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 an animal 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.
For those looking to add a baby of the four-legged, fuzzy variety to their family, 19 cats and dogs have waived adoption fees at the Lawrence Humane Society for the rest of August.
Keep scrolling to meet five of those fluffy darlings, or see the whole list of animals at this link.
Those interested in adopting pets in foster care can email the Lawrence Humane Society’s adoptions team at [email protected] or call 785-843-6835 to schedule an appointment.
People can either contact the adoption team in advance or go straight to the shelter at 1805 E. 19th St. to meet animals who aren’t in foster care. The Humane Society is open to potential adopters from noon to 6 p.m. every day.
Folks can also sign up for the Mass Street Mutts program to get to know a dog before adopting.
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Loralei
This endearing coonhound mix is “a lover in a non stimulating environment,” according to her foster parent.
At 7 years old, she’s a sporty, athletic girl who also loves to cuddle with her humans. She knows commands like sit, lay down and stay, and could possibly learn more since she’s a smart, food-motivated cookie.
Loralei needs to be the only pet in the home and can be reactive when she sees other animals while on a leash. She may be shy or fearful meeting a new person, so slow introductions are best.
She is house-trained and doesn’t need to be kenneled — she doesn’t destroy things when left out to roam. Loralei can live with older kids and teens.
This baby has been waiting to be adopted for 1,088 days, which is almost three years. She is currently in foster care.
Ghost
Ghost is bouncing back from what staff call a “particularly awful cruelty case.” He’s gone from being severely emaciated, undersocialized and traumatized to the perfect sous chef who will gobble up any extras while you’re chopping in the kitchen — he especially likes broccoli, apples and frozen carrots.
He has flourished with nurturing from two committed foster homes and shelter staff, who have discovered he’s smart and loyal. With more love and consistency in a forever home, he’ll only keep blooming.
This 4-year-old, Australian Shepherd mix enjoys a classic game of catch, indulging in toys, zoomies, car rides, couch cuddles and drinking water directly from someone’s cupped hands. He likes a daily walk, but doesn’t want to be left alone outside.
Shelter staff are working on muzzle training with Ghost for the vet and walks to keep everyone safe. They say he can get “mouthy” when putting on a leash or playing, and gets startled when bikers or walkers come up behind him on walks.
Ghost is understandably shy with new folks and needs to be introduced to them outside the home before they come inside. He will resource guard toys, but understands a good barter system and will trade for other toys and food.
Ghost needs to meet potential doggy siblings, which the shelter can facilitate. Staff don’t know if he’s cat-friendly, but do know he does best with older kids and teens. Ghost is house-trained and doesn’t need to be kenneled when home alone.
Ghost has been waiting to be adopted for 964 days, which is more than 2 1/2 years. He is currently in foster care.
Glinda
For someone who’s always wanted to adopt a tiger, Glinda is a perfect miniature version. A brown tiger domestic shorthair, this cat is playful as all get-out.
“She will run around and play with her tail,” her foster said. “She also LOVES mirrors. I catch her sitting in front of the mirror looking at herself all the time.”
Glinda runs away if someone tries to pet her because she doesn’t like to be touched, but she will come back up and rub on her humans’ leg.
Glinda has been waiting to be adopted for 350 days. She’s currently in foster care.
Mista
Mista, a 3-year-old pit bull terrier mix, was shut down and scared when he arrived at the shelter, but after eight months of diligent work with staff, his confidence is on the up-and-up.
“(He) has a way of making me feel appreciated, and I sense that he is a very affectionate dog. With every outing, he seems more trusting, more engaged and more connected with me,” a volunteer who’s worked with Mista multiple times this month wrote.
They also called him “an absolute darling.”
He bursts into joyful zoomies and circles when out on walks, but still looks back to make sure the volunteer is with him. Mista is also a huge fan of the dog pool.
“He does an adorable little dance in the pool, circling and ‘digging’ at the water before taking off for another round of zoomies,” the volunteer wrote.
Mista is 46 pounds and likes playing with dogs near his size who know how to get rough ‘n’ rowdy. Since he’s shy, he needs to meet everyone in a potential adopter’s household.
Shelter staff don’t know how he does with cats or if he’s house- and kennel-trained.
Mista has been waiting to be adopted for 223 days. He’s currently at the shelter.
Ace
Ace, a 5-year-old, Black Mouth Cur, is a certified sweetie pie.
“He is darling, and a joy to have around. Anyone would be lucky to adopt Ace!!” a volunteer wrote.
Shelter staff say that Ace is a Mass Street Mutts superstar. He gets extra gold stars for good behavoir, not pulling on the leash and not reacting to other animals while he’s leashed.
He’s also happy to let anyone pet him and handles car rides like a pro. Folks have described him as soft-spoken, gentle and loving.
Ace does take behavior meds for separation anxiety. He is calm as a cucumber when someone is home, so staff think he’d thrive in a work-from-home or multigenerational household.
He can’t live with other dogs because he would resource guard against them, but he can live with cats if they’re properly introduced.
Staff aren’t sure if he can live with kids, but he handles them fantastically on MSM outings. They also don’t know if he’s house- or kennel-trained.
Ace has been waiting to be adopted for 110 days. He’s currently at the shelter.
Potential foster parents can email the Foster Coordinator at [email protected] 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 [email protected].
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