The Animal Care Shelter for Kent County

06/12/2026

Around here, Oatie goes by a few different names.

There's Oatie.

There's Oats.

And when he's making questionable decisions, there's Otis.

At 3.5 years old, Oatie is one of the happiest dogs you'll ever meet. He loves walks, toys, dog friends, and pretty much anything that looks like it might be fun. He also doesn't really bark. Instead, he communicates through what can only be described as a banshee scream.

Despite all that enthusiasm, Oatie is eager to please. Use your best "parent voice" and he'll usually stop, reconsider his choices, and get himself back on track.

Oatie was found curled up in a pile of hay in the middle of a field, which is how he got his name. Since arriving at ACSKC, he's become our longest-stay dog.

Everyone here knows Oatie.

We think it's time someone at home got to know him, too.

06/11/2026

When people see "FeLV positive," they often stop reading.

And honestly, we understand why.

The words sound scary. Many people assume an FeLV-positive cat will be constantly sick, have a poor quality of life, or won't live very long.

The reality is often much different.

FeLV, or Feline Leukemia Virus, affects a cat's immune system. While FeLV-positive cats do require routine veterinary care and should be monitored for illness, many live happy, comfortable lives for years. Some even live well into their teens.

FeLV cannot spread to people, dogs, or other non-feline pets. It is only contagious to other cats through close contact, which means FeLV-positive cats can thrive as the only cat in a household or alongside other FeLV-positive feline friends.

Which brings us to Sue.

Sue doesn't know he's FeLV positive. He doesn't know that his medical chart looks different from other cats. What he does know is that he loves attention, squeaks for pets, and enjoys spending time with people.

When we look at Sue, we don't see a diagnosis. We see a cat who deserves the same chance at a loving home as any other cat.

06/11/2026

06/10/2026

Every animal that enters ACSKC gets a name.

Most are normal.
Some are not.

These are just a few shelter names that still make us laugh years later.

If you've adopted from ACSKC, tell us your pet's shelter name in the comments. Did you keep it or change it?

P.S. Before anyone asks, yes, Wet Nuts was part of our Ice Cream Topping litter.

06/09/2026

It's Take Me Home Tuesday, and this week we're featuring a dog who has our staff just a little confused.

Corky.

At 3 years old and 22 pounds, Corky is the perfect little sidekick. He's playful, dog-friendly, potty trained, and always seems to be smiling. Add in those giant ears and ridiculously soft fur, and honestly, we're running out of explanations.

Now, to be fair, Corky has only been with us for 18 days. But still. We really thought somebody would have scooped him up by now.

Corky gets along well with other dogs and with kids who understand boundaries. He would prefer a home without cats, as he finds them a little too exciting.

If you've been looking for a fun, friendly companion with a big personality packed into a small package, Corky is ready to meet you.

06/08/2026

Honeydukes has clearly mastered the invisibility cloak.

How else do you explain 223 days without an adoption application?

At just 9 months old, Honeydukes is playful, affectionate, and equipped with a purr that starts the moment you give her attention. She loves people, loves being involved in whatever you're doing, and has a way of winning over everyone she meets.

Named after the famous magical candy shop from Harry Potter, Honeydukes certainly lives up to her name. She's sweet, impossible to resist, and somehow still waiting for a family of her own.

The funny thing is, Honeydukes has spent most of her kittenhood at the shelter. Not because she isn't wonderful, but because life kept putting obstacles in her path. Between illness, treatment, and recovery, she spent months waiting for her chance to finally be available for adoption.

Now she's healthy, happy, and ready for her next adventure.

We suspect the invisibility cloak is finally wearing off.

06/07/2026

Oprah is home from surgery!

This week, thanks to Penn Vet's Lesley's Place program, Oprah underwent surgery to remove the mammary masses she arrived with.

Now she's recovering in foster care, sporting a very stylish pink surgery suit and taking it easy while she heals.

In a few weeks, we'll receive the biopsy results and learn whether the masses were benign. Until then, her fosters are keeping her comfortable, spoiled, and surrounded by love.

We'd also like to thank our Foster & Volunteer Coordinator, Sonja, for making the trip to Penn Vet with Oprah for both of her appointments.

For now, Oprah's job is simple: rest and recover.

06/07/2026

Yesterday we asked staff and volunteers what we should tell people about Chubbs.

The answers were pretty consistent.

He likes people.

He enjoys his walks.

And apparently, he absolutely loves baths.

In fact, 'he loves baths' was probably the strongest opinion anyone had.

That might sound like a strange way to start an adoption post, but if you've ever met Chubbs, it makes perfect sense.

At 6½ years old, Chubbs isn't a dog with a huge personality. He isn't constantly making us laugh, getting into trouble, or demanding attention. He's perfectly content to go for a walk, spend time with people, enjoy a good meal, and settle in for a nap.

The biggest challenge for Chubbs is that he needs to be the only pet in his future home. Beyond that, he's just a good dog.

And maybe that's part of why he's been here for 142 days.

In a shelter full of larger-than-life personalities, Chubbs quietly goes about his day. Everybody likes him. Nobody has a bad thing to say about him. He's just never been the dog demanding the spotlight.

So today, we're giving him a little bit of it.