Pet of the Week puts a spotlight on a furry friend who is available for adoption at the Lawrence Humane Society at the time of the article’s publication. According to ASPCA, dog adoption numbers are down nationwide, which adds additional strain on shelters that are already struggling to accommodate high volumes of animals. Lawrence Humane is no exception.
Through Pet of the Week, readers can learn about a pup before they visit the shelter. The featured furball is selected by shelter staff members, who provide all details on the animal’s personality and history.
Charlotte’s first message in her famous web, “Some pig,” may as well be about 4-year-old Maylene.
Official documents show that Maylene is a pit bull, although shelter staff jokingly say she’s half piglet.
“But if you hear her snorts and watch her wiggle, you will totally believe that she’s part piggy!” Chief Development Officer of LHS Elina Alterman wrote via email.
Alterman said the more excited Maylene gets, the more her grunting and snorting intensifies.
“It truly is unbelievably charming,” she wrote.
Maylene is easily recognizable for her wide grin, big head and darling, stubby legs. She adores short walks, which, “for her little legs, they probably seem like long walks,” Alterman wrote.
Maylene will also sign up for a pup cup or an at-home snuggle any day. The length of her legs does not keep her from launching onto a couch or bed for a good nap.
Mass Street Mutts volunteers who have taken her on outings say that she’s a good listener, snorty, silly and curious. On some of her outings, she’s especially enjoyed accompanying young, small children.
Maylene can’t live with cats, but she can live with dogs as long as she meets and jives with them. Shelter staff say she’s generally indifferent to other pups, but doesn’t like when they get in her face or force her to play.
Maylene arrived at the shelter as a stray in the beginning of November and hasn’t been reclaimed. She is spayed, vaccinated and microchipped. Her adoption fee is $150.
Pet of the Week stars and where they are now
Below are all of the pups in the shelter or foster homes who are still waiting for adoption.
We’re highlighting Brutus, as he is one of the higher priority pups who really needs a foster home or adopter for his health and happiness. This sweet boy is a gentle giant and staff describe him as “a gentle shoulder for kids to lean on.”
These furry friends could also use a foster home while waiting for adoption:
• Unflappable Cardi B. is not the drama — she wants to be someone’s peace, be it a foster parent or an adopter.
• Flycatcher, the shepherd mix who lives up to his name, is waiting to be adopted. The shelter would love to find a foster for him in the meantime.
• Ruby and her speckled tongue are waiting for a foster home or adopter.
These pups are living it up in foster care and hope to find their forever families soon:
• Fritz isn’t interested in being a government employee, but he is equipped to be the perfect family dog.
• The sweetest senior bean Adzuki is fit as a fiddle and waiting for an adopter.
• Kiba has been thriving in foster care, where he is waiting for an adopter.
Those interested in adopting Maylene can email the Lawrence Humane Society’s adoptions team at adoptions@lawrencehumane.org or call 785-843-6835.
People can also go straight to the shelter at 1805 E. 19th St. to meet her. The Humane Society is open to potential adopters from noon to 6 p.m. every day. People can also sign up for the Mass Street Mutts program to get to a know a dog before adopting.
Potential foster parents can email the Foster Coordinator at foster@lawrencehumane.org and fill out an application here. The Lawrence Humane Society provides foster parents with all necessary supplies and food, and they cover bills for medical care, behavioral support and more.
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Wulfe Wulfemeyer (they/them), reporter and news editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since May 2025. They can be reached at wulfe@lawrencekstimes.com.
Read their complete bio here. Read their work for the Times here.
