Dog Nears 600 Days In Bloomfield Shelter: Sniper Needs A Home

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Sniper is now almost 7-years-old, and has been living at the Bloomfield Animal Shelter since September 2022. That’s a whopping 580 days in a kennel – and it will be heartbreaking if the hard-luck pooch hits the 600-mark, rescuers say.

Earlier this week, the animal shelter put out yet another adoption/foster call for Sniper, who was surrendered in 2022 when his owner fell on hard times. He is now the shelter’s longest-tenured canine resident, and although he has some quirks to be aware of, the fact that people keep passing him up is bewildering to staff members.

According to a social media post from the Bloomfield Animal Shelter:

“[Sniper] has spent months learning boundaries and how to be a good boy at Behavior Plus, and even comes with free training to his adopters. He knows basic commands and tricks, has a calmer demeanor as he is getting older, enjoys long walks through town and resting on his bed, and isn’t reactive to most dogs. His only real downfall is his “love” for toys - you do NOT forcefully take them away from him! Honestly, he’s the best-behaved dog in the shelter that we’ve had in a while.”

Why is it taking so long for him to get adopted? That’s still up for debate – but patience will be a requisite for anyone who wants to give him a new home, staff said:

“We’ve heard it all - his name, his size (80lbs), his breed, etc. What’s disheartening, is he had a potential home a few months ago, who unfortunately welcomed him home with a ton of toys (against our recommendation) and he showed exactly why we make such recommendations and was returned.”

“Sniper is a lover and a good boy (and maybe misunderstood),” shelter staff continued. “He does not deserve to spend his aging years in the shelter.”

Here’s who will be a good fit, staff said:

“His ideal home has a strong handler comfortable with setting boundaries and won’t shower him with toys. He’s looking for a buddy he can watch the games with, explore town with, and just be loved by. Children are not recommended due to his affinity for toys, and other pets aren’t recommended because he has now been separated from them this long.”

“His ideal home has been hard to find,” the shelter pleaded. “Rescues haven’t been interested. Adopters/rescues both welcomed. Please help.”

Potential adopters can fill out an application online here, and see a list of available dogs and cats on the Bloomfield Animal Shelter’s PetFinder profile.

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