and was comfortable spending time with other low-key dogs as well. Pete has reportedly lived with other dogs AND cats in his past home. He’d be a great addition to any family looking for a big, easy-going companion. Interested in meeting him? Grab your resident dogs and stop by!

If you you searching for a sweet easygoing dog who is past all that “puppy” nonsense then Nikol is your girl. She is a full-figured, middle-aged girl who is looking for love and a forever family. She’s a low-key sweetheart who would enjoy curling up with you on the sofa on a cold day, or hanging outside with you enjoying the sunshine.

Nikol very much enjoys going for long walks to explore the great outdoors! She loves attention and will let you pet her for as long as you are willing. She is also very tolerant of her penpals putting her in costumes. Come meet her and maybe you will fall in love with her just like her volunteer friends. Bring the whole family, including any children and resident dog(s), if you have them at home already, so everyone can meet her at the same time to see if she is the right match to be a part of your family.

Interested in fostering or adopting one of these great dogs? They are currently residing at ACCT Philly located at 111 W. Hunting Park Avenue. For more information, click here: http://www.acctphilly.org/.

Emily has been missing since Tuesday, March 5. She was last seen in her home near 50th and Hazel. She was not wearing a collar. Please call (614) 499-6506 with information. There is a reward for her return.

UPDATE (3/10): Emily was found.

Tyga is a 1-2-year-old female pit bull terrier mix. She adores humans and looks forward to being the love of your life. Tyga is currently nervous around other dogs, but is learning how to play appropriately, with the help of her human friends. Unfortunately, Tyga must go to a home with no cats. She is microchipped, up to date on her shots and will be spayed when you take her home.

This is just one of the many wonderful dogs in urgent need of adoption, foster care, or rescue at Philadelphia’s animal control shelter, ACCT.

You can stop down and meet them, and after filling out an application with shelter staff, interact with them 365 days a year at the shelter: 111 W. Hunting Park Avenue in Philadelphia. Please check www.acctphilly.org for hours. To check the status of an animal, call 267-385-3800, or email acctpetfinder@gmail.com.

Earlier this week we posted an announcement from a reader, Nati, who was looking for the owners of a dog that had bitten him while he was riding his bike. Nati was trying to prevent a painful series of rabies shots and, fortunately, the dog owner stepped forward after the publication.

Here’s another, disturbing account of a dog attack that happened yesterday at The Woodlands Cemetery. Reader Krissy Kim reported that while on a walk with her dog at the cemetery another, off-leash dog approached them, attacked and bit her dog. Here’s what Krissy wrote in an email:

“Yesterday, Thursday 2/28, my husband and I were walking our dog on leash at Woodlands Cemetery. Another dog off leash approached her, they greeted each other appropriately (the owner was still about 50 yards away) when all of the sudden the dog attacked our dog, my husband had to pull him off and body block him during his second lunge for our dog. The dog bit her on the back of the neck and didn’t let go until my husband again pulled him off. At this point the owner was there and did nothing but say, “relax there is no blood”. He then proceeded to get in his car with his dog and drive away. After they left and we checked our dog, he indeed took a small chunk out of her neck (see photo). The vet visit with her antibiotics cost $75.”

According to the cemetery rules, dog walking is allowed, but all dogs have to be on a leash.

Krissy is urging the dog owner to come forward and take responsibility for what his dog did. Krissy says that she has information on this person’s car and license plate number. She described the attacking dog as a medium (40 pound) brindle mixed breed.

She adds, “On  the heels of the “biker being bitten” story hopefully this will continue to be an example of how we all need to step up and be responsible pet owners for the sake of our community.”

Krissy can be reached by email: krissykp@gmail.com

Editor’s Note: We would appreciate any comments except for those blaming certain dog breeds instead of irresponsible owners.

A West Philly resident, Nati Passow, was bitten by a dog last night while he was biking down Larchwood Avenue between 44th and 45th Streets. He is looking for the dog’s owner to see if the dog was up to date on all of his shots, in order to avoid a series of rabies shots. Here’s what Nati wrote us in an email:

On Saturday night around 9:45 I was biking down Larchwood between 45th and 44th. A woman was walking her dog and the dog ran at me. She called after him (that’s how I know the name), but Clyde proceeded to bite my leg. It’s not too bad of a bite, but it broke skin, so I went to HUP, and because I didn’t know the dog, they started me on the rabies vaccine. I’d really prefer not to have to get the remaining 3 doses, and they said that if I track down the owners and learn that Clyde has gotten all of his shots, I’m good to go.

If you know someone in the area with a dog named Clyde, please put them in touch with me. It was a very quick interaction, but I believe Clyde was a big dog, slender build, with a lighter colored coat.

If you know anyone in the neighborhood who has a dog named Clyde that fits the provided description, please email Nati as soon as possible at npassow@gmail.com, as he will need to return to HUP in three days for the next dose.

This black and white cutie is somewhere between one and two years old, and was transferred into ACCT Philly by one of their rescue partners. He has some basic commands mastered, so it seems that at one point he may have had a family. He’s looking to get back into a home so he can work on ‘snuggle’ with his new family.

Buckley is a young boy with some energy to burn. But, he also likes to sit in the lap of his human for some quiet time. Buckley knows “sit” and is starting to figure out “down.” He enjoys playing with toys (stuffing-free please) and running around the play yard. Buckley is learning to walk like a good boy on an easy-walk harness (it helps to reduce the amount of pulling that he does on a traditional leash and collar) and will check in with his human to see if he’s doing a good job.

Buckley is eager to meet new dogs and with slow introductions does very well with them.

If you are interested in meeting this sweet boy, head on down to ACCT with your family (and your dog if you already have one). You can find him at 111 West Hunting Park Avenue. Buckley is part of the Pen Pal Program at ACCT and has two volunteers dedicated to finding him a great home or foster care. His Pen Pals also spend quality time with him trying to keep him as stress free as possible. Buckley’s Pen Pals also work on teaching him to be the best dog he can be, socializing him with people and other dogs, teaching him some basic commands and giving him plenty of snuggles. If you have any questions about Buckley or adopting from ACCT, please email his pen pals: larakelly@comcast.net or katherine.ACCT@gmail.com.