NJ Shelter Dog Has Tucked Himself In At Night – For Nearly 2 Years

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — When staff at the Bloomfield Animal Shelter leave for the night and close up, Sniper – a hard-luck dog in need of a home – tucks himself in for the night. It’s a routine that he’s sadly gotten used to over the past two years.

And it it’s utterly heartbreaking, staff say.

The Bloomfield shelter once again put out a call for an adopter this week as one of their most beloved residents nears his second year in a kennel.

“He’s getting older and slowing down, and should be spending his aging years in a home,” staff pleaded. “Could it be yours?”

According to a social media post from the shelter:

"September 1 will make two years since Sniper was surrendered to us due to no fault of his own! He came to us a silly, untrained big boy who didn’t know his size, and is now the most behaved and trained boy we have thanks to training with Behavior Plus. He even comes with free training to help him get situated in a new home! PLEASE help him find the home he deserves!"

“He finds himself aging in the shelter,” staff continued. “At almost 7-8 years old, he should be spending his retirement in a Furever Home.”

It hasn’t been the first time that the shelter has made a plea for Sniper, who was surrendered in 2022 when his owner fell on hard times. 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!” staff emphasized.

This last point is important, and may have sabotaged a previous attempt to place him in a home, staff previously reported. Other idiosyncrasies to be aware of include:

“[Sniper’s] 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 previously said. “Rescues haven’t been interested. Adopters/rescues both welcomed. Please help.”

For the right guardian who is willing to heed the shelter’s advice, however, this “misunderstood” doggo will surely be the “best boy” that you’re looking for.

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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